In this guide
💡 The Short Version: For a data-only eSIM, buy a plan from a travel eSIM provider before you leave, and check first that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked: Apple lists the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later, and says certain iPhones sold in Hong Kong and Macao have two nano-SIM slots instead (Apple). For a local SIM with a Hong Kong number, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s 5G Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM is HK$58 for 3 days (15GB), HK$88 for 7 days (50GB) or HK$118 for 15 days (80GB), comes as a physical card or an eSIM, and you register it with your real name (Hong Kong Tourism Board). Free Wi-Fi is widespread: every MTR station offers 15 minutes per session, up to 10 sessions per device a day, and the airport has free Wi-Fi with no registration.
Does your phone support eSIM?
Per Apple’s eSIM requirements:
- What you need: an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later, and a carrier that supports eSIM.
- Two carriers: to use your home line and a travel line together, your home carrier must have unlocked the iPhone, or both plans must come from the same carrier. iPhone 13 models and later also support two eSIMs on top of a physical SIM.
- One data line at a time: an iPhone can use one cellular data network at a time. You choose which line carries data, and the other line stays available for calls and texts.
- Hong Kong and Macao models: Apple says certain iPhone models sold there have Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards. If you bought your phone in Hong Kong, check its model with Apple before you rely on an eSIM.
For other phones, check the manufacturer’s list, and check that your home carrier has unlocked the handset.
The local tourist SIM
Prepaid SIM stalls on Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po. Photo: ADEUCKLWAIHOI 20M62, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s get online page describes the 5G Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM, a csl product with no subscription:
| Pass | Price | Data |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day | HK$58 | 15GB: 10GB shared Hong Kong and Macao, plus 5GB Hong Kong |
| 7-Day | HK$88 | 50GB: 20GB shared Hong Kong and Macao, plus 30GB Hong Kong |
| 15-Day | HK$118 | 80GB: 30GB shared Hong Kong and Macao, plus 50GB Hong Kong |
- Registration: use your real name to activate it.
- Format: the pass comes as a 3-in-1 SIM card that fits micro, mini and nano slots, rechargeable for up to 90 days, and the Tourism Board says an eSIM version is also available.
- More data: extra data can be bought at HK$88 for a 7-day pass of 50GB or HK$118 for a 15-day pass of 80GB.
- Where to buy the card: any 1010 Centre or csl shop, more than 1,000 7-Eleven and Circle K stores, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Kowloon Visitor Centre in the Star Ferry concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui.
- Mainland China: roaming data for the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao can be added with a pre-loaded HK$30 for 2GB, valid for 365 days.
- Who sells it: the SIM is a product of CSL Mobile Limited, and the Tourism Board says it assumes no responsibility for it, so read csl’s terms before you buy.
A SmarTone shop in Telford Plaza, Kowloon Bay. Photo: FHOONIGM Pingmenu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
At the airport
The Airport Authority’s SIM card and pocket Wi-Fi page lists counters for two providers in Arrivals Hall A, and says local SIM cards can also be bought at its 7-Eleven, RELAY and Travelex Worldwide Money shops. The airport’s Wi-Fi is free at most seating and public areas in the passenger terminals, with no registration (Hong Kong International Airport):
- Switch mobile data off first, to avoid roaming fees.
- Join “#HKAirport Free WiFi” or “#HKAirport Hi-Speed WiFi”. If you cannot see “#HKAirport Free WiFi”, choose “Wi-Fi.HK via HKAirport”.
- Open a browser, enter any valid web address that does not start with https://, and tap “Agree and Continue”.
The airport’s Wi-Fi hotline is 2188 7799. The Tourism Board’s visitor centre at the airport and the one at Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier answer questions and give route suggestions (Hong Kong Tourism Board). For the first journey into town see airport to city.
Free Wi-Fi and charging
A Free Wi-Fi Hotspot sign at Long Ping MTR station. Photo: Aalatuminga, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
From the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s get online page:
- MTR Free Wi-Fi: on the concourse and platforms of every MTR station, 15 minutes per session and a maximum of 10 sessions per device a day.
- Wi-Fi.HK: hotspots at major attractions, malls, parks and gardens, visitor centres, sports venues, museums, ferry terminals, cooked food centres and government buildings, free or free for a period.
- csl hotspots: at selected Starbucks, Pacific Coffee, 7-Eleven and Circle K outlets and some phone booths. Look for the “CSL” SSID.
- Charging: free USB or wireless charging at 29 MTR stations, limited to 15 minutes a session. 7-Eleven and Circle K rent power banks for a refundable deposit and a charge. The Tourism Board’s Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry visitor centre charges phones free.
- Plugs: Hong Kong uses 220 volts AC at 50Hz and a three-square-pronged plug (Hong Kong Tourism Board).
Setting up before you fly
- Install the eSIM profile on home Wi-Fi before departure, and label the line “Hong Kong”. Apple lets you label each plan and pick a default line for calls and messages.
- Keep your home SIM as the line for calls and texts if you want to receive messages from your bank or airline.
- On landing, select the travel line for mobile data and switch data roaming on for that line only.
For paying for transport and shopping see the Octopus guide and money in Hong Kong. Public transport, is Hong Kong safe and where to stay are next, and the Hong Kong travel hub has the rest.
Common questions
Which iPhones support eSIM?
Apple lists the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later, with a carrier that supports eSIM. In Hong Kong and Macao, Apple says certain iPhone models have two nano-SIM slots instead. To use two carriers your home carrier must have unlocked the phone.
Is there a Hong Kong tourist eSIM?
Yes. The Hong Kong Tourism Board says an eSIM version of the 5G Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM, a csl product, is available alongside the physical card.
Do I have to register my name for a Hong Kong SIM?
The Hong Kong Tourism Board says to use your real name when registering to activate its 5G Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM, a csl product.
How much is a Hong Kong tourist SIM?
The Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM costs HK$58 for 3 days with 15GB, HK$88 for 7 days with 50GB and HK$118 for 15 days with 80GB. Part of the data can also be used in Macao (Hong Kong Tourism Board).
Where can I buy a SIM card at Hong Kong airport?
The Airport Authority lists SIM card and pocket Wi-Fi counters in Arrivals Hall A, and SIM cards at its 7-Eleven, RELAY and Travelex shops.
Is there free Wi-Fi in Hong Kong?
Yes. Every MTR station has free Wi-Fi on its concourse and platforms: 15 minutes per session, up to 10 sessions per device a day. Wi-Fi.HK hotspots cover attractions, malls, parks, visitor centres, museums and ferry terminals, and the airport has free Wi-Fi in most seating and public areas with no registration (Hong Kong Tourism Board, Airport Authority).
