For those traveling to Hong Kong as part of your China tour, it’s important to note that Hong Kong currency is not the same as the rest of China. This article will be your helpful guide to Hong Kong currency, Hong Kong dollar (HKD), and navigating your trip smoothly.
In general, there are a few payment options in Hong Kong, with cash, payment apps, cards, or Chinese RMB cash in certain situations, with electronic payment being the most prevalent today.
Hong Kong Currency & Exchange Rates
Hong Kong Dollar can be divided into 100 cents, and is usually represented by “HK$” or simply “$”. Below is a table of conversions for Hong Kong currency that may be helpful to you.
| Currency (1 Unit) | HKD Equivalent |
| British Pound (GBP) | 10.00 |
| Euro (EUR) | 8.33 |
| United States Dollar (USD) | 7.69 |
| Canadian Dollar (CAD) | 5.88 |
| Singapore Dollar (SGD) | 5.56 |
| Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) | 1.61 |
| Chinese Yuan (CNY) | 1.06 |
| Macau Pataca (MOP) | 0.97 |
| Philippine Peso (PHP) | 0.13 |
| Japanese Yen (JPY) | 0.05 |
*Table made according to conversion rates of October 2024
Hong Kong Currency Cash
· Hong Kong Dollar Banknote & Coin Denominations
Banknotes of Hong Kong currency are in denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000, each in different colors. And coins are worth 10, 20, and 50 cents and HK$1, HK$2, HK$5, and HK$10. The coins are of different shapes and materials too for easy recognition.
· Where to Exchange for Cash
It’s always a good idea to change some money into Hong Kong currency before your Hong Kong tour. But it’s easy to exchange for cash when you get there too. Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island has exchange counters. You’ll find them in hotels and major tourist attractions as well. However, these places tend to have the worst exchange rates. Your best options are local services and ATMs.
Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the best places to exchange for Hong Kong currency. Many locals and people from China come here, and you may find a line in front of the counters sometimes.
· ATMs in Hong Kong
It’s easy to find an ATM almost anywhere you go in Hong Kong, as long as you’re in the urban areas. They are in airports, train stations, banks, supermarkets, convenience stores, and around street corners.
Most ATMs in Hong Kong accept Visa and Mastercards. American Express users can look for Aeon ATMs which you’re likely to find at MTR stations and Circle K convenience stores. The maximum withdrawal amount is typically around $20,000 in Hong Kong currency per transaction. Make sure to inform your bank in advance about your travel plans to Hong Kong.
· Paying with Cash in Hong Kong
Cash is the most reliable way of payment in Hong Kong as it is accepted anywhere. Though it is not as popular or convenient as electronic payment or card payment, you probably want some cash on you always, in case you need it for some small shops or stalls.
Payment Apps in Hong Kong
The most popular payment apps are Octopus, AlipayHK, and WeChat Pay. Octopus is commonly used for Hong Kong public transportation, retail transactions, and other daily services. There’re also physical Octopus cards that you can purchase, which we will discuss more about later. Apple Pay is another convenient option in the city. You can check what methods or apps stores accept usually at the cashier.
As popular as electronic payment might be in Hong Kong, it may not be the most desirable option for short-term visitors, because some of the apps may require a local phone number to sign up, and you need to enter your bank account information in order to pay with them.
Card Payment in Hong Kong
Hong Kong as an international metropolitan welcomes countless visitors from all over the world for various purposes. So you’ll find that card payment is very easy at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and chain convenience stores. American Express, VISA, Diners Club, MasterCard, UnionPay are usually accepted, though as mentioned before, small family shops or street food stalls often don’t accept cards.
Hong Kong Octopus Card
Octopus cards were originally introduced for public transportation. It was so popular that its use has expanded way beyond that. It has an impressive 98% adoption rate among Hong Kong residents. Octopus cards are very recommended for visitors because they can save you a lot of trouble taking the MTR or for small purchases at convenience stores.
They are easy to obtain at metro station ticket offices or kiosks, as well as the ferry ticket offices in Central. You may need to pay a deposit for certain types of Octopus cards and then add however much money you need. At the end of your Hong Kong trip, you can return your card and get a full refund of the balance you have left.
Hong Kong Tipping Culture
Hong Kong is different from the rest of China in its tipping culture. Tipping is important and appreciated. You might consider tipping your driver, guide, room attendants, waiters, and waitresses. Usually, HK$5 or HK$10 is sufficient for inexpensive restaurants, otherwise, consider tipping about 15% of the bill.
