2seeds

Can anyone comment on the Octopus Cards? Are they worth it and do they provide a benefit if we will be in HKG for about 3 and a half days?
Also, can you provide info on how to obtain them?
Thanks!

SJLBK

Octopus cards are great and necessary if you plan on traveling by the subway (or bus). They are well worth it, and I believe that you can "sell them back" if there is any money left on them when you depart (but I am not 100% sure about this).

If you are flying in to HK, you can purchase the card at a kiosk in the airport very near to where you board the airport express train.

rkkwan

I have described it many times on this board, but I know the search function is really crappy here, so...

The Octopus is a cash card that can be used on basically all public transportation (except taxis), convenient stores, supermarkets, parking meter, pay phone, and perhaps a few other things. <b>It is a must have for anybody staying in HK for more than a few hours.</b>

You can get one at any MTR, KCR or Airport Express station, but there's a HK$50 deposit to get it, and you'll only get HK$43 back if you return it within I think 3 months. And minimum amount to start a card is HK$150 ($50 deposit and HK$100 spendable).

Each person needs to get his/her own card, as you can &quot;beep&quot; it twice for get 2 people to ride the trains.

The reason it's a must have is that each bus, each MTR ride all cost different. You'll be carrying 5 pounds of coins if you don't the Octopus around Hong Kong.

The first place you can get one after arriving at HKG by plane is the circular Airport Express ticket counter right across from the customs exit. There are two, one on each side of the arrivals hall. But since they don't take credit cards, you have to go to an ATM or change bureau to get HK$ before heading back there to get the card. Before you depart HK, go to same place to get your deposit and unspent money back.

If you want to know more, go to www.octopuscards.com/consumer/en/index.jsp

There's also a subtype of Octopus that include Airport Express ride. I just wrote about this 2 days ago: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34703026

Last thing is that the card reading pads (on buses, train entrances) are very sensitive, so you don't have to hold it out. Most men just put it in their wallet and hold the whole wallet against the pad. Women usually put it in the bottom of their purse and just swing their purse at the pads. Super convenient, super fast.

rkkwan

One more tiny detail. You can spend &quot;into&quot; the deposit once, but once you're into the red, the card is locked until you recharge it (at machines in train stations).

For example, if your card has only $5 on it, you can still go ride a $8 MTR fare. But your card will then says $-3. You'll need to recharge it before using it again.

easytraveler

As usual, rkkwan is a marvel of accurate information!

I would only add that, if you are arriving and departing from HK Airport, you get $300HK. The card is good for the train (MTR) from airport into town and you'll probably need $300 for all your needs, including the train travel. Whatever you don't use will be refunded to you at the airport booth. It's really a very simple and very easy to use system.

Have a great trip!

rkkwan

Let me explain the HK$300 tourist MTR card again.

For $300, you get:
- two Airport Express rides(value $180-200.
- 72-hour MTR pass
- $20 to spend on buses, ferries, groceries, etc...
- $50 deposit

[There's also a cheaper one with only one AE ride.]

This is a sub-type of the Octopus card. HK$20 is defintiely not enough for your ferry/buses needs, but you can add money to it at a machine in MTR/AE/KCR stations.

The 72-hr MTR ride starts from your first MTR gate entrance. It doesn't start from when you buy the ticket, or ride the Airport Express. So, even though you have more than 3 days in HK, you may be covered.

Milliemoo

Can I start by saying what a great thread. Very clear information.

We've already decided to get a card and I've worked out from various posts and timetables etc what approx each journey we plan to take will cost. We plan to have a card each with $200 on it ($250 incl dep) and that is to cover....

Day 1: Kowloon - Mui Wo on star ferry &amp; fast ferry. Bus to Po Lin. Bus to Tai O Fishing Village. Bus to Tung Chung MTR. MTR to Kowloon

Day 2: Kowloon to Central on Star Ferry. Peak Tram Shuttle. Peak Tram. Peak Shuttle to Central. Bus to Aberdeen. Bus back to Central and then ferry back to Kowloon.

We don't need to worry about airport transfers. Does $200 sound right....or way off the mark ?

Thanks

Milliemoo

rkkwan

Milliemoo -

Star Ferry = $1.7/$2.3. I suggest the cheaper lower level. Better for pictures and you can see the crew throw the ropes.

HK-Mui Wo = $10.5/$21 ($15.7/$31 on Sundays and public holidays). I <b>strongly</b> suggest the cheaper slow ferry. Much better for sightseeing, and you can move around. Time difference is only about 15 minutes.

Mui Wo - Ngong Ping #2. and Ngong Ping - Tung Chung #23. $16 each way ($25 on Sundays/holidays)

MTR Tung Chung - Tsimshatsui. $15.1.

Peak Tram - $30 roundtrip. Shuttle $3.2 each way.

Bus #7 Central - Aberdeen. $5.3 each way.

You do the maths.

Milliemoo

Thanks for that,

I think I must have worked it out for $200 for both of us and got a bit mixed up somewhere.

I didn't realise that the fast ferry was only 15mins quicker. Worth getting up a bit earlier to catch the 08.30 me thinks.


Thanks for that.

Milliemoo

rkkwan

Let me make this clear. Each of you will need a card. I think HK$150 in each will be enough, if you're going to Lantau on Mon-Sat. And keep in mind there's a $50 deposit ($43 of it refundable). So, you'll need to get $400 to start 2 cards.

And don't forget you can use it in convenient stores, vending machines, etc...

There are plenty of shops at the HKG to spend your deposit, or just change it back to USD (though at a poor rate).

Milliemoo

Thanks and apologies, it's me that's not being clear. I did realise we'd need 2 x cards and $50 dep on each.

I'll stick an extra $50 on each just to be on the safe side. As you said, we can always get it back when we cash in the card.

Milliemoo

chinovice

Marvelous thread! Learn something new everyday.

I will be entering HK from Macau by ferry. Where should I buy the Octopus card, please?

rkkwan

chinovice -

The Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island is connected to the Sheung Wan MTR station via a underground walkway. You can get the Octopus at the station's manned counter.

HKGal

I don't think you need to buy 2 but you can use 1. Similar to NYC subway transit... you can swipe the card once for each person as long as you have the money. Also, its a bit pain to get your deposit back so I would keep it as a souvenir. It would be the cheapest and best thing you ever have to remember your travels by.

Don't try to put in the &quot;exact&quot; amount into the card. I would recommend putting in double the amount. You will use this card for EVERYTHING. We're talking about drinks, phone cards, vending machines, etc. Its especially useful at 7-11, which are everywhere and very handy to pick up that much needed drink and snack. You can always refill the card at many many locations... 7-11, grocery stores. Its easy and reliable. Think it of as HK debit card.

Also, if you are taking the ferry once then it should be enough... sorry not really all that &quot;fun&quot; unless the day is super clear and the boat is not too rocky/stinky. The MTR will take you from Central to Kowloon easy enough.. and its so much more efficient/cleaner then taking the boat.

And there is a difference between with the fast ferry. The harbor is really small so 15min is a huge difference... but the big difference is the environment. The fast boat is a bit modern looking and tends to &quot;jump&quot; up on the waves.. and the slow boat feels like a tugboat. Anyways, you are only there 3 days, so I would recommend a million other things for you to do then ride the boat across the harbor.

Go to the temple at Taishin, go to Lamma Island and see the big Buddha, walk the old part of Hong Kong island, just west of Central... check out the Lady's market in Jordan... or if you want that slow old school ride -- I totally recommend the old cable car/trolley on HK island. I think its only $3HK (about 50 cents) and you can ride from one end of the island to the other and get all the sights.

Or if you are feeling real adventurous... take the train up to Shenzhen (1st city in China outside of HK border) on the train. It takes only 30-45 min and costs about 60HKD. Going through customs at the china border you can buy an immediate 1 day visa to visit China for a few bucks (this I can't remember the cost...) and then you can enter China for the day and do all your major shopping. They take HKD in Shenzhen. Spend a few hours there and be back in HK by mid afternoon or evening. To avoid mobs, I always recommend starting early in morning and avoid going on weekends.

Anyways, enjoy!!

rkkwan

HKGal -

- Two people will need two Octopus cards. You can't &quot;beep&quot; two people in the MTR at the same time.

- Most visitors enjoy the Star Ferry a lot. I don't think they'll mind riding it across the harbor several times.

- The &quot;fast ferries&quot; to Lantau is not worht it. 40 minutes vs 55. But cost double? Do a visitor really care? On a slow ferry, they can walk around to take pictures, and have a better view of the harbor, the other ships, etc... On the fast ferry, one mostly have the stay in their seat and look out through dirty/scratchy windows.

- Americans need to get a full Chinese visa to visit Shenzhen. About US$50. Not worth it for a day trip, unless one's very interested in counterfeit goods.

Just my 2 cents...

2seeds

This is such great information we made the front page!!!!

chinovice

Thanks once again rkkwan.

Doubletee

The experts have long-since answered the Octopus query, but I had to chime in with praise both for the answers and simply to express my awe at the usefulness of the card itself. Hong Kong was a joy to visit in November 2004, and the ease with which I could explore Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and Lantau Island was impressive.

I'm a public transportation junkie, and I still can't believe that every other city in the world doesn't have the exact same type of card. (Although in researching my upcoming trip to Instanbul, I see that they have something called AKBIL that works on several forms of public transit too.)

rkkwan

Well, doubletee - The Octopus card is developed out of necessity. Before its introduction, it's a nightmare to use public transportation because one has to carry lots and lots of coins, and have to have excellent memory.

You can still easily find the reason for that nightmare. There are 4 franchised bus companies (though two are part owned by the same holding companies), two seperate government-owned train companies operating ~5 different lines, numerous ferry companies, HK Tramway, Peak Tram, etc... It's really unlike most cities in the world where the city government runs most public transport.

As a result, there's no transportation pass for tourists or residents. And because of the different lengths of bus routes and historical reasons with buses that go through pay-tunnels, <b>each bus route costs different</b>. There are also about 20 different fares for MTRs, based on lengths and whether you cross the harbor. Etc, etc...

Nowadays, the Octopus has developed into more than a travel card, as you can use it in many stores. But the reason of its existence is the unique, complex and confusing public transport system.

DonTopaz

Regarding Shenzhen: as rkkwan states, US citizens require a visa to enter Shenzhen. However, you cannot obtain that visa at the border crossing; you must obtain the visa before you arrive at LoWu (Shenzhen). If you know that you'll travel to Shenzhen, it's easiest and cheapest to get the visa before you leave the US. You (or your hotel concierge) can also get the visa in 1 day in Hong Kong, but the expedited visa will cost a bit extra.

You can get some decent bargains in Shenzhen, and you can also get made-to-measure clothes there. Most of the tailors will be able to deliver the clothes to your hotel in Hong Kong, so you wouldn't need to return to Shenzhen (which would require a multiple-entry visa). In my experience, the quality of custom clothes is fairly good (but not as good as mid-level tailors in HK), and the prices are extremely inexpensive: US$20-25 for slacks, US$80-100 for suits, US$10-12 for shirts. Anyone heading to Shenzhen would do well to get Ellen McNally's &quot;Shop in Shenzhen&quot; book (www.shopinshenzhen.com).