The development of efficient hydrogen storage materials is one of the biggest technical challenges for the coming “hydrogen economy”. The liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) with high hydrogen contents, reversibilities and moderate dehydrogenation kinetics have been considered as an alternative option supplementing the extensively investigated inorganic hydride systems. In this review, LOHCs for long distance H2 transport and for onboard application will be discussed with the focuses of the design and development of LOHCs and their hydrogenation & dehydrogenation catalyses.