Hong Kong
éŚć¸Ż
Hong Kong has English everywhere, so language isn't a barrier. The one app you must get is Octopus â the contactless card for transit, convenience stores, and small shops.
đRideshare & Taxi
All apps â
The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Works city-wide with upfront fares and card payment, but it isn't reliably cheaper than taxis.
đşď¸Navigation & Maps
All apps â
Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Works well.
đąMessaging
All apps â
The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
The default messenger in Hong Kong â restaurants, shops, and tour operators confirm bookings on it.
đąFood Delivery
All apps â
Major food delivery in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Major food delivery app in HK, though rival Keeta now handles more orders.
đPublic Transit
All apps â
Hong Kong's contactless transit and retail payment card. Visitors add it to an iPhone with the Octopus for Tourists app; on Android, buy a physical card.
Essential â pays for MTR, buses, and most shops. On iPhone, add it to Apple Wallet with the Octopus for Tourists app; on Android, buy a physical card at the airport.
âď¸Travel Planning
All apps â
Activities, attractions, and SIM cards across Asia. Better than GetYourGuide in Asia.
Disneyland, Ocean Park, and ferry tickets.
Is Hong Kong one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- G
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type G: Three rectangular pins. The British plug, used in UK, Ireland, HK, Singapore, Malta, much of Africa and Middle East.
British-style three-pin plug.
Tipping
Tipping is not deeply ingrained; most restaurants add a 10% service charge, and many diners leave the small change or round up. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest dollar is enough.
CurrencyHKD
Cantonese you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
â Do
- Use both hands when giving or receiving a business card and take a moment to read it
- Queue patiently for the MTR, buses, and taxis; line-jumping is frowned upon
- Hold chopsticks properly and never stick them upright in a bowl of rice
- Let the host or eldest person begin eating first at a shared meal
- Tap your two fingers lightly on the table to thank someone pouring your tea
- Keep your voice down and give up priority seats on public transport
âDon't
- Don't discuss sensitive political topics loudly in public
- Don't point with a single finger or beckon with your palm up
- Don't give clocks as gifts, as they symbolize death and endings
- Don't eat or drink on MTR trains, where it is prohibited and fineable
â ď¸ Common scams to know
- Tailor and 'custom suit' shops in tourist areas using high-pressure sales and poor-quality fabric
- Inflated 'tourist menus' or unmarked prices at some Tsim Sha Tsui restaurants and bars
- Fake or overpriced electronics in non-chain shops along Nathan Road
- Taxi drivers taking longer routes or claiming the meter is broken
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us â here's how we check.