Trip.com Review & Guide (2025): My Honest Experience Using Trip.com for Flights, Hotels, and More

When I first started traveling, I used to book my flights on one site, hotels on another, and then scramble to figure out trains and airport transfers last minute. It was messy, stressful, and often expensive. Then, a fellow traveler I met in a hostel in Bangkok recommended Trip.com. At first, I thought it was just another booking site. But after using it several times across different countries, it has become one of my favorite travel tools.

In this blog-style review, I want to share my personal experiences with Trip.com—how it helped me book last-minute flights, find hidden hotel deals, and even secure a train ticket in China without the language barrier. I’ll also give you a detailed guide on how to use it, tips for getting the most out of it, and my honest take on its pros and cons. So, if you’re wondering “Is Trip.com legit?” or whether it’s worth using for your next adventure, let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

What is Trip.com?

For those who haven’t heard of it, Trip.com is a global travel booking platform where you can reserve flights, hotels, trains, rental cars, airport transfers, and activities. It’s part of the Trip.com Group, which also owns Ctrip (China’s biggest travel agency) and Skyscanner (a popular flight search engine).

What I love about it is that Trip.com feels like an all-in-one travel planner. Instead of juggling multiple websites, I just use one app and have everything organized in one place.

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My First Experience with Trip.com

I still remember my very first booking. I was in Bangkok, and I needed a last-minute flight to Singapore for a visa run. I had checked other booking platforms, but the prices were crazy high. Out of curiosity, I opened Trip.com, and to my surprise, it showed a cheaper flight with baggage included. I booked it at midnight, and within a few minutes, the e-ticket landed in my inbox. The next morning, I was on my way to Singapore without a hitch.

That one experience hooked me. Since then, I’ve used Trip.com to book everything from Tokyo hotels with flexible cancellation to Shanghai high-speed train tickets—which, trust me, is a lifesaver when you don’t speak Mandarin.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Trip.com

Here are some real-life situations where Trip.com has saved my travels:

Tokyo, Japan – I booked a boutique hotel near Shinjuku with free cancellation. Plans changed, so I canceled two days before and lost nothing.
Shanghai, China – Instead of struggling with long queues and Chinese-only machines at the station, I booked my train ticket on Trip.com and just scanned the QR code.
London, UK – I landed at Heathrow late at night. My pre-booked Trip.com airport transfer driver was waiting with my name on a sign. Zero stress.
Bangkok, Thailand – Found a last-minute hotel deal that was cheaper than Booking.com. Plus, I earned Trip Coins for my next booking.

These little wins add up and make traveling smoother and more enjoyable.

Is Trip.com Legit and Safe?

Let’s address the big question: Is Trip.com legit?
Yes, absolutely. Trip.com is part of a huge international group, it’s publicly traded, and millions of travelers use it daily. Personally, I’ve never had an issue with legitimacy or being denied entry with their tickets.

The only thing to watch out for is the refund policy, which often depends on the airline or hotel rather than Trip.com itself. For example, I once booked a non-refundable ticket to Hong Kong. When I couldn’t make the trip, Trip.com’s support team explained clearly that the airline’s policy didn’t allow refunds. While disappointing, it wasn’t their fault—they actually helped me confirm the details quickly in English, which was much better than dealing directly with the airline.

Features I Use the Most on Trip.com

Here’s a breakdown of the features I’ve personally tried and found useful:

Flights – I often find cheaper fares here compared to Skyscanner or Expedia, especially for Asian routes. They clearly show baggage allowance too.
Hotels – Huge range, from luxury hotels to budget hostels. I like the free cancellation filter.
Trains – Booking high-speed trains in China and Japan is a game-changer.
Airport Transfers – Great when arriving late at night or in a new city.
Attractions – Handy for booking museum tickets or tours (though I also use Tiqets or Klook depending on the destination).
Trip Coins – Their rewards system actually adds up. I used mine for a discount on a Tokyo hotel once.

👉 Browse Flights and Hotels on Trip.com

How to Book on Trip.com (Step-by-Step)

If you’re new to Trip.com, here’s exactly how I usually book:

1. Open the App or Website

I mostly use the app because it’s faster and stores my bookings in one place.

2. Enter Travel Details

For flights, I add departure/arrival, dates, and passenger details. For hotels, I search by city and set my filters.

3. Compare Options

I like how easy it is to filter results by price, rating, or cancellation policy. With flights, I always check baggage rules.

4. Payment

Trip.com accepts credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and even local methods (like Alipay when I was in China).

5. Confirmation

E-tickets or hotel confirmation codes arrive instantly in the app and by email.

6. During the Trip

I just open the app to show QR codes or booking numbers—no need to dig through emails.

👉 Book Your Next Trip with Trip.com

Pros and Cons from My Experience

✅ Pros

All-in-one platform (flights, hotels, trains, transfers).
Often cheaper for Asian routes.
User-friendly mobile app.
Trip Coins rewards.
24/7 support in multiple languages.
Flexible hotel bookings with free cancellation.

❌ Cons

Refunds depend heavily on providers.
Refund times can be slow compared to Booking.com.
Best deals tend to be in Asia; Western routes sometimes cost more.

Tips I’ve Learned Using Trip.com

Sign up for an account – Member discounts and Trip Coins add real value.
Use the mobile app – Sometimes shows exclusive app-only prices.
Always check currency settings – I once accidentally booked in GBP instead of USD.
Compare directly with airlines – Most of the time Trip.com is cheaper, but not always.
Look for “Free Cancellation” – A must-have if your plans might change.

Trip.com vs Other Platforms (From My Experience)

I often cross-check Trip.com with other sites before booking. Here’s how I see it:

Platform	What I Use It For	Why Trip.com Wins for Me
Trip.com	Flights, hotels, trains	One-stop-shop, easy, rewards program
Booking.com	Hotels	Great for flexible stays, but no trains
Expedia	Packages	Sometimes better for bundles, but pricier solo
Skyscanner	Flight search	Great for comparisons, but redirects elsewhere
Klook	Tours and activities	Strong for Asia tours, but lacks flights/hotels

👉 Compare Deals on Trip.com Now

FAQs About Trip.com

1. Is Trip.com legit?
Yes, it’s a safe and trustworthy platform. I’ve used it for years.

2. Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, depending on the provider. Always check cancellation terms.

3. Is Trip.com cheaper than booking directly?
Often yes, especially for flights in Asia.

4. Does Trip.com have an app?
Yes, and it’s one of the best-designed travel apps I’ve used.

5. What are Trip Coins?
A rewards system—you earn points for each booking and redeem them for discounts.

Final Thoughts: My Trip.com Review 2025

So, is Trip.com worth using in 2025? For me, the answer is a solid yes.

Trip.com has become my go-to because of the convenience of booking everything in one place. It has saved me money on flights, given me flexibility with hotels, and made navigating trains in foreign countries much easier. While refund times could be faster and some deals are better in Asia than elsewhere, the overall experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

If you’re a frequent traveler or even planning your first big trip, I highly recommend giving Trip.com a try. It might just make your journey a lot smoother.

👉 Start Planning Your Trip with Trip.com Today

✈️ Final Travel Tip

Don’t leave your bookings to the last minute like I did in Bangkok. Download the Trip.com app before your trip, secure your flights and hotels, and use the rewards to save on your next adventure.

Happy travels, and see you out there! 🌍