How much to load on Octopus card
Oct 27, 2014, 8:22 am
#106
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hong Kong
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On my last trip into HKG I went to purchase a standard Octopus card. The agent asked how old I am. As over 65, he offered an "Elder" Octopus card @ 70 HKD, for which the fare charges are substantially less.
Was the criteria for this changed, as I seem to recall the last time I read the rules, you had to be a HKG resident to use an Elder card. Or perhaps I am confusing the MTR (HKG) with MRT(Singapore)...
Happy wandering
Fred
Was the criteria for this changed, as I seem to recall the last time I read the rules, you had to be a HKG resident to use an Elder card. Or perhaps I am confusing the MTR (HKG) with MRT(Singapore)...
Happy wandering
Fred
unless they change the law we the tax payer will be paying for your discounted travel
Oct 28, 2014, 4:38 pm
#108
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Mar 9, 2015, 5:51 pm
#109
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I appreciate the advice below, but does it make sense for me to get an Octopus card for a 3-day visit when I can get an Adult Tourist (Transit) Day Pass for HK$55 = USD$7 ?
https://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/AELCo...ng&catid=20501
How many rides does it take for the pass to pay for itself? Does it include trams and buses referenced below?
I don't require airport transit and probably won't be using vending machines. The whole "refund" thing isn't another stop that I want.
https://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/AELCo...ng&catid=20501
How many rides does it take for the pass to pay for itself? Does it include trams and buses referenced below?
I don't require airport transit and probably won't be using vending machines. The whole "refund" thing isn't another stop that I want.
Life is much easier even as a tourist with an Octopus card. And it's not just for the MTR. For example, the tram (the rail-based double-decker trains, not the Peak Tram) cost $2.3 per ride - exact change required. Similar issue for buses and mini-buses. It's much simpler to be able to just tap the Octopus card than worry about change. Also, for the Peak Tram, if you have enough value on the card to pay for the fare, you can skip the inevitable line at the ticket window. For smaller purchases at 7-11 etc, you avoid getting a pocketful of change.
The Octopus card is similar to a personalized refillable gift card (or pre-paid credit card) with pay-wave function. It's main use is for speed and convenience for public transport, vending machines and certain shops where there is a large transaction volume and speeding up the line is greatly appreciated/a necessity. Examples are coffee shops, convenience stores and places where office workers buy lunch boxes during the lunch rush. Considering the majority of the HK population have one, not having one is considered rude as you will almost always hold up the line fiddling around with coins. Plus the HK$5 coin and HK$10 coin are quite heavy and generally a pain (literally) to carry.
However, if you will not be taking public transport, use vending machines nor eat outside of sit-down restaurants for the duration of your visit, there is no reason to get an Octopus card. If the only public transport you need is the Airport Express, then just get those tickets separately.
However, if you will not be taking public transport, use vending machines nor eat outside of sit-down restaurants for the duration of your visit, there is no reason to get an Octopus card. If the only public transport you need is the Airport Express, then just get those tickets separately.
Octopus is not a debit card; it's a part of the HK way of life. Pretty much everyone from schoolchildren to bankers to tourists have one. It's like an Oyster card in London or a Suica card in Tokyo. If you won't be taking public transport at all during those 4 days (somewhat unlikely) you don't need Octopus, but if you do plan to use the MTR it'll save you valuable time because you won't have to buy single journey tickets all the time. The payment thing outside public transit is more of a side function; I rarely use it for that purpose other than buying the odd cup of coffee.
Mar 9, 2015, 6:43 pm
#110
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The pass only covers MTR subway trains. Not for ferries, trams and most buses. That's why you still need and want an Octopus, whether you get that $55 pass or not.
As for train costs, without crossing the harbor, it's around $5-7. Crossing it and you starts at around $9-10. Up to $20+ going to parts of New Territories and to Disney/Tung Chung.
As for train costs, without crossing the harbor, it's around $5-7. Crossing it and you starts at around $9-10. Up to $20+ going to parts of New Territories and to Disney/Tung Chung.
Mar 12, 2015, 4:17 am
#111
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You'd struggle to spend HK$55 per day for 3 days just on the MTR to be honest. You'll almost always spend less by simply getting a standard on-loan Octopus card.
Refunding takes seconds at any MTR customer service desk, though obviously you then have HK$ cash to do something with before you leave.
Refunding takes seconds at any MTR customer service desk, though obviously you then have HK$ cash to do something with before you leave.
Sep 4, 2015, 6:27 am
#112
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So I'm sold - I'll be buying three Octopus cards for my family of 3 when we visit in November. We'll be arriving by train from Guangzhou and departing by plane. I've read the thread but I'm still confused by the airport express references. Can I use the Octopus for the airport express when we are departing? Or is the airport express cost just deducted from the Octopus card?
Where in the train station do I buy the Octopus? And can we return them at the airport as we leave Hong Kong?
Where in the train station do I buy the Octopus? And can we return them at the airport as we leave Hong Kong?
Sep 4, 2015, 9:33 am
#113
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
You can buy the card at an MTR counter in the station. You'll need HK$ of course.
The Airport Express fare will be deducted from your Octopus card.
You can refund the card at the MTR counter at the airport, but note it's down on the arrival floor.
The Airport Express fare will be deducted from your Octopus card.
You can refund the card at the MTR counter at the airport, but note it's down on the arrival floor.
Sep 4, 2015, 11:00 am
#114
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So I'm sold - I'll be buying three Octopus cards for my family of 3 when we visit in November. We'll be arriving by train from Guangzhou and departing by plane. I've read the thread but I'm still confused by the airport express references. Can I use the Octopus for the airport express when we are departing? Or is the airport express cost just deducted from the Octopus card?
Where in the train station do I buy the Octopus? And can we return them at the airport as we leave Hong Kong?
Where in the train station do I buy the Octopus? And can we return them at the airport as we leave Hong Kong?
Sep 4, 2015, 11:29 am
#116
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Credit card, however, can be used to purchase "Airport Express Travel Cards", which are special types of Octopus, which has one or two Airport Express trips loaded onto it, along with "technically" 4 calendar days of MTR subway train travels and $50 of cash. http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/ti..._pass_ael.html
Sep 6, 2015, 7:32 am
#117
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Only cash to get a regular Octopus. It's basically a cash card and you can redeem cash - you can imagine why you can't buy it with a credit card.
Credit card, however, can be used to purchase "Airport Express Travel Cards", which are special types of Octopus, which has one or two Airport Express trips loaded onto it, along with "technically" 4 calendar days of MTR subway train travels and $50 of cash. http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/ti..._pass_ael.html
Credit card, however, can be used to purchase "Airport Express Travel Cards", which are special types of Octopus, which has one or two Airport Express trips loaded onto it, along with "technically" 4 calendar days of MTR subway train travels and $50 of cash. http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/ti..._pass_ael.html
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The above reply make no representation of the company I work at and of my personal understanding / opinion
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