Originally Posted by
wco81
I wasn't expecting same-day return fare for Airport Express. I see $90 from HKG to Kowloon for a single and $160 for the return. Surely they don't' expect you to return the same day?
I did consider the Airport Express tickets with the 3-day pass but that's only valid on the MTR right? So if I want to use the Star Ferry or buses, that wouldn't work?
How do you pay fares on the bus with the OC? Fares vary depending on the distance, it appears. So do you have the OC read when you board and when you exit the buses? For instance, I may take the bus from TST to Aberdeen or from Central to Aberdeen/Stanley. Or another bus between Aberdeen and Stanley.
Also, can the OC be used to pay for the ferry to Lantau, the buses on Lantau Island, the cable car on Lantau? And the MTR back from Lantau to TST?
First, about the roundtrip fares on the Airport Express. Like you said, roundtrip ticket HKG-Kowloon is HK$160 (good for 30 days), so it's a little discount over two singles (HK$90 x 2 = HK$180). Some credit cards also get discount if you bought online. But it's absolutely ridiculous that they want you to use Navigator or IE only - who uses Navigator? These are not loaded onto Octopus, but actual separate physical tickets they give you.
When you asked why buy from kiosk over vending machine, it's for the group tickets and same-day return tickets, which are not sold at the vending machines.
Second, yes, 3-day pass only good for most MTR trains (and not all). Not on other transportation.
On most buses, fares are NOT based on distance, only where you board. So, you simply "beep" your Octopus when you board and that's it. I can tell you all the exceptions, and the one that a tourist may see is getting off the bus to Stanley at Repulse Bay. You "beep" your Octopus one more time when you get off, and you'll get a refund onto your Octopus. On these buses, you'll get off through the front door only, as the card reader is next to the driver.
Finally, yes, you can pay for all those trips you listed with an Octopus. Basically, you can use it on any public transportation except a few taxis (and I do mean a few actual taxis, if you're lucky enough to get into one), and most red-colored 16-seat "Public Light Bus" (some routes do have them).