<aside> ℹ️ The Octopus Card is a rechargeable contactless smart card widely used in Hong Kong for various payments. It's primarily used for public transportation but is also used at Suen Chi Sun Hall for Laundry on the 16th floor (16F) and for your room’s air-conditioning. And it can also be used in many shops, restaurants, and vending machines across the city.

PS! If you instead wish to learn more about transportation specifically, see Transportation Information - Getting to the Hall and around Hong Kong.

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How to Get an Octopus Card as a Student

Alternative 1: Standard Octopus Card

You can purchase a standard Octopus Card at any MTR Customer Service Centre.

• Cost: HK$150 (HK$100 stored value + HK$50 refundable deposit)
• No identification required, and you will be provided a card immediately

Alternative 2: Student Octopus Card

To enjoy student discounts on MTR fares, you'll need to apply for a Personalized Octopus with "Student Status":

• Option 1: Visit an MTR Customer Service Centre (the closest stations are HKU MTR Station and Kennedy Town MTR Station)
  • Bring your Hong Kong student ID or admission letter
  • Fill out an application form
  • Provide a recent passport-sized photo
  • Pay HK$90 (HK$20 for the card + HK$20 for handling + HK$50 refundable deposit)
  • Processing time is about 2-3 weeks
  • In the meantime you will be given a temporary student card which you can use until your personal card is ready, and you will be provided a date for when you can pick it up from a specific station.
  • Hardcopy application official FAQ: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/student_travel_scheme_FAQ.html
• Option 2: Apply online
  • Refer to the application procedure on: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/student_travel_scheme.html#
  • Online application official FAQ: https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/ch/tickets/student_travel_scheme_faq.pdf

Using Your Octopus Card

You can add the Octopus card to the travel wallet on your phone. That way you can easily both pay with existing value - and top up the card with credit/debit card payments - directly from your phone. See: https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/octopus-on-mobile/about/index.html

• Add a travel card to Apple Wallet: https://support.apple.com/en-au/105079
• Add a travel card to Google Wallet: https://support.google.com/wallet/answer/12059518?hl=en

If you do not wish to add your Octopus card to your phone, you can use the physical Octopus card that you will be provided to tap on relevant services (and insert in relevant machines for top-up).

<aside> 💡

To pay for laundry or airconditioning at Suen Chi Sun Hall, simply tap your phone (or physical Octopus card) on the relevant machine.

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Topping Up

You can add value to your Octopus Card at:

• MTR stations
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Circle K)
• Octopus Service Points
• Via the e-wallet on your phone