The Best eSIMs for Visiting Hong Kong

So you’re heading to Hong Kong and need a convenient and quick way to get data on your phone? An eSIM may be your new best friend. Gone are the days of queuing for SIM cards in airports, or fiddling with putting multiple SIMs in and out of your phone. The eSIM has enabled mobile operators to entirely move the customer journey online with no need for a physical card. The question now is, which Hong Kong eSIM option do you choose when visiting? We’re here to help.

Hong Kong eSIMs comparison

What exactly is an eSIM?

Simply put, an eSIM is a digital version of a physical SIM card. Since 2018, most devices now come with an eSIM embedded directly into the board of the device. This means that changing carriers, data providers or service plans can all be done online with just a few clicks and with no need to remove your existing physical SIM.

Here’s how it works:

Activation: Purchase a Hong Kong eSIM plan. Use a QR code or a carrier-provided app to download the eSIM profile.

Connectivity: Connect to local networks just like a traditional SIM card, enjoying local rates and coverage benefits without roaming charges.

Hong Kong mobile networks

In Hong Kong, there are several local mobile network operators, all of which provide 4G and LTE with some offering 5G. The main operators are; CSL, China Mobile HK, Three and SmarTone. Overall, coverage is excellent across the city, with all networks providing similar service in urban areas. However, there may be some patchy coverage in rural areas.

Overview of Hong Kong eSIMs for tourists and short-term visitors

Here’s an overview of some of the Hong Kong eSIM options available for your trip. This list isn’t exhaustive but it’s a good introduction to familiarise you with some of the key providers.

Best eSIMs for short trips

These are the main players with a wide range of short term plans:

Airalo: Reliable connectivity and fast speeds

Airalo is one of the more popular eSIM providers and for good reason too. It has one of the fastest data speeds on the market whilst being cost efficient.

The Airalo Hong Kong eSIMs are from HKMobile and connect to the csl. network, which has extensive coverage across all regions in the city. Packages start at 1GB for 7 days and 3GB, 5GB and 10GB for 30 days. For a short stay or business trip, the 5GB plan should be sufficient to cover most users’ data requirements and is good value.

If you’re traveling elsewhere around Asia, then consider the Asialink eSIM which includes China, HK, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea. Packages go all the way up to 100GB for 180 days.

Installation

Getting an Airalo eSIM is extremely user friendly. The whole process of selecting your package, signing up for an Airalo account, payment and accessing the QR code to activate your SIM takes around 15 minutes. You also get access to 24 hour customer support and a handy app to check your data usage. You can install your eSIM as soon as you purchase it but the validity period only starts as soon as you connect to the network in HK.

Performance

When it comes to speed, users have no issues with Airalo in HK. Upload speeds are slightly slower than download speeds but they are still more than sufficient for standard usage such as social media or data sharing. Tethering is also supported with Airalo eSIMs.

Saily: Affordable and flexible

From the founders of the renowned tech company, NordVPN comes Saily. There are 4 data only plans for HK and 6 Asia based plans (with 19 countries included) available, all of which have attractive prices that are hard to beat. The HK specific plans offer 1GB for 7 days and 3GB, 5GB and 10GB for 30 days. Prices range from HK$31.00–HK$140.00, making Saily a very affordable option for a short trip.

Installation

Once purchased, the Saily eSIM is immediately ready to download and the activation process is incredibly straightforward with clear steps outlined in the app. Saily is often praised for its intuitive interface, making it very user friendly when it comes to managing data plans, monitoring usage and receiving 24/7 customer support.

Performance

Users report more than satisfactory speed performance across HK, with access to 4G and 5G networks across the majority of the region as well as no hot spotting restrictions.

Best eSIMs for long trips

If you’re planning a longer stay, you’ll need eSIM options with more days and larger data caps:

Nomad: Fast speeds from a trusted name

Possibly the best value for money option out there, Nomad has 7 plans available for HK (all are data only); as well as an APAC eSIM (including either 14 or 21 countries around the region). HK Plans start from more economical options of 1GB (7 days), up to a hefty 20GB plan for 45 days, making them a solid choice for longer stay travelers or those here on business. Nomad connects to csl.’s 4G/LTE network (note that 5G is not supported but data speeds are more than sufficient for standard usage).

Installation

Installation is simple and the eSIM is ready for immediate download after purchase. Nomad also comes with an Android/iOS app which provides a step by step installation process and makes it easy to check your data usage or top up. Make sure you install your eSIM before arriving in HK as it requires an active internet connection. Your plan validity starts as soon as you activate your eSIM and it connects to the HK network.

Performance

Nomad users report stable download and upload speeds across HK with good coverage throughout the city. Although slightly slower than Airalo’s plans, Nomad’s plans are more cost effective when it comes to cost per GB for longer plan durations, making them a more suitable option for a longer trip. Tethering is also possible, which is always a win.

AloSIM: Good value and convenient

Offering a good range of data amounts and durations, AloSIM sits within the average price range of its competitors. There are 6 plans available for HK – 1GB for 7 days and 2GB for 15 days then 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB for 30 days. What sets this provider apart, is that most of the plans provide a local HK number, which could be useful if you were there on a longer trip and needed to provide a local number for work or some other administrative purpose.
There are also regional plans available which include 13 countries across Asia with data offerings up to 100GB for 180 days.

AloSIM connects to a few different networks (a few of which are under the same umbrella provider), including PCCW Mobile, New World Mobility, 1010 and SUNMobile and uses LTE rather than 4G or 5G.

Installation

Activating an aloSIM plan is breezy. Simple instructions are provided for all compatible devices on a user friendly app and customer service is available 24/7 should you get stuck with anything. There’s also a travel data calculator available on the website which allows you to quickly estimate the amount of data you may need for your upcoming trip.

Performance

AloSIM uses LTE which is (at the time of writing) typically more widespread in HK than 4G/5G so coverage is excellent. Data speeds may come up a little slower than some of the competitors but for standard data use such as browsing, social media, navigation etc, there are no issues reported. AloSIM users also really rate the overall usability of both the website and app, making it an overall positive user experience at every stage of the process.

Best eSIMs for light data usage

The best option for basic data consumption:

Jetpac: Flexible options and perks

Originating from Singapore, Jetpac is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its varied packages, affordable prices and extra perks. There are no HK specific plans as all options include HK, Macau, Taiwan and Vietnam, as well as additional Asia-Pacific plans which provide coverage across 16 countries.

At the time of writing, Jetpac is offering a ‘1 for 1’ deal whereby you can purchase 1GB for 1 USD which lasts for 7 days – ideal for light data use activities like navigation or browsing. Jetpac also offers a nice little extra when purchasing most of their plans whereby you can use ‘smart delay’ and enjoy free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed (prior registration of flight details is required) as well as a free 30 day trial for Express VPN.

Installation

You can install your eSIM instantly after purchase but some extra time is required if you want to register your flight for the ‘smart delay’ benefit. Activation starts once your phone connects to the local network but if you don’t activate it, your eSIM will remain valid for up to 1 year from the purchase date.

Performance

Jetpac uses 4G only in HK and connects to the csl. and PCCW networks. Users report generally stable connections with decent upload and download speeds throughout the main tourist destinations and rate the overall user journey from purchase to use.

Best eSIMs for light data usage

For sharing data with your travel squad:

HONGKONGESIM: Unlimited hotspotting

HONGKONGESIM offers both fixed data plans starting from 1GB to 20GB as well as an unlimited plan (for 7 days only with the option to top up). The unlimited plan has a daily data cap before speeds get throttled and this is priced in 3 levels according to the size of the daily cap (1GB for basic, 2GB for pro and 5GB for premium). Whilst there is a cap, the costs are significantly cheaper than other competitors offering unlimited options at HK$186.78 for the premium option. HONGKONGESIM connects to CMHK (with 4G/LTE), which has excellent coverage across the city.

Hotspotting is enabled with no restrictions meaning that if you went for the premium plan, you’d have 5GB of full speed data to share with your friends and family throughout the day.

Installation

Upon purchase, you’ll receive an email within 5-10 minutes and will be able to scan the QR code to install your eSIM. One thing to note is that as this provider operates out of HK, you’ll need to complete a real name registration in order to activate your eSIM. You’ll receive a link to do this either once you arrive in HK or within your QR code voucher email. Registration requires a photo of your ID to be uploaded and while the process itself doesn’t take long at all, it can take a bit longer to get registered so perhaps aim to complete it before landing in HK.

Performance

Speed wise, eSIM performs very well across all of HK. If you do consume your daily 5GB, speeds get throttled to 384kbps for the remaining daily quota which isn’t ideal but 5GB a day should be more than enough for standard data usage, even when hotspotting. Customer support is excellent and users report very responsive assistance when encountering issues.

Best eSIMs for flexible plans

When you want heaps of options for days, data, and top-ups:

GigSky: Fast speeds for short and long stays

GigSky is popular among travelers to HK, thanks to its flexible eSIM plans that cater to various data needs and itineraries. Offering HK only, regional and global plans, GigSky is available in 200+ locations and is also one of the few eSIM providers out there to offer plans that also work on cruise ships, should you need it.

Plans start as low as 100MB (for free!) and go up to 10GB for HK only plans but up to 50GB for Asia Pacific plans. Your eSIM will connect to the available network with data speeds limited to 4G and LTE.

Installation

You can activate your eSIM immediately upon arrival at their destination, and installing it after purchase is simple. After setting up an account on the website or app, select and purchase your plan, scan your QR code and your eSIM will be good to go once you connect to the local network.

Performance

While the free 100MB plan was quite slow, GigSky’s paid eSIM options rank highly when it comes to speed, reliability and connectivity. As is the case for most providers, coverage was stable across most major attractions in HK for Hong Kong.

Best eSIMs with unlimited data

For data heavy users that like to play it safe:

Holafly: Reliable coveragr from a trusted brand

One of the more expensive options, Holafly manages to keep customers happy with its unlimited data plans that range from 1 day ($6.9) to 90 days ($139.9). In fact, they only offer unlimited plans. Holafly connects to csl. and Three HK and 5G is not yet available. Still, unlimited data sounds pretty good, right? This is where you want to do your research on fair use policies (see the FAQ for more).

Basically, whilst Holafly does truly offer unlimited data plans, some of the carriers it connects to may place a limit on how much full speed data you can access a day before your speed gets significantly throttled and then resets again the next day. This isn’t such a huge issue in HK where there are plenty of options for free WiFi, but it’s definitely good to know about in advance so you don’t burn through your daily allowance in one train journey.

Installation

Overall, the installation process is easy, no real-name registration is required, the app is decent and 24-hour customer service is provided in several languages — perfect for all kinds of travel.

Performance

Users are satisfied with Holafly for typical data usage, including 4k video streaming. Speeds are actually faster than some of the main players out there but there’s just the possibility of getting throttled which perhaps makes an unlimited plan a little less appealing.

Hong Kong travel eSIM FAQs

How much data do I need?

On average, you would typically consume about 5GB of data per week in your home country with regular Wi-Fi access. However, when traveling, Wi-Fi access is considerably less frequent and travelers depend heavily on mobile data for activities like researching local attractions, navigating maps, translating languages and sharing on social media.

A daily data usage of 500MB to 1GB might be sufficient for light data usage tasks such as navigation and instant messaging while you’re out and about. If you’ve got a long day of sightseeing ahead of you though and you’re using your phone extensively for social media, tethering, video calls or navigation, you should maybe aim for the higher end of the data spectrum.

To avoid exceeding your daily data limit, try downloading offline maps and reserve that big photo dump for when you have Wi-Fi access. You might also want to look into plans that offer data top-ups for extra flexibility.
Unsure of how much data you may use? Check out our dedicated guide to how much data you’ll need for your trip to Hong Kong. **link to How much data do you need for 7 days in HK article**

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

Before you purchase your eSIM, it’s crucial to ensure your phone is compatible. Since 2018, most phones come with eSIM functionality, but not all of them are unlocked. If you bought your phone directly from a retailer, it’s likely to be unlocked. However, if you acquired your phone through a contract with a network provider, it might be locked to that provider.

Checking if your phone is unlocked is a quick and simple process. If you find out that your phone is in fact locked, contact your service provider to see if it can be unlocked before you proceed with buying an eSIM. If it can’t be unlocked, you could look into renting a pocket Wi-Fi device which can be picked up from and returned to HK airport.

What’s a Fair Usage Policy?

When researching eSIMs for Hong Kong, it’s crucial to understand the Fair Usage Policy (FUP) especially if you are after an unlimited data plan. The FUP is a set of guidelines implemented by mobile network providers to ensure that unlimited data plans don’t get abused by a few heavy users, which could slow down the network for everyone else. Many unlimited plans actually put a limit as to how much full speed data you get per day before it gets significantly throttled so it’s always a good idea to check the specifics of your plan before paying. If the deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Which network offers the best coverage in Hong Kong?

While all networks provide very similar coverage in Hong Kong, csl. is often regarded as having the best overall, especially in urban environments. That being said, there isn’t too much variation in coverage or data speed between the main players, SmarTone, China Mobile and Three.

Which Hong Kong eSIM is the fastest?

When it comes to the fastest eSIM options in Hong Kong, two providers stand out based on user experiences: Airalo and Nomad both connect to the csl. 4G/LTE network and speeds are typically satisfactory for common activities like browsing and social media. Airalo users may experience slightly faster download speeds but Nomad offers a consistently reliable performance.

Which is better for your Hong Kong trip: An eSIM or a physical SIM card?

The answer to this question really depends on your needs and whether you want data only or voice minutes too. When it comes to a variety of affordable data and voice packages, physical sim cards still have the upperhand in Hong Kong and are very easy to source once you land. However, it is mandatory in HK to complete a real name registration when purchasing a sim and there is no guarantee how quickly that process will be completed. On the other hand, many eSIMs are data only but are far more convenient to purchase and can be organised before you land. Also, most of them don’t require real name registration and even let you access websites/apps typically blocked in HK.

What’s the difference between international roaming eSIMs and local eSIMs?

There are primarily two types of eSIMs: those provided by foreign companies that roam on local networks, and those that are native to the country you’re in. Many roaming eSIMs will include other countries on your plan, which is useful if you’re going somewhere other than just Hong Kong whereas local eSIMs may offer more affordable tariffs and could be better suited for longer trips or where HK is your only destination.
In terms of coverage, both types offer similar performance since foreign eSIMs roam on the same networks used by local providers. However, foreign eSIMs may present some drawbacks, such as increased battery drain due to roaming or being more susceptible to latency.