Travelling to Hong Kong from Malaysia? Here’s everything that you need to know.

You can travel to Hong Kong from Malaysia in under 4 hours, making it a great destination even if you’ve only got a few days to spare. Plan an action packed Hong Kong break with the very best of Hong Kong’s attractions, as well as some amazing food and an insight into the unique history and culture of the country.

This guide walks through the Hong Kong entry requirements for Malaysians, as well as how you can save on foreign currency transactions and jump the ticketing queues at popular attractions with Wise and the Wise card.

Hong Kong entry requirements from Malaysia

Let’s start with Hong Kong travel restrictions related to covid. In May 2023, the Hong Kong government announced it was lowering the covid response level¹, which has ultimately led to a reduction in the entry and movement restrictions in the territory.

At the time of writing (8th January 2024), vaccination proof, covid tests, and quarantine are no longer required. In effect there are no ongoing covid entry rules, although visitors will be monitored for health issues, and it’s important to keep up to date with vaccinations and boosters to stay safe during your visit.

As with travel anywhere in the world, rules may change abruptly. Before you travel, double check the Hong Kong government covid entry requirements to make sure nothing has changed².

Bear in mind also that if you intend to extend your visit to mainland China, you may need to apply for a separate visa depending on the purpose and duration of your stay. At the time of writing, Malaysian citizens can visit the People’s Republic of China for up to 15 days visa free - but this arrangement is set to be reviewed in November 2024³. If you’re combining a trip to Hong Kong with further adventures in the PRC, check the full details on the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia.

Do Malaysisans need a Visa for Hong Kong?

Malaysian travellers entering Hong Kong for tourism and social visit purposes can enjoy visa-free travel in the territory for up to 90 days⁴. If you’re visiting Hong Kong for other purposes, such as to take up employment or study, you’ll need to apply for a visa. You can take a look at all of the different options on the Hong Kong Immigration Authority website for more details, and to check your eligibility⁵.

If you travel to Hong Kong on a visa and decide subsequently to extend your stay beyond the visa validity, you may be able to apply for an extension of stay.

If you think you’ll want to extend your visa, you need to apply for an extension when your current visa has 14 days remaining to run, to allow for processing time⁶. Applications may be made online or in person, depending on the visa type - and are considered on their individual merit.

If you are not able to extend your visa from within Hong Kong you may need to leave and then reapply for a new visa before you return - other eligibility rules also apply, so it’s important to check out the Hong Kong Immigration Authority guidance on extended stays to get all the detail on application requirements and processes for visitors.

Flying to Hong Kong from Malaysia

Most direct flights to Hong Kong (HKG) leave from Kuala Lumpur (KUL), although there’s also one daily non-stop flight from Penang (PEN) at the time of writing. 9 direct flights depart from KL to Hong Kong daily, with a flight time which is usually slightly under 4 hours.

You can fly from KL to HK with a selection of airlines including Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and AirAsia. As you’d expect, prices vary based on demand and season, so it’s useful to get your tickets booked well in advance if you want to snag a good deal.

What can I bring into Hong Kong?

Whenever you travel overseas, you’ll need to double check the specific customs regulations which dictate what can and can not be imported into that country. In the case of Hong Kong, you can find all you need to know on the website of the Hong Kong Customs Authority. As with most countries, there are some prohibited items, and others which are restricted which need to be declared⁷.

Many of the items falling into these categories will be familiar, such as drugs, weapons, animals, plants and food stuff. One useful note if you’re travelling with young children or infants is that import of powdered milk formula is restricted in Hong Kong - if you’re planning on taking formula you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the rules before you travel.

Skip the queues with online ticketing

Hong Kong tourist attractions are world famous, but some of the most popular ones can get busy, leading to longer wait times if you don’t plan in advance. The good news is that visitors can get tickets for many popular Hong Kong attractions online instead of queuing at the attraction itself, allowing for instant entry.

Buy your Hong Kong attraction tickets with the Wise card and you could also cut the costs of currency exchange with the mid-market rate and no foreign transaction fee. More on that later.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Heading to Hong Kong Disneyland? Meet all your favourite characters in 7 different lands, for a day packed with attractions, entertainment and wonder⁸. Popular with families and grown ups alike - and one of the biggest attractions in Hong Kong.

Buy your Disney ticket online in advance for instant park entry, and to guarantee you can visit on your preferred date. For a one day ticket the price when purchased online varies by day, and starts from about 639 HKD (around 380 MYR at the time of writing) - other options including multi-day tickets are also available. Learn more about ticketing for Disneyland, including the different pricing and entry options, on the Hong Kong Disneyland official website⁹.

The Peak

Hike up The Peak - or take the tram for an easier option - and visit the Sky Terrace for unrivalled views over Hong Kong¹⁰. It’s an attraction not to be missed - and you can get your tram and Sky Terrace tickets lined up in advance to skip the queue and make more of your day, too.

Ticketing options include various combinations of the tram and Sky Terrace entry, and vary by day. A combination ticket for both the tram and the Sky Terrace starts from 148 HKD for adults - around 88 MYR at the time of writing¹¹. Get more information about ticketing for The Peak here.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is another super popular Hong Kong attraction for families. From wild thrill rides, to options to see and interact with a whole range of animals, there’s something for all ages¹².

Adult tickets cost 498 HKD (around 296 MYR at the time of writing), and cover most of the major attractions in the park, making for a fun packed day. Tickets for children have discounts of around 50%, up to 11 years old. Get all the details about ticketing at Ocean Park here¹³.

Travel Hack: Save on your Hong Kong dollar payments with Wise

Make the most of your trip to Hong Kong. Pay for tickets and attractions with the Wise card to get the mid-market exchange rate with no foreign transaction fee, and low conversion charges from 0.43%¹⁴.

Open your Wise account online before you travel, and order your Wise card to get instant access to a virtual card for mobile spending. You’ll get a physical card in the mail for ATM withdrawals, so you’ll be able to use your card in person, online and through a mobile wallet like Apple Pay when you’re overseas.

All Wise currency exchanges use the mid-market rate with low fees and no hidden charges. You can add MYR and exchange to HKD in advance or opt for auto conversion, which allows the card to switch currencies at the point of payment. In either case you get the great Wise rate, and low, transparent fees.

With a fairly short flight time and generous visa free entry options, Hong Kong makes for an exciting and accessible destination from Malaysia. Head over for a short getaway and visit some of the top Hong Kong attractions, or extend your visit to take in more of the sights, from shopping to outdoor activities and - of course - eating.

Use this guide to get familiar with all you need to know about travel to Hong Kong from Malaysia - and remember to check out Wise and the Wise card as smart ways to manage your money when converting from ringgit to Hong Kong dollars.

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Not convinced? See how Wise compares with other Malaysian multi-currency cards