On this page 16 sections
- Hong Kong at a glance
- Why Hong Kong is different
- Quick picks
- Step 1: Size your plan for Hong Kong
- Step 2: Compare published prices
- Step 3: Check the fine print
- The seven providers
- Mainland China and Macau day trips
- Getting around: MTR QR codes and bank cards
- Local SIM instead? Real-name registration
- Will your phone work?
- Entry rules for Hong Kong
- Our take
- Before you fly
- FAQ
- Sources and method
Hong Kong at a glance
Checked 4 November 2026- Cheapest plan listed
- $31 GB / 30 days, Yesim
- 7 days unlimited
- $23Ubigi, 20 GB at full speed (Maya’s global plan: $19.99)
- 10 GB for 30 days
- $14Ubigi (Nomad: $16)
- Decide first
- Will you cross into mainland China or Macau?
These Hong Kong plans are data-only, with no Hong Kong phone number. Keep your home SIM on for bank and app SMS codes.
Why Hong Kong is different
What makes Hong Kong different is the border. Mainland China and Macau are separate destinations for mobile plans, so a Hong Kong eSIM won’t automatically work in Shenzhen or Macau, and a China plan won’t automatically work in Hong Kong. Internet access in Hong Kong also works differently from the mainland, where many foreign apps and sites are blocked (our China guide explains what each provider says about that).
If you’re staying in Hong Kong, buy a Hong Kong plan. If you’re crossing the border, compare a Hong Kong plan plus a second eSIM with a single regional plan (see below).
Quick picks
A week or so, normal use
A 10 GB / 30-day fixed plan. The lowest listed are Ubigi at $14 and Nomad at $16, then Airalo at $18.
Heavy use or tethering
A week of unlimited data costs $23 from Ubigi (20 GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps), or $19.99 on Maya’s global plan. Airalo is $26.50 and Holafly $27.90.
One to three days
A 1 GB plan covers maps and messages: $3.00 from Yesim (30 days), or $3.99–$4 from Saily, Nomad and Airalo. For 3 days of unlimited, Maya’s global plan is $9.99 and Airalo $12.50.
Hong Kong plus mainland China or Macau
Nomad’s Greater China plan covers mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan on one eSIM, from $5 (1 GB / 7 days) to $45 (50 GB / 30 days).
Step 1: Size your plan for Hong Kong
Maps, MTR routes and messaging are light on data. As a rough guide, they use hundreds of megabytes a day, while video and video calls can use several gigabytes. These are general estimates, not measurements.
A stopover of a day or two
1–3 GB fixed plan
About a week, with photos and social apps
5–10 GB fixed plan
Remote work, video calls, tethering a laptop
Unlimited, after checking its fair-use and hotspot rules
Step 2: Compare published prices
Unlimited plans by trip length
| Days | Airalo | Nomad | Holafly | Ubigi | Yesim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | $12.50 (lowest listed) | — | $13.50 | — | $12.60 |
| 5 days | $19.00 | $18 (lowest listed) | $20.90 | — | $21.00 |
| 7 days | $26.50 | — | $27.90 | $23 (lowest listed) | $29.40 |
| 10 days | $35.00 | $33 (lowest listed) | $37.50 | — | $35.93 |
| 15 days | $49.00 | — | $50.50 | $39 (lowest listed) | $46.80 |
| 30 days | $71.00 | — | $73.90 | $55 (lowest listed) | $68.40 |
Lowest listed price in the row — means no plan of that length was listed. Holafly ($5.90) and Yesim ($4.20) also sell a single day. Saily sells unlimited plans too; its site wouldn’t let us read the price for each length, so it isn’t in the table. Maya sells one global unlimited plan at the same price for every country: $9.99 for 3 days, $19.99 for 7, $27.99 for 14 and $49.99 for 30 (see Maya). Official pages, checked 4 November 2026.
Fixed-data plans
| Data | Airalo | Nomad | Saily | Ubigi | Yesim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $4.003 days | $47 days | $3.997 days | — | $3.0030 days (lowest listed) |
| 3 GB | $8.507 days | $830 days | $8.9930 days | $715 days (lowest listed) | — |
| 5 GB | $12.0030 days | $1130 days (lowest listed) | $11.9930 days | — | $11.5230 days |
| 10 GB | $18.0030 days | $1630 days | $19.9930 days | $1430 days (lowest listed) | $19.2030 days |
| 20 GB | $29.0030 days | $2745 days | $36.9930 days | — | $26.4030 days (lowest listed) |
| 50 GB | $49.0030 days (lowest listed) | $4945 days (lowest listed) | — | — | — |
Lowest listed price in the row Validity differs, so compare the small print as well as the price. Airalo also lists shorter versions (for example 10 GB for 7 days at $17.00). Ubigi also lists 10 GB for 7 days ($12) and 25 GB for 30 days ($26); Yesim lists 30 GB for $33.60. Official pages, checked 4 November 2026.
Step 3: Check the fine print
- Networks. Airalo names HKT. Nomad lists China Mobile Hong Kong, csl and 1O1O, and Ubigi names SmarTone. Holafly, Saily and Yesim didn’t name a network on the pages we read.
- Unlimited isn’t always unlimited. Ubigi’s 7-day unlimited plan gives 20 GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps. Holafly limits hotspot sharing to 1 GB a day. Yesim says speeds may be limited under the operator’s fair-usage policy, and that hotspot depends on the operator. Airalo’s and Nomad’s Hong Kong pages didn’t state a limit.
- Activation windows. Nomad starts a plan automatically 60 days after purchase if you haven’t used it. Yesim and Saily give 180 days.
- No Hong Kong number. These plans are data-only. Saily sells an optional US number, and Yesim offers a 20-minute calling add-on for $4.79.
The seven providers
Airalo
- Hong Kong from
- $4.001 GB / 3 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $18.00
- Unlimited
- $26.507 days; $12.50 for 3
What stands out
A wide range of plan sizes in 3-, 7-, 15- and 30-day versions, the lowest country-plan price for 3 days of unlimited data, and joint-lowest 50 GB plan ($49.00).
What to watch
The Hong Kong page doesn’t state a fair-use limit for unlimited plans, and its Hong Kong plans don’t cover the mainland.
Nomad
- Hong Kong from
- $41 GB / 7 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $16
- Unlimited
- $185 days; $33 for 10
What stands out
Names three Hong Kong networks, has the lowest 5 GB price ($11), and its 20 GB and 50 GB plans last 45 days. It’s the only provider here with a single Greater China plan covering mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
What to watch
Unlimited plans come in 5 and 10 days only. Plans start automatically 60 days after purchase.
Holafly
- Hong Kong from
- $5.901 day unlimited
- Unlimited
- $27.907 days; $73.90 for 30 days
- Backup
- "Always On": 1 GB a month
What stands out
The simplest choice: pick the number of days and get unlimited data. Every eSIM includes "Always On" backup data, and Holafly says refund requests can be made up to 6 months after purchase.
What to watch
The highest prices here for 3, 10 and 30 days of unlimited data. Hotspot sharing is capped at 1 GB a day, and the page doesn’t name its network.
Saily
- Hong Kong from
- $3.991 GB / 7 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $19.99
- Unlimited
- Sold; prices per length not shown to us
What stands out
A 1 GB plan for $3.99, 180 days to activate, and you can add a US phone number with call and text plans.
What to watch
Its 10 GB and 20 GB plans are the most expensive listed here, we couldn’t read its unlimited prices, and the page doesn’t name its network.
Ubigi
- Hong Kong from
- $73 GB / 15 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $14lowest listed
- Unlimited
- $237 days; $39 for 15; $55 for 30
What stands out
The lowest listed price for 10 GB over 30 days and for 7, 15 and 30 days of unlimited data among the country plans. Its 7-day unlimited plan states the limit plainly: 20 GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps.
What to watch
No 1 GB plan for a short stopover. We only read the fair-use terms for the 7-day plan.
Yesim
- Hong Kong from
- $3.001 GB / 30 days
- 20 GB / 30 days
- $26.40lowest listed
- Unlimited
- $29.407 days; $68.40 for 30
What stands out
The lowest 1 GB and 20 GB prices here, every fixed plan lasts 30 days, and unlimited data can be bought for any number of days ($4.20 for one). It gives 180 days to activate.
What to watch
The highest price here for a week of unlimited. Hotspot depends on the operator, and speeds may be limited under the operator’s fair-usage policy.
Maya
- 3 days
- $9.99unlimited data
- 7 days
- $19.99unlimited data
- 30 days
- $49.99unlimited data
What stands out
The lowest price we found for 3 or 7 days of unlimited data. It’s one global plan, so the same eSIM keeps working if Hong Kong is one stop of several. Maya’s page says "No caps, no throttling."
What to watch
It renews automatically while Travel Mode is on, so turn it off when you get home. The page we read doesn’t name the local networks or spell out a fair-use policy, and we haven’t tested the no-throttling claim.
Mainland China and Macau day trips
Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Macau are easy day trips from Hong Kong, but each is a separate destination for mobile plans. From the China guide research (official pages, checked 4 November 2026):
| Provider | Hong Kong + mainland China + Macau on one eSIM? |
|---|---|
| Nomad | Yes: the Greater China plan covers mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, from $5 (1 GB / 7 days) to $45 (50 GB / 30 days) |
| Holafly | No. Its China eSIM is mainland only, and Holafly points to a separate Hong Kong eSIM or its Asia eSIM |
| Saily | No. Its China plan doesn’t work in Hong Kong or Macau, which have their own Saily eSIMs |
| Airalo | Sells separate Hong Kong and China eSIMs; check the country list of its Asia regional plan |
| Maya | Global plan; check its country list for mainland China and Macau |
| Ubigi, Yesim | Not stated on the pages we read |
Official pages, checked 4 November 2026.
Before you cross
On the mainland, many foreign apps and websites are blocked on local networks. Our China guide covers what each provider says about this, and the rules that apply.
Getting around: MTR QR codes and bank cards
You don’t need an Octopus card to ride the MTR. According to MTR:
- Contactless bank cards. Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay contactless credit, debit and prepaid cards (not UnionPay debit cards), and phones or watches with those cards, work at gates with the contactless symbol on the heavy rail network, including the Airport Express. The fare is the same as the adult Octopus fare. MTR says cards issued in mainland China or overseas are generally accepted, though acceptance may vary by bank, and fares are charged in Hong Kong dollars.
- QR codes. AlipayHK EasyGo, Alipay Transit QR Code, UnionPay App MTR Transit QR Code and WeChat Transit QR Code can be scanned at the gates, with the fare taken from your e-wallet.
- Contactless bank cards don’t work on Light Rail or MTR Bus, and the QR codes are for the heavy rail network, according to MTR.
QR codes need data
Wallet apps need a working connection to load the code, so set up your eSIM before you reach the gates. MTR suggests opening your QR code before you arrive at the gate.
Local SIM instead? Real-name registration
Hong Kong requires real-name registration for all SIM cards, including prepaid SIM cards, before activation, according to OFCA, the communications regulator. Visitors without a Hong Kong identity card register with another valid identity document. OFCA warns against buying prepaid SIM cards from unknown sources that claim to be already registered. OFCA’s page doesn’t say how the rules apply to travel eSIMs sold by overseas providers.
Will your phone work?
- eSIM-capable and unlocked. Apple lists iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later. Settings → General → About should say "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock (full checklist).
- Bought in mainland China? Apple says that in China mainland only the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM. Many older mainland models use two physical SIM cards instead, so check for Add eSIM in your settings before you buy a plan.
- Bought in Hong Kong or Macau? Apple notes that certain iPhone models sold there have two nano-SIM slots. Check for Add eSIM in your settings first.
- Install before you fly. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and leave the line switched off until you land (install guide).
Entry rules for Hong Kong
According to the Immigration Department, holders of passports from about 170 countries and regions can visit Hong Kong without a visa. For example, nationals of the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore can stay up to 90 days, and British citizens up to 180 days. Indian nationals can stay 14 days after completing pre-arrival registration online. Check the Immigration Department’s list for your passport.
Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong need an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) with an appropriate exit endorsement, such as individual visit (Geren Luyou) or group visit (Tuandui Luyou), from the Public Security Bureau. PRC passport holders in transit through Hong Kong to or from another country or territory may be granted a stay of seven days on each landing without an entry permit, provided normal immigration requirements are met.
Our take
For most visitors, a 10 GB fixed plan covers a week or so, and Ubigi ($14) and Nomad ($16) were the lowest we found. For unlimited, Ubigi’s week ($23) publishes a clear 20 GB full-speed allowance. If you’re crossing to the mainland or Macau, Nomad’s Greater China plan saves you a second eSIM.
Affiliate links. Prices are set by the provider and confirmed at checkout.
Before you fly
Check your phone
Make sure it’s unlocked and eSIM-capable (how to check).
Decide on border crossings
If you’re going to Shenzhen or Macau, choose a plan that covers them, or plan for a second eSIM.
Buy and install at home
Install on Wi-Fi before departure and keep the line off until you land. With Nomad, don’t buy more than 60 days ahead.
Switch on when you land
Turn on the travel line, enable data roaming for that line, and set it as your mobile-data line. Have a contactless card or transit QR code ready for the Airport Express.
Check entry rules
Check visa and permit rules with the Immigration Department. Visa services such as iVisa exist, but the official government site is always the authority.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the cheapest Hong Kong eSIM?
On the official pages we checked (4 November 2026), Yesim listed 1 GB for 30 days at $3.00. For 10 GB over 30 days, Ubigi listed $14 and Nomad $16. A week of unlimited data cost $23 from Ubigi, or $19.99 on Maya’s global plan.
Does a Hong Kong eSIM work in mainland China or Macau?
Not usually. They’re separate destinations for mobile plans. Nomad’s Greater China plan covers mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan on one eSIM; with most other providers you’d need a second plan.
Which Hong Kong networks do travel eSIMs use?
Airalo names HKT, Nomad lists China Mobile Hong Kong, csl and 1O1O, and Ubigi names SmarTone. Holafly, Saily and Yesim didn’t name a network on their Hong Kong pages.
Is unlimited data really unlimited in Hong Kong?
Not always. Ubigi’s 7-day plan slows to 2 Mbps after 20 GB, Holafly caps hotspot sharing at 1 GB a day, and Yesim says operator fair-usage rules may apply. Maya says its plan has no caps or throttling.
Can I pay for the MTR with my phone or bank card?
Yes. MTR accepts Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay contactless cards (not UnionPay debit cards) and phones with those cards on the heavy rail network, including the Airport Express, plus Alipay, AlipayHK, WeChat and UnionPay transit QR codes.
Do I need to register a SIM card in Hong Kong?
Local SIM cards, including prepaid ones, need real-name registration before activation, according to OFCA. Visitors without a Hong Kong identity card can register with another valid identity document. OFCA’s page doesn’t say how the rules apply to travel eSIMs sold by overseas providers.
Do I need a visa for Hong Kong?
Many passport holders don’t. For example, US, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean nationals can stay up to 90 days, and British citizens 180 days. Check the Immigration Department’s list for your passport.
What do mainland Chinese visitors need for Hong Kong?
An Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) with an appropriate exit endorsement from the Public Security Bureau, according to the Immigration Department. PRC passport holders in transit may be granted a stay of seven days.
Sources and method
Last checked 4 November 2026
All prices and plan facts on this page were read from these official pages on 4 November 2026. We have not purchased or tested these plans ourselves; we summarize what the providers publish, in our own words. Read our method.
- Airalo — Hong Kong eSIMsChecked 4 November 2026
- Nomad — Hong Kong eSIMChecked 4 November 2026
- Holafly — eSIM for Hong KongChecked 4 November 2026
- Saily — eSIM for Hong KongChecked 4 November 2026
- Ubigi — Hong Kong data plansChecked 4 November 2026
- Ubigi — Hong Kong Unlimited, 7 days (fair-use terms and network)Checked 4 November 2026
- Yesim — eSIM for Hong KongChecked 4 November 2026
- Maya — Hong Kong eSIMChecked 4 November 2026
- Nomad — Greater China eSIMChecked 4 November 2026
- Saily — eSIM for ChinaChecked 4 November 2026
- Apple Support — Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhoneChecked 4 November 2026
- MTR — Contactless bank cards and mobile walletsChecked 4 November 2026
- MTR — QR code ticketsChecked 4 November 2026
- OFCA — Real-name Registration Programme for SIM cardsChecked 4 November 2026
- Hong Kong Immigration Department — Visit visa / entry permit requirements for the HKSARChecked 4 November 2026
- Hong Kong Immigration Department — Visa requirements open data (CSV)Checked 4 November 2026
- Hong Kong Immigration Department — Entry arrangements for Mainland residents and Chinese residents overseasChecked 4 November 2026
- SafetyWing: Nomad InsuranceChecked 4 November 2026