A Software Engineer at Trip Group is more than just a developer; you are an architect of global connectivity. As part of one of the world's largest online travel agencies, including brands like Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar, our engineers build the high-concurrency systems that power millions of bookings every day. From optimizing search algorithms that navigate billions of flight and hotel combinations to ensuring seamless payment processing across dozens of currencies, your work directly impacts the travel experiences of a global user base. The engineering culture at Trip Group is defined by scale and speed. You will work on distributed systems that must remain resilient under massive traffic spikes, particularly during peak holiday seasons. Whether you are focused on backend infrastructure, frontend user experience, or mobile performance, you will be solving complex problems that require a balance between innovative feature development and rigorous system stability. Joining Trip Group means stepping into a strategic role where technical decisions influence the company’s ability to scale in international markets. You will be expected to contribute to a collaborative environment, driving engineering excellence across cross-functional teams to deliver localized and highly responsive services to travelers worldwide.
Recruiter Call
reportedInitial touchpoint with a recruiter to discuss your background and interest in the role.
What to demonstrate
- Initial touchpoint with a recruiter to discuss your background and interest in the role
- Depth in Coding interview questions (easy/medium)
How to prepare
- Be able to walk your CV end to end in two minutes, and say why this company specifically.
- Have your salary expectations, notice period and location constraints ready, and ask for the rest of the loop in writing.
Technical Rounds
reportedA series of technical assessments including live coding, system design discussions, and project reviews.
What to demonstrate
- A series of technical assessments including live coding, system design discussions, and project reviews
- Depth in Coding interview questions (easy/medium)
How to prepare
- Answer aloud and timed: How do you handle cache stampede or cache breakdown in a high-traffic environment?
- Answer aloud and timed: Describe the lifecycle of a request from the client browser to our backend server.
Management Interview
reportedDiscussion with leadership to evaluate cultural fit and alignment with company values.
What to demonstrate
- Discussion with leadership to evaluate cultural fit and alignment with company values
- Depth in Coding interview questions (easy/medium)
How to prepare
- Answer aloud and timed: Write a function to merge overlapping intervals (e.g., flight segments).
- Answer aloud and timed: Implement a Least Recently Used (LRU) cache.
Salary Negotiation
reportedFinal discussions regarding compensation and benefits before an offer is made.
What to demonstrate
- Final discussions regarding compensation and benefits before an offer is made
- Depth in Coding interview questions (easy/medium)
How to prepare
- Answer aloud and timed: Find the shortest path in a graph representing a subway network.
- Answer aloud and timed: Given a string, find the longest palindromic substring.
PracHub editorial advice for the preparation topics above.
Review Your CV Thoroughly
Our interviewers will often ask deep-dive questions about the projects listed on your resume. Be prepared to explain your specific contributions and the technical choices you made.
Clarify the Requirements
Before jumping into a coding solution or a system design, ask clarifying questions. We value engineers who ensure they fully understand the problem before attempting to solve it.
Focus on Fundamentals
Don't just memorize LeetCode solutions. Understand the underlying principles of why certain algorithms or system designs are preferred in specific contexts.
Ensure your CV accurately reflects your years of experience in specific domains
Some teams have very strict requirements regarding specialized experience (e.g., exactly 5 years in a specific stack) and will verify this during the interview.
Choose a category, try a prompt, then open its approach, worked solution or follow-up when you need it.
Write a function to merge overlapping intervals (e.g., flight segments).
Write a function to merge overlapping intervals (e.g., flight segments).
Approach
- Restate the input: its shape, its size, and what is guaranteed about it.
- Name the brute-force solution and its complexity before improving on it.
- Choose the data structure from the access pattern, not from familiarity.
- State the target complexity and say which constraint rules the naive version out.
Follow-up
- How does this change if the input no longer fits in memory?
- What is the worst case, and how likely is it on real data?
Implement a Least Recently Used (LRU) cache.
Implement a Least Recently Used (LRU) cache.
Approach
- Restate the input: its shape, its size, and what is guaranteed about it.
- Name the brute-force solution and its complexity before improving on it.
- Choose the data structure from the access pattern, not from familiarity.
- State the target complexity and say which constraint rules the naive version out.
Follow-up
- How does this change if the input no longer fits in memory?
- What is the worst case, and how likely is it on real data?
Find the shortest path in a graph representing a subway network.
Find the shortest path in a graph representing a subway network.
Approach
- Restate the input: its shape, its size, and what is guaranteed about it.
- Name the brute-force solution and its complexity before improving on it.
- Choose the data structure from the access pattern, not from familiarity.
- State the target complexity and say which constraint rules the naive version out.
Follow-up
- How does this change if the input no longer fits in memory?
- What is the worst case, and how likely is it on real data?
Given a string, find the longest palindromic substring.
Given a string, find the longest palindromic substring.
Approach
- Restate the input: its shape, its size, and what is guaranteed about it.
- Name the brute-force solution and its complexity before improving on it.
- Choose the data structure from the access pattern, not from familiarity.
- State the target complexity and say which constraint rules the naive version out.
Follow-up
- How does this change if the input no longer fits in memory?
- What is the worst case, and how likely is it on real data?
Keep soft-deleted accounts from blocking re-registration
app_user holds user_id, tenant_id, email CITEXT, password_hash (NULL for SSO principals), email_verified_at, auth_version, status ('invited','active','suspended','deactivated'), created_at, updated_at, deleted_at. Two live accounts for one address inside a tenant must be impossible, but an address freed by a soft delete must be reusable, and the same tenant may delete and re-register it repeatedly. Write the uniqueness DDL for PostgreSQL 16, then the equivalent for MySQL 8 where partial indexes do not exist, and say what each permits once three deleted rows already hold that address.
Approach
- Start from what is actually unique: not (tenant_id, email), but (tenant_id, email) among live rows. PostgreSQL says that directly — CREATE UNIQUE INDEX app_user_live_email ON app_user (tenant_id, email) WHERE deleted_at IS NULL. A full constraint over the same two columns burns the address permanently the first time someone deletes an account.
- Keep case-insensitivity in the type or the index, never in the application: CITEXT as given, or UNIQUE (tenant_id, lower(email)) as an expression index where the extension is unavailable. A case-sensitive unique column is exactly how two accounts for one human appear.
- For MySQL 8 the predicate has to move inside the key: add a discriminator column that is a constant 0 while the row is live and is set to user_id on delete, with UNIQUE (tenant_id, email, deleted_marker). Live rows share the constant and still collide; deleted rows differ from each other and stop colliding.
- State the NULL variant and its dependency: leaving the marker NULL for deleted rows also works, because a unique index treats NULLs as distinct — true in MySQL, and true in PostgreSQL only under the default NULLS DISTINCT, which PostgreSQL 15 lets you reverse. Check the polarity against the three existing deleted rows: constant-on-live is what preserves the collision you want, and reversing it silently admits duplicate live accounts.
Follow-up
- A deleted account re-registers with the same address the next day. Do the old resource rows follow the new user_id, and how does the API keep the two principals apart?
- How do you honour an erasure request while resource_revision.actor_user_id still references this table?
Denormalise tenant onto revisions and backfill it live
resource_revision (revision_id, resource_id, version, actor_user_id, change_kind, patch, request_id, created_at) has 400M rows and no tenant column; tenant_id lives only on resource. Two reads need it: a tenant-scoped audit feed ordered by created_at DESC, and an offboarding purge. Both join back to resource today. Justify adding tenant_id to resource_revision against those two reads, name the anomaly the copy introduces and the constraint that prevents it, then give the ordered migration for a live table taking 1.2k writes/second — the lock each step takes, how the backfill is batched, and where each step stops being reversible. PostgreSQL 16.
Approach
- Justify from the access path rather than from taste. Without the column, the audit feed either scans resource_revision by created_at and discards other tenants' rows, or resolves the tenant's resource_ids first and probes with them — both proportional to the tenant's whole history rather than to one page. With (tenant_id, created_at DESC, revision_id DESC) it is a seek that stops at 50 rows, and the purge becomes a ranged delete instead of a join.
- Name the cost exactly: a second copy of a fact can disagree with the first. Make the disagreement unwritable rather than documented — add UNIQUE (resource_id, tenant_id) on resource so it can serve as a foreign-key target, then FOREIGN KEY (resource_id, tenant_id) REFERENCES resource (resource_id, tenant_id) on the revision table. A revision can then only ever carry its parent's tenant.
- Step one, expand: ALTER TABLE resource_revision ADD COLUMN tenant_id BIGINT NULL, with no default, so it is a catalogue change and no rewrite. It still needs ACCESS EXCLUSIVE for an instant, and that instant queues behind the longest open transaction on the table while every later query queues behind it — set lock_timeout to 2s and retry rather than wait.
- Step two, dual-write: deploy the writer that populates tenant_id on every new revision while reads still use the join. Reversible by redeploying the previous build, because nothing reads the column yet.
Follow-up
- The backfill is half finished and a rollback is required. What state is the table in, and what does the previous build do with a half-populated column?
- How do you verify the backfill actually finished, given rows are still being inserted while it runs?
What are the differences between TCP and UDP, and in what travel scenarios would you use each?
What are the differences between TCP and UDP, and in what travel scenarios would you use each?
Approach
- Clarify what is being asked and what a complete answer contains.
- State your assumptions explicitly before working the problem.
- Say what you would check first and why it is the highest-information step.
- Work from the requirement backwards to the design.
Follow-up
- What assumption would you test first?
- How would you know your answer was wrong?
Explain the concept of "idempotency" and why it is crucial for a payment processing system.
Explain the concept of "idempotency" and why it is crucial for a payment processing system.
Approach
- Say who the caller is and what they do when the call fails halfway.
- Define the identity of a request so a retry cannot double-apply it.
- Separate accepted, pending, failed and confirmed; they are different facts.
- Design the error taxonomy before the success shape; callers branch on it.
Follow-up
- What happens if the caller retries after a timeout?
- How does a client discover it is on an old version of this contract?
Describe the lifecycle of a request from the client browser to our backend server.
Describe the lifecycle of a request from the client browser to our backend server.
Approach
- Clarify what is being asked and what a complete answer contains.
- State your assumptions explicitly before working the problem.
- Say what you would check first and why it is the highest-information step.
- Work from the requirement backwards to the design.
Follow-up
- What assumption would you test first?
- How would you know your answer was wrong?
Listing latency scales with page size, not with filters
The tenant listing endpoint reads resource filtered by tenant_id and status, ordered by updated_at DESC, and returns each row plus the owner's display name from app_user and the actor of that resource's latest resource_revision. p99 is 55 ms at 10 rows per page and 1.4 s at 200. Database telemetry shows 401 statements per request, each under 1 ms, and nothing in the slow-query log. Diagnose the cause and give the fix, stating the statement count per request and the p99 you expect afterwards.
Approach
- Read the counters before forming a theory. 401 statements for 200 rows is one driver query plus two per row, and sub-millisecond execution with an empty slow-query log rules out a bad plan. The time is round trips, which is why it is invisible in every per-query metric and scales with rows returned rather than with filter selectivity.
- Name the two per-row statements from their normalised text: a single-row app_user lookup by user_id, and a resource_revision lookup by resource_id ordered by version DESC LIMIT 1. Confirm by dropping those two response fields and watching the statement count fall to one. That locates the calls in the serialisation layer, not the repository.
- Check that the arithmetic accounts for the whole gap. Measure one round trip to the replica in isolation; 400 trips at roughly 3 ms of network plus 0.2 ms of execution is about 1.3 s on top of a 55 ms baseline, which matches. If the multiplication had fallen short, the N+1 would only be part of the story and you would keep looking.
- Batch both lookups. Collect owner_user_ids and resource_ids from the driver query, then issue WHERE tenant_id = $1 AND user_id = ANY($2) for the users, and PostgreSQL's SELECT DISTINCT ON (resource_id) ... WHERE resource_id = ANY($2) ORDER BY resource_id, version DESC for the latest revision, which the UNIQUE (resource_id, version) index serves directly. On an engine without DISTINCT ON, use a lateral join or a row_number window. Three statements per request at any page size.
Follow-up
- The page size is capped at 200 today. What breaks first if it is raised to 2,000, and is it still this bug?
- How do you stop the next N+1 from reaching production, given that no individual query is slow and the endpoint's tests pass?
Built from the rounds and topics Trip Group candidates report.
Prepare, practise & reflect
One practical outcome each day. Spend longer where you need it.
0 / 7 done01Map the Trip Group loop
- Write out the reported sequence: Recruiter Call, Technical Rounds, Management Interview, Salary Negotiation.
- For each round, write one sentence on what it is judging, from the description above, and mark the one you are least ready for.
Deliverable: A one-page map of the 4 reported rounds, with the weakest marked.
02Work Coding interview questions (easy/medium)
- Spend the session on Coding interview questions (easy/medium), which Trip Group candidates report being tested on.
- Write one worked example in Coding interview questions (easy/medium) and time yourself on it.
Deliverable: One timed worked example in Coding interview questions (easy/medium).
03Work Basic computer network knowledge
- Spend the session on Basic computer network knowledge, which Trip Group candidates report being tested on.
- Write one worked example in Basic computer network knowledge and time yourself on it.
Deliverable: One timed worked example in Basic computer network knowledge.
04Work Operating system knowledge
- Spend the session on Operating system knowledge, which Trip Group candidates report being tested on.
- Write one worked example in Operating system knowledge and time yourself on it.
Deliverable: One timed worked example in Operating system knowledge.
05Answer out loud: Technical & Domain Knowledge
- Answer aloud, timed: What are the differences between TCP and UDP, and in what travel scenarios would you use each?
- Answer aloud, timed: Explain the concept of "idempotency" and why it is crucial for a payment processing system.
Deliverable: Spoken answers to 2 reported Technical & Domain Knowledge question(s), under time.
06Answer out loud: Coding & Algorithms
- Answer aloud, timed: Write a function to merge overlapping intervals (e.g., flight segments).
- Answer aloud, timed: Implement a Least Recently Used (LRU) cache.
Deliverable: Spoken answers to 2 reported Coding & Algorithms question(s), under time.
07Answer out loud: Behavioral & Leadership
- Answer aloud, timed: Tell me about a time you had a technical disagreement with a teammate. How was it resolved?
- Answer aloud, timed: Describe a complex technical challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
Deliverable: Spoken answers to 2 reported Behavioral & Leadership question(s), under time.
Expand any day for tasks and deliverables. Your progress is saved on this device.
Behavioural rounds judge the decision you made and what it cost.
How do you handle cache stampede or cache breakdown in a high-traffic environment?
How do you handle cache stampede or cache breakdown in a high-traffic environment?
Approach
- Pick a story where you made the decision, not one where you watched it.
- State the situation in two sentences and spend the rest on the reasoning.
- Give the blast radius: what could have broken, and what you measured.
- Name the disagreement and how you resolved it with evidence.
Follow-up
- What would you do differently if you ran that again?
- How did you know your change caused the improvement?
Tell me about a time you had a technical disagreement with a teammate. How was it resolved?
Tell me about a time you had a technical disagreement with a teammate. How was it resolved?
Approach
- Pick a story where you made the decision, not one where you watched it.
- State the situation in two sentences and spend the rest on the reasoning.
- Give the blast radius: what could have broken, and what you measured.
- Name the disagreement and how you resolved it with evidence.
Follow-up
- What would you do differently if you ran that again?
- How did you know your change caused the improvement?
Describe a complex technical challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
Describe a complex technical challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
Approach
- Pick a story where you made the decision, not one where you watched it.
- State the situation in two sentences and spend the rest on the reasoning.
- Give the blast radius: what could have broken, and what you measured.
- Name the disagreement and how you resolved it with evidence.
Follow-up
- What would you do differently if you ran that again?
- How did you know your change caused the improvement?
How do you stay updated with the latest trends in software engineering?
How do you stay updated with the latest trends in software engineering?
Approach
- Pick a story where you made the decision, not one where you watched it.
- State the situation in two sentences and spend the rest on the reasoning.
- Give the blast radius: what could have broken, and what you measured.
- Name the disagreement and how you resolved it with evidence.
Follow-up
- What would you do differently if you ran that again?
- How did you know your change caused the improvement?
Give an example of a time you took ownership of a project outside your immediate responsibilities.
Give an example of a time you took ownership of a project outside your immediate responsibilities.
Approach
- Pick a story where you made the decision, not one where you watched it.
- State the situation in two sentences and spend the rest on the reasoning.
- Give the blast radius: what could have broken, and what you measured.
- Name the disagreement and how you resolved it with evidence.
Follow-up
- What would you do differently if you ran that again?
- How did you know your change caused the improvement?
- 01
How do you handle cache stampede or cache breakdown in a high-traffic environment?
- 02
Tell me about a time you had a technical disagreement with a teammate. How was it resolved?
- 03
Describe a complex technical challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
- 04
How do you stay updated with the latest trends in software engineering?
How difficult are the technical interviews at Trip Group?
The difficulty is generally considered "Average" to "Easy" compared to other big-tech firms, but the focus is heavily on practical knowledge and fundamentals. Being well-prepared for LeetCode medium questions and basic OS/Networking concepts is usually sufficient.
Trip Group Software Engineer candidate reports ↗What is the company culture like for engineers?
Trip Group has a fast-paced, results-oriented culture. We value agility and the ability to deliver features quickly without sacrificing quality. There is a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and cross-team collaboration.
Trip Group Software Engineer candidate reports ↗Is English required for all Software Engineer roles?
Yes, as we are a global company, a working proficiency in English is required. However, for roles based in Shanghai or other mainland China offices, native language skills are also highly utilized.
Trip Group Software Engineer candidate reports ↗What topics does Trip Group test in interviews?
Trip Group interviews most often cover Communication Skills, Business Analysis (BA), Case Study Analysis, Stakeholder Management, and Interview Readiness. The exact emphasis depends on the specific role you apply for.
Trip Group Software Engineer candidate reports ↗Sources & methodology 3 sources ↗
No official company page is cited. Rounds and questions come from candidate reports and PracHub editorial material; each source shows the date it was read.
- 01Trip Group Software Engineer candidate reports ↗
Company-reported rounds, questions and FAQ.
Candidate reports · Accessed 2026-09-22 - 02PracHub Software Engineer practice ↗
PracHub practice material, not company-reported.
PracHub page · Accessed 2026-09-22 - 03PracHub preparation framework ↗
PracHub preparation guidance.
PracHub page · Accessed 2026-09-22
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