Here’s everything you need to know about the Octopus Card – your must-have travel companion in Hong Kong.
The Octopus Card works across all public transport, shops, and even restaurants – saving you time, money, and hassle. Buy it at the Hong Kong Airport, top it up easily, and even use it on your phone with Apple Pay or Google Wallet. Yes, foreigners can get an Octopus card – and yes, it’s 100% worth it.
💡Tip: Top up your Octopus card with YouTrip via Apple Pay or Google Pay for the best HKD exchange rates!
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📌 Table of Contents: Octopus Card (2025)
- What is the Octopus Card?
- Why get an Octopus Card in Hong Kong?
- Octopus Card Hong Kong Price
- Where to Buy an Octopus Card in Hong Kong
- Octopus Card on Apple Pay & Google Pay
- Octopus Card Hong Kong Top Up: Easy Ways to Reload
- Octopus Card Expiry: Does it Expire?
- Octopus Card Refund: How to Get Your Money Back
- FAQ: Octopus Card Hong Kong
What is the Octopus Card in Hong Kong?

Image credits: Hong Kong Business
The Octopus Card is a rechargeable contactless smart card used by 98% of Hong Kong residents for public transport, shopping, dining, and more. It’s often called the “go-everywhere pass” (八達通), and with over 15 million transactions daily, it’s one of the most convenient ways to pay across the city.
Treat it like Japan’s Suica Card or Korea’s T-Money Card! Whether you’re hopping on the MTR, grabbing snacks from 7-Eleven, or buying coffee at Starbucks, the Octopus Card makes every transaction instant and fuss-free.
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Why get an Octopus Card in Hong Kong?
If you’re visiting for more than a day, you should definitely get an Octopus Card. Here’s why:
- Cheaper transport fares than single-journey tickets
- Tap-and-go access to MTR, trams, buses, ferries, and more
- Accepted everywhere: Convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets, vending machines – even some taxis
- Refundable deposit and remaining balance when you leave
Tourist passes might sound attractive, but nothing beats the flexibility and ease of an Octopus Card.
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Octopus Card Hong Kong Price
The most popular option is the Standard On-Loan Adult Octopus Card. Here’s the breakdown:
Total cost: 150 HKD (~S$24.60)
- Stored value to use immediately: 100 HKD (~S$16.40)
- Refundable deposit: 50 HKD (~S$8.20)
Other options include:
- Child / Elder Octopus Cards (with concession fares)
- Sold Tourist Octopus Card: (39-50 HKD | ~S$)
- Non-refundable, usually with no stored value. Less useful overall.
👉Best value: Go for the On-Loan Octopus Card – it’s refundable and ready to use.
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Where to Buy an Octopus Card in Hong Kong
You can buy an Octopus Card at:
- Hong Kong Airport
- MRT Airport Express Station: Look for the Customer Service Centre!
- 7-Eleven Stores in HKIA
- 💡 Getting it on arrival means you can immediately use it on the Airport Express train and beyond.
- Online travel platforms (pre-order and pick up on arrival)
- MRT Stations: Look for the Customer Service Centre! (all stations except Racecourse)
- Light Rail / Ferry Service Centres
- Selected 7-Eleven or Circle K stores
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Octopus Card on Apple Pay & Google Pay
Find it a hassle to hunt down a physical card? Good news: You don’t even need the physical card anymore – just go digital.
🍎 Apple Pay
- Use the Octopus App for Tourists to add a new card or transfer your physical card
- Top up in-app via Visa, Mastercard (like YouTrip!), or UnionPay
📲 Google Pay
- Use the Octopus App to add or transfer your card
- Tap and pay like normal – plus top up in-app with your credit/debit card
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Octopus Card Hong Kong Top Up: Easy Ways to Reload
Topping up is simple, whether you’re topping up by cash or card.
Physical Card Top-Up:
- MRT Add Value Machines – 50 HKD (~S$8.20) or 100 HKD (~S$16.40) notes only
- Customer Service Centres at MTR stations
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Circle K, VanGO)
- Supermarkets (Wellcome, ParknShop, AEON)
- Fast food chains (McDonald’s, Café de Coral, etc.)
- Retail stores (Watsons, Mannings, Starbucks)
Mobile Octopus Top-Up:
- Top up in-app using a linked Mastercard, Visa, or UnionPay card.
- Maximum stored value on an Octopus Card: 3,000 HKD (~S$491.96)
🧠 Tip: Top up with your YouTrip card to save more with competitive HKD exchange rates!
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Octopus Card Expiry: Does it Expire?
Not exactly – but inactivity matters.
- Your card becomes “inactive” if you’ve not made payments or top-ups for 3 years
- After that, a 15 HKD (~S$2.46) annual fee will be deducted from your balance until it hits zero
- Avoid this by using or reactivating your card at MTR Service Centres
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Octopus Card Refund: How to Get Your Money Back
Leaving Hong Kong? Here’s how to get a refund for your Octopus Card.
Physical Cards:
- Visit any MTR Customer Service Centre
- Instant refunds are available if the balance is under 500 HKD (~S$81.99)
- Higher balances may take up to 9 working days
Mobile Octopus (Apple Pay/Google Pay):
- Refunds can be requested directly in the Octopus App
- It’ll be credited to the card or e-wallet used for top-ups
Refund Fees:
A fee of 11 HKD (~S$1.80) or 1% of the balance will only apply if:
- The card is returned within 90 days of issue
- Less than 5 transactions used
- Balance exceeds 1,000 HKD (~S$163.99)
❗Damaged cards will result in a fee of 30 HKD (~S$4.92).
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FAQ: Octopus Card Hong Kong
Q: Can foreigners use the Octopus Card in Hong Kong?
A: Yes, absolutely! No residency required — tourists are encouraged to get one.
Q: How much is an Octopus Card?
A: HK$150 (HK$50 refundable deposit + HK$100 usable balance)
Q: Where to buy an Octopus Card at Hong Kong Airport?
A: At the MTR Airport Express Customer Service Centre or selected 7-Eleven stores.
Q: How to top up the Octopus Card?
A: Cash top-ups at MTR stations and stores, or via app for mobile cards.
Q: Does it expire?
A: No fixed expiry, but becomes inactive after 3 years of no use.
Q: Can I use an Octopus Card with Apple Pay or Google Wallet?
A: Yes! Just add it via the Octopus App for Tourists.
Q: Is the Octopus Card worth it for tourists?
A: 100%! Saves money, avoids queueing, and works almost everywhere.
Q: How do I get a refund?
A: Visit any MTR Service Centre (for physical cards) or request via app (for mobile cards). Handling fees may apply depending on usage.
A Must-Have For Your Hong Kong Trip

The Octopus Card is one of the smartest things you can buy for your Hong Kong trip. It’s cheap, convenient, refundable, and widely accepted – a true travel hack for tourists and locals alike.
Speaking of travel hacks… Don’t forget to link your YouTrip card to Apple Pay or Google Pay to top up your mobile Octopus Card via mobile contactless payments! Just tap and go – Hong Kong style.
Not a YouTrooper yet? Singapore’s go-to multi-currency wallet helps you save with great FX rates and zero fees. Skip the money changer and get a free YouTrip card + S$5 YouTrip credits with code <YTBLOG5>.
Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret it. Join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and Community Group (@YouTripSquad) for travel tips, event invites, and more!
Happy travels!
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