Trip.com: Your All-in-One Booking Platform for China
Trip.com is the international brand of Ctrip (携程), China's largest and most dominant online travel company. For an international traveler, this app is indispensable.
While you may be used to other booking platforms, Trip.com offers an unmatched, comprehensive inventory for everything you need within China. Most importantly, it is fully in English and seamlessly accepts international payment methods and passports for booking.
Its "Killer Feature": Booking Train Tickets
This is the number one reason to download this app. China's high-speed rail network is fantastic, but the official booking system ("12306") is notoriously difficult for foreigners, requiring a Chinese bank account and ID.
Trip.com solves this problem:
- Easy Booking: You can easily search routes and book tickets in English.
- Accepts Foreign Passports: You book using your passport number, which is all you need.
- Accepts International Cards: You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.
It is, without question, the easiest and most reliable way for a non-resident to book train travel in China.
What Else Can You Book?
- Hotels: It has a massive inventory of Chinese hotels, including many local guesthouses and boutique hotels that are not listed on Western platforms like Booking.com or Expedia.
- Domestic Flights: It is the best platform for comparing and booking all domestic flights within mainland China.
- Attraction Tickets: You can also use it to pre-book tickets for major attractions like the Forbidden City, Shanghai Disneyland, or various national parks.
Download the App
- For iOS (iPhone/iPad): Download on the App Store
- For Android: Get it on Google Play
Bottom Line: If you only download one travel booking app for your China trip, make it this one. It is the key to securing your transport and accommodation across the country with zero friction.
