You have just landed at Hong Kong International Airport after a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Manila. The air is crisp, the signage is everywhere, and the Airport Express train is humming outside. You need to get to Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, or maybe Central, but the fare machines, line maps, and card options are overwhelming. Do you buy a single ticket? A day pass? That little card everyone seems to tap at the gates?
This guide solves exactly that confusion. Whether you are visiting Hong Kong for the first time or you are helping family navigate their maiden trip, you will learn where to buy and top up an Octopus card, how to use the MTR, buses, trams, and Star Ferry with real route examples, when each mode makes sense, how tourist passes compare to pay-as-you-go, and how to get your refund before you fly back to the Philippines.
What Is the Octopus Card and Why You Need One
The Octopus card is Hong Kong's contactless stored-value smart card. Think of it as a supercharged Beep card that works on virtually every form of public transport plus convenience stores, fast-food outlets, and even some vending machines. For Filipino travelers, it removes the need to fumble for exact change or decipher single-journey ticket machines every time you board.
There are two main types for visitors:
- On-Loan Octopus (Standard Adult) — The classic choice. Costs HKD 200, which includes a HKD 50 refundable deposit and HKD 150 initial stored value. Works on all transport and retail.
- Sold Tourist Octopus — A souvenir-style card costing HKD 39 (card only, no stored value). You load money on top. Non-refundable card cost, but the balance is refundable.
At roughly PHP 7.25 per HKD, the standard On-Loan card costs about PHP 1,450 upfront. The HKD 50 deposit (around PHP 362) comes back to you when you return the card.
Where to Buy and Top Up Your Octopus Card
At Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)
The easiest place to purchase immediately after clearing immigration is the Airport Express Customer Service Counter in the Arrivals Hall, near the train entrance. Staff speak English and can answer questions.
Alternative airport locations:
- 7-Eleven stores inside the terminal — sells standard On-Loan cards
- Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centre — sometimes stocks the Tourist Octopus and free maps
In the City
If you forget to buy at the airport, every MTR Customer Service Centre at major stations sells them. You can also purchase at:
- 7-Eleven and Circle K convenience stores
- Some McDonald's and Starbucks locations
Topping Up
Top-up machines are at every MTR station and accept cash in HKD 50 and HKD 100 notes. The minimum top-up is HKD 50 (about PHP 362). You can also top up at 7-Eleven, Circle K, and some retail partners by handing your card and cash to the cashier.
To check your balance, tap the card on any MTR fare gate or top-up machine. The screen shows the remaining value instantly.
How to Use Hong Kong's Transport Modes
MTR (Mass Transit Railway)
The MTR is Hong Kong's backbone. It is clean, air-conditioned, punctual, and signposted in both English and Chinese. For first-timers, it is the least intimidating way to move around.
Key lines you will likely use:
- Airport Express — HKIA to Kowloon (24 min) or Hong Kong Station (28 min). Fares: HKD 70-115 (PHP 507-833) depending on destination.
- Tsuen Wan Line (Red) — Connects Central to Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, and Mong Kok. Ideal for shopping and hotel districts.
- Island Line (Blue) — Runs along the north shore of Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town to Chai Wan. Covers Sheung Wan, Central, Causeway Bay, and Quarry Bay.
- Tung Chung Line (Orange) — Connects Hong Kong Station to Tung Chung and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for the Big Buddha.
- Disneyland Resort Line (Pink) — Dedicated shuttle from Sunny Bay to Hong Kong Disneyland.
To ride, simply tap your Octopus card on the blue sensor pad at the fare gate. The display shows your deducted fare and remaining balance. Tap again when exiting.
Typical MTR fares for tourist routes: Central to Tsim Sha Tsui HKD 12.50 (PHP 91); Mong Kok to Causeway Bay HKD 14.20 (PHP 103); Tsim Sha Tsui to Disneyland HKD 18.90 (PHP 137).
Buses
Hong Kong buses cover areas the MTR does not reach and offer excellent views from the upper deck. The main operators are KMB (Kowloon Motor Bus) for Kowloon and New Territories, and Citybus / New World First Bus for Hong Kong Island.
Board at the front and tap your Octopus card on the reader next to the driver. Fares range from HKD 4.20 to HKD 48 (PHP 30-348) depending on distance. Popular tourist routes include:
- Route A21 — Airport to Tsim Sha Tsui via Nathan Road. Great for hotel drops if you are not taking the Airport Express. Fare: HKD 34.60 (PHP 251).
- Route 15 — Central Exchange Square to The Peak. Cheaper than the Peak Tram and offers stunning views. Fare: HKD 12.10 (PHP 88).
Hong Kong Tramways (Ding Ding)
The narrow double-decker trams running along Hong Kong Island are an icon. They are also the cheapest ride in the city. The flat fare is just HKD 3 (about PHP 22) regardless of distance.
Board at the rear, pay by tapping your Octopus card or dropping exact coins when you exit at the front. There is no air conditioning, but the open windows and slow pace make it perfect for sightseeing along Des Voeux Road Central and Causeway Bay.
Star Ferry
Crossing Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry is both practical and scenic. The route from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central or Wan Chai takes about 8 minutes and costs HKD 5 (upper deck, PHP 36) or HKD 4 (lower deck, PHP 29).
Tap your Octopus card at the turnstile before boarding. If you are walking the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade and want to reach Central for the Mid-Levels Escalator or Lan Kwai Fong, this is far more atmospheric than the MTR tunnel.
Fare Comparison: Which Mode When?
| Route Example | Mode | Fare (HKD) | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HKIA to Tsim Sha Tsui | Airport Express + MTR | HKD 115 | ~30 min | Speed, luggage space |
| HKIA to Tsim Sha Tsui | Bus A21 | HKD 34.60 | ~60 min | Budget, seeing the city |
| Tsim Sha Tsui to Central | Star Ferry | HKD 5 | ~8 min | Views, experience |
| Tsim Sha Tsui to Central | MTR Tsuen Wan Line | HKD 12.50 | ~6 min | Rainy weather, speed |
| Central to The Peak | Bus 15 | HKD 12.10 | ~35 min | Views, budget |
| Causeway Bay to Sheung Wan | Tram | HKD 3 | ~25 min | Sightseeing, culture |
Rule of thumb: Use the MTR for speed and reliability, the Star Ferry for harbour crossings with a view, buses for scenic routes to The Peak or the airport, and trams when you are not in a rush and want to absorb the street-level energy of Hong Kong Island.
Tourist Day Passes vs. Pay-As-You-Go
Many first-timers wonder if a day pass saves money. Here is the breakdown.
Airport Express Travel Pass
Costs HKD 250 (PHP 1,812) for one Airport Express round trip plus 3 consecutive days of unlimited MTR travel. A single Airport Express ride to Kowloon already costs HKD 70-105, so if you are taking the train both ways and doing significant MTR hopping, this can break even or save slightly.
Best for: Travelers staying in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island and planning heavy MTR use across multiple days.
Tourist Day Pass (MTR)
Costs HKD 65 (PHP 471) per day for unlimited travel on MTR, Light Rail, and designated bus routes. Does not include Airport Express.
Best for: Day-trip warriors covering extreme distances — for example, Tung Chung to Shatin to Stanley in a single day. For typical tourist itineraries (Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Causeway Bay), you are unlikely to spend HKD 65 in one day.
Standard Octopus Pay-As-You-Go
For most Filipino first-timers on a 3-4 day trip, the standard Octopus card remains the most flexible and economical choice. You only pay for what you use, you can ride buses and trams (not always covered by day passes), and you can spend leftover balance at 7-Eleven on snacks or souvenirs before leaving.
My recommendation: Start with the standard On-Loan Octopus. If your hotel is near an MTR station and you are doing heavy sightseeing, add an Airport Express Travel Pass only if the math works for your specific itinerary.
How to Get Your Refund Before Departure
Do not leave Hong Kong with a loaded Octopus card unless you want a souvenir. Getting your refund is straightforward.
Where: Any MTR Customer Service Centre. The most convenient for departing passengers is at Hong Kong Station (connected to Airport Express) or HKIA Station itself.
What you get back:
- Your HKD 50 deposit (PHP 362)
- Any remaining stored value
Important fee to note: If you return the card within 90 days of purchase, MTR deducts an HKD 11 (PHP 80) administration fee from your refund. After 90 days, you receive the full deposit and balance with no deduction.
If your remaining balance is large, the staff may refund part in cash and part by cheque if it exceeds HKD 500. For most travelers, it is a quick cash handover that takes under two minutes.
Insider Tips for Filipino First-Timers
- Download the MTR Mobile app before your flight. It works offline for route planning and shows exact fares, interchange stations, and platform numbers.
- Stand on the right on escalators. Locals walk on the left, and blocking the passing lane draws immediate glares.
- Rush hour is real. Avoid the MTR between 8:00-9:30 AM and 6:00-7:30 PM if you have luggage or dislike crowds. The Tsuen Wan and Island lines are especially packed.
- Keep your Octopus balance above HKD 25 when entering MTR stations. The gates will not open if your balance is below the maximum possible fare for that line.
- The Octopus works at 7-Eleven and McDonald's. On your last morning, swipe it for breakfast or water bottles to use up small balances instead of wasting coins.
- Philippine passport holders enjoy 14-day visa-free entry to Hong Kong, so your transport concerns are the only logistics left to master.
Planning your trip? Mesho Travel And Tours curates Hong Kong packages that include airport transfers, hotel stays near MTR stations, and day tours — so you spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the city. Explore our Hong Kong tour packages to find an itinerary that fits your travel style.
Quick Summary: What to Remember
- ✓ Buy the standard On-Loan Octopus at HKIA Arrivals for HKD 200 (approx. PHP 1,450) — HKD 50 is refundable deposit.
- ✓ Top up at MTR stations, 7-Eleven, or Circle K in HKD 50 increments.
- ✓ Use MTR for speed, Star Ferry for harbour views, Bus 15 for The Peak, and trams for slow sightseeing.
- ✓ Day passes rarely beat pay-as-you-go for standard 3-4 day trips. Stick with Octopus.
- ✓ Refund your card at Hong Kong Station or HKIA before departure. Expect an HKD 11 fee if returned within 90 days.
Related Reading
- Hong Kong & Macau in 4 Days: Perfect Itinerary for Filipino Travelers
- Hong Kong and Macau Etiquette: Essential Customs for Filipino Travelers
- Browse Mesho's Hong Kong Tour Packages
Hong Kong rewards travelers who arrive prepared. With an Octopus card in hand and a clear sense of which transport mode suits each journey, you will move through the city with the same confidence as a daily commuter.
Ready to experience Hong Kong without the transport stress? Let Mesho curate your journey. Our Hong Kong packages include strategically located hotels, guided day tours, and airport transfers — so your first steps off the plane feel effortless, not overwhelming. View our Hong Kong packages or speak with a travel specialist today.
Author's Note — Grace Villareal
I have lost count of how many times I have watched first-time travelers freeze at the HKIA train gates, unsure whether to buy a single ticket or commit to a card. My advice is always the same: get the Octopus immediately, load HKD 200-300, and worry about refunds later. The time and stress you save on every single ride for the next three days far outweighs the minor admin fee. Based in Taipei and covering Northeast Asia for over a decade, I still believe Hong Kong has one of the most intuitive transport systems in the region — once you know the rules. Safe travels, and enjoy the harbour views.
