Which Hong Kong eSIM brand to pick in 2026, and which plan type fits your route
Hong Kong only, Hong Kong with Macau, or Hong Kong with mainland China: the best plan depends on your route. This guide compares brands and lists what to check before buying.
Kurz erklärt
- For Hong Kong alone, a Hong Kong or Asia plan is enough, but if you will cross to Macau or Shenzhen, pick a plan that lists both places in its country list.
- Hong Kong has csl, SmarTone, 3 and China Mobile HK, which most eSIM brands can use, so compare plan model, hotspot terms and refund rules instead.
- Hong Kong's 3G networks are being switched off in stages, but a phone that supports eSIM already uses 4G, so this should not decide the purchase for most people.
Where this comparison comes from
This guide is based on each brand's published plans, policies and help pages as of October 2026, not on a test trip. It quotes no prices because they change weekly, so compare the current price for your exact dates.
This site sells eSIMs too. Our plan pages state which Hong Kong network a plan uses, which can be SmarTone, csl or 3 depending on the plan.
Hong Kong networks and 3G status
Hong Kong has four operators: csl (HKT), SmarTone, 3 Hong Kong and China Mobile Hong Kong. China Mobile HK ended its 3G service on 30 June 2025, and SmarTone was approved by the Hong Kong government to end 3G on 9 October 2026.
Reports say csl and 3 still had 3G users in 2026, though we could not confirm that on an official page. A phone that can use an eSIM already supports 4G, so it is rarely a concern.
Hong Kong only, with Macau, or with mainland China
| Your route | Plan type to look at | Vor dem Kauf prüfen |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong only | A Hong Kong plan, or an Asia plan that includes Hong Kong | Country list, and hotspot terms if you will share |
| Hong Kong plus a Macau trip | A plan that names both Hong Kong and Macau | Whether Macau is actually on the list, not just implied by the plan name |
| Hong Kong plus a Shenzhen day trip | A plan that also covers mainland China, or an Asia plan that includes it | Whether China is listed, and whether apps like Google work on the eSIM data |
| Several Asian countries | An Asia regional plan, or the SIM2Fly China pack covering Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau | Every stop on the list, and when the days start counting |
Brands compared for Hong Kong
| Option | Plan model | Wissenswert |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Country, regional and global packages, mostly data only | Packages covering China need no VPN because traffic is routed through gateways outside mainland China. Unlimited plans slow down after 3GB a day |
| Holafly | Sold by days with unlimited data | A fair-use clause applies, top-ups are no longer offered, and hotspot limits vary by destination |
| Nomad | GB packages, Unlimited plans and Day Plans | Refunds within 30 days if not installed or activated, except Unlimited plans, which are non-refundable |
| AIS SIM2Fly | AIS eSIM open to any Thai network, on a separate prepaid number | Must be used abroad within 60 days of opening, with days counted from the first connection |
| True GO Travel | MyPlan lets you choose countries, days and data | Face scan and Thai ID required, and speed drops to 128 Kbps once the quota is used |
| esimonline | Sold in baht, QR by email, no app | Data only with no number, support in Thai, English and Chinese, self-service refund within 14 days if not installed |
Planning a Shenzhen day trip
Travel eSIM data is usually routed through gateways outside mainland China. Airalo states this plainly for its own packages, which is why Google, LINE and WhatsApp work without a VPN. We could not confirm it for other brands, so ask support before buying.
A local China SIM sold as a domestic product may route traffic inside China and may block Google or LINE. We have not confirmed this officially, so read the product wording closely.
A buying order that saves mistakes
- List every place you will go, including Macau and Shenzhen
- Open the plan page and compare it with the country list, not with the plan name
- Choose the model: total GB, daily cap or unlimited, and read where the slowdown starts
- Check hotspot terms if you plan to share
- Read when validity starts and the refund terms, then install before you fly
Hotspot and fair-use limits
In Hong Kong many people share data with a travelling companion, and each brand sets its own rules. Airalo allows hotspot on regular plans when the phone and network support it, Holafly limits hotspot by destination, and Nomad says it works with most of its eSIMs without guaranteeing stability.
Before buying, open the brand's hotspot FAQ and ask support how many devices the Hong Kong plan you picked can share with. Unlimited plans usually have a normal-use ceiling, and speed drops once you pass it.
A data-only eSIM has no phone number, so keep your Thai SIM in the phone for bank OTP texts.
If you cannot decide between brands, ask yourself how much data you use a day, whether you share it with anyone, and whether you plan to cross into Macau or mainland China. The answers usually narrow the field to a couple of options on their own.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Häufige Fragen
Does a Hong Kong plan work in Macau?+
Not always. Open the plan page and see whether Macau is on the country list. If it is not, choose a plan that names Macau.
Which Hong Kong network is best?+
We have no official source for ranking csl, SmarTone, 3 and China Mobile HK. See whether the plan names its network, and choose the brand by plan model and terms.
Does the 3G shutdown affect an eSIM?+
A phone that supports eSIM already uses 4G, so it is rarely affected. If your phone is very old or you are unsure, check the model with its maker first.
About the author
Bob Kanokphon Thongdee
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- More than 7 years in online marketing
- Founder of Cojourney Visa and Cojourney Travel
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