Hong Kong Phone Number Guide: Calling Codes, SIMs and eSIMs

You’ve got your Hong Kong hotel’s contact details, but how do you dial their number while you’re still in Australia? And once you land, you might want to know whether your usual phone setup will do the job, or will you need an eSIM or even a local number? 

This guide walks you through Hong Kong phone numbers, calling codes and the options for staying in touch during your trip. We’ll cover how to enter numbers correctly, when a local SIM might be useful, and what to sort out before you start exploring.

Hong Kong Phone Number Format at a Glance

A standard Hong Kong phone number has eight digits, whether it belongs to a hotel landline or someone’s mobile. 

Most mobile numbers you'll come across start with 5, 6 or 9. Prefixes 4, 7 and 8 were opened up to mobiles in 2018.

How Many Digits in a Hong Kong Phone Number?

The short answer is eight, not counting the +852 if you’re dialling from outside the country. When you add that country code, you should be dialling 11 digits in total. 

There are a couple of exceptions to that rule though. Hong Kong’s toll-free numbers starting with 800 have nine digits, and then there are the short codes like 999 (emergency services), which contain only three digits. 

So if a regular number of a hotel or tour contact you've saved only has seven digits, you’re missing a number, so you’ll have to go back to check it against the original. 

Hong Kong Phone Number Examples

You'll see the same Hong Kong phone number written a few different ways on websites, booking confirmations and business cards. For example, here we have the Hong Kong Tourism Board's visitor hotline:

• +852 2508 1234
• (852) 2508 1234
• 852-2508-1234
• 2508 1234

My advice is to save every Hong Kong number you need with +852 in front of it. Your WhatsApp, still tied to your Aussie number, will pick up the contact straight away, which is handy given how many restaurants and tour operators take bookings by WhatsApp in Hong Kong. 

Image sourced from Unsplash.

+852 Country Code: Is It an Area Code?

+852 is Hong Kong's country code, not an area code. Hong Kong scrapped area codes back in 1989, so Central, Kowloon, the New Territories and Lantau all share +852, and there's nothing extra to dial between the country code and the eight-digit number.

Is +852 China’s Country Code?

+852 is Hong Kong only. Mainland China uses +86 and Macau uses +853, and calls between them count as international, which does catch a lot of travellers out.

For example, if you’re using a Hong Kong SIM and want to call a hotel in Shenzhen, you'll need the +86 code first, and the same goes for +853 if you want to call somewhere in Macau. 

What Does a "+" on an Incoming Call Mean?

Once you have a Hong Kong SIM, any incoming call from outside Hong Kong shows a "+" in front of the caller's number. If you’re getting a local call, they display as plain eight-digit phone numbers. 

How to Call Hong Kong from Australia

From your Aussie mobile, first dial +852 and then punch in the eight-digit Hong Kong number.

From a landline, first dial 0011, then 852, and then the eight-digit Hong Kong number. 

For example, to reach the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s visitor hotline:

• Australian mobile: +852 2508 1234
• Australian landline: 0011 852 2508 1234

Before you go calling Hong Kong though, make sure to check your phone plan’s international-call allowance. Using your Australian SIM card to call Hong Kong from home and to call a number within Hong Kong are also different; the latter involves international roaming, which isn’t automatically covered if you have an international calling pack. 

If you’ve got a Hong Kong SIM or eSIM installed for a trip to Hong Kong, you can call numbers after you arrive (as long as your chosen plan includes calls and not just data). You won’t have to input the country code, you can just dial the eight numbers. 

Do You Need a Hong Kong Phone Number for Your Trip?

No, you don’t need a local Hong Kong phone number for a typical holiday in Hong Kong. If you’re mainly after maps, translation tools, online bookings and messages or calls through WhatsApp, a data-only eSIM or a suitable Australian roaming plan will cover those needs. 

The important thing to note is that you can keep using WhatsApp with your Aussie number while your Hong Kong eSIM supplies the data. 

A local +852 number becomes useful if you’re expecting to make regular calls to restaurants or hotel landlines, you want businesses to call you back locally, or you need a particular service that requires a Hong Kong number for SMS verification. 

Staying Connected with a Data-Only eSIM

Trip.com’s Hong Kong eSIMs are data-only and do not come with a phone number. You can use the data for maps, email, browsing and calls or messages through apps such as WhatsApp. The plan does not provide ordinary voice calls or SMS, so it won’t let you dial a restaurant’s landline or receive verification texts on a new +852 number.

If those internet features cover what you need, explore Trip.com's Hong Kong eSIM Guide to compare data options for your trip. You can also keep your Australian line alongside a travel eSIM on a compatible dual-SIM phone; calls and texts on that line remain subject to your Australian provider’s overseas service and charges.

How to Get a Hong Kong Phone Number

If you decide you do need a Hong Kong mobile number, look for a prepaid SIM or eSIM from a local telecom provider that explicitly includes one. 

When purchasing, you’ll want to find out what kind of call allowance it has (i.e. how many minutes?) and whether SMS is also included. 

Buying a Local Prepaid SIM

A physical SIM is an option if your phone does not support eSIM, or you would prefer help from a shop. However, you will need to make sure your phone is unlocked. 

For me, the easiest option for a physical SIM card is the 5G Discover Hong Kong Tourist Sim card. It’s built for travellers, giving you a local number to make calls, and some data for browsing and using your apps. You can pick it up after you arrive at csl shops, 1O1O Centres, and participating 7-Eleven and Circle K stores. 

Your other option is to buy a SIM from a staffed telecom shop. To do so, you’ll need to bring your passport, and it can be a bit more time consuming than simply picking up the tourist SIM. 

Can You Get a Hong Kong eSIM with a Phone Number?

Yes, some local providers offer Hong Kong eSIMs with a phone number and calls included. For example, csl sells an eSIM version of its Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM, including a seven-day option with local voice calls. You’ll need a compatible, unlocked phone and must complete real-name registration before using the service.

Hong Kong Tourist SIM Prices and Validity

The Hong Kong Tourism Board currently lists three packages for the 5G Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM, each including unlimited local calls within Hong Kong:

Can You Keep Your Australian Number with a Hong Kong eSIM? 

Yes, if your phone supports the required dual-SIM setup. You can retain your Australian line and add a travel SIM or eSIM. Device support varies by model and where it was purchased.

If you’ve set up an eSIM before travelling, you’ll want to make sure the settings are changed as you land. Decide which line will handle the mobile data (your eSIM), and which line will handle calls and texts (your Australian number).

Here’s a walkthrough:

• Label the lines clearly, such as “Australia” and “Hong Kong”.
• Select your travel plan for mobile data.
• Turn off data roaming on the Australian line if you do not intend to use its roaming data.
• Follow the travel provider’s instructions for roaming on the travel line; some travel eSIMs require it to be enabled.
• Check your Australian provider’s rules for receiving SMS and calls overseas.

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