How to Call Hong Kong from the USA? Dialing Steps & Cost

Before calling, be sure you know the correct international dialing codes and the valid Hong Kong phone number format. Also, check that your phone service allows international calls and that your line is active with enough balance to complete the call.

The international exit code is required to route a call outside the United States and must be dialed before the destination country code. When calling from a US landline, this typically means dialing 011 first. On mobile phones, the same function can be performed by using the “+” symbol, which automatically replaces the exit code and is commonly used when dialing international numbers stored in contacts.

A country code identifies the destination country of the call and is required for all international calls. The country code of Hong Kong is 852. And when dialling from America, it must immediately follow the US exit code or the “+” symbol. For example, a call from the USA to Hong Kong will begin with 011-852 or +852, regardless of the type of phone number being dialed.

Hong Kong phone numbers vary by category and must be dialed using the correct number of digits. In Hong Kong, phone numbers that are commonly used, like landline, mobile, and VoIP numbers, use an 8-digit format without an area code. Particularly, fixed landline numbers start with 2 or 3 and mobile phone numbers with 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Likewise, special service numbers like toll-free numbers, short codes, and premium information lines follow different length requirements. So, entering the correct number of digits for the specific category is essential for the call to connect successfully.

Your US phone plan must support international outbound calling. In some cases, service providers disable international calling by default for security or billing reasons. As a result, it requires you to activate the service through your account settings or by contacting customer support before placing a call.

An active phone line is necessary to make a call, and enough prepaid balance to complete it. So, if your account has spending limits, usage restrictions, or insufficient funds, the call can fail to connect or may be disconnected shortly after it begins.

To call Hong Kong from the US, you must first dial the US exit code, followed by the country code of Hong Kong, and the eight-digit phone number of the person you are calling. Here are the detailed steps:

1. Enter the US exit code “011” or “+”.
2. Enter the Hong Kong country code (852).
3. Enter the eight-digit receiver’s phone number (XXXX-XXXX).

When dialed correctly, the whole sequence will follow this structure:

• 011 - 852 - Hong Kong phone number (Either landline or mobile phone)For 

For Example: 011 852 xxxx xxxx

To call a Hong Kong toll-free number from the US, enter the exit code followed by the country code and the 9-digit toll-free number. Here are the detailed steps:

1. Enter the exit code or long-press “0” to get “+”.
2. Dial the country code of Hong Kong (852).
3. Enter the recipient’s phone number.

When dialed correctly, the whole sequence will follow this structure:

• Exit Code - 852 - Hong Kong toll-free number

For Example: +852 800 xxx xxx

Note: While toll-free numbers are free to call when dialed within Hong Kong, calling them from the USA will likely incur international long-distance charges from your service provider. Additionally, some Hong Kong businesses restrict their 800-prefix lines to local callers only.

You can contact Hong Kong from the US using the traditional carrier method, which costs around $3 per minute. Likewise, you can choose to activate international plans for traditional dialing or use other methods like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), internet-based calling apps, and calling cards.

Traditional direct dialing can cost up to $3.00 per minute or more, as it uses your standard US carrier to call Hong Kong without any international plan. On the other hand, if you activate an international calling plan that costs around $15/month, per-minute pricing decreases to a few cents. So, traditional dialing is best suited for short, urgent calls, while for frequent calling, a monthly international add-on plan is a better choice.

VoIP applications usually cost between 2.0¢ and 4.8¢ per minute when calling from the USA to Hong Kong. These services use the internet instead of traditional international switching and often assign a virtual number, allowing you to place calls like a regular phone call. This setup keeps rates much lower than standard US carrier charges, making VoIP apps like Google Voice a reliable and cost-effective option for international calling.

Apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and WeChat offer free calls from the US to Hong Kong as these apps transmit voice as data. As a result, it allows unlimited call duration as long as both users have the app installed and an active internet connection. This is the most common method for personal communication in Hong Kong, where WhatsApp and WeChat are widely used for daily conversations.

Calling cards offer a low-cost way to call from the USA to Hong Kong without using mobile data or apps. These cards can be purchased online or at convenience stores, and rates usually range from 1¢ to 5¢ per minute, depending on the provider and type of number. After purchase, you simply dial the access number, enter the PIN, and then dial the Hong Kong number.

The best time to call Hong Kong from the USA is typically late evening or early morning US time. This is because Hong Kong is generally 12 to 15 hours ahead of the United States, depending on the US time zone and daylight saving time.

For business calls, the most appropriate window is during standard Hong Kong business hours, usually 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM HKT, Monday through Friday. In the USA, this often translates to late-night or early-morning calling times.

For personal calls, evenings in the USA are often more convenient, as they coincide with daytime or early evening in Hong Kong. To avoid calling too early or too late, it is recommended to check the current Hong Kong time before dialing.

You can refer to the table below to find the ideal time to call Hong Kong.

Note: Time differences may shift by one hour when daylight saving time is in effect in parts of the United States, while Hong Kong does not observe daylight saving.

Calling Hong Kong from the USA is straightforward once you understand the correct dialing format, number structure, available calling methods, and time zone differences. By using the proper exit code and country code and choosing the right calling option, you can ensure your calls connect reliably while keeping costs under control.

Out of all the cost-saving calling methods discussed above, a virtual number is the better option if you need added flexibility, local presence, and predictable costs without any international carrier rates.