OCTOPUS CARD

The popular and internationally acclaimed Octopus Card has been an essential part of Hong Kong life since 1997. It makes using Hong Kong’s impressive public transport system simple and convenient and is a “must” for visitors staying in Hong Kong for any length of time. Originally conceived an electronic fare collection system for the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) it can now be used on virtually all forms of public transport, in convenience stores, supermarkets, fast food shops and many other retail outlets. It cannot however be used in taxis (an unsuccessful trial was undertaken in 2006). On the MTR Octopus fares are lower than ordinary fares.

Other applications include vending machines, telephone kiosks, parking machines and access control for some private residential developments and school campuses. It can also be used at a limited number of retail outlets in Macau and Shenzen but not as yet on public transport in those cities.

Octopus Card

There are two types of Octopus Card, “Sold Octopus” and “On-loan Octopus”. “Sold Octopus” are effectively single journey tickets and also souvenir cards which are issued from time to time and non-refundable. Unless you simply want to buy a poor value souvenir these souvenir cards are not recommended.

ON-LOAN OCTOPUS CARD

The price of an on-loan Octopus Card includes a refundable deposit*; 

ADULT
Cost HK$150 representing a deposit* of HK$50 and an initial stored value of HK$100.

CHILD AGE 3-11
Cost HK$70 representing a deposit* of HK$20 and an initial stored value of HK$50

ELDER (over 60**)

Cost HK$70 representing a deposit* of HK$20 and an initial stored value of HK$50.

**Transport operators have different criteria (qualifying age, amount of discount etc) with regard to "Elders". The (Green) Elder Card can be purchased by anyone (including visitors)over 60 and the card holders age is programmed into the card. Octopus Card Readers automatically apply any available discount and if no discount is available the adult fare is deducted.  Currently examples of qualifying ages are 65 for MTR and KMB (Kowloon Motor Bus), 60 for Citybus.

When an Elder card is used the Octopus Card Reader emits a different tone in order to assist in the prevention of fraud.

*REFUND OF DEPOSIT- the deposit (less any use of NEGATIVE VALUE**) plus any remaining unused value is refundable at any time by handing in the card at the Customer Service Centre at any MTR Station or ticket office. Visitors leaving Hong Kong by air can hand the card in and obtain a refund at the Airport Express Customer Service Counter at the airport. There is a small administration charge of HK$7 which is deducted from the balance in respect of cards which are returned within three months of date of issue.

**NEGATIVE VALUE – The adult card can be used to a negative value of minus HK$35. i.e part of the deposit can be used so that although, for example, the Octopus Card Reader may indicate a balance of say HK$20, it actually has HK$55 remaining useable value.

PERSONALISED CARDS incorporating the users photograph are also available but only for Hong Kong ID Card Holders.


WHERE TO PURCHASE THE CARD

The card can be purchased on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport at the Airport Express Customer Service Counter and at;

Ticket offices/Customer Service Centres of;

All MTR/Airport Express//Light Rail Stations
KMB Customer Service Centre at Sha Tin Central Bus Terminus
New World First Ferry Central Ferry Piers, Ferry Piers at Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, Lamma.

No identification is required, anyone can purchase the card and records of purchasers are not kept.

Octopus Cards cannot be used by more than one person for each transaction. For example a card cannot be used to open entry barriers and then immediately be passed back for another person to open the barriers with the same card. The barriers will not open. A separate card should be purchased for each person wishing to use Octopus Card method of payment.


USING THE CARD

The plastic card is credit card size and has a Sony FeliCa Radio Frequency Identification Chip (RFID) embedded into it. The technology is “contactless” so the card simply needs to be “waved” over the card reading machine. The card can be read by the machine from a distance of between 3cm and 10cm and it is common for users to leave the card in their bag and pass the bag over the reader. At rail stations and ferry piers the card reader is located at the entrance/exit barriers and on buses just inside the entrance next to the driver. At retail outlets such as convenience stores the machine will be on the counter or at the checkout. Each time the card is used the remaining balance is shown on the card reading machine.

The card should not be bent or used near electronic equipment which may damage the chip.

In the event of a malfunctioning card it can be taken to any Customer Service Centre or ticket office for investigation. In the meantime a replacement card is issued with a “get you home” value of HK$20. After 5 working days you have to call back at any Customer Service Centre or ticket office and will be issued with a refund for the outstanding balance on the original card less the HK$20 value of the replacement card.

MTR Station barrier Octopus Card Reader

PERIOD OF VALIDITY

The card remains active for a period of 1000 days from date of last use and visitors who intend returning to Hong Kong within this period may wish to retain the card instead of handing in for a refund.


TOPPING UP THE CARD

The value on the card can be topped up to a maximum of HK$1000 at:

Ticket offices/Customer Service Centres of MTR/Airport Express/Light Rail Stations, New World First Bus, Citybus, KMB, Central Ferry Piers, Ferry Piers at Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay, Lamma.

Add-value machines at all MTR/Airport Express stations and some Light Rail Stations (machines accept HK$50 and HK$100 notes)

Numerous retailers including MacDonalds, KFC, 7-Eleven, Circle K convenience stores, Watsons Personal Stores, Wellcome and ParknShop Supermarkets.

During February 2008 it was announced that Octopus Cards Ltd are investigating the possibility of an on-line top-up facility.

AIRPORT EXPRESS FREE MTR CONNECTION

Passengers using Octopus Card to travel on the Airport Express can enjoy free travel to or from an Airport Express station to or from anywhere else on the MTR network (including from 28 September 2008 the ex-KCR lines, East Rail, Ma On Shan Line and West Rail)provided all connections are made within one hour of each other.

AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAVEL PASS

This is a special tourist card only available for visitors spending 14 days or less in Hong Kong and for many visitors does not represent good value or have the same flexibility as the standard “On-loan” card.

It is available in two denominations;

HK$220 CARD
Includes a HK$50 deposit and provides one trip on the Airport Express and three days unlimited travel on MTR urban lines*

HK$300 CARD
Provides two trips on the Airport Express and three days unlimited travel on MTR urban lines*

* The three days unlimited travel commences at the time of first MTR journey and ends 72 hours later.

These cards can subsequently be “topped up” in the same way as the standard Octopus Card and a refund of the deposit can be obtained by the same method as for the standard “On-loan” Octopus Card (see above).


More detailed information can be obtained from the Octopus Card website at;

http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/products/en/index.jsp 

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URBAN DAY PASS

A one day pass is available which may be useful to some visitors. It is valid for one day in a 30 day period from date of purchase and can be used on the Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Island, Tung Chung and Disneyland Resort lines. The pass costs HK$50. It is also available online. Details here;

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/products_index.html

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OTHER PASSES

Other passes available, although less likely to be of interest to visitors are;

NEW TERRITORIES DAY PASS

DISNEYLAND RESORT LINE DAY PASS

CROSS-BOUNDARY TRAVEL PACKAGE

and details also be found at;

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/products_index.html