Octopus for Tourists

It‘s only possible to top up in foreign currency, no HKD. Therefore high transaction costs. No transparency about this. Otherwise good to handle.

Aufladen der Karte geht nicht mit hkd. Die Gebühren für die Fremdwährung sind 6%. Tipp: am Flughafen oder an einer MTR Station die physische Karte kaufen und selber mit HKD aufladen. Die HKDs kosten auch Gebühren aber nicht annähernd so viel.

As stated before, this app is an absolute scam. You MUST top-up in a foreign currency that is then converted to HKD at a miserable exchange rate. Simple workaround: Just buy a physical card at any MTR station or 7-Eleven and then transfer the physical card to Apple Pay (possible via the wallet app). You can then add funds with cash at any add-value machine or convenience store. Do not support this customer-unfriendly app!

Abrechnung in HKD ist nicht möglich. Stattdessen erfolgt immer eine Umwandlung in eine andere Währung mit 6% Aufschlag ohne das transparent darzustellen. Das grenzt an Betrug.

Avoid the Octopus for Tourists app if you hate sneaky markup! They charge 5.53% on the exchange rate — every top up. For 150 HKD, you pay 18.85€ (vs. fair 17.80€) — 1.05€ extra. Worse: No HKD top up option, forcing you to use their terrible rates even if you have a multi-currency account (like Wise). Total scam! Transparency note: Calculation based on EUR; mid-market rate at time of writing: 1 EUR = 8.4233 HKD. Fix: Use Wise (mid-market rate + tiny fee) to withdraw HKD cash fee-free, then buy the physical Octopus for Tourists card locally. Save money, skip the app.

The app itself works good - speaking of the payment. You can even transfer the card to your apple watch and use it there. BUT, as mentioned by others, the “top up” of the card via Apple Pay only works from time to time. It’s way easier (hassle free) and cheaper to just get cash from an ATM and go to any 7eleven and let them transfer the money to the card - just takes seconds and works every time.

Why is it not possible to pay in HKD? The offered currency exchange rates are far away from the rates from the market. Feels this serves to cash up tourists.

This app is an absolute scam. Don’t use this app. If you want to top up your account for the first time, you have to pay a fee of 50 HKd. Additionally, the exchange rate is incredibly bad, so you pay extra every time you top up. It is possible to get an octopus card at a subway station. It costs nothing and can be topped up with cash. Here in Hong Kong, there are banks that do not charge fees for withdrawing money (for me, it was the Hang Seng Bank). With this octopus card, you can pay almost anywhere and there are no additional fees.

I can everyone suggest this app. Easy to handle, easy to top up und refund without any cash money. Top !

Foreigner discrimination