How to pay for DiDi in Australia
DiDi in Australia accepts debit cards, credit cards and PayPal through the app. Cash is not accepted, and fares are charged automatically when the trip ends.
Accepted payment methods
| Method | Accepted in Australia |
|---|---|
| Debit card | Yes |
| Credit card | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes |
| Cash | No |
The fare, including tolls and any waiting fee, is charged to your chosen method at the end of the trip. A receipt is emailed and stored in My Trips (tax invoice and receipts).
Adding a card
- Tap the menu icon at the top left of the app.
- Go to Payment, then Add Payment Method, then Credit / Debit Card.
- Enter the card details carefully and save.
A payment method is also needed before you can redeem vouchers or promo codes (promo codes).
If the card will not add
DiDi lists these common causes: insufficient funds, an invalid transaction, a card reported lost or stolen, an expired card, a wrong card number or CVV, or the bank suspecting fraud. Try another card, recheck every field, and if it still fails, ask your bank.
Authorisation holds
To check your card, DiDi may put a temporary authorisation hold on your account, often close to the estimated fare. It is not a second charge. The hold is released when the trip is completed or cancelled, and DiDi says it returns within 3 to 7 business days depending on your bank.
This explains most "charged twice" and "charged before my ride" worries. Before contacting support, check that:
- the earlier payment actually went through,
- the pending amount is near the estimated fare (likely a hold),
- nobody else uses your account,
- the charge is not a delayed fare or cancellation fee visible in My Trips.
When a payment fails
The app shows Payment Pending when a trip has not been paid. You cannot book again until it is cleared. Common reasons and fixes:
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Card details wrong | Update them under Payment |
| Card expired | Delete it and add a new one |
| Not enough funds | Top up the account or add another card |
| Card issued overseas | Ask the bank to authorise, or use an Australian card |
| Card reported lost or stolen | Contact the bank |
If money left your account but the app still says pending, DiDi suggests waiting a couple of days for the status to update. A disputed fare also stays pending until DiDi finishes its review.
Drivers asking for cash
Drivers should never ask for cash, including for tolls. DiDi asks riders to report it in the app and investigates every report. If you already paid cash for a toll, contact support with the trip details. Routes are on contact support.
Splitting the fare
Use Split Fare after requesting a ride to send invitations; the fare is shared evenly between those who accept.