Cash Needed in Hong Kong
 

We will be in Hong Kong over the New Year. I was reading on a website that most banks and govt offices close from January 22 - Feb 12. Do you think we might have a problem getting money from ATMs when we arrive on January 25?

ATMs don't close!

Alistair - of course not, the issue is if they get restocked. Many countries have that issue during holidays.

For the first time in my travel life I ordered currency in advance of a trip last fall. I wanted to have cash while en route, 2 stops on the way to my destination in Mexico. And after an overnight flight +2 more, I didn't want to worry about an ATM working in a small airport.

You, on the other hand, will likely not have those particular concerns. However, I was so glad I had cash on arrival I think I'm going to do the same thing when I go again shortly. I used Travelex online and it was easy. Not the best rate, to be sure, but since I didn't get a whole lot, $300 if I recall, I don't consider it a bad deal for the convenience and to remove the worry.

https://www.travelex.com/currency

Banks and govt offices are certainly not closed for that period of time, they will be closed for around 2 to 3 days during cny

25 Jan is a normal day and the banks will be open. I have had a problem one time at hk airport when all the atms went down, but that's once in 22 years of frequently travelling in and out of hk

Thanks for the info!

I was wondering about that, too. I think I arrive on the first day of Chinese New Year. But, it's too late for me to order a bit of money for Hong Kong now as I leave soon for Asia. So, I guess I'll just have to wing it for Hong Kong.

Happy Travels!

HK $ are fully convertible so any currency exchange, anywhere but mainland china, will take US$ and trade HK$.

Guenmai - the answers I've gotten on TA indicate there should be no problem. When will you be in HK?