Octopus Card is a multi usage electronic card, it is part of the electronic charging system in Hong Kong. First used in 1st September, 1997, Octopus Card was only used on bus and MTR. Later the range expanded to many places such as stores, restaurants, parking lots and later as entrance card to schools, office buildings and residential buildings. Octopus is one of the earliest and most successful electronic currencies in the world. At present, there are three types of Octopus Card for residents and visitors, these are On-Loan Octopus, Sold Octopus and Airport Express Travel Pass.

 On-Loan Octopus Card
An On-loan Octopus Card is a card lent by Octopus Card Limited to you. You are required to pay a refundable deposit that covers the card cost and possible negative value. There are two kinds of On-Loan Octopus Card: Standard and Personalized Octopus Card.

	Standard			Personalized
	Child	Adult	Elder
Deposit	HK$50	HK$50	HK$50	HK$50
Initial Stored Value	HK$20	HK$100	HK$20	HK$30
Handling Charge	--	--	--	HK$20
Fare Concession Eligibility	Age 3-11	No Concession	Varies among Transport Companies	Automatic

 Sold Octopus Card
A Sold Octopus Card is a specially designed Octopus Card sold to you. It has no useable value when you buy it, holds no deposit and can not be refunded unless you add value to it. Any remaining value on your Sold Octopus Card is refundable. The Sold Octopus Card Cards have more delicate designs and their selling prices are a bit higher. Sold Octopus Card includes Octopus Card Ornaments, Special Edition Octopus Card, Licensed Octopus Card Products and Octopus Card for Corporations.

 Airport Express Travel Pass
Airport Express Travel Pass is an Octopus Card with either one or two Airport Express single journey(s) plus 3 consecutive days of unlimited travel on MTR (except Airport Express, East Rail Line First Class, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations). 

 How to obtain Octopus Card?
 Standard Octopus can be bought at following places:
 MTR Customer Service Centres: All stations (except Racecourse station)
 Light Rail Customer Service Centres: Ferry Pier Terminus, Leung King, Town Centre, Yuen Long Terminus, Tin Yat, Siu Hong and Tin Shui Wai stations
 KMB Customer Service Centre: Sha Tin Central Bus Terminus
 New World First Ferry Octopus Card Service Centres: Piers of Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Central Piers 5 & 6
 New World First Bus Customer Service Centre: Admiralty (East) Bus Terminus
 Personalized Octopus Card could be obtained by applying. You can either obtain an application form from the official website of Octopus Card or Service Centres. After completing the form, return it in person to any one of the Customer Service Centres mentioned below to complete the application procedure. To get a Personalized Octopus Card, you need to pay HK$100, which includes HK$50 refundable deposit, HK$30 initial stored value and HK$20 handling fee. Here is the list of Service Centres:
 MTR Customer Service Centres: Chai Wan, Choi Hung, Diamond Hill, Hung Hom, Kwai Hing, Lai Chi Kok, Lam Tin, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Quarry Bay (Taikoo Place), Sai Wan Ho, Sha Tin, Sheung Shui, Tai Wo Hau, Tung Chung and Yau Tong stations 
 Light Rail Customer Service Centres: Ferry Pier Terminus, Leung King, Town Centre, Yuen Long Terminus, Tin Yat and Tin Shui Wai stations 
 New World First Ferry Octopus Card Service Centres at Central Piers 5 & 6
 Sold Octopus Card can be obtained through different ways, mostly they are sold in the licensed stores or on-line.

 How to use Octopus Card?
Octopus can be used in Hong Kong as well as some stores in Macau and Shenzhen. In Hong Kong, Octopus can be used on transportation, retailing stores, parking, self-service, leisure facilities and access control and other places like some hospitals and schools displaying the Octopus logo ('∞', like a number 8 on its side). In Macau, Octopus can be used in the KFC in Rua do Campo and Sands Casino. In Shenzhen, Octopus can be used in Fairwood Fast Food, Café de Coral Shenzhen Duty-free Group Stores displaying the Octopus Logo.
Tips:
1. The exchange rate for Renminbi (RMB) transactions in Shenzhen is set by the individual merchant.
2. The exchange rate for Pataca transactions in Macau is 1 MOP to HK$1.

 How to check your balance and recent transactions?
Balance appears whenever you make a purchase. Users can also check their last 10 transactions at the following places:
 At Octopus Enquiry Machines at MTR stations 
 By requesting a printout at an MTR Customer Service Centre and 7-Eleven or Circle-K outlet (a HK$3 fee will be charged by these service providers.) 
 Using a PCCW eye device 
 Using an Octopus PC Reader

 How to reload Octopus Card?
Your Octopus can be reloaded up to HK$1,000 in total value at thousands of locations throughout Hong Kong by cash. You can reload at the following places: 
 Authorized Add Value Service Providers, such as convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food chains. 
 Any Customer Service Centres of MTR, Airport Express Line and Light Rail.
 KMB Customer Service Centre at the Sha Tin Central Bus Terminus 
 New World First Ferry Octopus Service Centres at the piers on Cheung Chau, Mui Wo and Peng Chau and at Central piers 5 and 6 
 New World First Bus Customer Service Centre at the Admiralty (East) Bus Terminus 
 Citybus Customer Service Centre at the Central Exchange Square Bus Terminus 
 You can also top up using Add Value Machines at MTR and selected Light Rail Stations.
What's more, you can reload your Octopus by electronic fund transfer at selected ATMs of the AEON ATM network (applicable to AEON Credit Card holders only).

 How to claim a refund from Octopus?
For On-Loan Octopus (both Standard and Personalized Octopus), you can go to any MTR Customer Service Centre to apply for a refund of your remaining value. If the remaining value is less than HK$500, you will receive an on-the-spot refund of your HK$50 deposit (applicable to Standard On-Loan Octopus only) and the remaining value, if any. If you want to refund the remaining value in Sold Octopus, you need to call 2266 2222 for assistance, your Octopus will be checked at the office.

In the following situations, the Octopus will be sent back to Octopus Cards Limited for refund processing and they will notify you of the refund arrangement within seven working days of your application:
 An On-Loan Octopus is damaged
 The remaining value is more than HK$500
 You have a Personalized Octopus

 Tips:
1. If the Octopus Card has been damaged or altered, you need to pay HK$30 to get back your remaining value and the deposit (Includes damage or alteration through delaminating, bending, cutting, breaking, graffiti or attachment of stickers or photos).
2. If you apply for a refund within three months of issue, you need to pay HK$7 for Standard Octopus Card.
3. You need to pay HK$10 for Personalized Octopus Card refunding.