City, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Dense, efficient and safe, with superb transit, dim sum, ferries and hiking minutes from skyscrapers. Rents and hotels are among the world's highest, and summers are brutally humid.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$3,190–5,100Comfortable, one person · HK$25,000–40,000Details
- Value for money12/100Better value than 11% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar, Oct–DecWarmest: Jul, 30°CDetails
- Internet362 MbpsFixed broadband, Hong Kong medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilMeets WHO standards at the mains, but old building pipes vary, so locals boil it.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$51–102Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and Octopus work almost everywhere; carry some cash for cha chaan teng, markets and minibuses.Details
Where to stay in Hong Kong
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sheung Wan and Central | Cafés, bars, Soho; convenient but expensive |
| Tsim Sha Tsui | Hotels, Star Ferry, museums and cheaper hostels (including Chungking Mansions) |
| Wan Chai and Causeway Bay | Shopping, food and tram rides; central and lively |
| Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po | Cheaper rooms, markets, local food and budget stays |
| Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun | Residential west end, cafés, good for longer stays |
Apps that work in Hong Kong
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Mostly taxis plus private cars; surge pricing at rush hour |
| HKTaxi | Local taxi-hailing app; English interface |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- MyObservatory: Typhoon and rainstorm warnings
- MTR Mobile: Routes, fares and service updates
- Octopus: Transit and small payments
- Taxis: Red urban taxis are metered, safe and easy to hail. Drivers do not carry much change; Octopus is accepted in many.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Hong Kong.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and Octopus work almost everywhere; carry some cash for cha chaan teng, markets and minibuses.
- Currency: Dollar (HKD). US$1 ≈ HK$7.85 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: HSBC, Hang Seng and JETCO bank ATMs take foreign cards; some charge a fee; decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Restaurants add a 10% service charge; leave coins in taxis and tip hotel porters a little.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; Octopus works in Apple Wallet; Alipay+ wallets accepted at many shops.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Hong Kong runs its own immigration; a mainland China visa or visa-free stay doesn't cover it, and vice versa.
- Keep the paper landing slip handed out on arrival; it is the proof of entry instead of a passport stamp.
- Bringing e-cigarettes or heated tobacco into Hong Kong is illegal, even for personal use.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · Tourist police +852 2508 1234 · All emergencies 999
Plugs
Type G · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid tourist SIMs at the airport, 7-Eleven and Circle K, roughly HK$80–200; real-name registration with a passport is required. eSIMs work for visitors.
Going to Hong Kong solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hong Kong meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.