Back in the 90's, when Octopus was a world leader, it was amazing to see HKers 'tap and go' their entire handbag and for the card to be read.

I used an AU HSBC Visa Debit card earlier this month and the first ride worked perfectly (limited to the blue gates at the moment). Tried a second time and was declined so had to revert to HKD to buy a single ride (as I was in town for a total of 10 hours).

Back in HK now for a bit and just to relay my experience, the Visa contactless points are a great addition. They're very visible/easy to find in main stations, but you might have to hunt for them in less busy ones where tourists are less likely to venture. If you're on the taller side you may have to bend to touch them also which is a little awkward.

Octopus still better to have for that reason, but I was grateful to have another option since I had left my Octopus card and HK ATM card in HK and didn't have them immediately upon landing at the airport nor would the single ticket machines take my crinkly old HKD notes!

As I reported in my thread, not all gates have the Visa reader. You have to look for it. I've been using my CSR since January without any issues. I'm back in Hong Kong! I haven't had to use any cash except when I went to a mom-and-pop Chinese restaurant.

Just in case there's any interest, a quick report back: I got the Octo for Tourists on my phone and it worked wonderfully. Easy to set up, easy to add money to and so easy to pass through the gates at the MTR and ferry stations, as well as convenient for small purchases at convenience stores etc. Very quick to refund the small amount remaining on it once I had left HK. Would definitely use again if I get back to HK.

There is one instance where you definitely want to use an Octopus card. If you're going to spend more than HKD400 on metro/bus fares in Hong Kong in a single calendar month, then any amount over that will be rebated by the Hong Kong government at a rate of 33%. This rebate is not available if you pay using other methods (except for certain special tickets like monthly saver cards which you can register against your Octopus card to claim the rebate).

The reviews on the Apple App Store are dreadful...mostly complaining about the foreign transaction charges. How bad were they in your experience?

I'm only in town next time for 30odd hours myself, so I don't see me racking up too much spend...just transport to/from the airport, the star ferry and the odd metro maybe...

EDIT: Just found out that MasterCard works for tap on/tap off transit as well as visa...EXCEPT on the AirPort Express. Bonkers. Last time I had a layover in HK a couple of years ago I recall similar difficulties getting around. This may have been before the launch of the tourist card, so I managed to pay with a western credit card to get downtown, but failed miserably to get any further than the star ferry port - no octopus, no cash=no travel. I turned around and just went back to hang around the airport lounges.

Tourist octopus it is I guess. At least my bank doesn't charge FX fees so I won't be 'had' twice.

​​​​​​

You don't need an octopus to use the airport express, you just have to buy a ticket at the counter which you can do with a credit card (including on arrival at the city stations - just get on at the airport)

​​​​​ It's cheaper to find a discounted ticket online in advance anyway.

You do need octopus or cash for the star ferry

No, but it seems a little weird to buy a cash ticket for one thing, then use octopus for the other...it'd be easier to just use the one system for everything. Then again, Heathrow Express doesn't work with Oyster/Tap on-Tap off either.

I didn't know it was cheaper in advance though, I'll look into that. Thanks

This is true but I was recently shocked how hard it is to buy an Airport Express ticket for the return. Arriving at HKG, there are kiosks to buy the tickets with credit card even just emerging from customs, as well as closer to the train (unfortunately the QR codes for these tickets didn't work as well as Octopus on my most recent inbound journey). But coming back to the airport from Hong Kong station, you *have* to line up to purchase a ticket from customer service if you want to use a card, or else refill an Octopus by cash (and during my most recent experience doing this most of the Octopus refill machines next to the Airport Express train were out of service!)

Airport Express desperately needs the ability just to tap a credit card at the gates like is becoming common in the MTR and I can't see why this isn't being implemented - the gates are basically the same!

I'm just guessing, but perhaps Visa/MC give a special break on fees when cards are used to pay ordinary transit fares but not special services like an airport express.

Do you think their failure to address this "desperate" need is severely constraining ridership?

All I can say is that there were a lot of initially confused and then not happy looking foreigners queuing at Hong Kong station customer service and creating hassle-free experiences and good stories about them is a better way for HK to attract visitors and therefore riders on Airport Express than creating unclear and time wasting ones. Given Airport Express still seems half empty every time I take it I would say that could be helpful for its finances.

If I were running late for a flight and in this situation I might also consider taking an Uber rather than the MTR to the Airport Express since it would mean an uncertain wait time in line or the need for the right amount of cash/a working refill machine as someone who's habituated to using Octopus without the app (which is many HKers!)

Every HKer I know has their Octopus card auto-reloading off their credit card. I haven't done a cash top-up for many, many years.

But it is certainly the case that the Airport Express seems to be under-utilised, particularly compared to the CityFlyer buses from HK Island which are rammed full pretty much constantly.

And for 2 or more people, Uber or a taxi generally costs not much more than the Airport Express and a shorter taxi.

Yes it does. In fact when ordinary services are routed into the HEx platforms at Paddington you have no choice but to pay the HEx fare and then argue for a refund later...

I think it will happen eventually - after all it took 9 months longer to implement Mastercard...

I stand corrected. Is that a recent thing? I usually get through-tickets from outside London, or discounted advance fares so I can't say I've ever tried tapping on/off...but I distinctly remember the announcements that 'Oyster cards are not valid on Heathrow Express services'