Can I buy an Octopus card airside at HKIA?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Nashville,TN
Programs: AA Gold Elite
Posts: 601
Can I buy an Octopus card airside at HKIA?
Have been to Hong Kong in 2016 for 9 days but stayed on Hong Kong Island and bought my Octopus card after exiting immigration.
Next time I visit I will be transiting though HKGIA and on to PEK on CX before meeting up with a tour there. Hate to have to go landslide to get an Octopus card as I want to by it before we return to Hong Kong at the end of our group tour. I have a 4 hour layover and my flight arrives around 5:15am. Might as well use that time to buy it then I guess.
Is it possible to buy an Octopus card airside at the airport? If not, any suggestions on how to buy it landslide in an efficient way? I will have access to the First class lounge at HKGIA so perhaps I can leave my carryon bag there to expedite back through security if necessary?
Also, can I use the card if I decide to take the ferry to Macau? Since I have seen the "tourist" sites in 2016 I am hoping to get out to Macau on the "tour day" and also want to hit the markets again-that is why I want the card-for MTR travel. Our group is staying at the Ritz Carlton for 2 nights.
Thanks in advance for any advice, and yes I know to use cash to buy the card!
Next time I visit I will be transiting though HKGIA and on to PEK on CX before meeting up with a tour there. Hate to have to go landslide to get an Octopus card as I want to by it before we return to Hong Kong at the end of our group tour. I have a 4 hour layover and my flight arrives around 5:15am. Might as well use that time to buy it then I guess.
Is it possible to buy an Octopus card airside at the airport? If not, any suggestions on how to buy it landslide in an efficient way? I will have access to the First class lounge at HKGIA so perhaps I can leave my carryon bag there to expedite back through security if necessary?
Also, can I use the card if I decide to take the ferry to Macau? Since I have seen the "tourist" sites in 2016 I am hoping to get out to Macau on the "tour day" and also want to hit the markets again-that is why I want the card-for MTR travel. Our group is staying at the Ritz Carlton for 2 nights.
Thanks in advance for any advice, and yes I know to use cash to buy the card!
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Posts: 8,171
With a layover of 4 hours, you have enough time to go landside to buy an Octopus card after your 5:15am arrival. I think the Airport Express station opens at 6am. I don't know if that is worth your time going through immigration twice and security once just for that card though.
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
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Enjoy the First Class Lounge.
It's as good as impossible to go from the lounges to landside now - I'm not au fait with the whole story, but just forget about that.
Also, if you're on a tour, presumably you'll have transport from the airport to the hotel sorted. Yes there can be queues at the desk in the airport, but buying an Octopus card will take a matter of minutes in Kowloon Station underneath the RC.
It's as good as impossible to go from the lounges to landside now - I'm not au fait with the whole story, but just forget about that.
Also, if you're on a tour, presumably you'll have transport from the airport to the hotel sorted. Yes there can be queues at the desk in the airport, but buying an Octopus card will take a matter of minutes in Kowloon Station underneath the RC.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2017
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#8
Join Date: Oct 2012
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And agree with fellow posters above. The Airport Express counter is literally IN the way and the OP will have to pass past it on their way to a bus or AEL.
#9
Join Date: May 2000
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#10
Join Date: May 2000
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I have to agree. Buying an Octopus card is only slightly more involved than buying a Coke from a vending machine. Going through Immigration control twice, plus security, plus finding a place to stash your luggage, all to do this a few days early?
#11
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LCA/KUL/RGN
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I still have my first Octopus card from the original batch in 1997. Wow - it's now over 20 years old! It still works, but makes a funny beep at the turnstile to tell me that I should trade it in for a newer one. I see now that they have a website where you can check the details of old cards (https://www.octopuscards.com/onlinef...y/en/step1.jsp). It says that mine will stop working as of 21 July 2018.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
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Also in my experience, as a HK resident that they seem to not work as well over time or in my case, the frequency of usage (ave monthly top up over $3000).
A newer card will read through my billfold's exterior pocket while a older card does not read at all. Some older "cards it is more than just a casual tap but hold on the reader for a few seconds for the "dood".
If it is the first batch I would hold onto it as an investment in collectables.
A newer card will read through my billfold's exterior pocket while a older card does not read at all. Some older "cards it is more than just a casual tap but hold on the reader for a few seconds for the "dood".
I still have my first Octopus card from the original batch in 1997. Wow - it's now over 20 years old! It still works, but makes a funny beep at the turnstile to tell me that I should trade it in for a newer one. I see now that they have a website where you can check the details of old cards (https://www.octopuscards.com/onlinef...y/en/step1.jsp). It says that mine will stop working as of 21 July 2018.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
I still have my first Octopus card from the original batch in 1997. Wow - it's now over 20 years old! It still works, but makes a funny beep at the turnstile to tell me that I should trade it in for a newer one. I see now that they have a website where you can check the details of old cards (https://www.octopuscards.com/onlinef...y/en/step1.jsp). It says that mine will stop working as of 21 July 2018.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
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Posts: 6,343
You can use an octopus to -$35, so keeping it only costs you $15 (and it's not difficult to take the right number of buses or buy something appropriately priced from a supermarket if you really want to get it down to exactly that)