Originally Posted by
Merlin666
Thanks for all the suggestions, I may have to revise my itinerary. As I only have one day I would like to visit the "must-sees", but I also just like walking around to get a feel for the place and its diversity of people and architecture (or lack thereof).
But how does this octopus thing work - which one to start with? And i guess if I run out of fare I recharge it and if I have too much I get a refund (at HKG airport)?
There are only two you should consider. A "regular" Octopus; or the Airport Express tourist card, which is an Octopus with AE rides, a MTR pass, and some value already loaded on it.
A regular Octopus is HK$150 to start, which has HK$100 on it, and a deposit. You can get all unspent money plus $43 of that deposit back. You can load it at any train station as well as convenient stores, which are all over Hong Kong. Just return your Octopus to the Airport Express service counter at HKG where you get your card in the first place, and you'll get your money back.
In fact, I suggest you return your regular Octopus BEFORE taking the train back to the airport, so you can use that HK dollars to buy your train ticket, instead of having so much HKD to spend or to exchange at the airport.