Visiting Hong Kong in December means crisp weather, festive city lights, and a break from intense humidity. It’s winter, but not freezing — perfect for exploring markets, temples, rooftops, and harbor views without breaking a sweat. That said, the temperature can vary, so layering is key.
Expect to walk a lot, ride efficient public transport, and occasionally dine outdoors — so you’ll want shoes you trust and clothes you can mix and match. A smart-casual style fits in perfectly with this cosmopolitan city.
📝 Note: This article is all about what to pack for Hong Kong in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
Hong Kong’s December weather is mild and dry. It can feel cool in the mornings or after sunset.
- 🌡️ Average high: 20°C / 68°F – pleasantly cool during the day
- 🌙 Average low: 15°C / 59°F – jacket-worthy evenings
- 🌤️ Low humidity, mostly sunny skies
- 🎄 Holiday decorations and sales everywhere
What to Pack for Hong Kong in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on suitcase – 🧳 compact for city transfers
- Checked bag – 🛄 optional if shopping or staying long
- Duffle bag – 🎽 for overnight trips to Macau or nearby islands
- Daypack – 🎒 for full-day outings or hikes
- Packing cubes – 📦 helpful for mix-and-match layering
- Shoe bags – 👟 separate used footwear
- Toiletry bag – 🧼 for TSA and hotel-friendly travel sizes
- Document organizer – 📁 passport, Octopus card, itinerary
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ for market hauls or spontaneous shopping
- Laundry kit – 🧺 handy for handwashing base layers
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ especially after retail therapy
- Luggage lock – 🔒 always secure your bags
- Money pouch – 💰 great for crowded metro stations
- Quick-dry towel – 🧻 for hostels or short getaways
- Neck pillow – 😴 for red-eye flights or ferries
- Sleep mask – 🛌 helps with jet lag recovery
👗 Clothes
- Tees & light tops (3–5) – 👕 breathable basics for layering
- Long-sleeve shirts (2–3) – 👚 perfect under jackets
- Light sweaters (2–3) – 🧶 day-to-night pieces
- Cardigan or fleece – 🧥 indoor layering essential
- Midweight jacket – 🧥 windproof or light down
- Scarf or shawl – 🧣 compact and multifunctional
- Jeans or trousers (2–3) – 👖 comfy for long walks and metro rides
- Midi skirt or dress – 👗 city-casual and temple-appropriate
- Leggings or tights – 🧦 for under skirts or cozy travel
- Activewear – 🏃 great for city hikes like Dragon’s Back
- Pajamas – 🛏️ long-sleeve or layered for chilly nights
- Swimsuit – 👙 optional for hotel pools or spas
- Cover-up or robe – 🧖♀️ comfort at the hotel
- Underwear (7+) – 👙 pack enough, laundry options vary
- Bras (3–4) – 🧺 include one sports bra for hiking
- Socks (5–7) – 🧦 mix warm and breathable styles
💆 Skincare
- Gentle cleanser – 🧴 to remove city pollution
- Toner – 💧 for balancing dry indoor air
- Moisturizer – 🧴 lightweight, hydrating formula
- Sunscreen – ☀️ still needed on sunny days
- Makeup remover – 🧽 micellar water or travel wipes
- Exfoliator – 🛁 1–2x/week to refresh skin
- Eye cream – 👁️ tired eyes from city lights
- Facial mist – 💦 hydration boost on-the-go
- Lip balm – 💋 dry lips from cooler air
- Spot treatment – 🎯 in case of flare-ups
💄 Makeup
- Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – 💄 light and natural
- Concealer – 👁️ brightens under eyes
- Setting powder – 🌬️ controls T-zone shine
- Blush – 🌺 healthy glow for cooler days
- Highlighter – ✨ pop for photos and nights out
- Eyeshadow palette – 🎨 neutrals work day or night
- Eyeliner – ✒️ for defining eyes on cool evenings
- Mascara – 👁️ volumizing or waterproof
- Brow gel or pencil – 🧴 polished look
- Lipstick or tint – 💄 pop of color for the city
- Setting spray – ❄️ long-lasting wear
- Brush set – 🖌️ minimal and travel-friendly
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – 💇♀️ anti-static for dry days
- Hair ties + clips – 🧷 for convenience
- Shampoo + conditioner – 🧴 travel-size or solid bars
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ refresh after busy days
- Heat protectant – 🔥 for styling tools
- Styling cream or oil – 💧 manage frizz or flyaways
- Mini dryer – 💨 if your stay doesn’t provide one
- Travel straightener/curler – 💁♀️ for city-chic looks
- Accessories – 🎀 clips or barrettes for style
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Walking sneakers – 👟 must-have for city treks
- Slip-on flats – 🥿 great for indoor and evening use
- Ankle boots – 👢 stylish and weather-adaptable
- Water-resistant shoes – ☔ just in case of drizzle
- Scarf – 🧣 for wind or temple visits
- Compact umbrella – ☔ sudden showers do happen
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ sunny mid-day walks
- Hat or beanie – 🧢 optional for cooler days
- Jewelry – 💍 minimalist for the city look
- Watch – ⌚ efficient for time-conscious trips
- Crossbody bag – 👜 secure and easy on transport
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – 🛂 required at hotels
- Visa (if needed) – 📄 check your country’s requirements
- Hong Kong ID (if resident) – 🪪 or entry slip
- Travel insurance – 🏥 print + digital copies
- Hotel & flight confirmations – 📧 screenshots recommended
- Credit/debit cards – 💳 widely accepted, notify bank
- Octopus card – 🚇 top up for transport & convenience stores
- Cash – 💵 small notes for taxis, stalls, markets
- Offline maps + metro apps – 🗺️ avoid roaming fees
- Notebook + pen – 🖊️ for notes or journaling
- Wallet – 👛 compact and secure
- Valuables – 💎 keep minimal, lock up in hotel
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 for shoe blisters
- Pain relievers – 💊 for long days
- Cold/allergy meds – 🤧 cooler air can trigger reactions
- Motion sickness pills – 🛳️ ferry rides or bus routes
- Antiseptic wipes – 🧽 handy for surfaces or cuts
- Gauze + tape – 🩼 compact first-aid kit
- Tweezers – ✂️ for splinters or precision tasks
- Mini scissors – ✂️ TSA-safe
- Thermometer – 🌡️ digital and travel-sized
- Q-tips/cotton pads – 🧼 multi-use
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescriptions – 💊 clearly labeled and accessible
- Hand sanitizer – ✋ always useful on MTR
- Toothbrush + paste – 🪥 don’t rely on hotels
- Floss – 🧵 keep your smile fresh
- Deodorant – 🧼 long days = need freshness
- Razor – 🪒 travel-friendly
- Feminine hygiene – 🩸 your preferred brands
- Wipes – 🧻 refreshing after transit
- Perfume – 🌸 a spritz before dinner out
- Mirror – 🪞 for touch-ups on the go
- Eye drops – 👁️ helpful after dry or windy days
- Contact lenses + solution – 👓 if needed
- Tissues – 🧻 many public restrooms don’t provide
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – 📱 with roaming or local eSIM
- Chargers – 🔌 all devices
- Power bank – 🔋 all-day exploring = battery drain
- Universal adapter – 🔌 UK-style plugs (Type G)
- Camera – 📷 HK is photogenic at every turn
- GoPro or gimbal – 🎥 for vlogging or time-lapse
- Headphones – 🎧 MTR rides or night walks
- E-reader – 📚 great for parks or cafes
- Offline maps/apps – 🗺️ save data and time
- Cloud backups – ☁️ secure your travel photos
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – 📖 for chill days or dim sum waits
- Podcasts – 🎧 preloaded for downtime
- Movies/shows – 📺 downloaded before flight
- Journal – 📓 document your urban adventures
- Card game – 🃏 compact fun with friends
- Travel guidebook – 🗞️ offline recs and city history
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – 🍫 energy bars or nuts for hikes
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 hydration on-the-go
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ useful for malls and wet markets
- Travel detergent – 🧼 quick hotel sink laundry
- Sewing kit – 🪡 for wardrobe emergencies
- Whistle – 📣 solo safety backup
- Lint roller – 👔 helpful for dark layers
- Melatonin – 🌙 adjust to time zone
- Neck fan – 🌬️ optional for warmer days
- Sleep aid – 😴 for busy city nights
🌍 Travel Tips
- Wear layers – 🌡️ weather can shift quickly
- Use Octopus card – 🚇 for transport, 7-Eleven, more
- Book restaurants in advance – 🍜 hot spots fill fast
- Stay hydrated – 🚰 bottled water recommended
- Use Airport Express/MTR – 🚄 efficient and quick
- Be prepared for walking – 👟 average 15k steps/day
- Carry tissues – 🧻 for public bathrooms
🛂 Visa Tips
- Check your visa status – 🛂 many get visa-free entry
- Entry slip required – 📄 keep it safe if provided
- Proof of onward travel – 🎟️ sometimes requested
- Valid passport – 📆 with 6 months+ remaining
- Print key confirmations – 🖨️ helpful if Wi-Fi fails
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport – 🛂 always carry a copy too
- Midweight jacket – 🧥 for breezy evenings
- Octopus card – 🚇 absolute city essential
- Phone + charger + adapter – 🔌 everyday kit
- Comfortable shoes – 👟 city walking is intense
- Crossbody bag – 👜 keeps items safe
- Reusable bottle – 🚰 stay hydrated in dry air
- Offline maps + apps – 🗺️ stay connected
- Light layers – 👕 adapt to indoor/outdoor shifts
- Travel insurance – 🏥 peace of mind
👍 Good-to-Have
- Umbrella – ☔ sudden drizzles happen
- Scarf or shawl – 🧣 stylish and functional
- Local SIM or eSIM – 📶 data is fast and affordable
- Blanket scarf – 🧤 adds warmth and comfort
- Travel pillow – 💤 great for long-haul or ferries
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ avoid extra plastic
- Sleep mask & earplugs – 😴 for light sleepers
