Travel like a local in Hong Kong with an Octopus Card! Book this option for tourists that you can pick up at the airport 🇭🇰
In a nutshell
- What’s the Octopus Card? This is a prepaid or stored-value card that locals and tourists in Hong Kong use to pay for transportation fares. It can also be used in bakeries, fast food chains, theme parks, and supermarkets.
- How much is an Octopus Card? You can get one here for the price of around $12!
- Why book an Octopus Card? With this Hong Kong tourist card, you can save time and money. You won’t have to purchase single-journey tickets for the MTR or the bus each time you ride, and you also get a discount on regular fares.
- Where can I pick up an Octopus Card? You can book this option that you can redeem at Hong Kong International Airport or Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.
- How do I top up? When your Hong Kong Octopus Card’s balance runs low, simply proceed to any 7-Eleven, Starbucks, McDonalds, Watsons, 759, or Wellcome outlet to reload!
- Is it worth booking? Absolutely — but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s a review for a tourist who purchased the Hong Kong Octopus Card: “We never [went] wrong [with] purchasing an [Octopus card]. Hassle free and cashless transactions [during] our entire stay in HK. You can use it in buying goods and paying for fares in buses and trains. SWIPE the card anytime and anywhere.“ Find more reviews for the Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card here.
- Complete your trip! Aside from getting an Octopus Card, make sure to add this popular sightseeing spot in Hong Kong to your itinerary 🏙️
All About Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card
Making everyday life easier. This is the tagline of Hong Kong’s Octopus Card, which tourists and locals alike widely use for transportation, dining, and groceries. If you’re planning to travel to Hong Kong soon, make sure to get this tourist essential and enjoy the following benefits: (1) not having to purchase train or bus tickets as you make your way to Hong Kong Disneyland or this equally popular theme park; and (2) enjoy discounted transportation fares (as opposed to buying single-entry train tickets).
What’s more is that with a prepaid card like the Octopus — similar to T-Money in Korea! — you can pay for your purchases in coffee shops, fast food chains, cinemas, skating rinks, convenience stores, groceries, and apparel shops.
By the end of your trip, you will also have the option to keep your Octopus Card for your next visit to Hong Kong (or take it back home as a nice souvenir)!
You will find all the deals and offers for Octopus Card in Hong Kong below, but you can check below if one is available on your travel dates:
Book Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card: Price & Combo Deals
If you’re ready to book an Octopus Card, check out all the available options below!
1. Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card + HK$50 Credits (Airport Pick-up)
- PRICE: Book here for around $12 per card!
- INCLUSIONS: Octopus Card & HK$50 credits
- REDEMPTION. Pick up your preloaded Octopus Card at any of the following:
- Hong Kong International Airport (Counter A13 in the Arrivals Area): 8am-9pm
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Station: 9:30am-5:30pm
- NOTE: No additional deposit is required to pick up the Hong Kong tourist Octopus Card at the redemption counter.
- BEST REVIEW: “[Octopus card] is highly recommended… [Very] helpful and useful. [Hassle-free] transactions in train stations and stores. Just load and you can use it anytime and anywhere. Smooth and worry-free transactions anywhere with this Octopus Card. Thank you Klook.”
2. Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card + Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket
If you’re planning to book the airport train to get to downtown Hong Kong, you can book this combo tourist Octopus Card with the Airport Express Ticket!
- PRICE: Book here for around $26!
- INCLUSIONS: Octopus Card, HK$50 credits, & one-way or roundtrip Hong Kong Airport Express ticket for Kowloon Station or Hong Kong Station
- REDEMPTION. Pick up your preloaded Octopus Card at any of the following:
- Hong Kong International Airport (Counter A13 in the Arrivals Area): 8am-9pm
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Station: 9:30am-5:30pm
- NOTE: No additional deposit is required to pick up the Hong Kong tourist Octopus Card at the redemption counter.
- BEST REVIEW: “Perfect for people who really opt for more [train, bus, tram rides] while visiting [Hong Kong]. Very easy to redeem and use. You can easily [top] it up [at] the train stations. You can also use this [at] convenience stores and some restaurants and establishments. Very recommended for people who do not like to bring cash with them while traveling.”
3. Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card + Hong Kong Airport Shilla Duty Free $50 e-Voucher
Want to shop at the Shilla Duty Free inside Hong Kong Airport? Grab this Octopus Card for tourists that come with a free $50 shopping voucher!
- PRICE: Book here for around $12.4 (vs. regular price of $18.8)!
- INCLUSIONS: Octopus Card, HK$50 credits, & $50 e-Voucher for Shilla Duty Free at Hong Kong Airport
- REDEMPTION. Pick up your preloaded Octopus Card at any of the following:
- Hong Kong International Airport (Counter A13 in the Arrivals Area): 8am-9pm
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Station: 9:30am-5:30pm
- NOTE: No additional deposit is required to pick up the Hong Kong tourist Octopus Card at the redemption counter.
- BEST REVIEW: “We booked and picked up the Octopus card at the airport [terminal 1]… Just top up the card and you can use it in bus, train, malls, 7-Eleven, fastfood restos. We’ll book it again when we get back in Hong Kong,” reads a review for the Octopus Card on Klook.
4. Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card + Victoria Harbour Evening Cruise Ticket
If you’ve added Victoria Harbour Cruise in your travel itinerary, then you can save money by booking this Hong Kong tourist Octopus Card combo deal!
- PRICE: Book the combo deal here starting at $26 — save up to 5%!
- INCLUSIONS: Octopus Card, HK$50 credits, & Victoria Harbour Evening Cruise Experience with unlimited drinks
- REDEMPTION. Pick up your preloaded Octopus Card at any of the following:
- Hong Kong International Airport (Counter A13 in the Arrivals Area): 8am-9pm
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Station: 9:30am-5:30pm
- NOTE: No additional deposit is required to pick up the Hong Kong tourist Octopus Card at the redemption counter.
- BEST REVIEWS FOR OCTOPUS CARD & VICTORIA HARBOUR EVENING CRUISE:
- “This is a must have in Hong Kong! Octopus card is used as a mode of payment for public transportation (MTR, Airport Express, Buses) + several establishments as well. It was a wise decision to purchase it from Klook ahead of time. Easily redeemabale at the airport and loading from 7-11 is a breeze, too. Thanks, Klook!❤️”
- “It was our first time doing a cruise in Hong Kong and it was amazing. The view of the Hong Kong skyline is perfect and breathtaking. You will never get tired of looking all the tall buildings with nice skyline. Please make sure to book this when you visit Hong Kong. Will definitely come back here when I visit Hong Kong again!”
5. Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card + Big Bus Hong Kong Ticket or Night Tour
Thinking about getting tickets for the hop-on hop-off Big Bus Hong Kong or joining the night tour? This Octopus Card combo deal is for you!
- PRICE: Book the combo deal here starting at $47 — save up to 5%!
- INCLUSIONS: Octopus Card, HK$50 credits, & Big Bus Hong Kong ticket OR Big Bus Hong Kong Night Tour
- REDEMPTION. Pick up your preloaded Octopus Card at any of the following:
- Hong Kong International Airport (Counter A13 in the Arrivals Area): 8am-9pm
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Station: 9:30am-5:30pm
- NOTE: No additional deposit is required to pick up the Hong Kong tourist Octopus Card at the redemption counter.
- BEST REVIEW FOR BIG BUS HONG KONG: “I took a bus tour in the evening, and except for the fact that the wind was a little strong and it was cold, it was nice to be able to sit comfortably and enjoy the night view of Hong Kong and people-watch 🙂 If I visit again next time, I think I will try to take my time and enjoy the sights.”
6. Hong Kong Rental Octopus Card + HK$150 Credits + 4G SIM Card (Airport Pick-up)
- PRICE: only $28.35 (vs. regular price of $30.35)
- INCLUSIONS: Rental Hong Kong Octopus Card, HK$150 remaining balance, & Hong Kong SIM Card for 8 days!
- REDEMPTION: Pick up your loaded Octopus Card at Hong Kong International Airport (Counter A13 in the Arrivals Area) anytime from 8am-9pm
- NOTE: A deposit of HK$50 is required to pick-up this option.
How to Use the Octopus Card in Hong Kong
Using the Octopus card is easy! Just place your card on the reader or sensor at the subway turnstile or bus, wait until you hear a sound, and remove the card when you’re able to see the remaining credits of your Octopus.
Here are other notes from the official Octopus Card website:
- If the transaction shows incomplete, it’s probably because you moved your Octopus card too quickly. Do it again.
- Do not hold more than one Octopus card or an Octopus with another type of smart card over an Octopus reader at one time.
- Do not tamper with your HK Octopus Card, such as bending it, writing on it, scratching it, cutting it, or pasting stickers, photos or accessories on it. Otherwise, transactions will not be honored and the remaining stored value will not be refunded.
When using your Octopus Card for buses, you’ll spot the reader beside the driver.
How to Top Up or Recharge Your Tourist Octopus Card
While you have the option of getting a preloaded Octopus Card online, chances are that you’ll still need to top up your balance if you plan to be a full-on tourist. No worries, though! Recharging your Hong Kong Octopus Card is very easy. Simply visit any of the following retail outlets and pay via cash:
- 759 Store
- 7-Eleven
- AEON
- Arome
- Café de Coral
- Circle K
- Vanguard
- Fairwood
- Mannings
- Maxim’s Cakes
- Maxim’s MX
- McDonald’s
- Park’n Shop
- Saint Honore Cake Shop
- Starbucks
- VanGO
- Watsons
- Wellcome Supermarket
Alternatively, you can also top up in select Transportation Customer Service Centers or Add-Value Machines found in the following:
- MTR
- Light Rail
- Add-value machines
- Airport Express Line
- KMB
- First Ferry Customer
- Octopus Service Centres (Cheung Chau Pier, Mui Wo Pier, Central Pier 5 & Central Pier 6)
- NWFB (Admiralty (East) Bus Terminus)
- Citybus (Airport Ground Transportation Centre).
Additionally, if you’re coming from Shenzhen, you may top up your Octopus Cards using your RMB bank account or digital wallet at Shenzhen Unionpay EPS kiosks (located along Shenzhen Metro Lines 1, 2 or 5, Community Centres, Shenzhen Bay Port, Luohu Port, Futian Port and Huanggang Port).
Note that an Octopus Card can be reloaded up to HK$1,000 only. Also, if the value on your Octopus Card is at or below HK$0, you won’t be able to use it until you top up.
Is the Hong Kong Octopus Card worth it? Browse more reviews!
With over 500,000+ bookings and a 4.8/5 rating from some 29,000+ Klook users, the Octopus Card in Hong Kong ticket is definitely a highly-recommended product for tourists! A customer has this insightful review:
One of the best things we bought for our trip. You can use to pay for train, dingding, and bus rides and buy something from groceries. Octopus card makes everything so convenient. We were able to travel around the city hassle-free.
Another customer who booked the Hong Kong Octopus Card wrote: “…Octopus card is a must when you travel around in Hong Kong, it can [be used] for all kind of public transport, like MTR, tram, ferry etc. [It] also can be use for payment in most of the restaurants and shops… Just to be aware that Klook [offers] two kinds of octopus card here. 1. Tourist octopus card- preloaded with HKD50, no deposit required, no charges when refund balances, once refunded the card is no longer usable, but you can keep the card as souvenirs. 2. Rental octopus card- preloaded with HKD150, deposit of HKD50 required upon collection, charges of HKD11 when refund balances.”
FAQ: Octopus Card in Hong Kong
1. How can I get a refund for my Hong Kong Octopus Card Balance?
After your trip, you may visit any MTR Customer Service Center to apply for a refund of the remaining value on your Octopus. Here are some notes:
- If the remaining value of your Octopus Card HK is less than HK$500, an immediate refund can be collected at the MTR Customer Service Centre.
- If the remaining value is HK$500 or more, the Octopus will be returned to Octopus Cards Limited for processing. You will be notified of the refund arrangements within nine (9) working days, as indicated on the website here.
2. Hong Kong Transportation Fares: How much to top up?
To help you find out how much money to add to your Octopus Card, here are some key transportation fare notes that may help you with your budgeting (fares are estimates for adults):
- MTR Light Rail – typically costs HK$5.5-7.5 per ride (around $0.7-1)
- MTR Trains – usually costs HK$4.6-30 per ride (or $0.6-3.8), depending on location
- Bus Fares – typically costs HK$4-25 per ride (or $0.5-3.2), depending on location.
If you’d like to get a good estimate of your Hong Kong trip transportation costs, you may want to access the Trip Planner in this website or the MTR app, which can be downloaded here. You can also check out the official Hong Kong transportation fare matrix for Octopus Card users here and non-Octopus Card users here.
3. Where can I use the Octopus Card?
You can use it at the MTR, bus, ferry, coach, tram, as well as a wide range of establishments including cafes, convenience stores, and restaurants. To be sure, you can ask the store if Octopus Card can be used as a method of payment or look for the Octopus sign as shown in the image above.
4. What’s an On-loan Octopus Card?
There are two types of Octopus Card: Sold and On-loan. The Sold one, as the name suggests, is the type of Octopus Card that you can buy (tourist). There is also the On-loan type, which is lent by Octopus Cards Limited. A refundable deposit and initial stored value is required for the On-loan Octopus Cards. For more information, click here.
5. Are there any other designs for the Hong Kong Octopus Card?
Yep, but there’s not a lot! You can check out some Octopus Card designs here.
