£1 HK$10.63
Today
1:47 am
+8h from you
Weather & climate
Weather in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
29°
Partly cloudy
Thu
25°
29°
Fri
24°
27°
Sat
23°
28°
Sun
24°
28°
Mon
24°
29°
Tue
24°
29°
Wed
25°
29°
SPF level in Hong Kong
Recommended: SPF 50+ (extreme)
Spring
SPF 50+
Summer
SPF 50+ (extreme)
Autumn
SPF 50+
Winter
SPF 50+
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Hong Kong
What British travellers need to know
Your passport must be valid for at least one month after the date you plan to leave Hong Kong.
You can visit Hong Kong for up to 6 months without a visa.
If you are coming from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk, you must have a certificate proving you have had a yellow fever vaccination to enter.
You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty when entering Hong Kong.
It is illegal for visitors arriving at Hong Kong International Airport to carry items including knives, stun guns, objects with sharp points or edges, or martial arts equipment.
Good to know:
Do not attempt to bring e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes, or related devices into Hong Kong, including in personal luggage.
It is illegal to bring any cannabis products, including CBD items such as oils, creams, capsules, or food products, into Hong Kong.
Safety in Hong Kong
Tips when travelling
Hong Kong is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Take extra care of passports, credit cards and money in crowded areas and when checking in and out of hotels.
Do not leave drinks unattended and do not accept drinks from strangers to avoid drink spiking and personal attacks.
You can get on-the-spot fines for littering, jay walking or spitting.
If you plan to hike in Hong Kong’s country parks, stay on the marked trails and do not carry valuables.
It is illegal to import and re-export elephant ivory and its products, including tourist souvenirs, and you could get a fine or prison sentence.
Bonus tips:
If you are visiting, you can drive in Hong Kong with a valid UK driving licence for up to 12 months.
Typhoon season runs from May to November in Hong Kong, and public offices and public transport will shut down when there is a 'Typhoon 8' storm signal.
More information
Driving in Hong Kong
UK driving licenses are valid for 12 months. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
Side of road
left
Motorway speed limit
110 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Health in Hong Kong
As a British tourist, you will need travel insurance to cover healthcare costs in Hong Kong. The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are not valid in Hong Kong.
Medical facilities in Hong Kong are generally excellent, but can be expensive. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is widely available if preferred. Be mindful of food hygiene and avoid street food from unreliable vendors. Air pollution can be a concern; check daily pollution levels and take precautions if necessary.
Cards & payments
High in major establishments, but smaller shops may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
Tipping in Hong Kong
Tipping is not as widespread in Hong Kong as it is in some Western countries, but it is appreciated for good service.
Restaurant
5-10% for good service. Some restaurants may include a 10% service charge.
Bar/Café
Rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount for good service.
Taxi
Rounding up the fare is common.
Hotel Porter
HKD 10-20 per bag.
Hotel Housekeeper
HKD 20-50 per night, depending on service.
Tour Guide
HKD 50-100 per person, depending on the tour and service.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, EU roaming agreements no longer apply to UK mobile customers. Check with your provider for roaming charges in Hong Kong. Purchasing a local SIM card may be more cost-effective.
Local SIM
50GB for 168 HKD (~£17)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Hong Kong
Voltage
220V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type G, Type D, Type M
WiFi & internet
Very High
Average speed
100 Mbps
WiFi is widely available in Hong Kong, especially in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls. Many public areas also offer free WiFi. The Hong Kong government provides free WiFi hotspots throughout the city.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
999
Save 999 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Hong Kong
Country code
+852
To call the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong from the UK, you would dial 00 852 2901 3000.
To call Hong Kong from the UK, dial 00 (the UK exit code), then 852 (Hong Kong's country code), followed by the local Hong Kong number. Hong Kong numbers are generally 8 digits long.
UK Embassy
British Consulate-General Hong Kong
No. 1 Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong
Phone
Website
Recent updates
Safety and security
15 days ago
National Security Laws
- Individuals and organisations can now be required to comply with national security investigations, including sharing full access to electronic devices.
- The advice explicitly lists examples of prohibited CBD items: oils, creams, capsules, and food products.
Drug Offences and Penalties
- The 'zero-tolerance policy' on drugs is now specifically stated, and sentences are described as 'severe prison sentence' rather than 'long jail sentence and heavy fines'.
Entry requirements
15 days ago
Accepted passports
- Hong Kong no longer accepts BN(O) passports for immigration clearance and does not recognise them as valid proof of identity.
Prohibited items (E-cigarettes)
- The general e-cigarette prohibition now explicitly includes all related devices. From 30 April 2026, possessing any e-cigarette or 'Alternative Smoking Product' in a public place will be illegal.
- Offences have been expanded to include selling, manufacturing, promoting, advertising, or possessing e-cigarettes for commercial purposes.
Warnings and insurance
15 days ago
BN(O) passport status
- Hong Kong does not recognise the BN(O) passport as a valid travel document or proof of identity.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.