Power & Connectivity (SIM)

Hong Kong uses 220 volts at 50 hertz with the British-style three-pin Type G plug, the same as the UK. You will occasionally see Type D or M in older buildings. Bring a UK-style adapter, and note that single-voltage 110-120V devices need a converter. Most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage, so an adapter alone is usually enough.

Prepaid tourist SIMs are cheap and easy in Hong Kong. Main networks include CSL/1010, 3 (Three), SmarTone and China Mobile HK, and you can buy SIMs at the airport, convenience stores like 7-Eleven, and phone shops. Many are ready-to-use with generous data and often include roaming for Macao or the mainland. Coverage is excellent across the territory.

If your phone supports eSIM, a travel eSIM is the easiest way to get online in Hong Kong — buy a Hong Kong or Asia plan online before you fly and activate it on arrival, with no shop visit or SIM swap. Providers like Airalo, Holafly and Nomad are popular, and local carriers offer eSIMs too. Some Asia plans conveniently cover Macao and the mainland as well.

Free public Wi-Fi is widespread. The government "Wi-Fi.HK" scheme offers hotspots at libraries, parks, MTR stations and public venues, and hotels, malls, cafes and restaurants generally provide free Wi-Fi. Connections are usually fast and reliable. Use a VPN on open networks for sensitive tasks, as with public Wi-Fi anywhere.

Hong Kong has an open internet, unlike mainland China, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and most global services work normally. If you cross into the mainland, expect the mainland firewall to block many of these — a roaming or eSIM plan tied to a Hong Kong network usually keeps them working. Some content is legally sensitive under the national security law.

Handy apps include MTR Mobile and HKeMobility for public transport and route planning, the Octopus app for topping up and paying, and Google Maps or Citymapper for getting around. WhatsApp is the main messaging app locally. Uber works alongside taxis, and OpenRice is popular for finding restaurants.

Hong Kong's country code is +852 and local numbers are 8 digits with no area codes. To call abroad, dial 001 or use an app. Most people use WhatsApp for calls and messages, so data is often more useful than voice minutes. The single emergency number is 999.