The Octopus Card: Hong Kong's Smart Money Card

The Octopus Card is a smartcard used throughout Hong Kong instead of money, it comes in very handy for getting around Hong Kong's vast public transportation system without having to carry loads of small change.

Although at the beginning the Octopus was launched to be used in the many transportation venues, including the MTR, buses, ferries, and trams, the system has widely spread to other sectors as well. Nowadays, you can use an Octopus Card to pay at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, vending machines, parking garages, supermarkets, etc.

The Octopus is the equivalent of London's Oyster Card or New York's MetroCard, in steroids... because you can use it for so much more.

It is estimated that 95% of the population age 16 to 65 use it, to locals, the Octopus is a way of life, and it is definitely the way to go when getting around Hong Kong.

Most convenient for all sorts of public transport, they are easy to use, you simply place the card over the "card reader" (the yellow pad with the picture of the card over it), it will beep/lit up and then you proceed through the turnstile:

Getting around is much easier with an Octopus Card: at the MTR

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this Hong Kong smartcard:

Who needs an Octopus Card?

Each person needs to have his or her own card when using it for transportation where individual tickets must be purchased. You cannot "share" one card to ride the MTR for example. The fare is computed based on departing and arriving points, so each member of the group must have a card.

Are there different kinds? Which one should I get?

There are different kinds of cards, visitors will need the standard "On Loan" Octopus Card. They can be purchased and used by anyone.

Other types are the "Sold" Octopus which are special edition cards sold at a premium and are more like "souvenir" cards, i.e. the Hello Kitty Octopus Card. You can get them at the 7-Eleven.

"Personalized Cards" mostly used by Hong Kong residents, you must register for these, they are trackable, linked to your financial institution, and can be automatically reloaded.

Child and Elder Octopus Cards are also available and when using one of these, the corresponding concessionary (discounted) fare will be charged for transportation i.e. child or senior fare.

Child Octopus Card

Senior Octopus Card

Where to get it? How much are they?

Easiest places to get the Octopus are:

When you first arrive at the Airport at the Airport Express Customer Counter
At any MTR Customer Counter
At the Airport Express Stations
At all 7-Elevens

Cards must be paid with CASH only.

Prices for on-loan cards are as follows:

Hong Kong Standard Octopus Prices
	Deposit	Stored Value	Total Cost
Adult	50	100	150
Child (3-11)	50	20	70
Senior (+65)	50	20	70

The "Stored Value" is your credit balance, what you have left to spend.

When you leave Hong Kong you can get the deposit and any unused stored value remaining back at the Airport Express Counters (Arrivals Hall) at the Airport. They deduct a small fee of HK$7 (less than US$1) for On Loan Octopus cards refunded within 3 months, not a bad deal for the convenience of using an Octopus throughout your stay.

The Tourist Octopus - HK$50 Preloaded (HK Airport Pick Up)

You can buy a Tourist Octopus online to be ready for pick up at the airport, it comes with HK$50 preloaded credit and special tourist edition motiv. You can keep the card as a souvenir or reuse it on your next trip!

The Tourist Octopus costs HK94/US$12. Buy online.

Where can I use it?

The main use will be in Transportation: Buses, MTR, Ferries, Trams, Railways. Very handy specially for buses and trams that require exact change.

Much easier than carrying exact change for bus fare!

The Octopus can be used for the Star Ferry and the Peak Tram as well.

SOME taxis are beginning to accept Octopus but not all do, so ask first.

Many fast-food joints like McDonalds, Starbucks and Mrs. Fields and convenience stores and supermarkets like 7-Eleven, Circle K, Watsons and Wellcome to name a few. Vending machines also take Octopus.

You will also be able to use your Octopus at tourist attractions like Ocean Park and the Happy Valley Race Course.

Outside of Hong Kong, use of the card is now being extended to a handdful of establishments in Shenzhen and Macau. Octopus payment is already available at Galaxy Macau, Broadway Macau, KFC outlets in Macau, Fairwood Cafe de Coral outlets in Shenzhen and Shenzhen Duty Free group.

How do you re-load it?

You can top up your Octopus at any of the merchants where you can use it: 7-Elevens, MTR stations, etc.

There are also automated Add Value Machines at MTR and selected Light Rail Stations where you can reload your Octopus.

A maximum of HK 1,000 can be added.

Adding more "money" to your Octopus is easy at any of the Add Value Machines
available at MTR stations

Remember it's CASH only!

What if I lose it?

Sorry, you're out of luck. There is no way to report On Loan Octopus Cards as "lost" or "stolen". They are as good as cash. Be careful and treat them as such.

Octopus Cards are a convenient way to make small purchases, don't forget to pick one up as soon as you land!