Before you take a trip to Hong Kong, you should be aware that you won’t be able to use free roaming like you would in Europe. Fortunately, nowadays, there are many options for getting internet abroad thanks to eSIM cards, without having to deal with the very high roaming charges, and you can choose an option that completely suits your interests. Read on to find out about the different options available on the market and the best eSIM card for travelling in Hong Kong.
There is currently a wide variety of brands with different features such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of plans. To make it easier for you, at Passporter we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Simoptions, where we tell you their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We already tell you that the eSIM cards without data limit like the ones from Holafly are a safe bet with which there will be no extra charges, and you will also have 24h support
Comparison of eSIMs for a trip to Hong Kong
When we want to make a comparison between different eSIM brands, we must take into account all the features that will help us determine if the card fits the needs of our trip. We present this summary table with all the essential information about Holafly, Airalo, Maya Mobile, Simoptions and Nomad to help you choose. We’ll go into more detail on each eSIM brand below so you won’t miss any of the information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited Data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days | No | Yes | + | Unlimited data on all plans | English, direct chat and WhatsApp | 19-99€ | 4,6 | 4,3 |
| Airalo | 7, 30 days | Yes | No | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB | In English, via bot | 5-13$ | 3,9 | 3,8 |
| Simoptions | 14 and 30 days | No | No | – | 8GB, 10GB | English chat | 24,9-29,9$ | 3,5 | 3 |
| Nomad | 30 days | Yes | No | + | 10GB, 15GB, 20GB | In English, by email or App | 19-33$ | 3,1 | 3,6 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | No | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB | In English by email | 5-17€ | 4,2 | 4,1 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for Hong Kong with unlimited data and customer support in English
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different prices and contract durations. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. Most of their eSIM plans have unlimited data. Technical support 24/7 in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese. Very flexible prices. Payable in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. Flexible duration of data plans: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. It has an App where you can check consumption and the days remaining on the contract. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They are one of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because you don’t run out of data and you don’t have to recharge. Holafly’s North American eSIM card does not allow data sharing. They do not allow data sharing with other devices. You cannot do the installation through their App. |
Holafly is the leading eSIM card company, offering a wide range of data plans for Hong Kong. It is considered one of the best options for buying eSIM cards, with plans offering unlimited data. You won’t have to worry about running out of internet at any time during your trip. In addition, the brand offers a 24-hour customer service in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute via chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the best rated company on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6.
On the website of Holafly, you can find 8 unlimited data plans, with prices ranging from 19€ to 99€ depending on the length of the contract, which can be 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. It’s perfect for all types of travel, from short and long term stays to students abroad and digital nomads.
| Data plan | Euro | US Dollars | Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | €19 | $19 | $339 |
| 7 days – unlimited data | €27 | $27 | $499 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | €34 | $34 | $699 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | €47 | $47 | $899 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | €57 | $57 | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | €69 | $69 | $1399 |
| 60 days – unlimited data | €87 | $87 | $1699 |
| 90 days – unlimited data | €99 | $99 | $1999 |
There are two options for installing the Holafly eSIM. The first is scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. And the other is the manual installation that you can do without a computer; you only have to type a code in the settings of your mobile. This code will be sent to your email, and you can also consult it in the Holafly App, which is very convenient for controlling the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards, we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but in the end they are cost-effective as all their plans have unlimited data, and you won’t need to top up at any time during your trip. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of Holafly’s eSIM cards for Hong Kong based on our experience.
In this post, you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some user reviews: Our thoughts on Holafly eSIM.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing data | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4,8 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 4,8 | 3,5 | 4,5 | 4,3 |
2. Maya Mobile, one month’s data packages
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly Flexible pricing. They have plans with unlimited data. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. They allow data sharing with other devices. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. No App The unlimited data plan is limited to 5Mbps Technical support only in English via a bot. Only 30-day data plans |
Maya Mobile offers a 30-day eSIM card proposition in Hong Kong. The price of data packages varies depending on gigabytes. You can choose from 4 packages of 1, 3, 5 and 10 GB, with prices ranging from £5 to £17.
Just like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of the sign-up process and installation. It will also be done through a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in the event that the data does not work, which is not usually the case as they have at least two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 5€ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 7€ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 15€ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 23€ |
| 30 days – unlimited | 63€ |
| 30 days – unlimited (Asia and Pacific) | 54€ |
The biggest drawback we found with Maya Mobile is that their plans are very inflexible and only have a single duration of 30 days. On Trustpilot, you can see that the brand has an average rating of 4.4, but there are hardly any reviews. Here’s a table showing how they rate each of their eSIM card features.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing data | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,2 |
3. Airalo, the cheapest eSIM brand for travel to Hong Kong
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They are the cheapest brand on the market. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. Top up the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Disadvantages | The gigabytes are limited to 100GB or less and they do not have cards with unlimited data. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes at 1GB and 5GB. The duration of most plans is more than a month. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
Airalo is along with Holafly one of the world’s best-known brands for buying an international travel eSIM. This company was founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir. It was also one of the first to offer such services, and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for Hong Kong have a duration of 7 and 30 days, with prices ranging from $5 to $13. Airalo is considered one of the cheapest brands on the market, however, its technical service leaves much to be desired and takes a long time to respond. Their data plans have very limited gigabytes and you are likely to run out of data in the middle of your journey and have to top up, which means that in the end the costs will increase and the cheap will be expensive.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 1 GB – 7 days | $5 |
| 3 GB -30 days | $8,5 |
| 5 GB – 30 days | $12 |
| 10GB – 30 days | $19 |
Although Airalo is cheap and offers a wide range of eSIM cards, its technical support leaves a lot to be desired. On Trustpilot, you can see user reviews and ratings. Airalo has one of the lowest ratings with 3.7. Here is the ranking of each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our opinion of Airalo: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing data | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4,5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,8 |
4. Nomad and its App
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Nomad’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. The App is very convenient and allows you to recharge the eSIM. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different prices and amount of gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 112 countries. Technical support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 10GB or less and they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB) Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. The duration of data plans is limited to 7 or 30 days. Their services and technical support are exclusively in English. You can only top up the eSIM when it is still active. |
The main feature of Nomad is that it has an App with which its customers can sign up for data plans quickly and easily, and install them directly from the App with a single click. They can also be purchased on the web and installed using a QR code or manually with a numerical code.
The brand offers data plans in more than 100 countries and also by continent, so you can make use of your internet connection even if you are moving between countries. In the case of Hong Kong, you can choose from a total of 11 data plans. All of them last for 7, 15 or 30 days, which doesn’t allow for much flexibility. It also has a data limit ranging from 1GB to 20GB. It is also somewhat confusing, as it offers two plans with the same amount of data (1GB and 20GB) for two different prices ($6 and $7, and $19 and $20).
| Data plan | Dollars | Euro | Pounds | Canadian Dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days – 1GB | 7$ | 6,5€ | £6 | 9,5$ CAD |
| 30 days – 3GB | 12$ | 11,5€ | £10 | 16,5$ CAD |
| 30 days – 5GB | 13$ | 12€ | £10,5 | 18$ CAD |
| 30 days – 10GB | 18$ | 17€ | £14 | 24,5$ CAD |
| 30 days -20GB | 26$ | 24€ | £21 | 35,5$ CAD |
However, we can say that the Nomad App is very useful to monitor consumption and recharge in case we run out of data. We can also use it to contact customer service, albeit only in English.
If you want to top up your eSIM, you must do, so before it expires. If the contract time is up, you will have to install another one. Here you can see our ranking of Nomad’s eSIM features and if you want to know more about our experience with their eSIM cards, go to this post: Our opinion of Nomad: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing data | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3,6 |
5. SimOptions, an eSIM marketplace
| Advantages | Offering regional, country or global data packages. Sim Options eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 160 countries. Some plans include calls and SMS. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 20GB or less and they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. The features of eSIMs for the same country vary according to the brand contracted. The duration of data plans is limited to 14 and 30 days. Not all eSIM cards allow data top-up. Technical support depends on each brand and good customer service cannot be guaranteed. Speed depends on each brand of eSIM card. There is no App to monitor data consumption. |
SimOptions is an eSIM card company that brings together different options offered by local mobile phone companies in each country that sell their eSIM cards. The brand, which has offices in Paris, Thailand and Hong Kong, offers data plans for eSIM cards in more than 160 countries and also has regional and global plans.
In Hong Kong’s case you’ll find five 14-day and 30-day data plans and even one and two-year plans with data limits of 8GB, 10GB and 20GB or 12GB and 24GB. Prices range from $19.9 to $79.9. Some of the cards available also include calls. The one- or two-year packages may be of interest to digital nomads or students.
The main drawback of SimOptions is that its website is a bit chaotic and the data plans, as they are from different brands, are very disparate and their features vary a lot, not only the price, speed or duration, but also the technical support, the possibility of recharging or sharing data. This will force you to look in detail at each brand and will make it harder for you to make a decision.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 6 GB – 10 days | 19,90$ |
| 10 GB – 14 days | 49,90$ |
| 10 GB – 30 days | 24,94$ |
| 12 GB – 14 days | 29,20$ |
| 12 GB – 1 year | 52,90$ |
| 20 GB – 2 years | 79,90$ |
Our personal experience is that with SimOptions cards you can spend a lot of time comparing options. In addition, the price is high, you can only pay in dollars, and they don’t give you the guarantee of a good technical support. Here we leave you this ranking where we rate SimOptions eSIM cards from 1 to 5 and in this post you can read about our opinion and that of other customers about the brand: Our opinion about SimOptions: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3,5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Conclusion on which is the best eSIM for Hong Kong
When planning a trip to Hong Kong, it is important to know what type of eSIM and data plan you will need for the amount of days and usage you will need. Below you can find a detailed comparison of our experience and which eSIM card is best for a trip to Hong Kong
When we travel we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our holiday, so eSIM cardswith unlimited data are the best option. In this case, the only brands that offer unlimited eSIM data are Holafly and Ubigi, but as we have already seen, Ubigi’s unlimited data is not real.
To get a better idea of how much each application consumes and to be able to make a more realistic estimate of how much internet you will need, here is a table with the consumption of each application.
| Platform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0,12 GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,12 GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0,18 GB – 0,8 GB |
| Netflix | 0,3 GB – 7 GB |
| YouTube | 0,14 GB – 1,7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0,8 GB – 6 GB |
The installation process for eSIM cards is always simple and quick, although it is true that some companies make it even easier. The first thing to do is to check if your mobile is compatible with the brand’s eSIM. Generally, you can check this information on the website of each provider.
The purchase of the eSIM for Hong Kong can be done via the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly, or via the app such as Truphone. Both methods are simple and quick.
The only brand that allows installation through the App is Truphone, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation by scanning a QR code that you will receive by email as soon as you complete the purchase with Holafly or Maya Mobile.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Truphone have a chat bot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of SimOptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this regard Holafly’s technical support is the best as they respond in less than 1 minute in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Japanese via web chat or WhatsApp, where a conversation is automatically opened after the purchase.
One of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Maya Mobile and Airalo; however, their data plans are very limited and you’re likely to run out and have to pay for the top-up again. That is why it is sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get an eSIM card with unlimited data like Holafly’s to get peace of mind and not have to worry about running out of data.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best option for travel to Hong Kong for its unlimited data and multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute. Their plans are also truly flexible and suitable for all types of travel. With Holafly you will never run out of data on your trip.
Other options for getting internet in Hong Kong
Besides eSIM cards, which tend to be the best option for internet in Hong Kong, there are other options for enjoying the internet in your destination country. For the time being, here is a table with all the reasons why we prefer to use eSIM cards when travelling rather than other options.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Pre-purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, you don’t have to remove the original card. Connection as soon as you land, no need to find a shop first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No dependency on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Tranquility | 24h technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You won’t have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your mobile. |
| Security | Without using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. Avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your phone as with eSIM cards. |
1. SIM cards
SIM cards are one of the most widespread options today, but that doesn’t mean they are the best option, as shown below they have a number of drawbacks.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is quick. They can be purchased online or in physical shops. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Disadvantages | You have to exchange it for your regular SIM card, which can be lost or damaged. You have to open and handle the mobile phone during the installation process. When your travel SIM contract runs out, you have to replace it with another one. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to arrive at home. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. |
In Hong Kong there are many brands offering SIM cards, such as Viettel, Vinaphone Vinaphone or Mobifone. All three have good coverage throughout the country, but Viettel is the country’s main network.
SIM cards can be purchased online before you start your trip, at the airport or at official shops in the commercial areas of your destination country.
The advantage of SIM cards is that they also include calls and SMS, but as you may know, the installation process requires removing your regular SIM and running the risk of losing it. Also, SIM cards have limited data, and can run out before their time is up.
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi
Another alternative for connecting to the internet in Hong Kong is to rent a Pocket WiFi, i.e. a portable router with which you can access the internet wherever you go.
| Advantages | It can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Long-term contracts are the norm. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay rent, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts at most 6 hours. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
Some brands that rent these routers in Hong Kong are Travelerswifi or Wifi4asia. The latter offers 5GB per day and costs $6 per day. There are also shipping costs and extras such as insurance.
This option is interesting when we only need internet in a very specific space, for long periods of time or when we are travelling with more people, as everyone can benefit from the connection and share the costs.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Hong Kong
As you can imagine, this isthe cheapest option. However, as you may already know, it is also the most frustrating option in most cases. Slow connection, time limit or endless forms that promise WIFI after giving all your details.
| Advantages | It’s free. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is difficult to find free wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or have connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and give your personal details. Some free wifi networks are time-limited. You should always connect close to the router. They are vulnerable to hacking. |
This is an option that should be used with caution for security reasons. Public WiFi hotspots are very vulnerable to hacks or cyber-attacks through which your private data can be accessed. It is therefore recommended that you spend as little time as possible connected, use it for specific queries and do not expose personal data.
Here are some places where you can find WiFi on your Hong Kong trip if you need it: airports, museums, the underground, parks, cafes, restaurants and hotels. There are also APPs that tell you where to find WiFi hotspots, as well as Facebook, which also offers this service.
4. Activate roaming for Hong Kong
One of the options that is increasingly losing popularity due to its high costs is roaming, also known as data roaming. It is the simplest option as you can receive calls and connect to the internet without having to install anything or change your phone number, however, the bills are very high. A gigabyte can cost up to €25.
Before embarking on a trip, it is advisable to ask your carrier about the cost of roaming so that you can compare with other services such as eSIM cards. In Spain some of the companies that offer roaming in Hong Kong are Orange, Yoigo, Jazztel, Movistar or Vodafone.
If you decide to use another option, remember to turn off data roaming on your mobile phones or change the main line if you use an eSIM.
| Advantages | No installation on our mobile. No extra services to sign up for. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Disadvantages | It is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without realising it. Not all phone companies offer this service. |
Frequently asked questions about how to have internet in Hong Kong
Most models of common brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will tell you which models are compatible.
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your usual SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is built into the latest generation of mobile phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the website or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
Once you have verified that your mobile phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. The camera will then open, so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, which is why it is recommended that you do it before setting off on your trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical shops or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same-day express delivery.
Most carriers offer packages with data caps. Holafly, unlike the others, offers a wide variety of unlimited data packages.
Data cards are activated as soon as they are installed in the country of origin, i.e. when the SIM card is inserted or the QR code is scanned.
Data packages usually last for weeks or months, however, there are providers such as Holafly that offer more flexible packages between 5 days and 3 months.
Unlimited data plans do not normally allow data sharing, but plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
The data on unlimited plans is really unlimited. Please note, however, that local mobile operators may temporarily reduce the speed if you use applications such as Netflix or YouTube very intensively. These limits are more intended to avoid network saturation by a few users.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly has been marketing eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences posted on Trustpilot, with an “Excellent” rating and 4.6 average score.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and a lower average Trustpilot rating than Holafly at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong based company.
No, Maya actually limits the speed on its unlimited plans to only 5mbps. Once 30GB is consumed, Maya further limits the speed to 1mbps.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Reviews of Maya on Truspilot are good, with an average rating of 4.5.
Truphone is a UK company and a Google technology partner. On Trustpilot they have a rating of 3.1.
Airalo reviews on Truspilot are good, with an average score of 3.9.
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