Editor's choice: SimCorner

- Plans for 80+ countries
- No roaming fees or extra costs
- Worldwide delivery available
If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, a top tip for keeping down costs is to switch to a local SIM card. Take advantage of better tariffs, plans and deals to dramatically reduce your roaming rates. You can get 1GB of data from Hong Kong’s top telco providers for about HKD68 (US$8.70). So, whether you’re a short or long-term traveler, you can save money by comparing your SIM card options on finder.com.
There are four main telco providers in Hong Kong: csl., China Mobile Hong Kong, Three and SmarTone. Both locals and travelers use SIM cards from all four networks, and they can be trusted whatever plan you choose. According to OpenSignal’s coverage map, Hong Kong has strong or above-average network coverage all around the country.
Hong Kong’s operators are independent from those in China. All networks offer customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. SIM cards can be purchased and activated without having to use a passport, and can be found in most stores and supermarkets. We advise you to purchase a SIM card from official stores and approved resellers, and to try to avoid street sellers. Credit can be purchased from stores, supermarkets and kiosks across the country. Below, we have broken down each provider and exactly what they can offer you during your stay in Hong Kong.
csl. is the largest provider in Hong Kong. It offers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services for GSM international phones. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers. Your passport doesn’t have to be shown for the SIM card to be activated but we advise you to take it along just in case. SIM cards can be picked up for HKD48 or HKD78 and comes with the same amount of credit. Top-ups in amounts between HKD50 and HKD300 can be purchased in the form of credit vouchers that can be picked up from most stores, or by using your credit card online. Dial 179179 to add credit to your SIM card. Dial *109# to check your balance.
csl. charges users a monthly administration fee of HKD3 after the first 30 days of use. This isn’t just a csl. charge – it’s also evident with other providers.
All-in-one Prepaid SIM cards (international voice and data packages) can be purchased for HKD100 or HKD180, and come with the same amount of credit.
The following data packs can be added:
Data | Time | Rate | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
500MB | 1 hour | HKD8 | *101*532*4# |
1.2GB | 1 day | HKD18 | *101*532*1# |
2GB | 3 days | HKD38 | *101*532*2# |
3GB | 7 days | HKD68 | *101*532*3# |
300MB | 30 days | HKD38 | *101*835*1# |
To purchase one of the above-mentioned plans, dial the activation code in the far right column. Wi-Fi can also be used with these packages. Dial *111# to receive your password.
There is also an “Octopus” prepaid SIM card which can be purchased for HKD70, but check with stores at time of purchase as they often have deals and promotions available. The following data packs can be added to the Octopus SIM cards:
Data | Time | Rate | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
1.2GB | 1 day | HKD18 | *122*532*1# |
2GB | 3 days | HKD38 | *122*532*2# |
3GB | 7 days | HKD68 | *122*532*3# |
2GB | Unlimited | HKD218 | *122*532*4# |
800MB+ | 30 days | HKD90 | *122*532*5# |
All of the above-mentioned plans come with unlimited Wi-Fi and 1,000 local minutes. Dial the activation code in the far right column to activate the relevant plan.
There is also a tourist SIM card that can be used for short periods of time. These can be purchased from Apple stores and most retailers across the country, Just ask the retailer for the “Tourist SIM”. The following plans are available:
csl. APN: mobile, and website: http://www.hkcsl.com/en/Prepaid
China Mobile is the largest provider in the world, mainly due to its coverage across China. They also offer a platform solely for the Hong Kong market, and offer 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services for GSM international phones. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers. SIM cards can be bought for HKD80, that comes with HKD78 of credit. Top-ups can be purchased in the form of credit vouchers that can be found at most stores, or by using your credit card online. Top-ups can be added in various amounts between HKD50 and HKD500.
The following data packs can be added to prepaid SIM cards by dialing the activation code in the right-hand column:
Data | Time | Rate | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
1.5GB | 5 days | HKD48 | *103*100*07# |
200MB | 30 days | HKD50 | *103*100*01# |
1GB | 30 days | HKD148 | *103*100*02# |
1GB | 10 days | HKD68 | *103*100*08# |
Unlimited* | 10 days | HKD30 | *103*100*09# |
There is also a “Traveler SIM” available that can be purchased for HKD68 and comes with HKD18 of credit. There are many traveler plans available that change on a monthly basis, so check with the provider at the time of purchase for the latest deals.
China Mobile’s APN: CMHK, and website: http://www.hk.chinamobile.com/en
Three is the third largest provider in Hong Kong. It offers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services for GSM international phones. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers. SIM cards can be picked up for HKD80, which comes with HKD78 of credit. Dial ##107*2# if you prefer to set the SIM card language to English, otherwise it will function in Cantonese. Top-ups in amounts between HKD50 and HKD500 can be purchased in the form of credit vouchers available in most stores, or by using your credit card online. Dial ##105*<16-digit PIN># to add credit amounts. Three also offers free Wi-Fi to customers using the HK subway network which is an added bonus.
Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for HKD48 or HKD98, depending on how long you wish to use the SIM card for. In addition, the following data packs can be added:
Data | Rate |
---|---|
1GB | HKD48 |
2GB | HKD78 |
5GB | HKD188 |
There is also a data-only SIM card available for tablets and modems. The following packages can be added to this option:
Data | Rate |
---|---|
1GB | HKD168 |
2GB | HKD248 |
3GB | HKD298 |
The above-mentioned data packs are valid for 30 days.
The following voice and data packages are available on 4G SIM cards only:
In addition, the following data packs can be added to the 4G voice and data plans by dialing the code in the right-hand column.
Data | Time | Rate | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
500MB | 10 days | HKD63 | *127*609# |
300MB | 30 days | HKD50 | *127*650# |
1.5GB | 30 days | HKD178 | *127*617# |
Unlimited | 1 day | HKD98 | *127*31# |
Three’s APN: mobile.three.com.hk, and website: http://www.three.com.hk
SmarTone is the smallest provider in Hong Kong but has been rated one of the best for its service. It offers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services for GSM international phones. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers. SIM cards can be purchased for HKD48 or HKD80, and come with the same amount of credit. Top-ups can be purchased in the form of credit vouchers which can be found in most stores, or by using your credit card online to add amounts between HKD50 and HKD300.
The following data packs can be added to prepaid SIM cards:
The following packages can be added to 4G/LTE SIM cards:
Prepaid SIM cards are valid for 180 days. Dial *111# to check your balance.
SmarTone’s APN: smartone, website: http://www.smartone.com
Using a credit card in Hong Kong
While it’s well known for reviews, booking hotels, flights and holidays, TripAdvisor also has many user comments that can help guide you through what SIM cards have been tried and tested in Hong Kong.
Here are some top tips from TripAdvisor users:
You don’t need a passport to buy a SIM card from what I know. There are even vending machines that sell them. You might as well buy the SIM card from there then top up online.”
You can go to a 7/11 and buy a SIM card. Some are cheaper than others but it doesn’t really make a huge difference. If you act a bit helpless they’ll even put it in for you.”
You NEED a special tool/cutter to cut the SIM card to nano format… If you purchase directly from the telco provider, they sometimes can provide you with a nano sim card and/or cut it for you.
All networks require you to have a SIM-unlocked, GSM-compatible phone. To double check that you have this phone, contact your provider before you set off on your travels.
WorldSIM offers prepaid international SIM cards with coverage in over 200 countries and varying add-ons for call and data options.
Traveling overseas? See how much it costs to roam globally with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Mint Mobile and Cricket Wireless.
Here are our picks for the nine best prepaid plans after analyzing pricing, data, features, discounts and fine print.
Get on the T-mobile network without a long-term contract or credit check. Here are all the details to see if T-mobile prepaid is right for you.
Mint Mobile has some of the cheapest prepaid phone plans, but you’ll have to commit to a 3-month plan. See if the features are worth it.
Find out what prepaid options Verizon offers, its benefits and drawbacks, and what discounts you may qualify for.
Sending a large money transfer to Hong Kong? Learn about laws and required documentation before you transfer.
Search great cruise deals and compare companies to help you to plan your next vacation to Hong Kong.
Manage your money with a passport, valid visa and proof of address.
Many frequent-flyer programs offer award flights to Hong Kong. One great strategy is to earn rewards with certain credit cards and transfer them for award flights.
Dear ,
Could you pls advice, How i can buy a permanent roaming mobile SIM card in Hongkong? I will use it HK as well other country. I want to keep this number long run, like 5 year……
thanks in advance for your reply …
best regaerd’s
khalid
Hi Khalid,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
What you would need is an international sim card like Flexiroam which is shown on the web page above. Since you would be travelling into multiple countries this would be the choice. You would not be able to use a local sim in Hongkong outside of the region because of it’s limited range. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Have any mobile company do the real unlimited data? Monthly …
Not just unlimited reducing speed after 5 gb
I need to see streaming online and download file for work
Tnx
Hi Luca,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
As of now, it would be difficult to find mobile packages that allow you to give unlimited data in a sense that you can download files and stream online as much as you want. At best, you can find mobile packages that provide a big data allocation. You may want to approach any mobile stores in Hong Kong and upon buying a SIM, you can ask what data package would best meet your needs.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua