ðŸ‡ðŸ‡° Hong Kong
Visa-free for 90 days - and separate from mainland China.
No - Australian passport holders can enter Hong Kong without a visa for up to 90 days.
Pack a Type G adapter for the 220V supply, one Australian dollar buys about 5.46 HKD.
Entry rules last checked 24 October 2026.
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration system, which is why an Australian gets 90 days here without a visa but only 30 days in mainland China. Cross into Shenzhen and you are entering China proper, with a different border and different rules.
Your Hong Kong trip setup
21 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
Visa-freeUp to 90 days View detailsFlights
Compare 3 searchs Search flightsConnectivity
Compare 8 plansFrom $7 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 7 policysFrom $19.50 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43%-0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
HKG → Hong KongFrom $8 Compare optionsDriving
IDP requiredDrives on the left Compare car hireTravel essentials
Adapter type GTap water: safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 7 experiencesFrom $24 Explore activitiesHong Kong at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
October-December
Autumn is dry, mild and clear. Summer is hot, extremely humid and the height of typhoon season, when a T8 signal shuts the whole city down for a day.
9h 15m from Sydney (direct)
Busiest month for Australian travellers: January, quietest August. Hong Kong travel statistics
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise a high degree of caution
Australia has no reciprocal health care agreement with Hong Kong. Public hospitals charge non-residents heavily and private care is expensive.
Emergency: 999 for everything
Money
Very good in shops, malls and restaurants. Taxis, street food, markets and minibuses are cash-only.
HSBC, Hang Seng and Bank of China ATMs are everywhere and reliable.
Tipping: Not customary. Restaurants add a 10% service charge; leaving the coins from your change is plenty. Taxi fares are rounded up.
Language & culture
Cantonese (English is an official language)
English: Excellent - English is official, and all signage and transport announcements are bilingual
Capital: Hong Kong
Australian dollar to Hong Kong dollar
$5.46 HKD per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates - the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
Where Australians go in Hong Kong
Central
Kowloon
Tsim Sha Tsui
Causeway Bay
Lantau
Hong Kong FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a visa for Hong Kong?
No. Australian passport holders can enter Hong Kong visa-free for up to 90 days as a visitor. Hong Kong operates its own immigration system, so this is separate from the rules for mainland China.
Does my Hong Kong entry let me visit mainland China?
No. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region with a separate border. Crossing to Shenzhen or anywhere else in mainland China is an international crossing under Chinese rules - Australians currently get 30 days visa-free in the mainland under a policy running to the end of 2026.
What power adapter do I need for Hong Kong?
A Type G adapter, the three-rectangular-pin UK plug. It is different from both the Australian Type I plug and the Type A plug used in mainland China, so a Hong Kong and China trip needs two adapters.
Do I need cash in Hong Kong?
Yes, more than you would expect. Cards work in shops, malls and restaurants, but taxis, minibuses, markets and street food are cash-only. Carry HKD 500-1,000, and get an Octopus card for transport and convenience stores.
Is an eSIM worth it in Hong Kong?
Yes - it is one of the cheapest eSIM markets anywhere, and Australian roaming here runs $5-$10 a day. Just note that a Hong Kong plan does not cover mainland China.
What happens if a typhoon hits while I am in Hong Kong?
A T8 signal or above closes the airport, public transport and most businesses for the duration, typically a day. Typhoon season runs May to October, so leave a buffer day before an onward flight if you are travelling then.
Planning Hong Kong?
We will send you the Hong Kong guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.