Travel Information – Hong Kong

Passport, Visa Regulations

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from Hong Kong. Nationals of most countries are not required to obtain visas for periods varying from seven days to 180 days, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. For more information about Visa requirements please refer to Visit Visa/ Entry Permit Requirements by clicking here.

Currency

Legal tender is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins, issued by the government, are bronze-colored for 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents; silver-colored for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5; nickel and bronze for HK$10. Notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank have denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10.

Security/Health

Hong Kong is a remarkably safe city day or night. Police officers patrol frequently and they are very helpful. The Hong Kong Government assures visitors they will receive the emergency care they require. For more details please click on the Hospital Authority's website. Vaccination certificates are usually not required. Check with your local embassy because requirements can change.

Value Added Taxes

No VAT or sales tax. Hotels will add a 10% service charge and a 3% government tax. Restaurants and bars will automatically add a 10% service charge.

Travel around Hong Kong

Public transportation via bus, ferry or train is efficient, relatively inexpensive and user-friendly. The system covers areas of Hong Kong with signs in English and Chinese.

Business Hours

Normal office hours are 9am-5pm on weekdays, and 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Major banks are open 9am-4:30pm on weekdays, and 9am-12:30pm on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Some outlets in Hong Kong take plugs with three round prongs, while others use plugs with two square prongs.

Important telephone numbers

*If you're dialing from outside Hong Kong please add the area code (852).

Emergency Calls:

             999      Emergency Service (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

2527 7177      General Police Enquiries

Information Services:

          1081      Directory Enquiries

        10010      Collect Calls

        10013      Overseas IDD and Card phone Enquiries

2508 1234      Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Hotline

2181 0000      Hong Kong International Airport, English (24 hours)

2929 2222     Consumer Council

2824 6111     Hong Kong Immigration Department (24 hours)

2961 8989     Department of Health

Telecommunications

Telephones

As one of the world's highest per capital users of cellular phones and radio pagers, Hong Kong thrives on efficient telecommunications. Local calls from public coin phones cost HK$1 for five minutes.

Mobile Services

Telephone systems like GSM 900, PCS 1800 and CDMA operate in Hong Kong.

Mobile operators in Hong Kong also have roaming agreements with most overseas operators enabling visitors to use their own mobile phone when they come to Hong Kong. Before leaving home check with your network provider to make sure they have a roaming service to the various destinations you will be visiting and be sure to check pricing.

If for some reason you decide not to bring your mobile phone with you, you can always rent a mobile phone when you arrive in Hong Kong at the international airport. To make an international call in Hong Kong you must dial 001.