Simcard

Question

I’ll be staying in HK for 9 days and need a mobile SIM card on arrival.

I plan to use my phone’s hotspot to work on my laptop instead of relying on public Wi-Fi.

What SIM card should I get? Thanks.

Answer

For a 9-day stay in Hong Kong where you plan to use your phone’s hotspot to work on your laptop, it’s important to get a SIM card with good data allowance and reliable network coverage. Hong Kong has several mobile operators that offer tourist SIM cards, which are easy to buy at the airport, convenience stores, or mobile shops in the city.

Here are the main options:

CSL / 1O1O / csl mobile: Offers prepaid tourist SIMs with various data packages, including unlimited data options suitable for hotspot use. CSL is known for strong network coverage across Hong Kong.
Smartone: Offers prepaid tourist SIMs with good data allowances, and some plans include unlimited local data. The network is reliable and often slightly cheaper than CSL.
China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK): Provides prepaid SIM cards with flexible data packages, including plans designed for short-term visitors. Often very affordable and widely available.

Additional tips:

Buy your SIM at Hong Kong International Airport on arrival for convenience; it allows immediate activation.
Check that the SIM supports 4G/LTE hotspot usage—most tourist SIMs do, but confirm with the vendor.
Bring your passport, as it is usually required to register the SIM.
For heavy data use on your laptop, consider an unlimited data plan rather than a limited data plan, to avoid overage charges.

Overall, any of the main operators’ tourist SIM cards should meet your needs, with CSL or Smartone being particularly reliable for hotspot work.