Last updated on July 24th, 2026 at 10:31 am
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Like many other big cities, Hong Kong is slowly moving into a cashless society. While many vendors accept multiple forms of payment, such as credit cards, debit cards, AliPay, WeChat Pay, and Apple Pay, it will still be difficult to find places in Hong Kong that don’t accept cash. Cash is still the preferred method of payment, especially for mom-and-pop shops.
Have cash on you, as Hong Kongers are not known to be patient. You don’t want to be the person people are giving judgmental glares to as you scramble to look for your wallet at the street food stall, as you’re about to pay.
How Much HKD Should You Exchange?
For any tourist visiting Hong Kong for the first time, I recommend carrying about 1500-2000 HKD in cash for those who are staying in the city for 3-5 days. Most tourists come to Hong Kong for that timeframe anyway.
The largest HKD bill is $1,000, but don’t get two $1,000 bills and call it a day. Few stores accept this bill. It can be because they don’t have change or they’re worried about counterfeit bills. The next-biggest bill is HKD 500, and even then, there will still be stores that won’t accept it, though more will than with an HKD 1000 bill.
A 500 HKD bill will be accepted at bigger restaurants and convenience stores like 7/11. I go to 7/11 and break this big banknote when necessary because this convenience store chain usually has a stack of smaller bills.
I recommend 1-2 HKD 500 notes, with the rest in smaller bills. HKD 100 or less will always be accepted.
Okay, so you know you need to get cash for your trip to Hong Kong.
The question now is where?
Here is the list of the top Hong Kong currency exchange shops. These shops will give you the best rates and the best bang for your buck. They are also located in different areas in the city. Depending on your travel itinerary, choose the closest option that won’t be too far out of your way.
Let’s get started!
The Best Hong Kong Currency Exchange Shops
1) Chung King Mansions
Around Hong Kong’s most touristy neighbourhood, Tsim Sha Tsui, it’s Chung King Mansions that you need to head to.
It’s a lively indoor area that is filled with currency exchange vendors and other local shops selling snacks and tech gadgets.
As soon as you enter the front entrance, there are at least a dozen currency exchange shops. This makes it very convenient for you to compare the rates because they’re all side by side.
I usually go to Kin Shing and Hong Kong Forex. Still, I recommend you walk around and see what the best deal you can get is.
People also visit Chung King Mansions for one thing – the food. Most tourists will want to eat Hong Kong’s signature foods while they’re on the trip, and I don’t blame them. If you are open to trying other cuisines, you might want to check out the multicultural cuisines here: South Asian and Middle Eastern food. There’s a cluster of them here, and you will also get to meet people from different backgrounds.
2) Capital Exchange Limited
Capital Exchange Limited is across from Chung King Mansions.
(This area is the only place to exchange currency in Tsim Sha Tsui. There’s a lot of other things to discover in this Hong Kong neighbourhood, but that’s not the focus for this post.)
This one is a little more out of the way because you have to take the elevator up. Pass through the gated door and take the elevator up to the 13th floor.
The store that seems busy? Yeah, that’s Capital Exchange Limited.
It’s quieter and feels more private than Chung King Mansions since Capital Exchange is inside a standard commercial building. In some ways, it might even feel safer, since Capital Exchange targets a different demographic.
3) Small Girl Money Exchange
In Sheung Wan, the longest line to exchange money is often at Small Girl. When it opens at 9 am, there is usually already a line forming outside the shop. It’s where locals go, especially if they work around the area.
Online reviews will often talk about how rude their customer service reps are, but honestly? The interaction you have with them will be limited, so it shouldn’t be a factor in your decision.
There’s no need for a polite service exchange. Get the money and get out. The most important factor is getting a good currency exchange rate. Small Girl will give you just that, so download their app on your phone to check the latest updated rates.
This shop is also open 7 days a week, something not all currency exchange shops offer.
4) Birdy Exchange Co.
Sham Shui Po has a reputation for being an affordable area, so it shouldn’t be a shock that there’s a currency exchange shop, known for their good rates, in this neighbourhood.
Birdy Exchange looks plain on the outside, and if you didn’t know any better, you would probably walk straight past this shop.
There might not be as many currency options as some of the others on the list, but it’s a reputable shop that has received shout-outs from media companies multiple times.
Another pro of Birdy Exchange is that it’s extremely easy to access. Take the D2 exit at the Sham Shui Po subway station, and you’ll reach the store in no time.
5) PFCE Limited
Open 7 days a week, PFCE is right in Causeway Bay.
Causeway Bay does have tourists, but it’s not as tourist-heavy as areas like Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.
However, it’s still a densely populated area, so tourists who usually have at least 5 days in Hong Kong may consider visiting this neighbourhood.
PFCE is a little harder to find because it’s inside the Causeway Bay Centre Shopping Arcade. Walk down to the basement, and you’ll see this currency exchange shop. People usually visit PFCE with intention, as the Causeway Bay Centre Shopping Arcade isn’t a place that most people will casually visit. It’s not the fanciest or most well-known indoor area in Causeway Bay, but people do come here for this little gem.
6) Ngau Kee Money Changer Co Ltd
Small Girl and Ngau Kee are about a 5-minute walk apart, and this is the currency exchange shop I usually go to.
Going to the Small Girl currency exchange shop often means waiting in line. It’s time-consuming, so when I’m pressed for time, I walk up to Ngau Kee. Their website clearly states their rates (note that the website rate isn’t necessarily the same as the store rate), but check back often, as they change multiple times a day.
When you arrive at Ngau Kee, enter your phone number to get registered and get a ticket. When your ticket number is on the screen, it’s your turn to inform the vendor which currency you would like to exchange.
With this shop, I have a personal story to share.
When I was about to embark on my trip to Copenhagen, I wanted some Danish kroner on me, despite research indicating Denmark is mostly cashless. Not having any cash feels risky, and I never travel anywhere without the country’s currency on me.
Looking for Danish kroner in Hong Kong, though, wasn’t easy. I went to many currency exchange shops, but Danish kroner weren’t available.
Ngau Kee was one of the few who had this currency.
When I first stated my request, the employee thought I wanted British pounds. He seemed surprised I asked for Danish Kroner.
Do Hong Kongers not go to Denmark?
Since then, I have always checked Ngau Kee first for exchange rates because, in my experience, they have been fast, reliable, and dependable.
Where You Shouldn’t Go for Currency Exchange in Hong Kong
The top part of this blog post focuses on which currency exchange shops to visit, while this part focuses on where not to go.
Local Banks
Local banks such as HSBC, Bank of China, Hang Seng, and Standard Chartered offer mediocre rates. I get why people come here. They are trusted bank institutions in Hong Kong, and with global branches, people trust their reputation. Even if they offer bad rates, people still go for it because they think it’s better than individual currency exchange shops they’ve never heard of. There is always a bank branch nearby, so unless it is an absolute emergency for a small amount, I’d skip local banks for currency exchange.
Hotel Desks
It pains me even to write this as an option, but some tourists exchange currency at the hotel front desk because it’s easy. You go back to your hotel every night, so this option seems irresistible. Do NOT fall for this! Put this out of your mind because the rates will be the worst. You’ll be losing money, and it’s simply not worth the trouble.
Global Exchange
Before exiting the Hong Kong airport, you will see at least one Global Exchange stall. Again, like local banks, this isn’t the best choice for currency exchange, but if you’re strapped for cash and can’t wait until you get into the city centre, Global Exchange will have to do.
Global Exchange might have glowing reviews online, but if you look more closely and compare this with the shops above, which you can see on their websites, you’ll realize you’ll get better rates at the local stores.
Tips for Exchanging Currency in Hong Kong
- While currency exchange shops tend to use a money counting machine to show you the amount exchanged, it is highly recommended to verify the correct amount again before leaving the shop. There usually won’t be any problems, but once you leave the shop, disputes will be harder to fix.
- Do not fall into the trap of convenient currency exchange methods. Yes, it’s less of a hassle, but you’re losing out on value by paying service fees. While there will always be travellers who fall for this because they didn’t plan or are lazy, that’s not going to be you, though, right?
- Many currency exchange shops on this list offer an option to lock in rates. Fill in the relevant details, reserve a time slot, and pick up your order. I didn’t talk about this much earlier in the post because you don’t need that much cash. The rates usually don’t fluctuate enough at these currency exchange shops for me to go the extra mile.
- You might not be carded for ID when making purchases at these stores, since you are exchanging only a small amount of money, but legally, all tourists and citizens must carry a form of ID in public. Keep a government-issued ID with you at all times while in Hong Kong.
Final Thoughts – Hong Kong Currency Exchange Shops
The goal of this post was to share at least one currency exchange shop in the major tourist areas. It wouldn’t be impossible, but if I were writing about currency exchange shops in neighbourhoods like Taikoo Shing, fewer people would want to go there.
Hong Kong’s reliance on cash might seem outdated, but there are benefits to using cash. Keep some Hong Kong banknotes on you at all times when you’re exploring the city, and visit one of these currency exchange shops to get the best rates!
Now to You – Hong Kong Currency Exchange Shops
Are you planning your Hong Kong trip? Shop this digital planner to help you plan every important aspect of a vacation!
Xoxo,
Nicole
