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 Hong Kong Currency: a Travelers' Guide to Money in HK

Hong Kong Currency: a Travelers' Guide to Money in HK

Written by GavinUpdated Nov. 16, 2023

In Hong Kong, you'll need to know how to use the local currency called the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), how to obtain it, and how to pay for things in Hong Kong. It's all here...

Important Things to Know about Hong Kong Currency

Luohu Border GatesLuohu / Lo Wu Border Crossing: It's easy to get HKD when entering Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has its own currency called the Hong Kong dollar (HKD). HK uses a different currency to Chinese mainland's yuan (RMB) or the Macau pataca (MAP).

Using money in HK is easy for foreigners: Travelers generally find that their cards are accepted widely and that transactions and ATM withdrawals are easy. It is easy to exchange money at good rates at some currency exchanges.

Interesting Hong Kong Money Facts

  • Interesting fact: This region has about 7.5 million people in 2019, but its currency is the world's 13th most traded currency.
  • Stable currency: It is considered a stable, more secure currency, and it is currently rising in value as the US dollar rises.
  • The Hong Kong dollar (HKD) is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of about 7.80 HKD to 1 USD. HK$ 1.00 is equivalent to US$ 0.13 or 13 US cents.
  • Three different banks produce the banknotes: HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of China.

Hong Kong Dollar Banknote/Coin Denominations

For Americans and citizens of some other countries, handling Hong Kong paper cash is more familiar since the denomination values are about the same as in the US. Hong Kong dollar notes in everyday circulation are $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000. However, there are no $5 HKD and $1 HKD notes. There are coins for these amounts as well as a handy $10 HKD coin. However, the cash is colorful unlike the American cash.

Banknote colors: $10 bills are green or purple, $20 bills are dark blue or light blue (old or new), $50 bills are purple or green, $100 bills are red, $500 bills are brown, and $1,000 bills are yellow.

Coins: The 10 cent coins are tiny and made of bronze. The 20 cent coins are bronze with a wavy edge. The 50 cent coins are bigger and bronze. The 1 HKD coins are silver, thin, and large. The 2 HKD coins are silver, large and with a wavy edge. The 5 HKD coins are silver, thick and large, and the handy 10 HKD coins are distinctive in that they are rather small, but they are thick and feel hefty with a bronze core and a silver rim.

ATMs in Hong Kong

ATM

It is fairly easy for travelers to find and use ATMs since they are everywhere except in remote areas such as in the countryside or small villages. Any sizable town of a few thousand people will have ATMs available to use.

ATMs can be found on almost city street, at bank offices, by supermarkets, next to many convenience stores, and in metro stations. They operate 24 hours. They take international cards and have instructions in English and Chinese. Generally, people can withdraw in amounts of 300 USD or 400 USD (4,000 HKD).

To get the best conversion rates and lowest fees, people should check with their home country banks and do some searching to find the ATMs that will give the best rates for their particular card. The various banks and banking networks offer different rates depending on their agreements with foreign banks.

  • For information on the use of Chinese ATMs in the Chinese mainland that present some singular problems, please see our ATM guide.
  • For our up-to-date information on China exchange rates, check out our Currency Converter.

How to Pay for Things in Hong Kong

Other than using Hong Kong dollar cash, options for paying for things in Hong Kong abound:

  • credit/debit cards and travelers' checks where they are accepted,
  • payment apps, such as Apple Pay, including China-based apps such as WeChat Pay and AliPay,
  • the locally innovated payment system called the Octopus Card,
  • Chinese RMB cash where it is accepted.

Credit Cards and Travelers' Checks in HK

Visa Card

Paying by plastic is probably the easiest way to pay in HK.

Hong Kong is modern and international. It is the most popular city for tourism in the world, and so international credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Diners Club and MasterCard are generally welcome at the bigger hotels, retail shops and restaurants.

Businesses will often display signs showing which cards they will accept.

Payment Apps: Apple Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Etc.

WeChat Pay You can use WeChat to pay in HK.

Electronic mobile payments apps are not yet as commonly used as in China where the majority of the population uses them every day now. The most commonly used app system in Hong Kong is Apple Pay. Other payment apps in use include Octopus's "O! ePay" and Android Pay.

People WeChat Pay and Alipay apps will find that many taxi drivers and some stores and restaurants in the tourist areas will accept them. They will post signs showing which electronic apps they accept.

Octopus Card: Recommended for Convenience

Part of the reason for the slower use of electronic payment systems is that the Octopus cards are universally used by the locals. In Hong Kong, the simple Octopus cards are probably the most suitable electronic method for tourists.

Octopus cards are handy for travelers. Not only do they allow for quick electronic payment for transportation such as the MTR metro to avoid getting tickets, you can use them to pay for everything from convenience store purchases to restaurant bills at many restaurants. Again, it is a method to avoid handling cash or getting scammed with counterfeit money.

How to get an Octopus card: You can buy these little plastic debit cards at a metro station ticket office or machine. You can also get them at the ferry ticket offices in Central. Add however much money you need. You can return these for a full refund of the 50 HKD price and any unused cash at stations and ticket offices.

Using Chinese RMB in Hong Kong

Chinese yuan (RMB)Chinese yuan (RMB)

Some stores, supermarket chain stores, and the 7-11 convenience stores (there are many in Hong Kong) will accept Chinese RMB cash, but usually, they want to take something like 20% of the value as profit. If they will accept Chinese yuan, they might put up a notice about it or a 元 symbol.

RMB may be readily changed in Hong Kong into other currencies. Low limits are set on how much RMB you can change to a foreign currency in a single day in China itself.

  • For the best value for your Chinese RMB, convert your money at currency exchanges and don't try to pay directly with RMB.
  • (Macau patacas are not accepted in Hong Kong except perhaps in shops or restaurants near the Macau ferry piers.)

How to Exchange Money in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Chung King Mansion main entranceYou can see the small currency exchange kiosks near the entrance of Chungking Mansions

It fairly easy for travelers to exchange foreign cash for local Hong Kong dollars since numerous currency exchange places and ATMs are everywhere tourists usually go. It is only in remote areas such as in the countryside or local housing areas that it might be difficult to find currency exchange places.

At Hong Kong International Airport, currency exchange counters are open from early morning until late at night. Many located within the city stay open into the evening.

Tsim Sha Tsui and Nathan Road are where you can get the best rates since the competition is high. However, prices vary, and you can find better value for currency exchange not along the main tourist thoroughfares but just behind them in the side streets where the locals and Chinese go. If you want to find these places, do a little looking around.

In Chungking Mansion on Nathan Road, the little currency exchanges near the entrance post fairly fair currency exchange rates without any added fees, and their rates are better than in most other exchange windows in Tsim Sha Tsui. The rates inside are about the same. But they don't post the best value to be had in the area. You can get a better rate at little storefront exchanges on the side streets near the building.

International Money Transfers in Hong Kong

US dollarIt is easy to change Hong Kong dollars back to foreign currency also.

It is fairly easy and common to transfer money to and from Hong Kong. The million foreign workers and other residents as well as Hong Kong businessmen regularly transfer money back and forth to people all over the world.

The money transfer situation is much easier in HK than in Chinese mainland where there are numerous regulations, and various money transfer methods are blocked or are illegal. So if you need to send or receive money, it might be better to do it in Hong Kong than in China. You have several choices, such as inter-bank transfer, online money transfer, and international money transfer company offices.

Inter-Bank Transfers: Expensive

You'll find that interbank transfers are comparatively easy in HK. However, the exchange rate (often about 1 USD per 5.8 HKD or a 2 HKD loss per US dollar) can be quite unfavorable, and the bank fees might be quite high (20 USD per 1,000 for example) depending on the banks involved. So you might lose a lot of money by inter-bank transfer.

Online Money Transfers: More Economical, More Complicated

A better option might be online money transfer (e.g. Xoom or WorldRemit) or international money transfer offices.

Money Transfer Services (Western Union etc.): Popular

It is also fairly easy to transfer money to and from Hong Kong through the money transfer agents of big companies such as Western Union and MoneyGram. Western Union has hundreds of agents in Hong Kong. For your convenience to find their agent locations and available services in Hong Kong, here are the respective Western Union and MoneyGram sites for Hong Kong: https://www.westernunion.com/hk/en/home.html and http://moneygram.hk/

Money transfer offices might prove suitable for many tourists, especially those sending to/from those countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia that have hundreds of thousands of local residents transferring money back and forth to people back in their home countries.

The 7-11 company has agreements with MoneyGram and Western Union so that their 7-11 branches in Hong Kong that are equipped with functional money transfer kiosk machines can act as agents for you to send or receive money internationally.

Also, national oriented companies such as the Philippines' Cebuana Lhuillier for pera padala have agents in Hong Kong. The World Wide Plaza building is a location in Central near the IFC Mall is a useful place to go for money transfer offices of several companies since it is in a favorite tourist area.

How to Recognize Fake Money and Other Crime/Scam Tips

Tourist Traps

Fake money isn't much of a problem in Hong Kong. Thus far, the fake money that has been investigated by the police in Hong Kong is mostly poor in quality, and locals can spot the fake cash.

But since you as a traveler or tourist are a target because you are less familiar with the way the money looks and feels, we suggest look at the web pages of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to familiarize yourself with the security features of Hong Kong banknotes.

Rub the bills in order to see whether it has an embossed texture. If you receive counterfeit money, hand it over to the police. Don't try to use it lest you be charged with a crime.

Avoiding Money Scam Tricks

Try to pay in smaller denominations to avoid getting fake cash back. So try to carry a supply of smaller bills and coins with you so that you can use it as you go around and to avoid fraud. As a foreigner, you probably are not familiar with the look and feel of real currency, so you might be more of a target for counterfeit fraud. To avoid getting counterfeit money in return, try to pay in smaller denominations.

For other tourist scams, see Avoiding Tourist Traps.

Some Cautionary Money Tips

Hong KongBe careful of your money in busy Hong Kong.

Pick pockets: In crowded streets, on the trains and buses and other places where crowds press close, keep your money well secured and concealed. Keep an eye on your belongings. When you dine and shop, try to keep valuables close to you and don't leave them in positions where people might snatch them.

Bargaining: Bargaining in the street markets is a part of the culture. Remember to bargain. Particularly in tourist areas, in markets, and on the side streets, you as a foreigner you are a target for price hiking. You can try to bargain with other venders when a particular vender won't bargain.

Compare prices: However, in supermarkets and big stores, the prices are posted, and there is no bargaining. Do a lot of comparison shopping to get a feel for what a good price is.

Tipping in Hong Kong

private tourYou should tip those who help you with luggage in HK.

Tipping in Hong Kong is appreciated and important (unlike in Chinese mainland).

Tipping at Hotels

Giving HK$ 10 to 15 for per piece of luggage carried for you is appropriate. 2% of the daily room charge will suffice for the room attendant as well as any smaller change when delivering room service or anything else to the room.

Tipping Waiters and Waitresses

Giving HK$ 5 to 10 at inexpensive restaurants and about 15% of the bill at fine restaurants is appreciated. At some restaurants, tips for the waiter are automatically added on to your bill as a service charge.

Tipping Your Tour Guides and Drivers

For a 1 person private tour, we suggest paying HK$100 to 200 a day for a tour guide. For a driver, it would be HK$100 per day for 1 person. Keep in mind that in some companies, the workers are dependent on tips for their income. We ensure our employees are paid a suitable salary.

See more on our guide to Tipping in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Let China Highlights Help You Tour Hong Kong

tour with China HighlightsYou can tour and shop and do business in comfort and style in Hong Kong with China Highlights

Having a local with you to teach you about local transaction methods and handling cash can be quite valuable. They can also help steer you to optimal shopping experiences that you'll enjoy.

Private Car and Driver - free of hassles, more flexibility

Private car and driver might be the best option if you want to do a lot of touring, business, or sightseeing in Hong Kong. A private driver or aid from an English speaking guide/interpreter is relatively inexpensive compared to Western countries and Japan. But pick a reputable company like China Highlights. You can arrange for our driver and guide to wait for you.

Or let us help you plan a personalized Hong Kong tour. Our tours are developed through years of experience and customer feedback and are reasonably priced. They can be customized to your requirements.

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