 Last Modified: 2006-11-29 03:23:47.0
Manager Review
Author: Jade Butterfly (Last Modified: 2006-11-29 03:23:47.0)
Octopus Card
Octopus is a smart card widely used in Hong Kong for making purchases of goods and transportation. With an Octopus Card there is no longer a need to buy individual transport tickets or carry coins!
Where Octopus can be Used.
Octopus is accepted for almost all kinds of public transportation, including railways, buses, ferries, Peak Tram, tram way and most green minibuses. Many chain stores in Hong Kong accept the card including supermarkets, convenience stores, cinemas, bakeries, and fast food restaurants such as McDonalds. It can also be used at vending machines, photo booths and pay phones (see Where to use your Octopus).
How to Use an Octopus Card
All transport system stations and shops that accept Octopus have fare-deducting processors installed. When you put the card on the sensor, you will hear a ‘beep’, which indicates the fare or purchase amount has been deducted. The balance of your Octopus Card will also be shown on the processor. It is not necessary to take the card out from your wallet as the sensor can still read it.
How to Get an Octopus Card
Octopus Cards can be purchased at various outlets including MTR / KCR East stations and convenience stores. Every Octopus Card has a stored value of HK$70. The card costs HK$120 in total including a refundable HK$50 deposit. If the balance is positive, but still insufficient to cover the cost of a transaction, you may incur a maximum HK$35 negative balance. To use it again, you need to reload your card at Add Value Machines at stations, ticket offices and customer service centers of transport operators, or any retail outlets that accepts Octopus.
Tourist Octopus
Tourists may consider buying the following two kinds of Octopus Cards:
The Airport Express Tourist Octopus
The Airport Express Tourist Octopus is similar to the normal Octopus. It requires a deposit, has a stored value and is rechargeable. The price is HK$220 or HK$300 which includes the following:
- One or two Airport Express journeys respectively to the Hong Kong International Airport
- 3 days of rides on the MTR (except for the Airport Express Line). Counting starts on the day of your first MTR journey.
- HK$20 value for any transport system or retail outlet that accepts Octopus. The value will be deducted after the three-day MTR free ride period.
- HK$50 refundable deposit.
Sold Octopus
Sold Octopus is ideal as a souvenir. New collectible designs are regularly introduced. The selling price of Sold Octopus is HK$70 and it contains no deposit or initial store value. You need to load it first before using it. Any remaining value is not refundable. They are sold at all 7-Eleven and Circle K convenience stores and selected MTR and KCR East Rail stations.
Official Website: Octopus
There are not any reviews or tips here yet...
Tell other travellers what you think.
 |
