玩欧洲 · 第一次来欧洲

First time in Europe?

A practical Europe guide for Chinese travellers: start with hotels, trains, buses, eSIM and basic European travel rules. Visa, Schengen and country-specific entry requirements must also be checked before booking.

Check visa guide firstHotels, trains and eSIMEurope basics

Last reviewed: 1 July 2026. Visa rules can change quickly. Always check official sources before booking.

Lauterbrunnen valley and Swiss Alps

Mainland China · First trip to Europe

Travelling from mainland China to Europe for the first time? Start with these basics

Everyday travel in Europe works differently from domestic travel in China. Hotel location, trains, mobile data, long distance buses and visa terms should be clear before planning the route.

HotelsCheck location before price. For a first trip, staying near a train station, metro or city centre is often easier.
TrainsEuropean rail is not as unified as Chinese high speed rail. Countries, operators, fares and reservations differ.
Mobile dataCheck whether the phone supports eSIM. Maps, translation, hotel contact and tickets depend on mobile data.
Long distance busesFlixBus can be cheap, but it is usually slower. Check the stop location, luggage rules and arrival time.
VisaSchengen, the EU and Europe are not the same. Chinese travellers usually need a visa for short tourist trips to many Schengen countries.
Schengen visa specimen

Visa and entry guide

Schengen, visa-free exceptions, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Montenegro and other special cases follow different entry rules.

Visa and entry guide
European hotel room

Hotel booking

Guide →

Booking hotels in Europe through Trip.com is usually not a problem, especially in large cities such as Munich, Zurich, Paris, Vienna or Rome.

Hotels on Trip.com
Swiss lakeside train

Train travel in Europe

Guide →

Trains are practical in Europe, but the system is not as unified as in China. Each country has its own railway companies, fares and reservation rules.

Check European train tickets
Munich as a starting point for European bus and train travel

Long distance buses

Bus guide →

FlixBus and other long distance buses are often cheaper than trains, but slower. They make sense for direct routes, small budgets or expensive train tickets.

Open FlixBus
Modern smartphone with SIM tray

Mobile data and eSIM

Guide →

Maps, trains, hotel messages and translation are much easier with mobile data. Check whether your phone supports eSIM before choosing eSIM, roaming or a physical SIM card.

Trip.com eSIM

Next step · Booking shortcuts

Already know what you need? Start with the practical bookings

Visa rules must be checked with official sources. In practice, hotel location, train routing, bus options and mobile data have the greatest effect on the trip.

Book hotels in Europe

Check location before price. Useful for Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Paris, Rome and other cities on a first trip.

Hotels on Trip.comHotel guide

Check European trains

Good for cross-border routes and long-distance tickets before deciding on Eurail or national passes.

Check train ticketsTrain guide

Long distance buses

Useful for small budgets, direct routes or when train tickets are expensive. Often cheaper, usually slower.

Open FlixBusBus guide

Prepare an eSIM for Europe

Set up mobile data before arrival. Maps, translation, hotels and tickets depend on it.

Trip.com eSIMeSIM guide

Note: these are commercial or affiliate links. Visa and entry rules should always be checked on official pages.

Inspiration · Ideas for a first trip to Europe

Get a first impression of Europe

The images show typical travel impressions from Bavaria and Switzerland: Alps, valleys, cities, lakes and castle landscapes.

Bavarian Alps

Bavarian Alps

From Munich, mountains, lakes and small towns are easy destinations for a first trip to Europe.

Lauterbrunnen Valley

Swiss valleys

Swiss trains, valleys and lakes are part of the trip, not just transport.

Marienplatz in Munich

Munich as a base

A well located hotel makes Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland much easier.

Old town Zurich and Limmat river

Zurich and Swiss cities

Zurich works well as a first Swiss stop and train connection point.

Neuschwanstein castle

Neuschwanstein

Many first trips to southern Germany mix city time, mountains and a castle visit.

Visa and entry · Important information

Check visa and entry requirements before travelling

Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Türkiye and nearby European countries follow different rules. Before booking, check the passport, destination and full itinerary against official sources.

Read visa and entry guide

FAQ · Quick answers

First-time Europe questions

Do Chinese travellers usually need a Schengen visa?

Usually yes. For many short leisure trips to Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria or Switzerland, travellers holding mainland Chinese passports normally need a Schengen visa. See the visa and entry guide for details.

Are Europe and the Schengen Area the same thing?

No. Europe is a continent, while Schengen is a travel area. Not every European country belongs to Schengen.

What should matter most when booking hotels in Europe?

Location first, price second. For a first trip, staying near a major station, metro or central area is usually worth more than saving a little money.

Should train tickets be bought early?

For long-distance, cross-border and scenic trains, often yes. Short local routes are sometimes easy to buy on the day.

Is eSIM worth preparing before the trip?

Yes. Maps, translation, train platforms, hotel messages and payment verification all become easier with mobile data.

Are shops in Europe open on Sundays?

Often not. In countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, many normal shops close on Sundays.

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