Before You Go

Octopus Card

Octopus is useful for public transport and many everyday purchases. Card types have different purchase costs and refund terms: check the official Octopus website before choosing a physical or mobile card. Do not assume a tourist card includes a refundable deposit.

Local Currency

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Major cards are widely accepted. ATMs are everywhere. Exchange rates at the airport are poor, use a bank or licensed money changer in the city instead.

Visa

Most nationalities get 14–90 days visa-free. A Mainland China visa does not grant entry to Hong Kong — Hong Kong has its own immigration arrangements under the HKSAR government. Check HKSAR Immigration online.

SIM Card / eSIM

Local SIM cards are cheap and available at the airport from providers like 3HK, CMHK, and SmarTone. eSIMs are also available. Set one up before you fly if your phone supports it.

Weather

• Jan–Mar: cool and occasionally grey.
• Apr–Jun: warming, humid, some rain.
• Jul–Sep: hot (33°C+), very humid, typhoon risk. Always carry an umbrella.
• Oct–Dec: 18–25°C, dry and clear. Best season.

Typhoon & Rainstorm Signals

• Hong Kong rates typhoons 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10, and rainstorms amber, red and black.
• Once signal 8 is hoisted, shops, offices and attractions close, ferries stop and flights are often cancelled, but the MTR keeps running on a reduced schedule. If a higher signal is forecast, head back early rather than waiting it out.
• During a black rainstorm warning, stay indoors and avoid underpasses.

Plugs & Voltage

Hong Kong uses UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G) at 220V/50Hz. Travellers from Taiwan, Japan, Korea and the US need an adapter. Most phone and laptop chargers already handle 220V, so check the small print before plugging in.

Payment Methods

• Cards are widely accepted, and Octopus covers small purchases at convenience stores and supermarkets.
• AlipayHK and WeChat Pay are common but need a local or mainland account, so do not count on them.
• Plenty of old noodle shops, dai pai dong and market stalls are cash-only. Keep a few hundred dollars on you.

Tipping & Service Charge

• Most restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. That is the tip, so you are not expected to add more.
• Tipping is not customary in taxis, at food stalls or in convenience stores.
• In upscale hotels, HKD 20–50 for luggage or housekeeping is a kind gesture, not a rule.

Daily Budget

• Budget about HKD 300–500: street food, MTR, free sights.
• Mid-range about HKD 800–1,200: sit-down meals, a museum or two, the occasional taxi.
• Comfortable HKD 2,000 and up: fine dining, taxis throughout, paid attractions.
• Estimates are per person per day, excluding accommodation.

Emergencies & Medical

Dial 999 for police, fire or ambulance. It is free from any phone, answered 24 hours, with English-speaking operators. A private hospital is expensive but fast. Public hospital A&E departments triage cases, so non-urgent ones may wait. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Useful Cantonese

Dietary Needs

• Vegetarian food is easy to find. Look for 素 on menus, and the Buddhist kitchens near temples are reliably meat-free.
• Halal options cluster around Kowloon Masjid in Tsim Sha Tsui.
• If you have a serious allergy, carry a written Chinese card. Staff are willing to help, but English is not always understood in a small kitchen.

Temple Etiquette

• Entry is free at most temples. A small donation is welcome but never demanded.
• Dress modestly: cover your shoulders and avoid anything too short.
• Do not point your feet at a statue, and do not photograph people while they are praying.
• Incense is offered with the left hand, usually three sticks.
• Step over the raised threshold at the door, never on it.

Apps to Download

Uber, Klook (attraction tickets, often cheaper) and Google Maps (works well in HK).