Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China on the southern coast, made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands. It pairs one of the world's densest skylines with country parks, beaches and fishing villages, all linked by an efficient metro and ferry network.
Hong Kong is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime, excellent public transport and a strong police presence. Petty theft in crowded MTR stations and markets, touts on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, and overcharging in some restaurants are the main annoyances. Serious weather risks are typhoons (June to October) and black rainstorm warnings. Since 2020 the National Security Law and, from 2024, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance apply to everyone in Hong Kong, so visitors should avoid political demonstrations, and be aware that authorities may demand passwords for devices in national security investigations.
Current safety advisory
Low
Last updated: 2026-09-20
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
No advice against travel
Weather
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Hong Kong is one of the safest major cities in the world. Violent crime against tourists is rare; the main risks are pickpocketing in crowded areas, overcharging scams, and heat or typhoon weather.
Call 999 for police, fire and ambulance. Interpretation is available in English.
Carry a photo ID or passport copy. Hong Kong police may ask to see ID at any time.
Avoid political demonstrations and do not photograph police operations. The National Security Law and Article 23 legislation are strictly enforced.
Drink from taps only in buildings with modern plumbing; most visitors choose bottled water. Hotels usually supply filtered water.
Check typhoon and rainstorm signals every morning at hko.gov.hk or on the MyObservatory app.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Tsim Sha Tsui touts (fake watches, tailors, custom suits)
Touts on Nathan Road and inside Chungking Mansions offer 'cheap' Rolex watches, custom suits, electronics or a 'free' tailor visit. Quality is poor, and prices rise sharply once measurements are taken.
How to avoid: Say 'no thank you' and keep walking. Buy electronics from FORTRESS, Broadway, or the Apple Store rather than street stalls, and choose tailors recommended by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) with a Quality Tourism Services (QTS) sign.
Temple Street Night Market overpricing and fortune-teller pressure
Stall holders sometimes quote inflated prices to visitors. Fortune tellers may pressure tourists into expensive readings.
How to avoid: Bargain politely, halve the first offer, and check prices before sitting down for a reading. Avoid any fortune teller that quotes a price only after the reading begins.
Overcharging taxis and unlicensed cars
Some drivers refuse to use the meter or take long routes. Unlicensed vehicles near the airport and Lan Kwai Fong overcharge.
How to avoid: Use only red, green or blue taxis with a meter and take a receipt. Use the official airport taxi rank, or the Airport Express.
Restaurant bill padding and Mong Kok photo-menu traps
A few tourist-facing restaurants and bars in Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui add hidden fees, or serve bottled drinks at unstated prices.
How to avoid: Check the menu for prices and cover charge before ordering. Check the bill line by line. Tea charge (HK$10-15 per person) is normal in Cantonese restaurants.
Overpriced 'free' foot massage and beauty deals
Street promoters offer a free massage and then sell an expensive package.
How to avoid: Decline street offers and use well-reviewed spas listed by HKTB.
Bar and nightclub scams (Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui)
Hostess bars sometimes present enormous bills, especially after drinks are bought for staff.
How to avoid: Check the price list before ordering, do not buy drinks for strangers, and pay in cash per round.
Fake charity collectors and card skimming
People with clipboards ask for donations or card details on streets near Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.
How to avoid: Donate only to registered flag-day charities with permit and official badges. Use contactless payment and check bank statements.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are required for visitors from most countries. Recommended: routine vaccines and hepatitis A and B, plus seasonal influenza. Check current advice with the Centre for Health Protection (chp.gov.hk).
- Water
- Hong Kong tap water meets World Health Organization standards, but old plumbing in older buildings can add contaminants, so most residents boil or filter it. Bottled water is cheap (about HK$8, ~$1). Drinking fountains are widespread in parks.
- Food
- Very high food safety standards. Street food, dai pai dong and cha chaan teng are generally safe; choose busy stalls with high turnover. Avoid raw oysters in summer.
- Air Quality
- Roadside pollution in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Central is noticeable. Check the Environmental Protection Department Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at aqhi.gov.hk; hazy days occur mainly in winter when winds blow from the mainland.
- Heat
- Summer heat and humidity are severe; Hot Weather Warnings are issued when the Observatory expects extreme heat. Drink plenty of water, wear a hat, and avoid strenuous hiking from noon to 16:00.
- Facilities
- Excellent healthcare. Public hospitals have long Accident and Emergency waits and charge non-residents about HK$2,000-3,000 for an A&E attendance, and private hospitals charge more. Travel insurance with medical cover is essential.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 999 (Hong Kong Police Force)
- Medical
- 999 (Ambulance, Fire Services Department)
- Fire
- 999
- Coast Guard
- 999 (Marine Police and Government Flying Service for sea emergencies)
- General Emergency
- 999 works from all phones; 112 also connects to emergency services from mobiles
- Tourist Hotline
- HKTB Visitor Hotline +852 2508 1234 (daily 08:00-18:00, multilingual)
- Police Non Emergency
- +852 2527 7177 (Police Hotline)
- Weather Hotline
- +852 1878 200 (Hong Kong Observatory telephone weather service)
- Main Hospital
- Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong Island, +852 2255 3838
- Embassy Us
- US Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, 26 Garden Road, Central: +852 2523 9011
- Embassy Uk
- British Consulate-General Hong Kong, 1 Supreme Court Road, Admiralty: +852 2901 3000
- Embassy Canada
- Consulate General of Canada, 11-14/F Tower 1, Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central: +852 3719 4700
- Embassy Australia
- Australian Consulate-General, 23/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai: +852 2827 8881