Hong Kong MTR without Octopus

[caesium5]

Understand that starting from 23 December 2023, passengers can use Visa’s Contactless Bank Cards (Credit Card or Debit Card) to enter and exit gates for MTR rides* (*Excluding Airport Express, Light Rail and MTR Bus)

Am I correct to assume that I should be able to travel within Hong Kong without the Octopus Card? I am using an Andriod Phone so can't use the Octopus Tourist app. Anyone tried and tested it?

Edit to add:
Any idea how to go from airport to city as the Airport Express train does not support Visa Card Payment?


Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[beanstalk6]

Buy tickets to the airport express from Klook.
https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activit...tyListCategorizedGrid_LIST&clickId=28511e186e

 

[really_noob]

Understand that starting from 23 December 2023, passengers can use Visa’s Contactless Bank Cards (Credit Card or Debit Card) to enter and exit gates for MTR rides* (*Excluding Airport Express, Light Rail and MTR Bus)

Am I correct to assume that I should be able to travel within Hong Kong without the Octopus Card? I am using an Andriod Phone so can't use the Octopus Tourist app. Anyone tried and tested it?

Edit to add:
Any idea how to go from airport to city as the Airport Express train does not support Visa Card Payment?


Thanks in advance for the help.

Airport to city can take their normal bus (like SBS bus), 1 hour journey. Airport Express is fast but more expensive, most of the HK locals don't use it as it is seen as more premium. Good thing is you don't get a large crowd most of the time. Airport express they have the counter at HKIA, pay in cash.

HK is still a "cash in king" country, do have some cash with you.

I tried to take bus with Youtrip card. Works well but took 2 days for the transaction to be posted. My main app was the Octopus for Tourist app on iPhone. Convenient but the exchange rate sucks when topping up the virtual card. It automatically converts to SGD and there is DCC charge. I'm going again at the end of the year and will use cash instead.

 

[s7460597]

Locals don't use airport express as it's easier to transfer to mtr or bus when using cityflyer buses. I've be been to HK many times but haven't taken the airport express even once. Nowadays it's the bus, no transfer needed when staying at mongkok or Jordan.


Don't understand why Singapore ezlink had expiration date when Japanese ic card and octopus card can use for years. Excluding when there's problem with the physical card.

 

[Garlic & Butter]

please bring cash to use.
can draw cash using their ATMs. There is no ATM-fee imposed by their banks.

their octopus has no expiry date (only becomes "inactive" after 1000 days) btw

 

[ashethen]

Take citybus from the airport. Can use visa card like MTR. I used trust debit card no problem

 

[galliano]

I tried to take bus with Youtrip card. Works well but took 2 days for the transaction to be posted. My main app was the Octopus for Tourist app on iPhone. Convenient but the exchange rate sucks when topping up the virtual card. It automatically converts to SGD and there is DCC charge. I'm going again at the end of the year and will use cash instead.

I can’t seem to add the Octopus card into my Apple Wallet directly (unlike Japan’s Sucia/Passmo).
So basically you have to download the Octopus App, then top up using Apple Pay (YouTrip)?

 

[really_noob]

I can’t seem to add the Octopus card into my Apple Wallet directly (unlike Japan’s Sucia/Passmo).
So basically you have to download the Octopus App, then top up using Apple Pay (YouTrip)?

You have to use Octopus for Tourist App. Top up using Apple Pay, whichever card that is linked, Youtrip doesn't make much of a difference because the app will bill to your CC in SGD, which is why your CC will charge you dynamic currency conversion.

From the Octopus for Tourist App, there is an option for you to add the card into Apple Wallet and you can tap your phone at the MTR gantry.

 

[hellhole]

this octopus for tourist app for android is through the huawei appgallery?

other android phone can be used i guess...?

 

[s7460597]

Take citybus from the airport. Can use visa card like MTR. I used trust debit card no problem

For small discount can buy return ticket from ticket window near the airport bus terminal.

https://www.citybus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/concession/cityflyer_prepaid_e.html

 

[ashethen]

For small discount can buy return ticket from ticket window near the airport bus terminal.

https://www.citybus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/concession/cityflyer_prepaid_e.html

It was closed when I was there last week

 

[galliano]

You have to use Octopus for Tourist App. Top up using Apple Pay, whichever card that is linked, Youtrip doesn't make much of a difference because the app will bill to your CC in SGD, which is why your CC will charge you dynamic currency conversion.

From the Octopus for Tourist App, there is an option for you to add the card into Apple Wallet and you can tap your phone at the MTR gantry.

Thanks.

Am in HK since yesterday.
And yes, i
1. Using Octopus card in my Apple Wallet.
2. Top ups are via Octopus for Tourist App (only accepts SGD transactions)

Anyway, below is my comments on SG locals travelling in HK.

Best option:
1. Use TRUST card (or any other multi-currency Visa)
- The MTR stations all accept Visa e-payments only (None for Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc)
- I notice that Trust does not really charge surplus.

- Drawback: there are selected gantries only at each station that accepts Visa e-payment. But it’s not difficult to find anyway. Just look out for the Visa sticker at the gantry
- The transactions are updated only the next day

Just my 2 cent worth of comments.

Cash: for small shops
Credit cards: for basically everything else. My YouTrip is practically accepted everywhere (Except of course MTR)

 

[really_noob]

Thanks.

Am in HK since yesterday.
And yes, i
1. Using Octopus card in my Apple Wallet.
2. Top ups are via Octopus for Tourist App (only accepts SGD transactions)

Anyway, below is my comments on SG locals travelling in HK.

Best option:
1. Use TRUST card (or any other multi-currency Visa)
- The MTR stations all accept Visa e-payments only (None for Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc)
- I notice that Trust does not really charge surplus.

- Drawback: there are selected gantries only at each station that accepts Visa e-payment. But it’s not difficult to find anyway. Just look out for the Visa sticker at the gantry
- The transactions are updated only the next day

Just my 2 cent worth of comments.

Cash: for small shops
Credit cards: for basically everything else. My YouTrip is practically accepted everywhere (Except of course MTR)

Hi bro, if you setup the Octopus card in Apple Wallet already, it sounds like you didn't use it much? MTR you using Visa. Previously I also used Octopus on Apple Wallet for meals at small cafes, if that is accepted.

I'm visiting HK again in Nov, I'm thinking I'll either change more cash to top up a physical Octopus card for MTR, small shops that don't take credit card I'll pay cash. For bus, I will tap Youtrip card (tested before it works).

My problem with the Octopus on Apple Wallet is the app converts to SGD and I got charged DCC by my credit card company. Read in the other thread that AMEX has no DCC charges so I might try that.

 

[galliano]

Hi bro, if you setup the Octopus card in Apple Wallet already, it sounds like you didn't use it much? MTR you using Visa. Previously I also used Octopus on Apple Wallet for meals at small cafes, if that is accepted.

I'm visiting HK again in Nov, I'm thinking I'll either change more cash to top up a physical Octopus card for MTR, small shops that don't take credit card I'll pay cash. For bus, I will tap Youtrip card (tested before it works).

My problem with the Octopus on Apple Wallet is the app converts to SGD and I got charged DCC by my credit card company. Read in the other thread that AMEX has no DCC charges so I might try that.

Yes.. i only use Octopus card for public transport.
I do not have a Trust card (multi-currency, VISA).

Thus, i think the best & most preferred option in HK for us SGs is
- a Visa Multi-currency card for transportation need (Tap & go) and withdraw cash for use

 

[x3nor_S]

YouTrip card can only top up once then after that got error don’t know why

 

[pclow59]

MTR Continues to Enhance Contactless Bank Card Payment Service by Adding Mastercard and UnionPay for Smart Travel

 

[twinbaby]

It is possible to use your visa or MasterCard to travel on the MTR.
It depends on which turnstile or gantry you are at the moment. For myself I have never almost used the octopus card for payment because I used Alipay as a mode of payment when I visited the shops.

 

[pclow59]

It is possible to use your visa or MasterCard to travel on the MTR.
It depends on which turnstile or gantry you are at the moment. For myself I have never almost used the octopus card for payment because I used Alipay as a mode of payment when I visited the shops.

Yes, You can pay on every MTR buses with contactless MasterCard and Visa ( include airport buses) , Metro and Star Ferry accept Visa. You need one card per person.

 

[VodkaPear]

May check, if I use Octopus for tourist app and add the card to apple wallet.
If I wan top up, can I top up using cash via MTR station etc??

 

[kamsani0]

As a tourist, it is much more easier to just buy a normal octopus card. No need tourist one, no extra advantage.

HK$50 deposit, plus top-up HK$1000 value, or any amount.

Everywhere you go, almost any transaction payment using this one octopus card.

If no more money, just go to any seven-eleven stores and topup. Or any customer service counter at any MTR stations.

When you going back to Singapore, just go to MTR AirPort Express counter, return card and get full refund.

The Octopus card app that most locals add to their phone is so that it is easier to auto top-up via their local credit cards. No extra surcharges.

Octopus card app for phone also need to deposit HK$50.00. Dont know why.