Getting Hong Kong Dollars for Your Trip

Hong Kong is one of the world's great financial centres, and this shows in its excellent banking infrastructure and card acceptance. The Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is pegged to the US Dollar within a narrow band, making exchange rates relatively stable.

For most visitors, a combination of cards and an Octopus card covers almost everything. Cash is still useful for markets, street food, and smaller establishments, but you won't need to carry much.

Key insight for 2026: Hong Kong is highly developed for electronic payments. Your UK debit or credit card will work almost everywhere, and the Octopus card handles public transport and small purchases brilliantly. Many visitors barely use cash at all.

Hong Kong Dollar notes come in HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000 denominations, issued by three different banks (HSBC, Standard Chartered, Bank of China) — all are equally valid. Coins include HK$0.10, HK$0.20, HK$0.50, HK$1, HK$2, HK$5, and HK$10.

Best Ways to Get HKD

1. Use cards directly (Easiest option) — Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. Use a fee-free card like Wise or Revolut to avoid foreign transaction charges.
2. Get an Octopus card (Essential) — Buy at the airport or any MTR station. Top up with cash or credit card. Works for MTR, buses, ferries, 7-Eleven, supermarkets, and many restaurants.
3. Withdraw from ATMs — HSBC, Hang Seng, and Standard Chartered ATMs are everywhere and don't charge foreign card fees. Withdraw what you need for markets and small shops.
4. Exchange at Chungking Mansions (Best cash rates) — The famous building in Tsim Sha Tsui has dozens of money changers with excellent rates. Compare a few before exchanging.
5. Airport exchange on arrival — Travelex and others at HK Airport offer fair rates. Good for getting your first HK$500-1,000.

Avoid: Hotel exchange desks (poor rates), random street money changers (scam risk), and over-relying on cash when cards work everywhere.

The Octopus Card

The Octopus card is Hong Kong's contactless payment system and is essential for visitors. Here's everything you need to know:

Getting an Octopus Card

• Airport — Buy at the Airport Express customer service counter or MTR stations
• MTR stations — Customer service centres at any station
• Tourist Octopus — Special tourist versions available with HK$50 stored value
• Deposit — Standard cards require HK$50 refundable deposit

Where Octopus Works

• All public transport — MTR, buses, trams, ferries, minibuses
• Convenience stores — 7-Eleven, Circle K, VanGO
• Supermarkets — Wellcome, ParknShop, Market Place
• Fast food — McDonald's, KFC, Yoshinoya, many local chains
• Vending machines — Drinks, snacks throughout the city
• Some restaurants — Look for the Octopus logo
• Tourist attractions — Many accept Octopus for entry

Topping Up

• MTR stations — Add value machines accept cash and credit cards
• 7-Eleven — Top up at the counter with cash
• Automatic — Register for AAVS (Automatic Add Value Service) to auto-top-up from your card

Refunds

Return your card at MTR customer service to get your HK$50 deposit back, plus any remaining balance (admin fee of HK$11 if used less than 3 months).

Using Cards in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has excellent card acceptance — one of the best in Asia.

Where Cards Work Well

• Hotels — All hotels accept major cards
• Restaurants — Most sit-down restaurants accept cards
• Shopping malls — Universal card acceptance
• Department stores — Lane Crawford, Sogo, SOGO all accept cards
• Supermarkets — Cards accepted at all chains
• Tourist attractions — Ocean Park, Ngong Ping, museums accept cards
• Airport Express — Cards accepted for tickets

Where You'll Need Cash or Octopus

• Street food — Dai pai dongs and street vendors are cash-only
• Markets — Temple Street, Ladies Market, Mong Kok markets
• Small local restaurants — Especially in older neighbourhoods
• Minibuses — Some require exact cash fare
• Traditional shops — Hardware stores, older businesses

Card tip: Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. American Express has good but not universal acceptance. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many locations.

Withdrawing Cash from ATMs

ATMs are everywhere in Hong Kong, from MTR stations to 7-Elevens to bank branches.

Best ATMs for Foreign Cards

• HSBC — Huge network, no fees for foreign cards, English interface
• Hang Seng Bank — Owned by HSBC, equally good
• Standard Chartered — Excellent for UK cards
• Bank of China — Widespread, foreign-card friendly
• Jetco network — Multi-bank ATMs found everywhere

ATM Tips

• No local fees — Hong Kong ATMs typically don't charge withdrawal fees
• Decline DCC — Always choose HKD when prompted, not GBP
• Withdrawal limits — Usually HK$3,000-5,000 per transaction
• Airport ATMs — Available immediately after customs; convenient for first withdrawal
• 24-hour access — Most ATMs in bank lobbies accessible 24/7

Currency Exchange in Hong Kong

If you need to exchange cash:

Best Rates

• Chungking Mansions — The money changers here offer Hong Kong's best rates. Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, this famous building has dozens of exchange shops. Compare 2-3 before exchanging.
• Mong Kok money changers — Good rates in this busy shopping district
• Banks — Fair rates but more paperwork; HSBC and Hang Seng are convenient

Reasonable Rates

• Airport Travelex — Not the best but convenient for arrival
• Shopping mall exchange counters — Fair rates, convenient

Avoid

• Hotel exchange — Usually poor rates
• Unlicensed changers — Stick to established shops