No fluff – just the transport apps that actually help foreigners to get around in China.😏
China Transport App – Quick Table
These 5 apps will get you anywhere in China – no Mandarin needed!
Alipay is MVP for combining everything, while Trip.com saves headaches with English train, hotel & flight bookings.
| Category | Best App | Key Features | Rating |
| 🗺️ Maps | Apple Maps (iOS) | English, live transit, offline maps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Amap (Gaode Maps) | mostly English, traffic light timers | ⭐⭐⭐ | |
| 🚄 Trains | Trip.com | English, int'l cards, flight booking & train e-tickets | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🚖 Taxis | Didi (on Alipay!!) | China's Uber; Didi on Alipay is better than Didi itself | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🚲 Bikes | Alipay Scan | Scan any bike, no deposit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 💳 All-in-One | Alipay Transport | 1 QR code for metro/bus/bike/taxi | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✅Need internet to use apps in China? I've found the best data plans at cheap prices - very fast & reliable data!
384349 booked
China Transport App – Map Apps for Public Transport (Metro/Bus)
Apple Maps in China: Best if u got IOS device
If you’re an iPhone user, Apple Maps is your best map app in China. Once you’re physically in the country, it automatically switches to Gaode Maps data (China’s top navigation app) but keeps everything in English. It’s shockingly accurate for metro routes, bus schedules, and even live traffic updates.
Pro tip: Use Pinyin (e.g., “Tiananmen Square”) or landmarks for searches. Offline maps work great if you download them beforehand.
Local Map App: Baidu Maps vs Amap (Gaode Maps)
For Android users or anyone needing hyper-local accuracy:
- Gaode Maps (AKA Amap): Now supports full English as of 2025. It’s the go-to for drivers (live traffic light timers!) and has better real-time transit updates. Perfect if you’re staying long-term.
- Baidu Maps: Still Mandarin-heavy, but integrates social features like restaurant reviews. Use it for off-the-grid areas (e.g., rural hikes) where coverage is broader.
MetroMan: Subway-Specific Map for 50+ Cities
For metro-only travel, MetroMan is my favorite. It’s English-first, works offline, and breaks down transfers, exits, and station layouts. Ideal for first-timers in cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
See all the China map apps compared below
China Transport App – Booking Trains & Flights
Trip.com is the easiest way to book china bullet trains/flights as a foreigner. Their English app lets you:
- Book high-speed rail (G/D trains) with e-tickets (just scan passport)
- Compare flight prices across 45+ cities in China, and thousands of cities worldwide!
- Pay with international cards (no Chinese bank account needed) and all in English, not like local booking app mostly in Mandarin.
Pro tip: Use their "My Bookings" tab to store all tickets in one place. For last-minute trips, check the "Deals" section—sometimes you can snag same-day train tickets at 20% off.
China Transport App – China Taxi (Didi & Alternatives)
Didi Chuxing (China’s Uber)
The most popular China Taxi App - Didi’s English app works like Uber—just enter your destination and pay via Alipay/international card. Drivers rarely speak English, so pin your location exactly (e.g., "Hotel lobby, not street corner").
Book Taxis by Alipay: No Mandarin Needed!
Alipay > "Transport" > "Didi" is the easiest option (no ID verification hell like WeChat). Bonus: You can also rent bikes, hail trucks (!), and pay metro fares here. Learn more about how to use Alipay for transport in China.
HelloRide
Amap Taxi & HelloRide: Top Didi Alternatives
If Didi’s surging, try Amap Taxi (cheaper for short rides) or HelloRide (e-bikes + carpooling). Both are in Chinese, but Google Lens translates screens instantly.
China Transport App – Bike Rentals Made Easy
Forget complicated apps—just use Alipay! Open it, hit "Scan," and unlock most major bike brands (Hellobike, Meituan, etc.) instantly. No deposits, no hassle—rides cost ¥1.5-3/hour and charge straight to your Alipay.
Watch out:
- Meituan (yellow) and Didi (blue-green) bikes need their own apps
- Always park in painted zones (or get fined ¥5-20)
- Check the seat height/brakes first—some bikes are rough
Pro move: Alipay’s "Bike" section shows real-time maps of nearby bikes. Way easier than hunting!
China Transport App – All-in-One Payment with Alipay
Source from viajeroslowcosteros
One QR code rules them all! Alipay’s "Transport" section (出行) lets you pay for metro, buses, bikes, and even Didi taxis—no need for separate apps or cards. Here’s how it works:
- Open Alipay → Tap "Transport" (or search 出行)
- Pick your city (e.g., Beijing) → Activate the metro/bus QR code
- Scan at gates/scanners (same code for entry/exit)
- For bikes/taxis, just switch tabs in the same menu
What to Prepare for a Trip to China?
- Visa & Entry Tips China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy now covers 54 countries, incl. the US, UK, Canada, and Brazil, allowing up to 10 days during layovers. Learn more about China Entry Tips to land in China easily.
- Getting Connected VPNs are vital for accessing Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc in China. Set one up before arriving. China eSIMs are the easiest option for data and bypassing restrictions. Pocket Wi-Fi devices work best for group but are pricier and require pickup/return.
- Money Exchange & Tax Refunds Exchange money in China banks (better rates than airports). ATMs accept foreign cards, but notify your bank first. For tax refunds, spend over ¥500 at stores with a "Tax-Free" sign. Keep receipts and get forms stamped at customs before departure.
Must-Have Apps in China
- China Payment Apps Forget cash. Chinese use Alipay (I like it better) or WeChat Pay to pay for everything in China. Scan a QR code at noodle stalls, metros, even temples. Link your foreign Visa/Mastercard before landing.
- China Map Apps Amap (Gaode Map) & Baidu Map (limited English) is what locals use, with real-time navigation, metro/bus routes, and traffic updates. Apple Maps does a good job too if you're already an IOS user.
- China Transport Apps Street taxis are cheap, but drivers rarely speak English. Use China Taxi App like DiDi (China’s Uber)—set your destination in English, pay by Alipay.
- China Travel Apps 15+ China trips taught me: Use Trip.com. It's the best English app for booking China trains/flights/hotels + finds Trip.com deals.
- China Dating Apps Locals use Tantan (China’s Tinder) and Momo. WeChat’s “People Nearby” works too, but expect language barriers unless your Mandarin’s decent.
- China Food App Use Meituan (also helps find nearby restaurants) or Ele.me for food delivery—both have English mode. No English menu in restaurants? Scan the QR with Alipay's translator.
FAQs about China Transport Apps
What is the best ride app in China?
Didi Chuxing (China's Uber) is #1. Works in English, accepts foreign cards via Alipay, and has 90% market coverage. Pro tip: Book through Alipay (search "Didi") for easier payments.Can tourists use Didi in China?
Yes! The English app works with: International credit cards Alipay/WeChat Pay No Chinese phone number needed Watch out: Drivers rarely speak English – pin your location exactly (e.g., "Hotel main entrance").What app is mostly used in China?
Alipay dominates (1.3B users) because it handles: Metro/bus QR payments Didi taxis Bike rentals (Hellobike/Meituan) Train/flight bookingsDoes Trip.com Work in China?
Yes, and it's the best for foreigners! Books: High-speed trains (English e-tickets) Flights (45+ Chinese cities) Hotels (5,000+ options) Bonus: 24/7 English support – rare for China apps!