Visual guide
Transport decides the experience
Compare Swiss hotels early
Quick hotel checks before booking
- Is the hotel close to a main station, metro or reliable transport?
- Are check-in time, deposit and city tax clear?
- Is the score based on enough real guest reviews?
- Does the cancellation policy fit visa and route changes?
Trip.com and Booking.com
- In large cities such as Munich, Zurich, Paris, Vienna or Rome, booking through Trip.com is usually straightforward. The familiar booking process and clear order information can make the first trip to Europe easier for Chinese travellers.
- For smaller towns, mountain areas, countryside hotels, apartments or family-run guesthouses, Booking.com may sometimes show more local options. Comparing both platforms is often the safer choice.
Often underestimated: location and transport
- For many first-time visitors to Europe, the hotel location and public transport connection are more important than one or two extra stars. Do not only look at the distance to the city centre on the map; check the real route, transfers and how easy it is to return in the evening.
- Taxis in Europe are usually much more expensive than in China. A hotel near a railway station, metro, tram or useful bus line can save time, energy and quite a lot of transport money.
Near the railway station: useful, but check the city
- A hotel near the main station can be very practical for train connections, city changes and day trips. This is especially useful for trips from Munich into Bavaria or from Zurich to Lucerne, Bern or Interlaken.
- But “near the station” does not feel the same in every European city. Some station areas are central and convenient; others need a closer look. Read recent reviews about the area, noise and how it feels at night.
Check before booking
- Check the real walking distance to the station, metro or bus stop, not just the straight line on the map. With luggage, cobblestones, slopes and underpasses can feel longer than expected.
- Check lift, air conditioning, private bathroom, free cancellation, luggage storage and breakfast. Many European buildings are old; lifts and air conditioning are not automatic.
- Do not only look at the total score. Read recent reviews about location, noise, cleanliness, smooth check-in, reception hours and public transport.
European hotels may feel different
- Many European hotels are small. They may not have a large lobby, and reception may not be staffed 24 hours a day. If you arrive late, check late check-in or self check-in instructions in advance.
- Check-in is often from 14:00 or 15:00. Check-out is often around 10:00 or 11:00. If you arrive early, ask whether luggage storage is possible.
- Rooms can be smaller than in similarly priced Chinese hotels. Toothbrushes, slippers, kettles and free bottled water are not always provided. Smoking inside the room is usually strictly forbidden.
You do not always need hotel breakfast
- In German-speaking cities, I often book hotels without breakfast and first check whether there is a bakery nearby. Many bakeries open early, often around 6:00, and sell coffee, tea, filled rolls, sandwiches or small pastries. Some have seats; others are better for takeaway.
- Butchers or deli-style shops can also be useful for something local to take away, especially in Bavaria, where a warm meat roll such as Leberkäse in a bread roll is common. It is not a hotel buffet, but it is part of everyday local food culture.
- If you like a large hotel buffet and eat a lot in the morning, hotel breakfast can still be convenient. But in European cities, do not add breakfast automatically. Sometimes a nearby bakery is cheaper, faster and more flexible.
Passport, deposit and city tax
- A passport is normally required at check-in. Travel companions may also need to show ID. Keep passports ready even if the room has already been paid online.
- Some hotels ask for a credit card pre-authorisation or deposit for minibar, damage or unpaid extras. Online payment does not always mean that no card will be requested at the hotel.
- Many European cities charge a city tax or tourist tax. It is usually not high, but it may need to be paid at the hotel. The booking platform and the hotel’s own rules are decisive.
The hotel button is an affiliate link. If you book through it, I may receive a small commission; the price shown on Trip.com is what matters. The information can also be used without booking through the link, and you can book with another provider.