Renting a Car in Xi’an as a Foreigner: A Practical Guide to Payments and More

I’ve traveled to China a dozen times, but my recent trip to Xi’an felt different—thanks to the freedom of having a rental car. Exploring the Terracotta Army at my own pace, driving up to the Hua Shan mountain gate at dawn, and even stumbling upon a tiny noodle shop in the countryside… none of this would’ve been as easy with buses or taxis. But as a foreigner, renting a car here came with its own puzzles, especially when it came to payments. Let me break down what I learned so you can skip the stress and focus on the adventure.

Renting a Car in Xi’an as a Foreigner: A Practical Guide to Payments and More

Why Rent a Car in Xi’an?

First, let’s talk why. Xi’an is huge—its tourist spots spread out like a map: the Terracotta Army (30km east), the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (downtown), and Hua Shan (120km southeast) aren’t exactly walkable. Buses are cheap but slow, and taxis add up. A rental car? Game-changer. I rented a compact SUV for 5 days (around ¥1,200/day, including insurance) and split the cost with two friends—way cheaper than constantly hailing rides. Plus, having a car meant I could chase sunsets at the City Wall without worrying about last metro trains.

Before You Book: Documents & Company Choice

You’ll need three key things:

1. Valid Driver’s License: Your home country license works, but you must get an official translation. I used the “Translate” app by Alibaba (it’s free and accepted by most rental companies) to scan my license and generate a bilingual PDF. Some companies also accept the IDP (International Driving Permit), but the translation app was easier—no paperwork to mail ahead.
2. Passport & Chinese Visa: Make sure your visa is valid for the entire rental period. They’ll take a copy when you pick up the car.
3. A Chinese Phone Number: For verification (e.g., receiving rental confirmations). If you don’t have one, ask your hotel to help you register a temporary SIM card—China Unicom or China Mobile both offer tourist plans with 20GB data for ¥30/week.

Which Rental Company?
I compared three:

• ZiCar (神州租车): The biggest player, with English-speaking staff at Xi’an Xianyang Airport and downtown locations. Their website has an English version, which is a lifesaver.
• Hertz: More expensive (¥1,500/day) but great if you’re used to international brands. They accept credit cards more easily.
• Local Agencies: Cheaper (¥800–1,000/day) but riskier if you don’t speak Chinese. I stuck with ZiCar—reliability matters when you’re in a foreign country.

The Big One: Payments for Foreigners

This is where most foreigners trip up. China’s cashless society is amazing, but international cards don’t always work—especially outside big cities. Here’s what you need to know:

International Credit/Debit Cards: Limited Use

I tried paying my rental deposit with my Visa Platinum card at ZiCar’s downtown office. Declined. The staff explained their system only accepts Chinese-issued cards for “real-time authorization.” Some high-end agencies (like Hertz at the airport) might take international cards, but always confirm before you arrive.

Pro Tip: If you have a UnionPay card (from your home country), bring it—UnionPay is widely accepted in China. But most Western countries don’t issue these, so don’t count on it.

Alipay & WeChat pay: The Go-To (But You Need a Chinese Bank Account)

Alipay and WeChat are China’s “everything apps”—you can pay for rent, food, or… car rentals. But here’s the catch: foreign accounts can’t add funds directly. I learned this the hard way when I tried to use Alipay to pay my deposit and got a “payment failed” error.

Solution: Link a Chinese bank account to your Alipay/WeChat. If you have a Chinese SIM card, you can open a bank account at ICBC or China Merchants Bank with just your passport. It takes 30 minutes—no minimum deposit. Once linked, top up via bank transfer and you’re good to go.

Cash: The Backup Plan

If you can’t set up a Chinese bank account (or don’t want to), cash is your safety net. ZiCar accepts cash for deposits, but you’ll need a lot. My deposit was ¥5,000 (for a 5-day rental)—and they only take RMB. I withdrew ¥6,000 from an ATM at the airport (using my debit card; it charged $5 USD in fees, but worth it for peace of mind).

Pro Tip: ATMs at Bank of China or ICBC are more likely to accept foreign cards than small ones. Also, tell your bank you’re traveling to China—otherwise, they might freeze your account.

“Proxy Payment” via Friends (If You Know Any Locals)

I met a traveler who had a Chinese friend pay for the rental, then transferred the money via PayPal. It worked, but it’s awkward to ask a stranger for a favor. Only do this if you trust someone!

Step-by-Step: Renting the Car

Once you’ve sorted payments, the process is smooth:

1. Book Online: Use ZiCar’s English website or app. Pick up at Xianyang Airport (most convenient) or a downtown location.
2. Bring Your Documents: Passport, translated license, visa, and cash/deposit.
3. Inspect the Car: This is critical. The staff will walk around with you—check every scratch, dent, and even tire pressure. I took 20+ photos with my phone (close-ups of each scratch, mileage on the dashboard). If you miss something, they might charge you later.
4. Sign the Contract: Read it carefully! Check insurance coverage (ZiCar includes basic collision, but “deductible” means you pay ¥1,000–2,000 if you damage the car). I added “full coverage” for an extra ¥200/day—totally worth it for rocky mountain roads.
5. Get the Keys: They’ll give you two keys, a copy of the contract, and a “road permit” (required to drive in China—keep it in the car!).

Driving in Xi’an: What to Expect

• Navigation: Google Maps doesn’t work well in China. Download Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps—they have real-time traffic and English options. I set Amap to “avoid highways” when driving downtown (less stressful!).
• Traffic: Xi’an’s roads are chaotic but manageable. Motorcycles and e-bikes swerve everywhere—give them space. Speed limits: 50 km/h in the city, 120 km/h on highways.
• Parking: Most malls and hotels have parking lots (¥5–10/hour). Street parking is tricky—look for “P” signs and pay via Alipay/WeChat (scan the QR code on the meter). Don’t park in “no parking” zones—they tow quickly!
• ETC: ZiCar’s cars come with ETC for toll roads. When you exit a highway, the system automatically deducts fees from your deposit (they’ll send a receipt via SMS).

My “Oops” Moments & How to Avoid Them

• Running Out of Gas: I drove to Hua Shan and forgot to fill up before returning the car. ZiCar charged me ¥200 for “refueling service” (plus gas cost). Now I always top off the tank 10km before the rental office.
• Getting Lost on Mountain Roads: Hua Shan’s roads are narrow and winding. Amap’s “offline map” saved me—download it before you go (no cell service up there).
• Fender Bender: I tapped a car in a parking lot (minor scratch). Thanks to full coverage, I only paid ¥500 deductible. The other driver was cool—we just exchanged insurance info (ZiCar helped with the paperwork).

Final Tips

• Gas Stations: Use Sinopec (中石化) or PetroChina (中石油)—they’re reliable and accept Alipay/WeChat. Self-service is common; insert the gun, pay at the machine, then pump.
• Emergency Numbers: Save ZiCar’s hotline (400-111-7777) and the police (110). If you break down, they’ll send a replacement car within 2 hours.
• Cultural Note: If a honks at you, don’t take it personally—it’s just how people drive here. Stay calm, signal, and merge safely.

The Verdict

Renting a car in Xi’an as a foreigner is totally worth it—if you prepare for payments. Yes, it takes a bit of extra work (setting up Alipay, carrying cash), but the freedom to explore at your own pace? Unbeatable. I drove to a tiny village 40km outside Xi’an, ate the best biangbiang noodles of my life, and watched the sunrise over the Terracotta Army—all without rushing.

So go ahead, book that car. With this guide, you’ll spend less time stressing and more time falling in love with Xi’an.

Safe travels! 🚗💨