Octopus - A Must Have Accessory in Hong Kong
The Octopus card is a contactless smart card, and is mostly used to pay for rides on the MTR, buses, minibuses, ferries, trams and on a few taxis equipped with Octopus readers. It was introduced in 1997 as a payment method on the MTR. But since then, thanks to its popularity with locals and tourists, it was transformed into a payment system, which is used to collect fares on almost all modes of public transport, and also for payments in shops, department stores, supermarkets, fastfood and retail outlets, bookstores, convenience stores, cinemas, public swimming pools, car parks, schools and other places provided with Octopus readers. Today, over 23 million Octopus cards are in circulation and the Octopus system handles over 12 million transactions a day, with the transaction value exceeding HK$130 million.
Benefits of using Octopus:
- There is no need to spend time buying a single journey ticket at Ticket Issuing Machines, or counting the exact amount of coins on buses and trams.
- The MTR fares using Octopus are usually cheaper than single journey tickets.
- Apart from collecting fares on public transport, it can be used as a payment method in retail and fastfood outlets, car parks and leisure facilities.
- Passengers of Cityflyer Routes traveling to/from the airport can enjoy a 50% discount on the return journey on the same day. To see details, click here.
- Airport Express (AE) passengers can enjoy a free return journey on the same day. To see details, click here.
- Also, AE passengers can enjoy free MTR connections to/from the Airport Express stations. To see details, click here.
On-Loan Octopus Card
The On-Loan Octopus card is a rechargeable stored value card and is perfect for tourists. Available types: Adult, Child, Elder and Personalised. To purchase an On-Loan card, a passport or any other identification is not required, except Personalised. The card comes with a refundable deposit of HK$50, which will be returned to you together with the remaining value when you return it.
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | HK$150 = Deposit $50 + Initial stored value $100 |
| Child (3-11) | HK$70 = Deposit $50 + Initial stored value $20 |
| Elder | HK$70 = Deposit $50 + Initial stored value $20 |
Where To Buy
The On-Loan Octopus card can be purchased at the following places:
- Any Airport Express Customer Service Centre.
- Any MTR Customer Service Centre (except Racecourse station).
- Also, it can be purchased at other Customer Service Centres of public transportation companies.
How Does It Work
Swipe/touch the card over the Octopus reader. The amount taken as well as the remaining value will be shown after each transaction, so you know when it is time to top up the card. You can keep your card in a wallet or bag.
- MTR: Swipe the card at the entrance barrier and once at the exit barrier (destination station).
- Ferry: Swipe the card at the entrance barrier.
- Bus: Swipe the card when you get on.
- Trams: Swipe the card when you get off.
Card Reloading (Adding Value)
Do not forget to top up your card, otherwise you will not be able to use it. The Octopus card can store up to HK$1,000. You can reload it at hundreds of locations throughout Hong Kong:
- Any Add Value Machine at all MTR stations. Insert notes of HK$50 or HK$100.
- Customer Service Centers of the MTR, the Airport Express, the Light Rail, the KMB or the Citybus at the Airport Ground Transportation Centre.
- Also, you can add funds into your card at convenience stores, supermarkets or mini-stores, like 7-Eleven or Circle K, which are authorised Add Value service providers.
If the Octopus's balance is positive (HK$0.1 or above) but insufficient to cover the transaction, On-Loan Octopus Holders are able to use up to HK$35 of their HK$50 deposit in order to complete the transaction. The Octopus card cannot be used if the balance is zero or negative prior to the transaction.
Checking the Balance
There are a number of Octopus Enquiry Machines at all MTR stations where you can check the remaining value and the detailed information of the last 10 Octopus transactions (date, amount and type of service provider). Simply touch/swipe your card over the reader and wait until it shows your balance and recent transactions.
Also, you can request a printout of the last 10 transactions at any MTR Customer Service Centre, or at any 7-Eleven or Circle K for a fee of HK$3.
Refund
When you leave Hong Kong you can return it to the Customer Service Centre at the airport or to any Customer Service Centre at any MTR station to get the refundable deposit of HK$50 and the remaining value. A refund fee of HK$9 will be deducted if the card is returned within 3 months from the date of issue.
For more information, please visit Getting a Refund.
Sold Octopus
This type of Octopus is made in the form of ornaments, key holders or designed smart cards and is a nice souvenir. From time to time cards with a new design are issued. Since Sold Octopus with a new design is issued regularly, the price varies and may have a limited or no initial stored value (usually it has no stored value). When purchasing, if the price has no initial stored value, top up before using. Sold Octopus functions as an On-Loan Octopus, but has no deposit. It also can store up to HK$1,000.
Airport Express Travel Pass (AETP)
This smart card is designed for tourists and offers 1 or 2 journeys on the Airport Express plus any 3 consecutive days of unlimited rides on the MTR, Light Rail and MTR Bus (Northwest New Territories), except East Rail Line First Class, additional rides on the Airport Express and travel to/from Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau stations. Also, it can be used as a standard Adult Octopus, but has no initial stored value. Thus, to use it on other modes of transport, on the MTR after 3 days of unlimited rides or in retail outlets you must top it up.
A valid passport or similar ID that proves a tourist status must be shown when purchasing the AETP. You can take your 1 or 2 journeys on the Airport Express on any day within 180 days of the date of issue.
Price and Where To Buy
The AETP with 1 Airport Express journey costs HK$220 and can be purchased at any MTR or Airport Express Customer Service Centre. (except Racecourse Station).
The AETP with 2 Airport Express journeys costs HK$300 and can be purchased at any AE Customer Service Centre or at the following MTR stations: Kowloon Tong, Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay stations.
Refund
The AETP as well as a normal Octopus has a refundable deposit of HK$50, which can be returned together with the remaining value, if any, at any MTR or Airport Express Customer Service Centre.
On-Loan Octopus Card vs Airport Express Travel Pass
Many people wonder which type is better; a standard On-Loan Octopus or an Airport Express Travel Pass. Before starting the comparison, please note that there are no travel passes for children and the AETP is ONLY suitable if you plan to use the Airport Express.
| On-Loan Octopus Card | Airport Express Travel Pass |
|---|---|
| - Cardholders can use it immediately after the purchase on any kind of public transport or in stores, as it has an initial stored value of HK$100. | - It can be used as a normal Adult Octopus but carries no initial stored value. To use it on other modes of transport, top up before using. |
| - A refund fee of HK$9 will be deducted if the card is returned within 3 months from the date of issue. | - No refund fee. |
Let's calculate how much money you will pay for those 3 days of unlimited rides on the MTR using the AETP(s). The sum depends on the destination station and type of pass.
If you are a solo traveler, you will pay:
AETP with 1 Airport Express Journey
HK$220 - HK$50(Deposit) - HK$100(Airport - Hong Kong (Single Journey)) = HK$70
HK$220 - HK$50(Deposit) - HK$90(Airport - Kowloon (Single Journey)) = HK$80
AETP with 2 Airport Express Journeys
HK$300 - HK$50(Deposit) - HK$180(Airport - Hong Kong (Round Trip)) = HK$70
HK$300 - HK$50(Deposit) - HK$160(Airport - Kowloon (Round Trip)) = HK$90
If you are a group of 2 travelers, each of you will pay:
AETP with 1 Airport Express Journey
(HK$440(2 Passes) - HK$100(2 Deposits) - HK$160(Airport - Hong Kong (Group Ticket))) / 2 = HK$90
(HK$440(2 Passes) - HK$100(2 Deposits) - HK$140(Airport - Kowloon (Group Ticket))) / 2 = HK$100
AETP with 2 Airport Express Journeys
(HK$600(2 Passes) - HK$100(2 Deposits) - HK$320(Airport - Hong Kong (2 Group Tickets))) / 2 = HK$90
(HK$600(2 Passes) - HK$100(2 Deposits) - HK$280(Airport - Kowloon (2 Group Tickets))) / 2 = HK$110
If you are a group of 3 travelers, each of you will pay:
AETP with 1 Airport Express Journey
(HK$660(3 Passes) - HK$150(3 Deposits) - HK$210(Airport - Hong Kong (Group Ticket))) / 3 = HK$100
(HK$660(3 Passes) - HK$150(3 Deposits) - HK$190(Airport - Kowloon (Group Ticket))) / 3 = HK$106.6
AETP with 2 Airport Express Journeys
(HK$900(3 Passes) - HK$150(3 Deposits) - HK$420(Airport - Hong Kong (2 Group Tickets))) / 3 = HK$110
(HK$900(3 Passes) - HK$150(3 Deposits) - HK$380(Airport - Kowloon (2 Group Tickets))) / 3 = HK$123.3
If you are a group of 4 travelers, each of you will pay:
AETP with 1 Airport Express Journey
(HK$880(4 Passes) - HK$200(4 Deposits) - HK$250(Airport - Hong Kong (Group Ticket))) / 4 = HK$107.5
(HK$880(4 Passes) - HK$200(4 Deposits) - HK$220(Airport - Kowloon (Group Ticket))) / 4 = HK$115
AETP with 2 Airport Express Journeys
(HK$1200(4 Passes) - HK$200(4 Deposits) - HK$500(Airport - Hong Kong (2 Group Tickets))) / 4 = HK$125
(HK$1200(4 Passes) - HK$200(4 Deposits) - HK$440(Airport - Kowloon (2 Group Tickets))) / 4 = HK$140
Thus, if you are a solo traveler staying on Hong Kong Island, you will pay HK$70 for 3 days of MTR rides. But if you are in a group of 4 persons staying in Kowloon, each of you will pay HK$115-140 for 3 days of MTR rides. The bigger your group the less the benefit of buying AETPs and better to use a bunch of Octopus plus group ticket(s). As a result, the AETP is mostly suitable for solo travelers who are confident that they will spend at least HK$70 or more on MTR rides. Otherwise, On-Loan Octopus is the choice. But which type is the best is up to you.
Additional Information
Important
- The Airport Express Travel Pass is for tourists ONLY, who have been in Hong Kong for less than 14 days at the time of purchase.
Hints & Tips
- If you leave Hong Kong, but forget to return the On-Loan Octopus to get the refundable deposit and the remaining value, do not worry, it is active for 1,000 days from the date when you last added value into your card. Even after 1,000 days, when the card is deactivated, you can go to any Customer Service Centre at any MTR station and reactivate it free of charge. So you can use it on subsequent trips to Hong Kong.
- An On-Loan Octopus or an Airport Express Travel Pass. In order to get the refundable deposit and the remaining value on the spot (i.e. at any MTR/AE Customer Service Centre), make sure that your card has the remaining value less than HK$500 and is in good condition. Otherwise, it will be sent for processing and you will be notified of the refund within nine working days. Usually, the refund will be sent by cheque.
Discounts & Promotions
Group tickets provide discounts up to 40% on the Airport Express. For more information, please visit Group Tickets.
Useful Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Octopus Customer Hotline | +852 2266 2222 |
| 24-hour MTR Hotline | +852 2881 8888 |