Originally Posted by
eng3
1. Airport Express Travel Pass:
b. Also, I can pretty much only use it on trains, no buses (in HK or Kowloon), not star ferry?
The "unlimited MTR for 3 (really 4) days" feature of the AE Travel Pass does work only on trains, but it's also a regular Octopus card. So, what you should do is add cash value to the AE Travel Pass (which you can do at the time you purchase it). Then, you can use one pass which will use your free MTR travel, or deduct money from whatever money you load onto it, automatically, depending on the mode of transport. Unlike regular Octopus cards, you can turn in your card at the airport at the end of the trip and get any residual money back as well as the deposit for the card without restriction or fee (as long as it's less than $500).
c. Can I order it online and pick it up at the airport when I arrive? The website seems to say otherwise but that doesnt seem to make sense for something designed for tourists.
I don't know, but if there is, there's absolutely no reason to do so. There are at least 3 places upon arrival where you can get them:
1. MTR tourist counter that's in the hallway as you're exiting Customs but before you get to the arrivals hall.
2. Circular MTR service counter in the Arrivals hall on the way to the train platform (there are two of them).
3. MTR service counter at your destination Airport Express station. There are no turnstiles at the airport station, nor ticket checking on the train, so you can wait until you get to your destination station (such as Kowloon or Hong Kong) and buy the ticket there.
It's extremely easy. You just tell them you want the AE Travel Pass, and whether you want 1 or 2 journeys on the AE. Every agent will speak English, and if you pay in cash (Hong Kong dollars only), the whole transaction takes about 10 seconds. They won't even ask for proof that you're a visitor unless it's obvious that you're not. There's absolutely no reason to make any arrangements in advance.