Hong Kong Octopus Card is a versatile smartcard of every Hong Kong local&#;s life. As a tourist, it will definitely smooth your journey in Hong Kong. It works similar as those e-payment ways, such as ApplePay, SamsungPay and Alipay. This pre-stored electronic card now is widely applied on most forms of public transport, convenient stores, supermarkets, chain shops and restaurants, shopping malls in Hong Kong.
As a visitor to Hong Kong, you probably wonder whether it is worthwhile to purchase one if you only stay shortly, and if yes then where to buy and how to use the Octopus Card. Here is the ultimate guide for Octopus Card including most of the asked questions. If I missed anything, please do let me know.
What is Octopus Card ? &#; Essential for life
The Octopus Card is a pre-paid smartcard being applied in every aspect of Hong Kong life. Launched in by the Octopus Cards Ltd, it is the first and most successful contactless smartcard system in the world.
It is similar to London&#;s Oyster Card, New York&#;s MetroCard and SUICA and PASMO Card in Japan. But Hong Kong&#;s Octopus Card is used not only in transportation system, but almost in every aspect of people&#;s life.
Hong Kong Octopus Card is applied widely in
- all the transportation system, including:
1. Metro (MTR), Star Ferry, trams, ferries, buses;
2. Airport system: Airport Express, airport bus;
3. Peak Tram;
4. Some of the taxis;
- all the convenient stores, e.g 7-Eleven, Circle K, Vango;
- all the fast food chains, bakeries and Hong Kong style cafés, e.g. McDonald&#;s, KFC, Starbucks, Café de Coral etc.;
- all the supermarkets, e.g. Park n Shop, Wellcome, Market Place etc.;
- all the shopping malls, department stores, personal care stores;
- theme parks, museums, horse racing courses;
This smartcard makes life not only more convenient and easier, but also more hassle-free.
It is not only easy to use, convenient to add value but also possible to get refund when returning.
If you want me name one thing that every Hong Kong local owns, besides the Identity Card, it must be the Octopus Card. Some even joke that it is like a Swiss Army knife.
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Is it necessary for tourists to get an Octopus Card? &#; Advantages of the Octopus Card
The answer is an absolute YES. Even if you are just staying for a few days, you should consider purchasing one. Not only because it can save you tones of time when travelling on public transportation system, but also free you from the burden of preparing cash for many aspects.
Once you start using it, you might ask yourself why you don&#;t have this kind of system at home.
It applies on Most Forms of the public transport
Hong Kong&#;s public transport is not only economic but also accessible to all the popular attractions. Today&#;s Octopus Card almost covers all the public transportation, from metro (MTR), bus, tram, Star Ferry, Airport Express, Peak Tram to the light railway.
No matter you decide to use the public transportation extensively, or you will use just for a few rides, Octopus Card will definitely make your travel much easier.
Needless to say that the Star Ferry, Peak Tram and Hong Kong tram are must-do for tourists.
Some of the taxis (but not all) are also installed with Octopus Card readers.
Saving time and money on metro and Star Ferry
Hong Kong&#;s metro (MTR) is the major means of public transportation for tourists and Star Ferry is a must-try on the highlight list. Without Octopus Card, you will need to get tickets/tokens for metro and Star Ferry from ticket machines.
Besides, vending machines accept only the selected notes/coins. Otherwise, you will have to go to the Customer Service Counter to exchange. Be aware that the Customer Service can only answer questions and exchange money. They DON&#;T sell tickets. It means that you still have to go back to the vending machine to get a ticket afterwards.
Don&#;t forget that paying with Octopus Card on metro is around 10% cheaper than buying ticket.
No worries for preparing changes on bus and tram
Tram and bus in Hong Kong don&#;t sell tickets. Passengers need to prepare cash of the exact fare for the ride and no change will be given. As a visitor, you may not use bus service often, but I assume you will not miss the chance of riding on the historic tram during your Hong Kong journey (check out why tram is one of the must-do for tourists).
Besides, some of you may still use airport bus service from the airport. You wouldn&#;t want to experience the embarrassment when you try to figure out the ticket fee and look for coins, while dozens of passengers waiting behind you.
Using in convenient shops, vending machines or chain restaurants
Consider this: how annoy it can be when you are looking for the right cash to pay at cashier. When everyone else pays their bill with a simple &#;beep&#;, you would wish you have this smartcard.
This little card works seamlessly with different vendors and public transportation systems. With this card, you can easily grab a cup of coffee in Starbucks or order a dish with touch-screen machine.
Paying at some of the attractions, museums, theme parks as well as racing courses;
Octopus Card now is also used for paying entrance fees for some of the attractions and all the museums. The entrances of two Hong Kong racing courses can also use Octopus Card to pay.
Topping Octopus Card is super easy
Hong Kong has over thousands of locations where you easily can add value (top-up). The most popular option is the convenient stores, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K.
Starbucks, McDonald&#;s, and other chain restaurants also provide Octopus Card recharging service. Simply give the cash to the staff and then put the card on the card reader, and it&#;s done.
You can easily check the balance with one of the Octopus Transaction Checkers and many other ways.
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Which Octopus Card is suitable for tourists?
There are many types of Octopus Card for locals. But there are two main categories of Octopus Card popular amongst tourists: Standard Octopus and Sold Octopus Card. Now there is a new package of the Rental Octopus Card with Data Plan which is great deal for the short-stay visitors.
Both of them are anonymous, thus no personal data is recorded. There is no function difference between these two cards. They both serve as Octopus Card in the same way. You can easily get the cards from many locations in Hong Kong as well as online shops.
Standard Octopus &#; On-Loan Octopus Card &#; economic option
The Standard Octopus is the most economic option for tourists as you do not need to pay for the card.
This card is basically lent to you by the Octopus Card Company. The price for the Standard Octopus Card contains a refundable deposit (HK$ 50) and different amount of initial stored value. The HK$ 50 deposit covers the card cost in case of loss or damage as well as a possible negative value on the card. You will get back the deposit and the remaining value on the card as long as you return the card. Be noted that HK$ 9 will be charged if returning the card within 90 days.
Currently, there is no personal information, details or registration needed to purchase a Standard Octopus (except the personalized ones). Child and Senior Octopus Card are not only for the local citizens but also available to the tourists.
Different Standard Octopus Cards
Card Price
(HK$)
Price including
(HK$)
Refundable Deposit
Initial Value ready for using
Adult
150
50
100
Child (3-11 years)
70
50
20
Elder (65+)
70
50
20
Usually you will be not be asked to present certificates / documents when purchasing senior or child Octopus Cards. MTR company has other ways to prevent misuse behaviors.
Where to get the Standard Octopus Card?
The Standard Octopus Card is only available in all the Customer Service Counters. The highlighted ones are the most convenient ones for tourists. These includes:
Although you can top the card&#;s value in thousands of different places throughout Hong Kong, except the above locations, other shops and stores DO NOT sell the Standard Octopus Card.
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Sold Tourist Octopus Card &#; good gift and souvenir
Octopus Card Ltd also prepares a special Sold Tourist Octopus Card for visitors as a perfect gift or souvenir. Unlike the Standard Octopus Card, the Sold Tourist Octopus Card is sold at the price of HK$ 39 without deposit and initial value. It means that the HK$ 39 charged for the card is the fee for the card itself and not refundable.
Many people will purchase the card online as a special gift and present to their friends or family who are about to visit Hong Kong. Some visitors would like to have a nice and small souvenir for their memory in Hong Kong.
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Where to get the Sold Octopus Card?
In case you would like to purchase the Sold Tourist Octopus Card, you can do it at every:
7-Eleven Store
Circle-K Store
- VanGo Convenience Store
- China Travel Service (CTS) Store
In Hong Kong you will easily find a 7-Eleven or Circle-K store. They are also the best options for adding the value on the Octopus Card.
Besides, you can also purchase a card in advance from online sellers and pickup from the airport directly.
Get A Sold Tourist Octopus Card online
Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card
With HK$ 50 preloaded value
Pickup in the Hong Kong airport
Adult Card only:&#;HK$ 92
Get Now Online
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On-Load Octopus Card with data plan
There is another better deal for the short-stay tourists which includes 8-day SIM card in the package. The card is a Rental Octopus Card with HK$ 100 pre-saved value and CSL 8GB 4G data. Do a simple math, it costs less than HK$ 9 (US$ 1.2) per day for surfing internet.
Remember to prepare extra HK$ 50 deposit when picking up the card (cause it&#;s a rental Octopus Card). You will get the deposit back when returning the card.
Hong Kong Rental Octopus Card with data plan
With HK$ 100 preloaded value
+ Hong Kong 4G SIM Card (8 days)
Pickup in the Hong Kong airport
Adult Card only:&#;HK$ 168
Get Now Online
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How to use the Octopus Card ?
Standard Octopus Card has HK$100 initial value ready to use. If you purchase the Sold Tourist Octopus Card, you still need to reload some value first.
Octopus Card is a contactless smart card. Simply swiping or &#;waving&#; the card over the fare deduction processor (card reader machine) is sufficient. Successful payment should have a sharp &#;beep&#; as signal.
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How to use for paying bills?
Using the card to pay bills is smiler to ApplePay or Paywave creditcard. All you need to do is to look for the yellow card readers near cashier. Let the staff know what you would like to pay with Octopus Card, then they will choose the payment method on their computers.
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How to use on metro system?
Metro requires to use the card for both entering and exiting. The fare will be automatically calculated and deducted from your stored-value Octopus Card according to your travelling distance.
-
Use it for paying other transportation
Except metro system, all the other public transportation needs to use the card only once. Don&#;t forget, bus, Peak Tram and Star Ferry need to pay when boarding while the Ding Ding tram needs to pay when exiting.
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Where to add value and how much to top up on Octopus Card?
Don&#;t worry about running out of money on the card. Recharging the card is very convenient and easy. You can either recharge your card in any MTR Customer Service Center, in-station add-value machines or numerous retailers, supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants.
Value can be added from minimum HK$ 50 up to maximum HK$ each time. There is no fee charged for adding value. I always prefer not adding too much each time in case of losing or damage. When returning the card, you can get the remaining money and deposit back (only for the Standard Octopus Card).
The main authorized add-value service providers include 7-Eleven, Circle K, Vanguard, McDonald&#;s, Starbucks, Park&#;n Shop, Wellcome, Fairwood, Mannings, Watsons, 759 Store, Arome, Saint Honore Cake Shop, VanGo, AEON, Vanguard, Maxim&#;s, and Café de Coral.
Did You Know
Where&#;s the best place to add value?
For tourists, the efficient places are not the metro stations but the convenient stores and chain restaurants. Not only because there are less people in the convenient stores, but also they are everywhere. Especially like 7-Eleven, Circle K, McDonald&#;s and Starbucks, you will easily find one of them nearby. Simply tell the staff how much you would like to add on your card and leave the rest to them.
Did You Know
How to check balance on the card?
- Every time when using the card getting in and out of MTR gate, the Octopus Card reader will show the money value on the card.
- When using Octopus Card to pay bills, the balance will show on the receipt.
- Every MTR station also has the Octopus Card Transaction Checker to check the balance and the last 10 transactions.
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Where can I return the Octopus Card?
Only the Standard Octopus Card can be returned and refunded. Basically, you can return the Standard Octopus Card to any MTR Customer Service Center, including those in the airport. You will get back all the remaining value as well as the paid deposit (HK$ 50). A small handling fee of HK$9 will be deducted if you return your card within 3 months of purchase.
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More frequently asked questions about Octopus Card
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Can I share the card with my travel partner?
Yes and No. You cannot share an Octopus Card when taking metro system since each one needs to use the card for both entering and exiting. In addition, Octopus Card machines on public transportation also are programmed with safety control that one card cannot be used on the same machine twice within 5 mins. It is designed to prevent the accidental wipes and payments.
Having said that, for transportation, each person needs to buy a separate card. Let&#;s do an example: you are a family of four with 2 adults and 2 kids (under the age of 12 years). Hence, you need to purchase two adults and two child Octopus Cards.
But if you just use the card for paying food and drink, of course, one card is sufficient.
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Can I buy an Octopus Card with a credit card?
All the Standard Octopus Card needs to pay with cash at the Customer Service Counter. It is a cash card that you can get cash refund immediately when returning the card. Thus paying with other means is not accepted.
However, there is an option to purchase the Sold Tourist Octopus Card online and you are able to pay with either Credit Card or Paypal.
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Can I purchase an Octopus Card online?
You can purchase the Sold Tourist Octopus Card online. Especially, if you arrive by plane and don&#;t want to stand in line after a long-haul flight as well as save some time, this is a perfect option for you. You easily can purchase the card and pick up in the counter in the arrival halls.
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How long is the validity of an Octopus Card?
The Octopus Card is valid for days and will be deactivated if within this period of time no further amount of value is added. However, you don&#;t need to worry if you didn&#;t use your card for 3 or more years. You simply can re-activate it at any MTR service center. Hence, you don&#;t need to worry.
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Where does the Octopus Card get its name from?
The smartcard is named after an octopus with 8 tentacles. This has not been a coincidence. The card can be used with 8 different public transportation systems, including MTR, KCR, Airport Express, Peak Tram, Hong Kong trams, Star Ferry, outlying island ferries and the different buses. Also, in Chinese and especially in Hong Kong&#;s dialect Cantonese, the number 8 represents &#;getting rich&#;.
More Important Information You Need To Know
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Hong Kong arrival guide &#; Everything you need to know &#; immigration, transportation options, insider tips
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Airport Hotels &#; Guide to Best Layover Options Nearby Airport in Hong Kong
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Guide of airport transfer: How to travel from Hong Kong airport to downtown ?
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Star Ferry &#; All you need to know about Hong Kong&#;s iconic transportation
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Check Out Hong Kong Public Holidays and Plan Your Time Wisely
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Hong Kong Public Holidays
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How to Take Hong Kong Ding Ding Trams As Real Local &#; All You Need to Know
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HK Public Holidays
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HK Public Holidays
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HK Public Holidays
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Emergency Numbers
-
Hong Kong Climate
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