Triangle Trip

If you’re visiting Hong Kong without a global roaming plan, buy a CSL (used to be called One2Free) prepaid SIM upon your arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). One2Free, a subsidiary of CSL has the best prepaid voice and fastest mobile plan available. This is an update from my previous post where I said Peoples offering the cheapest prepaid mobile data plan in Hong Kong).

You can pick up a CSL (One2Free) pre-paid SIM at the 7-Eleven or 1O1O (mobile phone shop) at HKG Terminal 1 Arrival Hall. The two shops are located in between Arrivals area A and B as indicated in this map:

CSL has the following prepaid mobile data plans with speed of up to 7.2Mbps (around 4G speed):

To signup for one of the plans listed above, you’ll need to know CSL/One2Free’s SMS codes. Below is a quick list of codes for your reference:

Note that you may get throttled to 3G speed once you have exceeded 1GB of data usage. However, CSL’s service will probably faster than your roaming plan. For your information, CSL’s voice rate is around HK$0.30 per minute and around HK$0.80 per SMS.

If you’re an American, you should make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave the country. Check out Big A’s tip here.

If you’re visiting Hong Kong for business or pleasure, I highly recommend getting the PCCW prepaid international mobile plan. Make sure your GMS phone is unlocked before you leave the country. You may also want to check out my previous posts on what to see and where to stay in Hong Kong.

PCCW has one of the cheapest prepaid calling plans in the world, and you can even call international numbers with great rates. The two downsides are:

1. You need to memorize a bunch of codes to dial long distance (IDD)
2. You will need to use the prepaid SIM at least once every three months

For your convenience, below are the codes used to dial international numbers from Hong Kong, and codes you’ll need to dial to use the PCCW prepaid SIM from abroad:

*  Calling from Hong Kong to International number:  0060 + Country Code + Area Code + Telephone Number.  If you are calling the US from Hong Kong:  0060-1-212-xxx-xxxx.

*  When you are outside of Hong Kong (i.e., back in the US), you can still use the SIM card to keep it active with favorable rates. To call Hong Kong with the PCCW Rechargeable SIM:  **128* + Hong Kong Telephone Number + # then SEND.

*  While you are roaming and you want to use the PCCW SIM to call the local country (i.e., you are in the US and want to call a number in the US):  **128*001 + Country Code + Area Code + Telephone Number + # then SEND. If you are in the US and want to call a US number:  **128*001-1-212-xxx-xxxx.

You can pick up a PCCW prepaid rechargeable SIM card from HK$28 to HK$100 in value at any PCCW store, malls or grocery stores. Recharging your PCCW prepaid SIM can be done the same way. It’s similar to buying prepaid long distance phone cards across the world, where you buy a prepaid card at a grocery store with an activation code.