Scenario Matrix
| Scenario | Trip.com | 12306 Official | Trainline | Station Counter | |---|---|---|---|---| | First-time visitor, simple route | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Usable | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ Stressful | | Booking 7+ days in advance | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Fee heavy | ⚠️ Queue heavy | | Booking 1–2 days in advance | ⚠️ Fee | ⚠️ Available | ❌ May lack | ✅ Good | | No Chinese phone number | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | | Complex multi-leg journey | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Complex | ❌ Poor | ⚠️ Clunky | | Peak travel (Golden Week) | ⚠️ May sell out | ⚠️ Sells fast | ⚠️ Unreliable | ❌ Usually sold out | | Want e-ticket on phone | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Paper only | | Want refund/exchange support | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Complex | ⚠️ Mixed | ⚠️ Possible |