Navigating Hong Kong With the MTR and the Octopus Card

Hello everyone, I am back again with my blog post from Hong Kong. This week, I want to talk about the public transit system of Hong Kong, the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), and the Octopus Card. The MTR and the Octopus Card are both super useful, and understanding how to utilize them will make your stay in Hong Kong a lot more convenient.

The MTR is composed of 10 major lines that serve the three main regions of Hong Kong: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories as shown in the image below. In addition, there is a Light Rail system and a fleet of buses for connectivity across the region for local communities. The MTR is a convenient and cheap method of transportation that I have used to go into the city, especially since HKUST is located in Clear Water Bay in the east of Hong Kong, which is in the middle of nowhere. Despite that, using a combination of buses and the MTR, it’s possible for me to reach the shopping hubs in the heart of Hong Kong, Kowloon, in about an hour for only about HK$20. At HKUST, there are two bus stops, the North and South stop. If you want to get to places, you can simply take a bus to an MTR station, which will allow you to transfer to anywhere you want to go in Hong Kong. You may ask, if this MTR system is so great, how do you pay for it? That’s where the Octopus Card comes into play.

Another awesome thing in Hong Kong is the Octopus Card. Normally, people who live in Hong Kong can get the loaned version from the government, but this is not possible as a tourist as it requires a Hong Kong ID to register. However, there are tourist versions with a cute design that we can use and keep as a souvenir when we leave Hong Kong. To get this card, you can walk into any convenience store such as a 7-Eleven or Circle K, which are all over Hong Kong, and get it for HK$39. You can also top up your Octopus Card at the same convenience stores using cash. This little card is not used only for public transit; there are other use cases. The Octopus Card can be used for purchases in the same convenience stores where you topped up the card. Furthermore, small purchases from local stores and restaurants all accept Octopus Cards as a valid form of payment. Beyond that, vending machines, museums, and cinemas all accept this card, which makes it a versatile tool for daily transactions. Its widespread acceptance makes the Octopus Card an essential item for both locals and visitors alike in Hong Kong.

And there you have it, utilizing the MTR public transit system and getting yourself an Octopus Card as soon as you arrive in Hong Kong will make your stay a lot smoother. Both systems are impressive with how reliable they are and how much the local citizens rely on them. Be sure to download the MTR app, which can show you how to transfer between the lines and check for any delays. Also, remember to always keep your Octopus Card topped up to avoid going into the negatives and any inconveniences. Until next time, stay cool and stay safe, Andrew out.