Hong Kong eSIM
If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, you might be wondering about the best way to stay connected during your visit. With many options available, choosing between a traditional SIM card and the newer eSIM technology can be daunting. This article aims to guide you through the ins and outs of Hong Kong SIM cards and eSIMs for tourists, helping you make an informed decision that best suits your connectivity needs.
Table of Contents
I. Should I Buy a New Hong Kong SIM Card for My Trip?
Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to buy a new SIM card for your trip to Hong Kong:
- Cost of data – A local SIM card will allow you to purchase data plans at significantly lower local prices compared to roaming charges from your home carrier. Data costs in Hong Kong are quite reasonable.
- Communication needs – If you plan to use your phone frequently for things like navigation, social media, photos/videos, streaming music, a local SIM is essential to avoid high roaming fees.
- Length of trip – For shorter trips of a week or less, you may get by with wifi. But for longer stays, a SIM is more convenient and cost-effective.
- Phone compatibility – Make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with Hong Kong networks like 3, SmarTone, or China Mobile before buying a SIM.
- Ease of use – Buying a SIM at the airport or any store is simple. Plans usually include a data allowance you can use right away without long contracts.
Overall, for trips of 2 weeks or more, a local SIM card in Hong Kong will allow you to enjoy much more affordable connectivity throughout your trip without worry over roaming fees. Just make sure your device is compatible first. A SIM is well worth it for longer visits.
II. SIM Card Types – Which One is the Best for Tourists to Hong Kong?
When buying a Hong Kong SIM card, you’ll have two main options:
Local SIM Card: You can purchase a local SIM card in Hong Kong, which will give you a local phone number and data plan. This is usually a more affordable option than roaming, and it allows you to use data, make local calls, and send texts within Hong Kong.
eSIM: If your device supports eSIM technology, you can activate an eSIM with a Hong Kong eSIM provider. This eliminates the need for a physical SIM card.
We will analyze the pros and cons of the above methods through the following table:
| Option | Pros | Cons | Suitable For |
| Local SIM Card | – Local phone number and data plan at an affordable cost – Access to the Internet anywhere anytime | – Need to remove primary SIM Card and insert travel sim card – Requires an unlocked device | – Travelers staying for a moderate duration |
| eSIM | – No physical SIM card is required. – Convenient activation | – Requires eSIM support in an unlocked device | – Travelers with eSIM-compatible devices |
Considering these factors, you can determine whether an eSIM or a traditional SIM card is the right choice for your Hong Kong trip.
If your device supports eSIM and you value the convenience of a virtual SIM, opting for an eSIM may be ideal. However, if you have a non-eSIM-compatible device, a traditional SIM card will still provide reliable connectivity throughout your journey.
Note: Remember to conduct thorough research on available eSIM and SIM card options, compare data packages, and consider your specific device compatibility before making your decision.
III. Hong Kong Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
1. Hong Kong Mobile Internet Prices
Hong Kong is renowned for its competitive mobile market, which translates to relatively affordable mobile internet prices. The average cost of 1 GB of data in Hong Kong is 9.80 HKD (approximately 1.25 USD), aligning with the Asian average of 1.47 USD. Notably, it falls below the global average price of 3.12 USD.
2. Hong Kong Mobile Internet Speeds
Hong Kong has a median mobile download speed of approximately 53.47 Mbps, surpassing the global median of around 42.3 Mbps and ranking 39th globally in download speeds.
IV. Best Mobile Operators for Hong Kong SIM Cards
In Hong Kong, the top mobile operators are:
- CMHK
- CSL Mobile (by Hong Kong Telecom)
- 3 HK
- SmartTone
These operators all offer tourist SIM cards with very attractive packages.
Read more: Top Hong Kong mobile operators
Below are the popular Hong Kong SIM card plans from these carriers.
1. CMHK SIM cards for Hong Kong tourists
CMHK offers the Hong Kong Tourist 7-day SIM Card plan exclusively for tourists at the price of 78 HKD.
You can check the details in the table below:
| Price | Data | Local voice call | Validity |
| 78 HKD (~10 USD) | – 7GB of data in Hong Kong – 1GB of data in Mainland China and Macau | 200 mins | 7 days |
Read more: CMHK SIM cards for tourists
2. CSL SIM cards for Hong Kong tourists
CSL offers 2 SIM plans for tourists at the prices of 88 HKD and 118 HKD. For details, please refer to the table below:
| Price | Data | Local voice call | Validity |
| 88 HKD (~11.27 USD) | 3GB | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 118 HKD (~15.11 USD) | 8GB | Unlimited | 8 days |
3. 3 HK SIM cards for Hong Kong tourists
3 HK offers 5 tourist SIM plans with prices ranging from 10 HKD to 200 HKD. For more details, please check the table below:
| Price | Data | Local voice call | Validity |
| 10 HKD (~1.28 USD) | 1GB | 500 mins | 1 day |
| 50 HKD (~6.4 USD) | 2GB | 1000 mins | 30 days |
| 100 HKD (~12.81 USD) | 12GB | 2000 mins | 30 days |
| 150 HKD (~19.21 USD) | 20GB | 3000 mins | 30 days |
| 200 HKD (~25.62 USD) | 36GB | 5000 mins | 30 days |
Read more: 3HK SIM cards for tourists
4. SmarTone SIM cards for Hong Kong tourists
SmarTone offers a tourist SIM plan for 78 HKD. You can refer to the detailed information in the table below:
| Price | Data | Local voice call | Validity |
| 78 HKD (~10 USD) | 5 GB | 15 mins | 30 days |
To compare these operators, follow the table below:
| Operator | Price | Data | Local voice call | Validity | Price/GB |
| CMHK | 78 HKD (~10 USD) | 8GB | 200 mins | 7 days | 9.75 HKD/GB (~1.25 USD/GB) |
| CSL Mobile | 88 HKD (~11.27 USD) | 3GB | Unlimited | 5 days | 29.33 HKD/GB(~3.76 USD/GB) |
| 118 HKD (~15.11 USD) | 8GB | Unlimited | 8 days | 14.75 HKD/GB (~1.89 USD/GB) | |
| 3 HK | 10 HKD (~1.28 USD) | 1GB | 500 mins | 1 day | 10 HKD/GB (~1.28 USD/GB) |
| 50 HKD (~6.4 USD) | 2GB | 1000 mins | 30 days | 25 HKD/GB (~3.2 USD/GB) | |
| 100 HKD (~12.81 USD) | 12GB | 2000 mins | 30 days | 8.33 HKD/GB (~1.07 USD/GB) | |
| 150 HKD (~19.21 USD) | 20GB | 3000 mins | 30 days | 7.5 HKD/GB (~0.96 USD/GB) | |
| 200 HKD (~25.62 USD) | 36GB | 5000 mins | 30 days | 5.56 HKD/GB (~0.71 USD/GB) | |
| SmarTone | 78 HKD (~10 USD) | 5 GB | 15 mins | 30 days | 15.6 HKD/GB (~2 USD/GB) |
Based on the above table, we can see:
- 3 HK is the network operator that offers the most diverse plans for travelers.
- If you plan to stay long in Hong Kong and need to use a lot of data (from 12GB or more), please refer to the plans of 3 HK.
- If you make many local calls, choose CSL plans as they provide unlimited local voice calls.
- If you use data at an average level (around 8GB), consider choosing a SIM plan from CMHK.
V. esimhongkong.net – Alternative to Hong Kong SIM Cards
eSIMHongKong.net offers up to 40 eSIM plans for Hong Kong visitors.
For more details, please check the table below:
| Data | Validity | Price | Network | Price/GB | Top-up |
| 1GB/day | 5 Days | 7.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.50 USD/GB | No |
| 2GB/day | 5 Days | 12.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.20 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB/day | 5 Days | 16.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.07 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB | 5 Days | 5.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.67 USD/GB | No |
| 5GB | 5 Days | 8.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.60 USD/GB | No |
| 10GB | 5 Days | 14.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.45 USD/GB | No |
| 20GB | 5 Days | 27.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.38 USD/GB | No |
| 50GB | 5 Days | 67.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.35 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB | 7 Days | 5.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.83 USD/GB | No |
| 5GB | 7 Days | 8.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.70 USD/GB | No |
| 10GB | 7 Days | 15.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.50 USD/GB | No |
| 20GB | 7 Days | 28.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.45 USD/GB | No |
| 50GB | 7 Days | 70.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.40 USD/GB | No |
| 1GB/day | 7 Days | 9.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.41 USD/GB | No |
| 2GB/day | 7 Days | 16.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.18 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB/day | 7 Days | 22.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.05 USD/GB | No |
| 1GB/day | 10 Days | 13.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.35 USD/GB | No |
| 2GB/day | 10 Days | 22.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.15 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB/day | 10 Days | 32.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.07 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB | 10 Days | 5.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.97 USD/GB | No |
| 5GB | 10 Days | 9.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.80 USD/GB | No |
| 10GB | 10 Days | 15.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.59 USD/GB | No |
| 20GB | 10 Days | 30.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.50 USD/GB | No |
| 50GB | 10 Days | 72.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.46 USD/GB | No |
| 1GB/day | 15 Days | 19.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.30 USD/GB | No |
| 2GB/day | 15 Days | 33.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.12 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB/day | 15 Days | 45.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.01 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB | 15 Days | 6.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 2.00 USD/GB | No |
| 5GB | 15 Days | 9.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.80 USD/GB | No |
| 10GB | 15 Days | 16.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.65 USD/GB | No |
| 20GB | 15 Days | 31.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.58 USD/GB | No |
| 50GB | 15 Days | 75.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.50 USD/GB | No |
| 1GB/day | 30 Days | 37.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.25 USD/GB | No |
| 2GB/day | 30 Days | 65.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.09 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB/day | 30 Days | 89.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 0.99 USD/GB | No |
| 3GB | 30 Days | 6.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 2.30 USD/GB | No |
| 5GB | 30 Days | 10.00 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 2.00 USD/GB | No |
| 10GB | 30 Days | 17.90 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.79 USD/GB | No |
| 20GB | 30 Days | 33.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.68 USD/GB | No |
| 50GB | 30 Days | 77.50 USD | SmarTone/HKT/3HK | 1.55 USD/GB | No |
eSIMHongKong.net eSIM Pros:
- Can be purchased online and installed before arriving in Hong Kong, eliminating the need to queue at the airport to buy a SIM.
- No passport is required for registration.
- Provides many plans for visitors to choose from.
- Supported by Hong Kong’s top 3 operators (SmarTone, HKT, and 3 HK).
- Supports 5G network.
Note: Besides Hong Kong eSIM, eSIMHongKong.net also provides regional eSIMs for tourists who travel to Hong Kong, Macau, and China.
VI. Where to Buy Hong Kong SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists?
1. Where to Buy SIM Cards for Tourists?
SIM cards for tourists can be conveniently purchased at several locations, including:
- Hong Kong International Airport: Telecom shops at the airport offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
- Convenience stores: 7-Eleven and Circle K, widely available throughout the city, also sell tourist SIM cards.
- Official mobile network operator stores: You can visit the local stores of mobile network operators like 3 Hong Kong, CSL Mobile, SmarTone, and China Mobile Hong Kong to purchase a SIM card.
2. Where to Buy Hong Kong eSIM?
Hong Kong mobile operators offer eSIM support, but it is currently not available for prepaid users.
However, you can still purchase eSIMs online from providers like eSIMHongKong.net. The advantage is that you can complete the process online and don’t need to provide your passport for registration. Additionally, you can choose from various data and validity options.
Tip: Explore more Hong Kong eSIM plans to choose the one that suits you best.
VII. FAQs
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM, or Embedded Subscriber Identity Module, is a digital SIM card embedded in a mobile device. It allows you to connect to any operator offering eSIM services without needing a physical SIM card.
What devices support eSIM?
eSIM functionality is available on newer models of certain devices, including iPhones and Samsung smartphones. Please check the list of compatible eSIM devices for more information.
Where can I buy a Hong Kong SIM card or eSIM?
You can buy a SIM card at Hong Kong International Airport, convenience stores, and mobile network stores. Hong Kong eSIMs can be purchased online from providers like eSIMHongKong.net.
How much do Hong Kong SIM cards and eSIMs cost?
The cost varies depending on the provider and the specific plan. Generally, Hong SIM cards in Hong Kong can cost anywhere from 50 HKD to 200 HKD (approximately 6.4 USD to 25.6 USD), while Hong Kong eSIMs can start from around 5 USD.
VIII. Final Words
Traveling to Hong Kong offers exciting experiences, from exploring its bustling streets and towering skyscrapers to enjoying its rich culinary scene and vibrant nightlife. Staying connected during your trip is essential, and whether you choose a traditional SIM card or opt for the newer eSIM technology, you’ll find that Hong Kong’s mobile services are designed to keep you connected with ease and convenience.
