How to Pay for Public Transport in Hong Kong: All Options Explained

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Wondering how to pay for public transport in Hong Kong without fumbling for coins or downloading five different apps?

Hong Kong isn’t a place where you can just toss a few coins in a machine and go. Most public transport is cashless, and while that makes things smooth once you get to know the system, figuring it out ahead of time will save you time, stress, and about five unnecessary queues when you land.

I first lived in Hong Kong as a kid, and I’ve been back more times than I can count. I’ve used every kind of Hong Kong transport there is—MTR, ferries, trams, buses, minibuses, airport trains, even the glass-bottom cable car to the Big Buddha. Some are easy. Some are weirdly specific. And some just don’t take the payment you’d expect.

This guide walks you through exactly how to pay on every type of public transport in Hong Kong, and why 9 times out of 10, the Tourist Octopus Card is your best bet for paying.

↳ Get your Tourist Octopus Card Here

1. How to Pay for the Hong Kong MTR

The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is Hong Kong’s version of the subway. It’s fast, clean, air-conditioned, and the easiest way to move around the city.

Payment Methods for the MTR

You can’t use cash for the MTR. You’ll need a contactless option, and not all of them are created equal.

A lot of travellers consider the MTR Tourist Day Pass because it sounds like a good deal. But unless you’re doing nothing but MTR rides in one day, it’s not worth it. It only covers the subway, and it won’t get you on buses, trams, or ferries, or let you buy a drink or snack when you need one.

That’s why I recommend the Tourist Octopus Card instead. It’s the most flexible, practical way to pay, and it works on just about every form of transport in Hong Kong.

Let’s walk through all your options so you can see how they compare.

MTR Tourist Day Pass (Skip it)

The MTR Tourist day pass is a temporary MTR payment card that expires in 24 hours.

• HK$65 for unlimited MTR rides for one day
• You buy it at MTR stations or online
• Only works on the MTR (not valid on buses, trams, ferries, or Airport Express)

I don’t recommend the MTR Tourist Day Pass. It locks you into just using the MTR, and in a city like Hong Kong, that’s limiting. You’ll probably want to take a double decker bus (to Stanley or the Peak), hop on a tram in Central, grab a Star Ferry across the harbour, or buy a cold drink at 7-Eleven. The MTR Tourist Day Pass won’t cover any of that.

Tourist Octopus Card (📍MOST RECOMMENDED)

The Tourist Octopus is a reusable, reloadable transport card made specifically for visitors.

• HK$39 for the card (non-refundable)
• Comes preloaded with HK$50 credit (when you buy through my Klook link)
• Buy it online and pick up at the airport
• Works on the MTR, buses, ferries, trams, and more
• Also works at 7-Eleven, supermarkets, and pharmacies

This is the easiest, most flexible way to pay for public transport in Hong Kong, and the one I recommend to all Hong Kong visitors.

This tap-and-go card lets you skip the ticket machines, avoid fumbling for coins, and breeze through gates, buses, and ferries without thinking twice. It even works for buying snacks and drinks.

There’s no deposit to worry about and no need to return it. You can get a refund on any balance before you leave Hong Kong.

↳ Get your Tourist Octopus Card Here

If you want to land, pick up your card, and start exploring, the Tourist Octopus card is the way to go. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to use the Tourist Octopus Card.

Standard Octopus Card

The Standard Octopus is what the locals use. It works exactly the same way as the Tourist version, but with a few key differences: you’ll need to buy it in person, pay a deposit, and remember to return it if you want your refund.

• Costs HK$150 (HK$100 travel credit + HK$50 refundable deposit)
• Buy it at any MTR station (Customer Service counter, cash only)
• Works on the MTR, buses, ferries, trams, and more
• Also works at 7-Eleven, bakeries, supermarkets, and pharmacies
• Refundable if you return it before you leave

Overall, the differences between the Standard and Tourist Octopus are pretty minor, but I still recommend getting your Tourist Octopus online before you arrive. It’s one less thing to sort out after you land, and you can get on with sightseeing straight away.

Single Use Tickets (Skip it)

You can pay for your MTR trip with a single use tickets. I don’t recommend relying on single use tickets. You’ll be using the MTR so often that purchasing a ticket each time will quickly become a hassle.

However, the choice is yours, of course. If you do want to use them, they are available from machines located throughout the concourses (you can get them from the customer service centers, too).

Simply insert your cash, and the machine will dispense a temporary card for you to use. Swipe this card at the turnstile (or insert it – some gates have slots. It’ll pop up so remember to take it). Hold on to the card because you’ll need it to exit at your destination.

Contactless Credit or Mobile Pay (I personally haven’t used this)

You can tap in with a Visa or Mastercard (if it’s contactless-enabled), or use Apple Pay / Google Pay, but:

• It’s available at special blue gates only (pictured below)
• Fewer gates = potential queues, especially at busy stations
• May incur foreign transaction fees. Check with your provider
• Introduced in 2024; not yet widely used by locals or visitors
• I haven’t used this method myself because it’s still relatively new (and I prefer the Octopus card)

2. How to Pay for Buses in Hong Kong

First off: I don’t recommend that Hong Kong first-timers rely on public buses to get around, including the double-deckers and minibuses. They’re confusing, even for me, and I’ve been coming to Hong Kong for decades.

That said, I make two exceptions: the scenic bus ride to Stanley Village, and The Peak bus.

(Okay, three if you count the times I hop on a random bus just for the joyride. Yes, I really do that).

If you’re planning to take one of those options—or you’re feeling adventurous and want to throw the dice—here’s exactly how to pay for buses in Hong Kong.

Payment Methods for Hong Kong Buses

✅ Best Option: Octopus Card (Tourist or Standard)

The Tourist Octopus card is your best option for paying for bus trips in Hong Kong.

Remember everything I said about the Tourist Octopus card under the MTR section? It all applies here too. It’s your tap-and-go magic ticket for buses, and trust me, you’ll want it.

Cash (Skip it)

Yes, you can pay cash on double-decker buses and green minibuses, but only with exact fare.

• No change is given. If the fare is HK$4.90 and you put in a HK$10 coin, you’ve just overpaid
• You’ll need coins (HK$1, $2, $5, $10). No notes
• Drivers don’t carry or handle money (and will pretend they can’t see you if you ask for change 🙃)

Honestly, paying in cash on Hong Kong buses is a pain unless you already have the right coins in your pocket, so I recommend avoiding this.

Contactless Credit or Mobile Pay

You can’t pay for buses with a credit card or mobile wallet in Hong Kong, but things are steadily moving in this direction.

3. How to Pay for the Tram in Hong Kong

Hong Kong trams, the old-school double-deckers that rattle through the middle of the street, are slow, scenic, and cost next to nothing.

They run exclusively on Hong Kong Island, trundling slowly from Kennedy Town in the west to North Point and Shau Kei Wan in the east.

Trams are not fast. But they’re retro, fun, and a great way to catch a slice of Hong Kong life.

Payment Methods for Hong Kong Trams

✅ Best Option: Octopus Card (Tourist or Standard)

Just like with the MTR and buses, your Tourist Octopus Card is the easiest way to pay for a tram ride.

• Flat fare: HK$3.00, no matter how far you ride
• Easy, fast, and no change needed.

Cash (Skip It)

Yes, you can pay with coins, but:

• Exact fare only
• No change is given
• You’ll need HK$1, HK$2, or HK$5 coins
• Drivers do not handle money (and won’t break a HK$10 for you)

Unless you already have the right coins in hand, don’t bother. Octopus is way less hassle.

Contactless Credit or Mobile Pay

Nope. These aren’t accepted on trams (yet).

📍 Payment Directions for Hong Kong Trams: Get on at the back of the tram (it feels backwards, but that’s how they work). Ride as long as you like (the fare doesn’t change). When you’re ready to get off, walk to the front. Tap your Octopus card on the reader next to the driver (or put coins in the slot). Leave through the front exit.

For more on Hong Kong trams, read my detailed post with step-by-step instructions on how to use the Hong Kong Trams.

4. How to Pay for Ferries in Hong Kong

If you’re crossing the harbour or heading out to an island, it’s hard to beat a seat in the open air and a bit of sea breeze. Plus, Hong Kong ferries are cheap and easy, especially if you’ve got your Tourist Octopus card ready.

There are two main ferry types:

• Star Ferry – Short hop between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, or Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai
• Outlying Island Ferries – Longer rides to places like Lantau, Lamma, or Cheung Chau

Payment Methods for Hong Kong Ferries

✅ Best Option: Octopus Card (Tourist or Standard)

You guessed it, your Tourist Octopus Card works here too. Just tap and walk through the gates. No queueing for paper tickets, no fumbling for coins, no overthinking it.

• Works at Star Ferry terminals and on all outer island ferry routes
• Tap once to enter the boarding area
• Fare is automatically deducted

This is by far the easiest option, especially if you’re hopping on more than one ferry in a day.

Tokens (Meh)

It’s surprising that tokens are still around, but you’ll still see them sold at ferry piers.

• Available at ticket machines or counters
• Usually require cash
• Slower, and you’ll need to queue every time
• No cost savings or added convenience

There’s really no advantage to using tokens unless your Tourist Octopus card is empty, and even then, I’d just top it up. It’s quicker, easier, and works across all transport.

Contactless Credit / Mobile Pay

Some ferry terminals have been adding QR codes or contactless gates, but it’s inconsistent and varies by route/operator. Don’t count on it working, and don’t expect support if it doesn’t.

📍 Payment Directions for Hong Kong Ferries: Walk up to the gate/turnstile, tap your Tourist Octopus card, and go. That’s it. No need to buy a token or line up at the counter. If you did buy a token, drop it into the slot at the gate before boarding.

5. How to Pay for Hong Kong Taxis

There’s a point in every Hong Kong trip when your legs are fried, the thought of another MTR transfer makes you groan, and all you want is to get back to your hotel. That’s when a Hong Kong taxi comes in handy. Thankfully, they’re everywhere.

Fares start around HK$29 (roughly USD $3.75), and every cab is metered and regulated. They’re safe, affordable, and easy to flag down near MTR exits, ferry piers, and big hotels.

Payment Methods for Hong Kong Taxis

✅ Best Option (for now): Cash

Most Hong Kong taxis are still cash-only. Some accept cards or mobile payment, but it’s not guaranteed, and you won’t always know until you’re already inside the cab. Better to be prepared.

• Bring small HKD notes (HK$20s and HK$50s work well)
• Coins are accepted but not required
• Drivers don’t carry much change, so exact fare is helpful

📝 A government rule change means all taxis will be required to accept cashless payments by January 2026. Until then, it’s best to assume you’ll need cash.

Octopus or Contactless Card?

Nope. You can’t use your Octopus card in regular taxis (yet). And while some premium fleets (like Joie or SynCab) take cards or app payments, they’re not the norm and usually need to be booked in advance.

📍 Payment Directions for Hong Kong Taxis: Tell the driver where you’re going (have a screenshot if possible). When you arrive, check the fare on the meter, pay in cash, and you’re done. Some drivers can accept card or mobile payments, but always ask before the ride. Tips aren’t expected, but rounding up is fine.

6. How to Pay for the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car (to the Big Buddha)

The Ngong Ping 360 cable car is the cable car ride you’ve probably seen in photos. It runs from Tung Chung up to Ngong Ping Village, right near the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. If you are on the fence about going, I highly recommend that you do. It’s amazing.

The Ngong Ping cable car is not public transport. It’s a tourist attraction. This means the Octopus card doesn’t work here so you can’t use it to pay for your tickets.

Payment Methods for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car

✅ Best Option: Book Online Before You Go

If you’re planning to take the cable car to the Big Buddha, do yourself a favour and book ahead. Here’s why:

• You’ll get a timed ticket and skip the (very long) queue
• You can choose a standard cabin or the crystal cabin (glass floor)
• Booking ahead is especially important on weekends or holidays
• There is no need to redeem a physical ticket from the counter. Just show your e-ticket (QR Code) to the Cable Car staff, and they will direct you to the correct line/queue (which will be miles shorter than the one without an online ticket).

↳ Book your Ngong Ping 360 tickets here

On-the-day Purchase (Skip it)

I would not recommend you roll the dice on this one. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car is a very popular tourist attraction (for locals and visitors), so the queues can be soul crushing. Even if you don’t book ahead before you arrive in Hong Kong, make sure you do it the night before or the morning before you go.

If you do decide to purchase your tickets on the day:

• You can buy tickets at the Tung Chung terminal
• Prices vary depending on cabin type and whether you want a round-trip
• Be prepared to queue, especially mid-morning. Weekends are next level.

📍 Payment Directions for the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: When you arrive at Tung Chung station, follow the signs to the cable car terminal. Show your physical ticket or QR code (on your phone is fine), and staff will direct you to the correct boarding line. Just walk on to cable car and enjoy the ride. There is no need to show your ticket at the other end.

7. How to Pay for the Hong Kong Airport Express

The Airport Express is a dedicated train line that runs between the airport and Central, with stops at Tsing Yi and Kowloon. It’s clean, reliable, and takes about 25 minutes.

You can read more about How to Use the Airport Express and whether it’s right for you, or if a private airport transfer is the better option if you’re visiting Hong Kong for the first time.

Payment Methods for the Hong Kong Airport Express

✅ Best Option: Buy Online in Advance (with Tourist Octopus bundled ticket)

It’s quicker and more convenient to book your Airport Express ticket online before your trip. If you’re arriving late, tired, or just want to start your trip smoothly, this is the easiest way to go:

• Booking online sometimes gets you a small discount
• No queues, no fumbling for cash, no trying to figure things out after a 13-hour flight
• No need to collect a physical ticket because a QR code is downloaded onto your phone and you scan this at the payment gate when you get off at your stop.
• You can bundle your Airport Express ticket with the Tourist Octopus

Tourist or Standard Octopus Card (Meh)

If you already have a Tourist Octopus or Standard Octopus, you can use it to pay for the Airport Express, just tap at the gate like you would on the MTR and the fare is deducted automatically.

• No need to buy a separate ticket
• Works exactly the same way as other MTR rides
• A good fallback if you didn’t pre-book

BUT….there’s a catch. The Tourist Octopus only comes with HK$50 credit, and the Airport Express fare is around HK$115–120 depending on your stop. That means you’ll need to top it up before you can use it.

Yes, there are Add Value machines at the airport, but:

• They’re not always intuitive
• Some require cash only, which means you’d have to withdraw HKD first just to add credit
• You can’t (as far as I know) top up at the Octopus pickup OBS counter (if you’ve managed to do this, email me know and I’ll update this section)

After a long-haul flight, that’s just too many steps. This is exactly why I recommend booking your Airport Express ticket separately as a QR code. It’s ready on your phone, no topping up needed, and you’re on your way within minutes.

🚫 Paper Ticket (Meh)

Yes, you can buy a paper Airport Express ticket at the airport. It’s fine, but the last time I arrived in Hong Kong it was outside of the Airport Express Counter staff hours, so I had to use a machine. Only one was working and there was a family of four, who were very tired and grumpy, trying to figure out how to use it. Not fun.

• Available at vending machines or the Airport Express counter
• Requires cash or card
• Expect a queue, especially during peak arrival times
• No savings or added benefit over other options

Next time, I’m going to avoid the drama and buy my Airport Express ticket online.

🚫 Contactless Credit or Mobile Pay (I haven’t personally used this)

I understand that some Airport Express gates now accept contactless Visa/Mastercard or mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

• Only available at selected gates
• You may still need to queue or get directed to a specific entrance
• Foreign transaction fees may apply depending on your card
• Still newish and I don’t want to recommend it as I haven’t used it personally.

📍 Payment Directions for the Airport Express: There are no ticket barriers when you board at the airport, just follow the signs and hop on the train. When you arrive at your stop (Hong Kong, Kowloon, or Tsing Yi), that’s when you’ll scan your QR code or tap your Octopus card at the exit gate. Simple. No need to show anything when boarding.

Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Way to Pay for Public Transport in Hong Kong?

The best payment method for public transportation in Hong Kong is the Tourist Octopus Card. It works on almost every form of transport: MTR, buses, trams, ferries, even convenience stores when you need a snack.

For everything else, like the Ngong Ping 360 cable car and the Airport Express, book online in advance. It’s faster, easier, and saves you the headache of ticket machines or long queues after a long flight.

If you want to dig deeper, here’s where to head next:

🔗 Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card: What It Is & How to Get One
A full step-by-step guide to buying, topping up, and using the Tourist Octopus (with tips you won’t find on the official site).

🔗 How to Get Around Hong Kong: Trams, Buses & What Locals Use
Want to ride a tram through Central, hop a bus to the beach, or understand how locals navigate the city? This one’s for you.

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