At a glance

  • If this is your first physical card as a traveler from South Korea, distinguish between the On-Loan card and the Tourist Octopus sold outright. The purchase card costs HK$39, excluding the deposit and stored value. If you add HK$100, you pay HK$139 upfront and have HK$100 available for transport. Treat the card cost as a souvenir expense.
  • Mobile Octopus doesn't work on every Android phone. The Tourist Octopus product for iPhone and Apple Watch requires an iPhone X or later, or an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, with the latest operating system. To top up with a card issued in South Korea, check which cards are supported in Octopus App for Tourists. The top-up screen in the regular Wallet app and overseas card support in the tourist app are different.
  • A physical card is easier if device setup is difficult or you need to manage a child's card. The On-Loan card requires a HK$50 deposit and a top-up; a refund after short-term use may incur a fee. The mobile version also requires a HK$50 deposit, and cancellation within 90 days of issue costs HK$11. Don't count the full refund amount as part of your travel budget.

Day by day

Suggested itinerary

See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.

Steps to get started

Check device compatibility → choose mobile or physical → add a small amount → settle the balance before you leave

Choosing a card and using it for the first time

Three things to finish before your first ride

Check the card type and top-up amount at the sales point. Get one card for each traveler, then check the balance. Use the same card to enter and exit the MTR. Trying to use one card for two people can disrupt your trip records. For buses and trams, follow the instructions on each payment reader.

Keep the balance low instead of relying on a refund on your departure day

You can get the remaining balance refunded from a purchase card, but the card will be deactivated for payments afterward. For mobile Octopus, request a refund in the tourist app; according to the official information, it may take 6–8 weeks for the money to return to your payment method. Top up in small amounts while keeping enough for your trip to the airport, and you'll be less likely to need a refund counter on your last day. If you transfer a physical card to mobile, don't assume both versions will work at the same time.

How to fit it in

Plan to check your supported devices and card options at the airport, then finish setup and top-up before your first MTR or bus ride. Allow 15–30 minutes for setup and check your card balance.

Reality check

Transport

Choose mobile or physical based on device compatibility, trip length, and whether you need a refund.

Time

Allow 15–30 minutes at the airport or station for setup and top-up.

Cost

The HK$39 purchase price covers the card only; top-up is extra. Compare the mobile HK$50 deposit and HK$11 cancellation fee within 90 days.

Safety

Have another way to pay in case your phone battery runs out or NFC fails.

If plans change

For a simple setup, choose either a physical Tourist Octopus or a mobile Octopus: if mobile setup fails

Use a physical Tourist Octopus or a single-journey ticket.

For a simple setup, choose either a physical Tourist Octopus or a mobile Octopus: if you have a large balance left

Spend it at convenience stores or on transport, and check the refund terms.

Small tip

If mobile setup fails, use a single-journey ticket for your first trip and choose a physical card at a station customer service centre. Check the official sales locations instead of assuming Tourist Octopus cards are sold at every MTR ticket counter.

Final check before departure

  • Check device compatibility and card types
  • Prepare a backup payment method
  • Decide how to use or refund your balance before you leave

Supported devices, overseas card top-ups, purchase prices, and refund fees can change. Check the official Octopus information.

Information checked: 2026-10-03

Google Maps

Check the location on the map

Use Google Maps to review the location and nearby route. Recheck opening hours and prices with the official source before visiting.

  • Get Set Up with Octopus and the Airport Express on Day One

    This article links to these materials for further reading.

    Decide whether to get an Octopus at arrivals and whether to take the Airport Express or an airport bus, and you’ll have solved most of your first-day transit confusion. The key is to choose the combination with fewer transfers and stairs to your hotel door—not simply the fastest option—and avoid leaving a balance on your card when you head home.

  • Set up your Hong Kong mobile data before you arrive

    This article links to these materials for further reading.

    Choose your Hong Kong data plan based on how quickly you can get online after landing, not just the plan name. Roaming is convenient if you want to keep using your Korean number for calls and verification texts. A compatible eSIM works well if you only need data, while a local SIM may suit you if you want a local number or in-person help. SIMs issued by Hong Kong carriers must be registered under

  • Start with a short ride on the Hong Kong tram

    More articles to explore in the same category.

    For your first ride, go from Central to Wan Chai. It’s a good way to get the hang of boarding and paying while taking in the streets. Regular trams on Hong Kong Island cost HK$3.30 per adult, no matter how far you ride. Board at the rear and pay when you exit at the front. These are separate from the sightseeing tram, which requires a reservation.

  • When a typhoon or rainstorm warning is issued, check the warning before your itinerary

    More articles to explore in the same category.

    Hong Kong’s tropical cyclone warning signals and rainstorm warnings are separate systems, and both can directly affect transport and facility operations. Follow official warnings and operator notices rather than judging by how light the rain seems.