When coming into a new country, you immediately need cell data and mobile Internet. This is a measure of safety: you’ll need digital maps, contacts of your hotel host, and a convention with family and friends. Tourists who come to Hong Kong prefer to buy SIM cards right at the airport. When entering the city, they’re already connected to local cell data.
See how to buy a SIM card in Hong Kong airport​ and explore the eSIM alternative for faster data activation. You’ll find the best tariff options in Hong Kong for 2025 visitors.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card at Hong Kong Airport?
The location is full of stores and services for tourists. Visit official counters of mobile operators travel counters, kiosks, and stores:
- 1O1O center in 1 Sky Plaza Rd, Lantau Island;
- Nobletime, Chek Lap Kok;
- 7-Eleven, Arrivals Hall, Arrivals Level (L5);
- VanGO, Mtr Lo Wu Station Terminal.
Such locations will also offer your eSIM installation. The manager will generate a unique QR code for you to activate and install the plan right in the store. This is a perfect solution for people who have never used eSIMs before.
How Do You Buy SIM Connection in Hong Kong: Requirements
Note that you need an identity document to buy an airport eSIM Hong Kong. Show your passport and visa to prove your identity. After this, select the data plan that matches your requirements and budget expectations:
- consider how much GB of data you need;
- choose the number of phone call minutes;
- decide if you need SMS availability;
- check your device for eSIM compatibility.
The main SIM providers in the country include CSL, HKT, China Mobile, SmarTone, and Three. All of them are available in mobile connection stores and online. eSIM providers, available across China, include Yesim, Holafly, Airalo, Nomad, and other options. The activation process is a breeze, especially if you ask a manager for help.
| SIM card installation | eSIM activation |
|---|---|
| Insert the card in your mobile device’s slot. You may need to put your main SIM or a memory card out. Benefit from automatic activation. Most providers send your SMS with activation details. You only need to enter the needed codes. Contact the carrier. If it doesn’t happen, call your carrier’s hotline and ask for activation details. Configure your device. You may need to restart your smartphone and change the APN settings according to the instructions. | Get your eSIM profile. You may buy eSIM Hong Kong, download it from the carrier’s application, or ask the store manager for activation details. Activate an eSIM in settings. You need to add a new data plan in your device’s settings. Activate and test your plan. You’ll need to switch from your main data plan to a new one. Test the connection quality afterward. |
Popular Plans for Hong Kong Tourists: Comparison of Costs, Volumes, and Speed
Take a look at 2025’s data plans by SIM and eSIM providers, developed specifically for tourists and foreign visitors.
Yesim’s Hong Kong Plan
This virtual SIM carrier provides 9 data-only options: 5 with prepaid data (500 MB, 10, 15, 20, and 30 GB). and 4 unlimited options from 1 to 30 days. The advantage lies in an opportunity to choose the number of days and data you need. Yet, the carrier sells virtual phone numbers separately (Around $2 per day), so you won’t be able to make calls and send SMS with these plans.
Airalo Hong Kong Virtual SIM
Airalo’s embedded SIM for Hong Kong is presented in 6 formats, all prepaid: 1 GB for 7 days, 2 GB for 15 fays, or 3 / 5 / 10/ 20 GB for a month. All the plans are eligible for top-ups. Thus, you can buy a short-time plan with little data and prolong it with more gigabytes lately. The plan doesn’t offer phone calls and SMS, and you cannot buy them at Airalo’s. This carrier is suited for customers who only need Internet.
GigSky: Plenty of Options for Hong Kong and Asia
This embedded SIM provider stands out with a huge number of data plans. Hong Kong-focused eSIM include 5 data options from 100 MB to 10 GB. Yet, you can also choose the “Asia Pacific”, “Cruise”, or “Global” tariff to be connected in all the Asian countries. The options do not include a phone number, but you can make calls via messengers.
CSL Discover SIM Card
CSL is one of the largest SIM card providers in the country. The “Discover” data plan is developed specifically for tourits. At $118, you receive 24 GB of 5G Internet, unlimited calls across Hong Kong, and free connected to CSL Wi-Fi sports. You can buy this SIM at 7-Eleven.
SoSIM for Toursits
This SIM card is available in multiple convenience stores in the airport, including Watson’s and SoSIM store. A cheap option, it offers fast connection in Hong Kong and roaming data for other countries. 30 days come at $33 and give you 50 GB of mobile Internet and 1,500 minutes of phone calls. Afterward, the price becomes $45 – yet, one month is usually enough for tourists.
Compare the Key Features
| Data provider | SIM format | Estimate price for 1 GB of mobile Internet | Phone calls |
| Yesim | embedded SIM | $1–2 | Can be bought at separate price (around $2 per month) |
| Airalo | embedded SIM | $1–4.5 | Not available |
| GigSky | embedded SIM | $2.3–4.5 | Not available |
| CSL | physical card | $4.9 | Unlimited calls in Hong Kong |
| SoSIM | physical card | $0.5–0.8 | 1,500 minutes of phone calls in Hong Kong |
Comparing SIM and eSIM: Which is Better in Hong Kong?
| Connection type | Physical SIM | Virtual SIM |
| Advantages | easier installation;widely available in airport stores and kiosks. | flexible duration and data volumes;top-up option;online activation;no need to put the main SIM card out. |
| Disadvantages | only 30-day plans;for you to put the main SIM card out. | activation may be complicated for new users;not as popular as SIM cards. |
Most SIM cards offer a 30-day plan with one-time payment. This is a convenient option if you’re seeing China for more than a month. The tourist eSIM Hong Kong is more versatile. You can try a new provider for one day, a week, or any other duration. Plus, data by eSIM carriers is usually cheaper, especially if you need connected in several Asian countries at once.
More Tips on eSIM Use in Hong Kong
Cell data safety is especially important abroad when you’re in constant need of connection. Make sure you know these practices:
- Know how to check your balance. eSIM providers offer real-time balance tracking in applications. Show how much you’ve spent and whether you need to top up soon. SIM card providers usually have SMS codes to request your SIM card balance.Â
- Use free Wi-Fi to enable eSIM plans. The activation of embedded SIMs requires a stable Internet connection. Installing a plan while you’re at home is the best decision, but if you’re already abroad, use secure public Wi-Fi.Â
- Avoid buying cards from unofficial providers. Tourists are common victims of fraud. By SIMs in official stores or supermarkets and avoid private sellers. The card may be fake and even download malware to your device.Â
Finally, don’t share your plan activation details with anyone. Providers of embedded SIMs email you with a unique activation QR code, and no one else may use it.
Conclusion
Consider eSIM cards for the fastest installation in the airport. Unlike SIM cards, they are installed digitally and require less time. If you’re still into SIM cards, research the best providers before your arrival and shop in licensed stores. After that, follow the activation steps sent via SMS,to activate your data plan as soon as possible.
If your smartphone contains 2 SIM slots, there’s no need. Alternatively, use embedded SIMs that don’t require card slots at all. They are installed digitally.Â
Use official cell data stores to avoid scams. Such shops sell licensed data plans and phone numbers for Hong Kong visitors. Using such cards is 100% safe.Â
Among options of eSIM in Hong Kong airport​, choose offers by Yesim, Airalo, or Holafly with short duration. These can be 1–7 day plans with prepaid data or unlimited Internet. SIM cards offer only 30-day plans – in this case, focus on the amount of mobile Internet you need.Â
