Folks,

With generous help from fellow Fodorites (particularly rkkwan), I have the whole HK itinerary figured out.

Just trying to work out the minutia; I am planning to take the Airport Express from the airport to Kowloon. Their website says there is a complimentary shuttle (K3) to my hotel (Kowloon Hotel on Nathan Road). However, I've read posts Fodors that say the shuttle costs $120. What's the lowdown? Or is it just easier/faster to take a cab?

Also, I am planning to buy this Octopus card; should (or can) I combine this with my Airport Express fare or are these two separate? What makes more sense?

Many thanks,
Lenny

P.S. Regarding my second question, I think it makes sense to buy one round trip Airport Express card ($180), plus one Octopus card worth $150 (I will be by myself and staying for 3 days).

Sounds good?

The fastest way to commte from the airport is the Airport Express. Using your Octopus card to buy an Airport Express ticket means buying the full fare ticket of $100/one way. Buying return from the counter is slightly cheaper - $180. The cheapest is clubbing up with people in the queue - anything over 3 is a "group" ticket and prices go down. The shuttle bus may indeed be complimentary if it says so on the hotel website so I'd mail the hotel rather than rely on Fodors for this one. The taxi is the most expensive option - expect it to cost upwards of $250. For a 3 day trip IMO $150 on your Octopus card is a lot - even including things like Peak Tram touristy prices you may not use it. Start with $100 IMO.

Lenny -

First, let me explain the shuttle. The K3 from the Airport Express (AE for short) Kowloon station to the various hotels is free. I think frequency is every 12 minutes, or you can take a taxi, which is inexpensive (HK$30-40, or US$5).

The $120 shuttles are two private run companies that take you direct from airport to whatever hotel you specify.

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Now, the Octopus card. The Octopus is a stored value card that can be used for almost all public transport (except taxi), supermarket and convenient store, parking meter, pay phone, etc... It's a must have for all visitors (except those who only use private Rolls Royces and Mercedes around town. )

Now, if you're planning to use the AE to/from airport and are staying in Hong Kong for three days, then there's a particular sub-type of Octopus that's perfect for you:

It's clumsily called the Airport Express Tourist Octopus "3-Day Hong Kong Transport Pass". Website is here:

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/ae_tourtickete.htm

For $300, you get:
- 2 AE ride
- 72 hours of unlimited MTR service
- HK$20 for all other use (ie. other public transport, convenient store, pay phone, etc...)
- HK$50 deposit if you return your card.

Now, if you break this down 2 AE ride to Kowloon = HK$180. So, you get 72 hours or MTR for HK$50, which is not a bad deal. Since I beleive you said you would like to go to Po Lin Monastery, the MTR ride from Tung Chung back to the city alone is about HK$20.

One more thing about this card. It has only HK$20 for "other use". This is definitely not enough, as you'll be using it for the Peak Tram, ferry to Lantau, buses to Stanley, etc... But since the Octopus is a stored value card, you can add money to it, and you can get all the unused portion when you return your card. You can recharge the card at all MTR, AE or KCR train stations. Make sure you have plenty of money on the card before heading to Lantau. The ferry is about HK$20, and each bus ride is about HK$15 on Lantau.

I don't know if you can pay for the card with a credit card or not. [You can for AE tickets, but not for regular Octopus.] Since it's a cash card, you cannot use a credit card to recharge it. Cash only.

Boy, are you guys fast or what?

Thank you for the speedy replies.

I understand everything and was actually thinking about getting that "3-day HK Pass" for $300 - I was hesitant because I reckoned $20 for "other" is not enough! You've answered this before I even got around to asking! Good job!

So, I gather that I can add value at any MTR station at a machine, correct?

Again, a big thank you.

Correct. There are machines at all MTR, AE or KCR stations to add value to your card. You can even do it when you first get your card at the airport station.

I can't thank you enough!

Cheers,
Lenny