Money at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Hong Kong uses the HKD (HK$). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly HK$115–HK$370. Cash or Octopus for taxis; card rarely.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)?
Hong Kong uses the HKD (HK$). Airport ATMs dispense HKD directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from HKG to the city cost?
Expected fare on the HKG → Central / Tsim Sha Tsui route is roughly HK$115–HK$370. Around HK$500+ is already high, and HK$700+ is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at HKG?
Not expected — round up. Drivers in Hong Kong don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at HKG?
Cash or Octopus for taxis; card rarely. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of HKD notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at HKG?
Only if you need $10–20 of HKD to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.