An Xi’an Tourist’s Guide: How to Pay in Hong Kong Like a Local

Landing at Hong Kong International Airport from Xi’an, I was excited but a bit nervous—aside from packing sunscreen and my camera, I’d spent most days worrying about one thing: How would I pay for stuff? Back home in Xi’an, I live on Alipay and WeChat pay; cash is mostly for street food. But Hong Kong? I’d heard stories of “only cash accepted” or “credit cards not working,” and I didn’t want to get stuck with a wallet full of useless bills or a dead phone.

After a week of wandering from Mong Kok’s neon-lit streets to Stanley’s sunny beaches, I figured it out. Spoiler: It’s way easier than I thought, but there are tricks to avoid overpaying or awkward moments. Here’s my no-BS guide, straight from a Xi’an traveler who’s been there.

An Xi’an Tourist’s Guide: How to Pay in Hong Kong Like a Local

First Things First: Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) Are King

Hong Kong has its own currency, the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), and it’s not interchangeable with Chinese Yuan (CNY) at 1:1. At the airport, I saw exchange counters offering around 7.8–8.0 HKD for 1 CNY—don’t bother. The rate is terrible. Instead, I used the ATM in the arrivals hall. My Bank of China card worked fine, and I got the “interbank rate” (around 8.2 HKD/CNY), which is way better. Pro tip: Withdraw larger amounts (like HKD 1000–2000) at once to avoid ATM fees (most charge HKD 15–30 per transaction).

Cash is still essential, but not for everything. Small vendors, night markets, and taxis often prefer cash, but bigger places take cards or mobile payments. I carried around HKD 500 in small bills (HKD 20, 50, 100) for daily needs—enough for meals, snacks, and taxis without feeling like I was carrying a brick.

The Big Four: How to Actually Pay

Hong Kong accepts four main payment methods: cash, credit/debit cards, mobile payments (yes, even for us!), and Octopus cards. Here’s when to use each.

Credit/Debit Cards: Convenient, But Not Universal

I brought my UnionPay, Visa, and Mastercard, thinking I’d be set. Wrong—sort of.

• Where they work: High-end malls (like IFC or Harbour City), Western restaurants, chain hotels, and big supermarkets (ParknShop, Wellcome). Even some smaller boutiques in Central or Tsim Sha Tsui took cards if the bill was over HKD 100.
• Where they don’t: Street food stalls, local cafes (“cha chaan tengs”), night markets (like Temple Street), and small family-owned shops. I tried paying with my UnionPay card for a HKD 30 pineapple bun at a Mong Kok bakery—owner shook his head and pointed to a “Cash Only” sign. Oops.
• Fees to watch: My bank charged 1–2% foreign transaction fees for UnionPay, and Visa/Mastercard cards had similar fees. If your bank doesn’t waive it, take it out of your travel budget. Also, some places add a 3–5% “credit card surcharge”—always ask before paying, or just use cash to avoid it.

Mobile Payments: Alipay & WeChat Pay Work (Mostly)

As a Xi’an local, I can’t imagine life without mobile payments, and I was thrilled to find they’re huge in Hong Kong too—especially for tourists.

• How to set up: Open Alipay or WeChat Pay before you leave. Go to “Payment Settings” > “Currency” and add Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) to your wallet. Link a credit/debit card (UnionPay works best) to top up, or use the “HKD Remittance” feature in Alipay (it’s instant with good rates).
• Where they work: Almost everywhere that takes cards—7-Elevens, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Watsons, and even local tea shops. At a cha chaan teng in Causeway Bay, I paid for pineapple buns and milk tea with WeChat Pay, and the server just scanned a QR code like back home.
• The catch: Some tiny, old-school places still don’t accept them. I learned this the hard way at a street noodle stall in Sham Shui Po—owner looked at my phone like it was a alien artifact and pointed to a “Cash Only” sign. Always carry a little cash as backup.
• Bonus: Both apps have “Hong Kong Travel” sections with discounts—Alipay gives HKD 5 off at 7-Eleven if you spend over HKD 30, and WeChat Pay has deals at local cafes. Free money, take it!

Octopus Card: The Local’s Secret Weapon

If you’re staying more than 2 days, get an Octopus card. It’s a reloadable smart card (like a transit pass, but better) and works for almost everything—transport, food, shopping, even vending machines.

• How to buy: At any MTR station (subway) or 7-Eleven. You can get a “On-Loan Octopus” for HKD 150 (HKD 50 refundable deposit + HKD 100 credit) or a “Simp Octopus” (no deposit, but you can’t refund leftover balance). I chose the On-Loan one since I was staying a week.
• Where to use it:
  • Transport: MTR (subway), buses, trams, ferries, and even taxis (most take Octopus, but confirm first). Fares are cheaper than cash—MTR from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui is HKD 9.6 with Octopus vs. HKD 10.5 cash.
  • Food: 7-Eleven, convenience stores, McDonald’s, and local cafes. Just tap your card at the counter—no fumbling with cash or apps.
  • Shopping: Some supermarkets (like Mannings) and even clothing stores accept Octopus.
• Reload: Top up at any MTR station, 7-Eleven, or Octopus service center. Minimum reload is HKD 50, and you can do it anytime—even if your balance is low.
• Refund: Before leaving, go to an MTR station service center to refund your On-Loan Octopus (they’ll deduct HKD 9 for the card fee, so you get HKD 141 back). Super easy—way better than carrying leftover cash.

Cash: For the “No Card, No Phone” Spots

Let’s be real—Hong Kong has so many small, cash-only spots, and you don’t want to miss out.

• Best places to use cash: Night markets (Temple Street, Ladies’ Market), street food stalls (fish balls, egg waffles), small family restaurants, and taxis.
• How much to carry: I started each day with HKD 200–300 in small bills (HKD 20 and 50 are most useful—taxis often don’t have change for HKD 100).
• Avoid fake bills: All Hong Kong bills are polymer and have security features (watermarks, holograms). Only exchange money at banks, ATMs, or licensed exchange shops (avoid “currency exchange” booths in touristy areas—they often have bad rates).

Scenario-by-Scenario: Your Payment Cheat Sheet

Still confused? Here’s what I did in real situations:

Final Tips: Don’t Be That Tourist

1. Tell your bank you’re traveling: I almost had my UnionPay card frozen because I didn’t notify Bank of China. A quick call before you go saves headaches.
2. Carry a power bank: Mobile payments drain your battery fast, especially if you’re using Google Maps too.
3. No need to tip: Hong Kong doesn’t have a strong tipping culture. You don’t need to tip at restaurants (they add a 10% service charge already), and taxi drivers round up to the nearest HKD 1 if you’re nice.
4. Emergency cash: If you run out, 7-Elevens have ATMs that accept foreign cards, and the rate is decent.

The Verdict

Hong Kong is super tourist-friendly when it comes to payments. You can get by with just a credit card and mobile payments, but adding an Octopus card and some cash makes life 10x easier. By day three, I was tapping my Octopus card for trams, WeChat Pay for milk tea, and cash for street food—like a local.

So if you’re a Xi’an traveler heading to Hong Kong, relax: you won’t starve or get stranded. Just bring a card, download Alipay/WeChat, and grab an Octopus card. Now go eat that egg waffle—your payment method is sorted.