It is recommended to purchase the Tourist Octopus, which costs HK$39 with no deposit, no mandatory top-up, and can be kept as a souvenir when the card is returned.

The HK$50 deposit for the standard version cannot be refunded, but the HK$150 top-up amount can be refunded or transferred to another payment method.

It can be purchased at the airport, over 900 7-Eleven and Circle K stores across Hong Kong, and MTR station customer service centres, with some locations offering 24-hour service.

You can top up at self-service machines in MTR stations, 7-Eleven, and Circle K using cash or credit cards, or at the MTR customer service centre. You can also link a credit card to the app for automatic top-ups.

Octopus cards are approximately HK$0.5-2 cheaper than single journey tickets and offer transfer discounts. The Star Ferry and some bus routes only accept Octopus or QR Code.

The tourist version becomes invalid and cannot be used after returning the card, but can be kept as a souvenir; the standard version can be kept and topped up repeatedly indefinitely.

Yes, iPhone X or later or Apple Watch Series 3 or later support the Octopus app with a virtual card. Fares and transfer discounts are identical to the physical card, but it must be set up within Hong Kong.

If the standard version is returned within 90 days with five or fewer transactions and a balance exceeding HK$1,000, a handling fee of HK$11 or 1% of the balance (whichever is higher) applies.