Hong Kong, a global financial hub where East meets West, dazzles with its skyline, street markets, and cultural landmarks. Whether you’re shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui, taking in views from Victoria Peak, or exploring temple-filled neighborhoods, understanding how to access your money is key. Hong Kong is highly cashless, with widespread card and mobile payment acceptance, but cash is still useful for small eateries, taxis, and local vendors. This guide provides key insights on cash and ATMs in Hong Kong, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a seamless urban travel experience.
Where to find ATMs in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has one of the most advanced banking networks in Asia, with ATMs found everywhere – from metro stations and shopping malls to convenience stores and office towers. Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, and Causeway Bay have the highest concentration. Major ATM operators include HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Hang Seng Bank, and Standard Chartered. Most machines support international cards and offer multi-language interfaces (English, Chinese).
Tourist Spots:
ATMs are plentiful in areas like Victoria Peak, the Star Ferry terminals, Ngong Ping (Big Buddha), and Disneyland Hong Kong. Even inside museums and theme parks, ATMs are usually available or located just outside the entrance. MTR (subway) stations often have multiple ATMs near ticket counters or exits.
Rural Areas:
In the New Territories and Outlying Islands (e.g., Lamma, Cheung Chau), ATMs are more limited. You’ll usually find one or two near ferry terminals or town centers, but not in beachside areas or hiking trails. It’s smart to carry some cash when venturing outside urban Hong Kong, especially for ferry rides, local cafés, or transport stalls that are still cash-only.
Best ATMs to use in Hong Kong for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Hong Kong are those owned by popular banks such as:
- HSBC,
- Bank of China,
- Standard Chartered,
- Hang Seng Bank,
- Citibank and
- China Construction Bank (CCB).
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Hong Kong, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in HKD).
– If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
– If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in HKD’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Hong Kong?
Yes, majority of foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Hong Kong. These include Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, JCB, CUP, American Express, Diners, Discover. However, some accept only Jetco and UnionPay cards so look for those stickers on the ATM.
What are the ATM opening hours?
Nearly all ATMs in Hong Kong operate 24/7, especially those in MTR stations, shopping malls, and on busy streets. Machines inside smaller businesses may follow venue opening hours.
What are ATMs called in Hong Kong?
ATMs are referred to as “ATMs” in English or “提款機” (tik kuan gei) in Cantonese. Signage often includes both English and Chinese.
Language options at ATMs
ATM interfaces usually offer English, Traditional Chinese (Cantonese), and sometimes Simplified Chinese. Language selection appears at the start of most transactions, making them easy to navigate for international visitors.
You can use Google Translate App’s camera function to translate the ATM screen if you don’t understand these languages, but be cautious as the translations may not be entirely accurate.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Hong Kong?
Majority ATMs in Hong Kong dispense only Hong Kong dollars (HKD). Select ATM locations operated by banks like HSBC and Hang Seng, which are branded are foreign currency ATMs do offer foreign currency withdrawal options. You can withdraw currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, NZD, CAD, SGD, THB, TWD, or KRW depending on the cash available at the machine at the time of the withdrawal.
ATM withdrawal limits in Hong Kong?
ATMs in Hong Kong have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of HKD 2,500 to HKD 20,000, with most common being HKD 6,000 to HKD 10,000 per transaction. Some ATMs offer lesser cash per transaction depending on the type of card. E.g. one ATM has a limit of HKD 3,000 for UnionPay card but allows HKD 5,000 per transaction for all other types of cards.
ATM Fees in Hong Kong
There are many fee-free ATMs in Hong Kong. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Hong Kong do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. One bank charges HKD 15 per transaction as ATM Fee. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Hong Kong. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Hong Kong
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Hong Kong?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Hong Kong. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Hong Kong. Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Safety at ATMs
Hong Kong is considered one of the safest cities in Asia, and ATM use is generally very secure. ATMs are plentiful and often found inside bank branches, MTR stations, shopping centers, and convenience stores. Nonetheless, standard precautions still apply: use machines in well-lit areas, shield your PIN, and don’t accept unsolicited help from strangers. Card skimming is rare but not impossible, so always inspect the machine before use. It’s wise to keep track of your banking activity throughout your visit for added peace of mind.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Hong Kong takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Hong Kong?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Hong Kong. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Hong Kong do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. One bank charges HKD 15 per transaction as ATM Fee. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Hong Kong?
Yes, majority of foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Hong Kong. These include Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, JCB, CUP, American Express, Diners, Discover. However, some accept only Jetco and UnionPay cards so look for those stickers on the ATM.
Bitcoin ATMs?
There are dozens of Bitcoin ATMs across Hong Kong, including significant clusters in Mong Kok (6), Hong Kong Island (214 total locations), Yuen Long (3), Sheung Shui, and Fanling. Major operators include CoinUnit and Localcoin, many operating 24/7 in metro and shopping areas.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Hong Kong
- Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
- Citibank: Yes, Citibank operates ATMs in Hong Kong.
- Barclays: No, Barclays has no retail ATM presence.
- HSBC: Yes, HSBC operates a vast ATM network throughout Hong Kong.
- Standard Chartered: Yes, Standard Chartered operates ATMs in Hong Kong.
