My Go-To Spot to Exchange Money in Hong Kong

If you’re traveling to Hong Kong, heading out on your next adventure, or are in the city and looking to convert some of your extra foreign currency for Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), making sure you have the right currency is essential for not only a smooth trip but basic survival. 

That’s coming from someone who has shown up to a country (or two), realizing that he had completely forgotten to (responsibly) exchange for the local currency before departing or even learn what the actual currency of said country was, resulting in a hectic scramble to find the nearest ATM followed by my bank rejecting a withdrawal because I forgot to inform them of my upcoming travel plans. 

The point is that it’s always a good idea to have a reputable and efficient currency exchange in your back pocket should you need to convert foreign currency to HKD or vice versa. 

The reality of currency exchanges is that there are both official (and honest) and black market money exchanges, which will give you a fair exchange rate or milk you for all your worth. A reasonable and fair exchange rate can make or break a budget, especially in a city like Hong Kong where every dollar counts.

No one wants to get taken advantage of by unfavorable currency exchange rates or hidden fees. However, finding a trustworthy currency exchange in a city you’ve never been to, or don’t know that well, can feel like an insurmountable task. 

Here is my go-to currency exchange in Hong Kong that has proven itself to offer fair and competitive exchange rates along with efficient, consistent service so that you don’t get ripped off and/or have to settle for less-than-ideal conversion rates. 

Small Girl Money Exchange: No Minimum Exchange Requirements or Commission Fees

Website, Address, & Details: 小女孩找换店: Small Girl Money Exchange (https://www.littlegirlexchange.cn/) 

• Location: Central, Des Voeux Rd Central, 156號 地下A鋪 General Commercial Building
• Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM.  
• Other Remarks: It’s even open on Sunday!

First, let’s just get it out there that the English name and translation ‘Small Girl Money Exchange’ is not what this currency exchange is commonly referred to – most know it by its Chinese name ‘小女孩找换店’. 

These characters are ultimately what you’ll need to look for when on Des Voeux Road Central. 

If you’re staying in Central or Sheung Wan, fantastic – this is a straightforward walk to get to. 

Head this direction on Des Voeux Road Central until you get to number 156 (right before a 7-11).

If you’re staying elsewhere in Hong Kong, the most straightforward way to get to the Small Girl Money Exchange is to take the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) to Sheung Wan station. Exit at E1 (Golden Centre), turn right, and follow Des Voeux Road Central for roughly 2 minutes. 

Small Girl Money Exchange will be on your right, just before 7-11. 

Look for a red shop sign with the white Chinese lettering ‘小女孩找换店’, and a black sign with white lettering shuffling through popular currency codes. You made it. 

If you’re visiting the shop mid-day, expect lines. However, it moves quickly and should also reaffirm confidence in the fairness of the conversion rates. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Since you’ll be in the Sheung Wan neighborhood, make sure to check out one of my favorite roast goose and BBQ pork restaurants – Dragon State Kitchen. 

Exchanging Money at Small Girl Money Exchange

Small Girl Money Exchange and 7-11 are side by side.

First, don’t let the negative reviews about this shop scare you off. Almost all of them are due to unfriendly service (or what’s perceived as unfriendly service), confusion over payment methods, and opening/closing times. That’s just Hong Kong and how it operates. 

Efficiency and directness are oftentimes taken for rudeness. 

At the end of the day, what’s more important, a fair rate that doesn’t have you wondering what the H-E-double-hockey-sticks happened to the rest of your money, or a fake smile and platitudinous exchange?

I’ll take the former!

Keep in mind that these exchange rates are dynamic and may change (but they are still extremely competitive and fair).

Just to show how competitive and fair the rates are, look at the above image. If you’re coming from the U.S. with USD and want to exchange it for HKD, you will receive the ‘buy rate’ from Small Girl Money Exchange – which as of the date of publication is/was 7.762. 

Compared to the pegged exchange rate of 1 USD = 7.78 HKD, that’s pretty darn good. 

Small Girl Money Exchange posts the latest exchange rates on their website, however, keep in mind that this is dynamic and may differ once you arrive at the shop. You can also find the complete list of currencies available to exchange on their website. 

Many say Small Girl Money Exchange offers the best exchange rates in the city. In my experience, I’d definitely agree. Then again, I’m no Forex wizard. 

Further, there are no commission fees or minimum exchange requirements!

I’ve exchanged everything from USD to VND, JPY, TWD, and even CAD, and never had any issues. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: While Small Girl Money Exchange does have a phone app (both Android and iOS) that you can install to reserve and execute orders at the shop, I generally recommend doing everything in person as it is quite painless. 

Tips For Exchanging Money in Hong Kong

View of Hong Kong Island from Ink Seafood Bar and Cafe – one of my favorite spots to see this magnificent skyline.

• Buy vs. Sell Rate: Keep in mind that a currency exchange uses the buy rate when they accept your foreign currency and the sell rate when you buy foreign currency from them!
• Avoid Hong Kong Airport Exchanges: I cannot emphasize this enough but do NOT exchange any money at Hong Kong Airport (or whatever airport you are flying out of) unless you really are in a bind. If so, stick with the minimum amount you need to get by until you can locate an honest and reputable currency exchange and/or ATM. 
• Clean, Crisp Bills: Ensure that the bills you’re exchanging are clean, untorn, and not overly damaged, as some exchanges may reject them or offer lower rates. 
• ATM Withdrawal (if Possible): If you have a multi-currency bank account or a low or no-fee international bank card, like Charles Schwab, I recommend simply withdrawing HKD directly from an ATM. 
• Avoid Peak Hours: Avoid visiting Small Girl Money Exchange during peak hours – aka the middle of the day – to ensure you don’t spend more time in line than you have to. Off-peak hours, such as early morning and/or middle of the afternoon are generally best for quicker service. 
• Bring ID: Bring your passport and/or a form of identification, just in case – I’ve never been asked to show ID at Small Girl Money Exchange but I also don’t want you to show up and get sent on your not-so-merry way. 
• Crypto: If you are in a tough spot and unable to get cash, check out my post breaking down how to buy Bitcoin in Hong Kong, including how to use a Bitcoin ATM.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Want a smooth trip from the airport into the city? Make sure to check out my post breaking down the best way to get from Hong Kong Airport to the city center. 

HKD Rules Everything Around Me

While Hong Kong bills itself as ‘Asia’s World City’, a title that you would think comes with ubiquitous digital payments and true cashless society, that’s unfortunately far from the reality – as I’d estimate roughly half or more of all businesses, shops, and vendors still want cold hard cash. 

The Wu-Tang Clan said it best, “Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M. get the money, dollar, dollar bill, ya’ll.” 

So, “get you” some crisp bills so that you aren’t left with your financial pants around your ankles so to speak while in Hong Kong. 

If you have any further questions about exchanging money in Hong Kong, picking up HKD before your trip (or after you land), or traveling to this incredible city and/or planning your trip, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at info@palealetravel.com. 

Finally, if you live in Hong Kong and want to be kept up to date on where to eat, drink, and what’s happening in the city/upcoming events, make sure to subscribe to my local newsletter. 

Be well everyone,

Big Body