Hong Kong

Staying connected in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is usually a short break of three or four days: shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, riding up to Victoria Peak, a day at Disneyland, the Big Buddha on Lantau, dim sum and the harbour lights. Many visitors add Macau by ferry or by bus over the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, or pop across to Shenzhen for the day.

Autumn, roughly October to December, is dry and pleasant; summer is hot, humid and prone to typhoons. The city is dense, with underground passages and footbridges linking malls, so you will have maps and a transit app open almost constantly.

Coverage and networks

The plan information names these networks in Hong Kong: China Telecom HK and HKT.

Heading into Shenzhen or Guangzhou? Look at the China, Hong Kong & Macau plans; if you are only adding Macau, there is a Hong Kong & Macau plan.

Signal and speed depend on where you are, your device and network conditions, and can differ between plans.

Choosing a data allowance

eSIM plans for Hong Kong currently last 1 to 30 days and come in these types:

• Daily data (500MB, 1GB, 2GB and 3GB per day): suits a steady routine. Check when the daily allowance resets and what happens once it is used.
• Total data (3GB to 50GB): one allowance for the whole trip, handy when some days are heavier than others.
• Unlimited: always read the fair-use policy; after a set amount, speed may be reduced.

Suggestions for this trip

• A 3–4 day city and shopping break: 1GB of daily data covers maps, MTR searches and messaging; choose 2GB a day if you post plenty of stories.
• Lots of video calls or streaming on the move: 3GB a day or an unlimited plan (fair-use policy applies).
• A week of meetings or trade fairs: 5GB or 10GB of total data on a 7-day plan is usually right; pick 20GB if you send heavy files.

Count your arrival and departure days. Before paying, check the exact plan for when validity starts, how days are counted, and whether hotspot, calls or SMS are included; these differ between plans.

Before you go

• Octopus card: Works on the MTR, buses, the Star Ferry and in many shops; buy and top it up at the Airport Express station.
• Apps: MTR Mobile for trains, Citymapper or Google Maps for directions, and Uber or HKTaxi for taxis.
• Google and social media: Google, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp all work normally in Hong Kong, and WhatsApp is the main messaging app locally.
• Public Wi-Fi: The free Wi-Fi.HK network is available at many stations, parks, libraries and attractions.
• Local SIM: Since 2022 every Hong Kong SIM must be registered under a real name; visitors register with their passport before use.
• eSIM setup: Before buying, make sure your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. Install the eSIM before you fly, on a stable Wi-Fi connection, following the instructions sent with your plan.
• On arrival: Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and follow its roaming instructions. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid unexpected charges.