Trip.com & Transport

The ultimate What-if guide for hotels, flights, transfers, high-speed trains, and eSIMs.

💡 Quick Summary

Hotels: Must select "Foreign Guest Friendly". High-star & Tier-1/2 city B&Bs only.
eSIM: MUST choose International Roaming. Check EID before buying.
Transfers: Choose by luggage, not seats. Flat rate & 60-min free wait.
Trains: Verify passport first. Always use the Manual Gate.

✈️ Flights & Hotels (Crucial Tips)
  • Booking Flights: Use your passport info. Your name must be ALL CAPS with spaces exactly as on your passport. Avoid domestic special fares that strictly require a Chinese ID.
  • Hotel Filter: You MUST check the "Foreign Guest Friendly" (外宾适用) filter. Not all Chinese hotels are legally licensed to host foreigners.
  • Which Hotels are Safe? In Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, etc.), high-star hotels and established boutique B&Bs are reliable. Avoid random unrated guesthouses—they might reject you at the front desk.
  • Name Format: Enter as SURNAME/GIVENNAME (e.g., SMITH/JOHN).
  • Payment: International credit cards (Visa/Mastercard), Alipay, and WeChat Pay are fully supported.
🚨 Critical Warning: If a hotel does not explicitly say "Foreign Guest Friendly", they may not have the legal license to check you in. Always confirm before paying!
📱 eSIM Setup & Network Survival
  • MUST Buy International Roaming: Do not buy random local data plans! China restricts access to Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Only an International Roaming eSIM (like those from Trip.com, Airalo, Nomad) bypasses these restrictions seamlessly.
  • Data Plan: Buy data based on your usage. If you rely heavily on Google Maps and social media, buy a larger package. Don't risk running out of data when you need to call a Didi.
  • Before Buying: Dial *#06# on your phone. If you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM. Ensure your phone is carrier-unlocked.
  • Activation: Install the eSIM before flying, but ONLY turn on Data Roaming after you land in China to avoid burning your data days early.
  • Troubleshooting: If no internet after landing: 1) Select eSIM for cellular data. 2) Turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM. 3) Manually set APN (e.g., cmhk) and restart.
🚨 Digital Survival: If you buy the wrong eSIM, you will land in China with no access to Google Maps, Gmail, or WhatsApp. Do NOT skip the "International Roaming" check!
🚗 Transfers: Cars & Luggage
  • Luggage First: Do NOT just count passengers. A 5-seater with 4 people cannot fit large suitcases. If you have 3-4 people or large bags/strollers, you MUST book a 7-seater (e.g., GL8).
  • Flight Delays: Enjoy a standard 60-minute free waiting time after landing (premium options offer unlimited wait). No hidden fees.
  • Flat Rate: Tolls, parking, and name-board pickup are included in the one-price package.
⚠️ No Cross-City Trips: Transfers strictly cover "Airport/Station ⇌ City/Hotel". For traveling to another city, you must book a high-speed train.
🚄 12306 High-Speed Rail
  • Passport Verification: First-time users MUST verify their passport. Upload photos on the app (takes hours to 3 days) OR verify instantly at a station ticket window. Note: Before verification, you are limited to 4 tickets/day.
  • Name Format: Enter SURNAME first, then GIVEN NAME, exactly as it appears in the machine-readable zone of your passport (e.g., SMITH JOHN).
  • Boarding: Foreign passports cannot scan at automatic gates. Look for the Manual Channel (人工通道) to show your physical passport.
  • Payment Failed? Your bank's fraud control might block it. Call your bank first, or use Alipay/WeChat Pay (linked to your foreign card) as a backup.
🎫 Attraction & Cruise Tickets
  • Name Formatting: Must be ALL CAPS with spaces (e.g., SMITH JOHN). If your name has a dot (e.g., SMITH.JOHN), enter it exactly. Otherwise, the gate scanner will fail.
  • Original Passport ONLY: Photos or copies will NOT work. China uses strict real-name electronic tickets. You must carry the physical passport used for booking.
  • Cancellations: Check the fine print. Some discount or cruise tickets only allow refunds if "unused/unactivated"—once activated or past a certain time, they are non-refundable.
  • Children & Seniors: Select the correct ticket type. Bring physical passports for age/height verification at the manual window.