To add to the previous poster, since two+ persons traveling together on the AE can get discount group tickets, you actually won't be using the Octopus for AE travel. You will still need those, so might as well get them at the airport.

For most tourists, the only time where tapping the Octopus when getting off the bus is when going to Repulse Bay. When you board a bus for Stanley, like 6, 6X or 260 you are charged the full fare, but tapping again when getting off at Repulse Bay will save you about HK$2.6 to $4, depending on the route. Not much, but you will see others doing it.

I don't think I've *ever* done the tap out to get the partial discount to go to Repulse Bay.

and here is the link that details the group discount for airport express:

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/p..._4persons.html

Citybus says thanks to you. BTW, on the 260, no discount offered on Sat, Sun and Public Holidays.

I would always recommend the minibus as an authentic HK experience anyway ;)

If I recall the conversation with my colleague correctly, it should be 5 minute. Octopus is not designed for Double Tap for 2 person as it opens another can of worm and general a NO for transportation card system

This function is also subject to the Double Tap Detection System as well, though the time limit should be shorter

700 out of 18,000

I normally recommend people to get their Octopus upon arriving their destination, the customer service center are generally unoccupied there
No, you cannot use Credit Card to issue an Octopus nor to Top-up with Credit Card, it's Cash Only
A warm reminder is NOT to load too much cash on it (> HKD 500) or you will go though a long refund process which cheque will be issued.
Refund may cost you a service fee of HKD 9 if it's within 3 months of issuance except the Special Airport Express Octopus or "Sold Octopus Product"

As other FTer mentioned, it is recommended to take advantage of the "Group Ticket" of Airport Express as its generally a better deal for 2 PAX travelling together
Exact list varies, but
Hong Kong Side: 6, 6A, 6X, 66, 260, 15
New Territories: 77K

The route information on the station (and sometime on the bus) will clearly state that you will need to double tap to get the "Sectional Fare".

[Disclaim]
The comment I made here makes no representation of my company and is of my own opinion.
[/Disclaim]

It's 77K in the New Territories. 64K still only does sectional fares by cash only.

Any unused value in the Octopus card as well as the HK$50 deposit are fully refundable when one returns the card for cancellation on departure. One can do so at the MTR kiosk at the airport. Just allow an extra 15 minutes. A HK$9 administration fee will apply in most cases.

The money in the card is not forfeited if one is not able to use it.

But, as others have already pointed out, if you have more than $500 remaining, you cannot get a cash refund, but must apply for a refund by check with MTR HQ. So don't put too much money on it if you want an immediate refund.

Another thing you can do is just hang onto it and use it on your next visit. Octopus cards deactivate after 2 years of non-use, but if you take them to a service counter, they can re-activate for free and you retain any stored value.

The problem is to remember to cash them out. We had a family get together in HK last year and none of us remember to cash out the Octopus cards. Today our mom is going back to HK carrying all 12 cards to cash out. We are wondering if she would get in trouble cashing out all the cards at the same time... maybe they will think she is some kind of shady Octopus cards dealer...

I believe it's actually 1000 days since last use.

Nah, she won't. I have excess Octopus cards all the time from having guests over, or if I just left mine in the States before going to HK. I've cashed out 8 or 10 at a time before.

Thank you (ALL) for the tip. I can see now what to do... group ticket for the AE then an octopus purchase when we get into town.

G50

You should get your Octopus along with your group AE tickets at the same time. No reason to queue up twice.

Refund is done at Octopus HQ not MTR HQ (to be political correct :p )
It's 1000 day of Last Add Value #10
The maximum number of cards the service counter entertain at one time is 20 cards #9


[Disclaim]
The comment I made here makes no representation of my company and is of my own opinion.
[/Disclaim]

For those "elder" travelers
 

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