A trip to Hong Kong often includes a day in Macau, easy to reach by ferry or across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. Some travellers add Shenzhen or Zhuhai on the mainland. It feels like one short trip, but your phone sees three separate destinations, each with its own networks, and none of them is in the EU's Roam Like at Home area.
This guide explains how to choose an eSIM for Hong Kong and Macau that covers all three, what changes at each crossing, how apps behave on the mainland and which emergency numbers to save.
Key facts for Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland
- One plan for all three: the Best Asia zone covers Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, plus 14 other Asian destinations
- EU roaming: none of the three is in Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: csl, SmarTone, 3 Hong Kong or China Mobile Hong Kong; CTM, China Telecom or Three in Macau (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 999 in Hong Kong and Macau, where 112 also connects from a mobile; police 110 and ambulance 120 on the mainland
- Consulates: no embassies in Hong Kong or Macau; many countries have a consulate-general in Hong Kong
An eSIM for Hong Kong and Macau: three destinations, not one
Hong Kong and Macau each run their own networks: a Hong Kong plan works only in Hong Kong, and Macau has its own plan. Mainland China is a third destination, with its own networks and very different internet rules.
A phone can connect to the strongest signal, even from the place next door, so close to Shenzhen, or near Macau's Border Gate and Hengqin Island, it can pick up a mainland network. On a plan for Hong Kong or Macau alone, data then stops until the phone is back on a local network.
Crossing by ferry or bridge
On the ferry or the bridge, your phone may move between Hong Kong, mainland and Macau networks, whichever signal is strongest. A plan covering all three handles this; a single-destination plan leaves gaps until you arrive. From May to October, typhoon signals can suspend ferries, so check the warnings before you set off.
Side trips to Shenzhen and Zhuhai
International apps such as WhatsApp and Google Maps work normally in Hong Kong, and the mainland blocks do not apply in Macau either. On mainland Chinese networks many of them are blocked, but on a plan that covers the mainland a travel eSIM, a roaming line issued outside it, usually keeps them working. Google Maps is unreliable there even so; our China guide, listed below, covers map apps and payments.
Which plan fits your trip
For the classic Hong Kong and Macau trip, the Best Asia zone is the simple choice: one eSIM covers all three, so the ferry, the bridge and a day in Shenzhen need no second plan. The wider Asia zone, with 26 destinations, also covers all three.
Staying in one place? Hong Kong plans suit a city break without side trips, and Macau plans a stay in Macau. A mainland China plan does not automatically include Hong Kong or Macau.
Telcomia's standard plans are data only, with calls and messages through apps, and your home SIM stays in the phone for your own number. Each plan's details show the Activation line, the duration, the data and whether you can share the connection with other devices.
Before you leave
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi; some download sites may not open on the mainland.
- Set it as your line for mobile data, with data roaming on for the eSIM and off for your home line.
- Decide whether Shenzhen or Zhuhai is on your route before you choose a plan.
- On a Hong Kong or Macau plan, choose a local network manually in your phone's mobile settings near Shenzhen or the Border Gate.
- Download offline maps of Hong Kong, Macau and any mainland city on your list.
- Keep the eSIM until you are home: some eSIMs can be installed only once.
Consular protection: who to call in each place
- 999 reaches police, fire and ambulance in Hong Kong, and 112 from a mobile also connects to it; in Macau, 999, 110 or 112 reach all emergency services.
- On the mainland, 110 is the police, 120 an ambulance and 119 the fire service.
- There are no embassies in Hong Kong or Macau. Many countries have a consulate-general in Hong Kong, and most assist their citizens in Macau from there; on the mainland, embassies are in Beijing, with consulates in Guangzhou and other large cities. The Telcomia app shows which mission is responsible for you, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate able to help you in Hong Kong, Macau or mainland China, the embassy or consulate of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- Emergency phrases in Chinese are ready to show on screen in the app.
Hong Kong travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about Hong Kong and Macau
Does a Hong Kong eSIM work in Macau?
Only if the plan includes Macau. A plan for Hong Kong alone stops working when you arrive, while a Best Asia plan covers both.
Will WhatsApp and Google work in Macau and Shenzhen?
In Macau, yes. In Shenzhen they are blocked on local networks and most Wi-Fi, but a travel eSIM whose plan covers mainland China, such as Best Asia, usually keeps them working.
Which emergency number works in Hong Kong and Macau?
999 works in both, and 112 also connects from a mobile phone.
Is there signal on the ferry?
Do not count on it for the whole crossing, so download tickets and maps before you board. The phone may also switch between Hong Kong, mainland and Macau networks; a Best Asia plan covers all three.
The short version
Treat Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland as three destinations for your phone. A Best Asia plan covers all three on one eSIM, while a single-destination plan stops at the crossing. Install it before you fly and save 999.
Related reads:
Ready to stay connected without surprises?
Activate your eSIM in seconds and travel connected in 200+ countries and territories.
See plans