One of the most common questions people ask when planning their first trip to Hong Kong is: Do I still need to use cash in Hong Kong? Or has the city gone fully digital like mainland China? In reality, Hong Kong sits somewhere between the traditional and the digital. While there are still some places—like local diners or small shops—that only accept cash, most locals are already used to paying electronically, especially with the city’s most popular option: the Octopus Card .
So then, where can you buy an Octopus Card? How do you top it up? Is there a version made especially for travelers?
This article by Tsubaki will answer all your questions in one go. Whether you’re riding the MTR, bus, ferry, shopping at convenience stores, chain restaurants, vending machines, or making small purchases, this one card will handle it all. I’ll walk you through how to get a physical Octopus Card, how to top it up using the app, and how to save both money and hassle along the way.
Do You Still Need Cash in Hong Kong?
Once you arrive in Hong Kong, you’ll quickly notice that some well-known restaurants or famous shops still only take cash. But overall, Hong Kong is a highly digital city.
That said, when it comes to public transportation, chain stores, convenience shops, and even many cha chaan teng (local diners), electronic payments are the go-to choice. The most commonly used method is, without a doubt, the Octopus Card. In fact, some places accept only cash or Octopus, so carrying both is the safest bet—but having an Octopus Card alone will already cover most of your needs.
What Is the Octopus Card?
The Octopus Card is a must-have rechargeable smart card used for transportation in Hong Kong. Think of it like Japan’s SUICA or Taiwan’s EasyCard—you can use it for the MTR, buses, trams, ferries, and even at 7-Eleven, McDonald’s, supermarkets, and vending machines.
For independent travelers, this card is a game changer, combining transportation and shopping into one simple tool. No more digging around for coins or worrying about miscommunication when paying in cash—Octopus makes everything smoother.
It’s not just the subway or bus—we used our Octopus Card to take the ferry from Kowloon’s Victoria Harbour to Central Pier, too. No need to queue up for tickets—just tap and go!
Where to Get the Octopus Card: Online Pre-Order Options
Want to save time and skip the lines? Here are some traveler-friendly Octopus Card options available online:
✔️Hong Kong Upgraded Tourist Octopus Card (HK Airport Pick Up) – Includes HKD50 Credit
How to Use the Octopus Card in Hong Kong? Where Can You Buy One?
For travelers, there are two types of Octopus Cards: a physical Tourist Octopus Card and a digital version.
The physical card can be purchased or rented and topped up with cash, while the digital version requires downloading an app and topping up via credit card.
Buying or Renting a Physical Octopus Card
You can purchase a Tourist Octopus Card directly at the Hong Kong International Airport or MTR stations, or pre-order one in advance through travel platforms like KKday. Some platforms offer cards with preloaded value or limited-time discounts, so it’s worth comparing to find the best deal.
The biggest advantage of the physical card is that most MTR stations and convenience stores are equipped with cash top-up machines.
You won’t have to worry about the card running out of balance or incurring transaction fees when topping up with a foreign credit card. This makes it especially ideal for travelers who want to keep a close eye on their budget.
💡 If you pre-order online, you’ll receive a QR code for redemption. After landing at the airport, just go to the designated pick-up counter, show your QR code, and exchange it for the card. The process is quick and saves you time from waiting in line.
Where to Get the Octopus Card: Online Pre-Order Options
Want to save time and skip the lines? Here are some traveler-friendly Octopus Card options available online:
✔️Hong Kong Upgraded Tourist Octopus Card (HK Airport Pick Up) – Includes HKD50 Credit
Balance-checking machine at MTR station
You can easily check your remaining balance using these machines, just tap your card and the screen will display your current amount.
Use the Tourist App: “Octopus for Tourists”
If you’d rather not carry a physical card, you can download the “Octopus for Tourists” app, as long as you have an iPhone or an NFC-enabled Android device.
Once installed, you can activate a virtual Octopus Card directly on your phone.
However, please note:
・Topping up is only available via credit card
・The minimum top-up amount is HKD 100 (~USD 13)
・Foreign credit cards may incur poor exchange rates, sometimes up to 5–10% more
Personally, Tsubaki recommends using a physical Octopus Card topped up with cash as the main option to control your budget. The digital version serves as a handy backup, especially when you’re out of coins or can’t find a top-up machine nearby.
How to Set Up the App
・Search for “Octopus for Tourists” on the App Store or Google Play
・Open the app and register a new card
・Bind your credit card for payment
・Minimum top-up is HKD 100 (~USD 13)
・Once topped up, it will appear in your mobile wallet, ready to use
How Much Should You Top Up for Your Trip?
For our 4-day, 3-night trip, my boyfriend and I planned our budget in three categories:
1. Transportation & small expenses & some meals (paid with Octopus)
2. Meals & shopping (cash)
3. Major bookings like hotels or activities (paid in advance online)
We topped up HKD 1,500 (~USD 192) on the Octopus Card for transport and small purchases like convenience stores and cafés.
We carried another HKD 1,500 (~USD 192) in cash for cash-only restaurants and street food.
As for hotel, cable cars, and activity tickets, we booked in advance on KKday with credit cards.
This budgeting method made tracking our expenses easy and ensured a smooth payment experience throughout the trip.
💡 If you’re mainly using the Octopus Card for public transport, HKD 200–300 (~USD 26–38) is usually more than enough.
MTR rides typically cost HKD 3–10 (~USD 0.40–1.30) per trip, so unless you’re taking a lot of rides daily or using the card for all purchases, it’s hard to use it all up quickly.
Tips & Things to Note
・Once topped up, the card is automatically activated, you can use it immediately.
・If you don’t have enough balance before exiting an MTR station, the system will temporarily allow a negative balance, which will be deducted the next time you top up (works for both physical and digital cards. I’ve tested it myself!). However, once the balance hits zero or below, you won’t be able to use the card until it’s topped up.
Refunding the Balance Before You Leave Hong Kong
If you still have balance left, you can go to any MTR customer service counter and request a cash refund.
⚠️ But note:
・The card will be disabled after the refund.
・If you go to the Airport Express counter, they will take back the card, so you can’t keep it as a souvenir.
💡 If you want to keep the card as a keepsake and still get your money back, make sure to go to a regular MTR service desk, not the Airport Express counter!
Alternatively,
if you plan to visit Hong Kong again, you can simply keep the card for your next trip. No need to buy or register a new one, super convenient!
Where to Get the Octopus Card: Online Pre-Order Options
Want to save time and skip the lines? Here are some traveler-friendly Octopus Card options available online:
✔️Hong Kong Upgraded Tourist Octopus Card (HK Airport Pick Up) – Includes HKD50 Credit
With Hong Kong’s dense and efficient transport system, having an Octopus Card in hand makes everything easier. From getting around to shopping, this one card takes care of it all. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, this guide helps you unlock the smartest way to pay and travel in Hong Kong!
Notice for this article:
The above travelogue is based entirely on my personal experiences and subjective opinions from actual visits. All thoughts and impressions are my genuine and honest views. Please use your own discretion when referencing this content.
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