When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Hong Kong uses the HKD ($) and Austin uses the USD ($). Conversations can stay in English, which is official in both countries. Be careful behind the wheel: Hong Kong drives on the left, Austin on the right.
- Country
- Hong Kong
- Capital
- City of Victoria
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar (HKD · $)
- Language
- English, Chinese
- Calling code
- +852
- Drives on
- Left
- Country
- United States
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD · $)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Drives on
- Right
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Hong Kong and Austin?
Hong Kong is 13 hours behind Austin. Hong Kong runs on GMT+8 and Austin on GMT-5. The gap can shift by an hour when either side enters or leaves daylight saving — the live clocks above always reflect the current offset.
When's the best time to schedule a meeting?
Standard 09:00–17:00 workdays don't intersect. Most teams compromise with one side meeting early (before 09:00) or late (after 17:00).
Does daylight saving time change the difference?
Yes, if either city observes DST. When one side shifts and the other doesn't, the gap changes by one hour. The DST badges under each clock show whether each zone is currently shifted and when the next transition lands.
How far is Hong Kong from Austin?
About 13,247 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 16h 5m, not counting airport time, winds, or routing around restricted airspace.
Can I send this meeting time as a calendar invite?
Yes. Pick a time on the slider above, open the meeting card, customize the title and duration, then download the .ics file. It imports cleanly into Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar with the correct timezone attached.
What currency do Hong Kong and Austin use?
Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar (HKD, $); Austin uses the United States dollar (USD, $). Check the live rate before transferring money or paying with a card abroad — most banks add a 1–3 % FX margin on top of the mid-market rate.
How do I call Hong Kong from Austin?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 011), then +852, then the local number — drop any leading zero of the city or mobile code. For free calls, WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi regardless of country code.
What language is spoken in Hong Kong and Austin?
Both Hong Kong and United States count English among their official languages, so business meetings often skip translation. Hong Kong also has Chinese; Austin adds no other official tongue.
Do Hong Kong and Austin drive on the same side of the road?
No. Hong Kong drives on the left, United States on the right. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.