Travelling to Hong Kong and China

LYanarchy on 08/11/2017 - 15:22

Hi everyone!

I'm a uni student about to do a study tour in Hong Kong and China (Beijing and Shenzhen) next week. I'm paying for it with a small scholarship and a massive HECS debt so I want to make the most of my money. Would it be better to convert AUD to HKD and CNY or should I be using some sort of debit card (IDK what works in HK and China without fees).

Also I'm not sure if I want to rely solely on being able to access public WiFi but I've read that you need Chinese ID to purchase SIM cards in China. I'm looking at buying a data SIM in Hong Kong with roaming but I'm not sure how to do that (don't want to get scammed at the airport). There was a forum post about buying a SIM from Australia but I'm just looking for the cheapest deal, doesn't matter where I buy. Anyone have any experience/recommendations?

Travel

Comments

  • Cheapo Moose on 08/11/2017 - 15:50
    +1

    When we travelled to Hong Kong in late 2015 I just picked up a tourist sim at the airport when we arrived.

    It was relatively cheap and from memory I just had to show passport.

    I think it was this…. http://www.discoverhongkong.com/au/plan-your-trip/traveller-…

  • dcuksuop on 08/11/2017 - 15:53
    +2

    If you're getting at the airport, you can check out klook for SIM cards, also for transport (airport express)
    https://www.klook.com/city/2-hong-kong/47-tag/?p=1&order=0
    PM me if you want a referral, I think we both would then get a few dollars.

    SIM in HK is really cheap and easy to get, can get it anywhere (7-Eleven).
    Might be easier to get one while in HK with China roaming. Can always go to a proper store if you're worried (like China Mobile: https://www.hk.chinamobile.com/en/corporate_information/Prep…).

  • geek001 on 08/11/2017 - 15:57
    +1

    Getting a tourist sim shouldn't be a problem in Hong Kong. I think you will be charged RRP for the sim at the airport, but good if you need data from the get go.

    In China, getting a tourist sim shouldn't be a problem as well, but FB, Whatsapp, Google Services are all blocked on a Chinese sim, so it is better to get the HK tourist sim with China roaming to get around this restriction if you get to HK first.

    If you are passing through Singapore before you get there, the Starhub Happy Roam prepaid sim is recommended by some as it roams to several countries and is relatively cheap.

    • Yanarchy on 09/11/2017 - 11:51
      -1

      Thanks for the tip on roaming! That's very useful to know.

  • toniyellow on 08/11/2017 - 16:38
    +2

    You should be using a citibank card for withdrawls https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/cards_with_no_overseas_tra…

    But you've left it really late if you are leaving next week!

    • jjjaar on 08/11/2017 - 18:39
      +1

      Note that many ATMs in Shenzhen didnt actually have cash in them, so relying on Citi wasn't like everywhere else. No one uses cash. Everyone pas with WeChatPay.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2017 - 17:36

    How did you manage to put it on HECS?

  • jjjaar on 08/11/2017 - 18:44

    How long are you gone for? For china I would definitely recommend taking cash. We were stuck in some standard places (h&m, Walmart, etc) with no access to an ATM and our Australian cards would not work for transactions, or the staff would struggle for a while.

    The main form of payment is WeChatPay which you can't sign up to without a Chinese bank account. Second to WeChatPay is cash. Then union pay. You can get union pay travel cards (from the post office), but I would just use cash.

  • Tasmaniac on 09/11/2017 - 00:01

    The best sim for Hong Kong is the tourist sim at the airport, the flat fee price is printed on the packaging so the shop keepers can't overcharge anyways.

    With regard to Beijing make sure that you've got a bit of cash with you in case the local ATM doesn't accept Australian debit cards.

    Enjoy the trip.

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