Octopus: everyday payment and travel

Where can I get a physical card, and what am I paying for?#

For a Standard On-Loan card, use a designated MTR Customer Service Centre: Airport, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations are among the exceptions. Check the official outlet list before travelling. The amount paid includes a refundable deposit and initial travel balance; refund conditions apply. An Adult Standard card costs HK$200 upfront: HK$50 deposit plus HK$150 usable balance.

Sold Tourist cards have a purchase price rather than a refundable deposit, and some packages include no balance. At the airport, check the separate arrival guide for the product and counter available. Ask which card you are buying and how much usable balance it includes. Residents seeking concessions should check the required card before buying an ordinary Adult card.

How do I top up with cash or a Hong Kong bank account?#

For cash, use an authorised add-value outlet such as 7-Eleven or Circle K, or a designated transport counter or machine. Ask to add value, follow the reader instructions and check the new balance before leaving. Carry HKD cash; card payment acceptance does not mean a shop accepts bank cards for top-ups.

For a physical card with a supported NFC phone, open Octopus App, choose Top Up Octopus and your card, enter the amount, then select a participating bank app. Complete its payment and return to Octopus App to tap the card and collect the value. FPS eDDA setup requires Wallet Plus or Pro (Verified); it is not automatically available to every visitor.

For regular use, check Octopus Wallet/FPS and Automatic Add Value Service options. Check your balance before a remote pier or trail: accepting payment does not necessarily mean offering top-ups.

How do I set up Octopus on my phone?#

Which app? On iPhone, search the App Store for “Octopus for Tourists”, published by Octopus Cards. It is a separate app from “Octopus”. Use it to add or top up your mobile Octopus with an eligible overseas Mastercard, Visa or UnionPay card through Apple Pay. The regular Octopus App supports local payment methods such as Hong Kong-issued cards, Octopus Wallet and FPS.

Apple Wallet holds the travel card; the tourist app handles overseas-card funding. Do not assume that Apple Wallet’s “Add Money” accepts your overseas Visa or Mastercard: Octopus directs these users to the tourist app. Once set up, tap your phone or watch at the reader; you do not need to open the tourist app for each payment. This iPhone route is not the setup procedure for Android.

The official requirements specify Android 12+ or EMUI 13+ and a device sold by an authorised Hong Kong retailer. Android requires a compatible NFC device, the Octopus App and an Octopus Wallet account: check the current model, system and regional requirements before choosing “Add Octopus on Android”. Keep NFC enabled. Check the balance before travelling; an overseas bank card is not automatically supported on every phone platform.

What should I check before transferring a card or changing phones?#

A transfer moves an eligible card; it does not create a second usable copy. Check eligibility for your exact product, particularly personalised, student or concession cards. In Apple Wallet choose Octopus, then “Transfer Existing Card”; on Android use the Octopus App’s physical-card transfer option and follow the NFC prompts. The original physical card is disabled for payments.

Before proceeding, check monthly passes, AAVS and building access with the relevant provider; not every service or reader works identically on mobile. Before replacing or resetting a phone, follow the platform’s backup and transfer instructions. Android Octopus transfers only between compatible Android devices; back it up before uninstalling the app or resetting.

Is a contactless bank card the same as Octopus?#

No. On supported MTR services, bank-card payment uses the Adult Octopus fare, but other MTR concessions and the Government Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme do not apply. An interchange between Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui counts as two separately charged journeys. Enter and exit using the same physical bank card or the same device. Other operators have their own acceptance rules.

Does Octopus automatically give me a pass or discount?#

No. Stored-value payment, a monthly pass and concession eligibility are separate. Ferry passes depend on the operator, route, passenger and ticket terms; they are not automatically unlimited travel or priority boarding. Residents should check student status, JoyYou or disability eligibility separately. Before moving a card to a phone, confirm that your particular pass and linked services can transfer.

Can I keep my Octopus or get a refund?#

You can keep it for future use; check the current inactivity rules. Refunds depend on the product: On-Loan Octopus returns the remaining value and deposit, less applicable fees; a Sold Octopus does not refund its purchase price. Mobile products have their own refund procedure. Check linked passes and services before cancelling, and allow processing time.

What happens if I lose my card or phone?#

Use the official lost-card service for Personalised Octopus, Octopus with Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS), or eligible Linked Octopus. An ordinary anonymous, unlinked card without AAVS cannot be reported through that service. For a lost phone, follow the instructions for your mobile Octopus product. Reporting does not guarantee immediate blocking or a full refund.

Can I use my ordinary Octopus in mainland China?#

No—not with an ordinary Hong Kong Octopus. For mainland buses and metro services, the separate Octopus–China T-Union card works at participating readers bearing the China T-Union logo. It is not a general payment card for mainland shops or restaurants.

Before crossing, top up in HKD and check the stored exchange rate: it expires after 365 days. Mainland fares are converted from RMB and deducted from the HKD balance; the rate includes a transaction fee. Mainland readers cannot trigger AAVS automatic top-ups, and the Hong Kong negative-balance allowance does not apply. Keep enough credit for your return journey.

If a gate rejects the card, check the logo, balance and exchange-rate validity; use a card-reading gate and hold the card still, away from other cards. A missed exit tap can leave an incomplete journey: ask station staff. Tourist T-Union and older dual-purse cards have different top-up arrangements—check the exact product before buying.