Octopus Card, not easy like alipay

Question

We just visited Shenzhen, we used alipay from the moment we landed and never needed to exchange cash, it was so simple to link to my Australian debit card and it just worked for approx. 100 transactions of transport, food, item purchases etc etc, no issues.

Then we go to HK via train, and thought the Octupus card would be similar, how wrong were we.

We paid 200 hk dollars for the card which included 150 worth of credit.

How are we supposed to top it up? I found the only way to top it up was by using HK cash.

I could not register the card as it required a local phone number.

I could not link it to my account without having it registered.

All I could do with the octupus app was to view the balance.

So what use is it really, if I need to exchange cash to top it up.

Maybe it's ok for people from mainland China, but what about others not from China?

I could not use alipay in HK as it required a china account linked to it, but in Shenzhen, we had no issues having it linked to an Australian account.

HK really need to fix this to allow for seamless transactions just like alipay is in mainland China!!

Answer

The Octopus Card in Hong Kong functions primarily as a prepaid stored-value card for public transport, retail purchases, and some services. While it is extremely convenient for residents, visitors from outside Hong Kong may find it less seamless compared to Alipay in mainland China.

Here are key points and limitations for international visitors:

To purchase an Octopus Card, you typically pay a deposit (HKD 50) plus an initial stored value. Many tourist cards come preloaded with more credit (like the HKD 200 card you mentioned).
Topping up the card usually requires cash at convenience stores, MTR stations, or Add Value Machines. Using foreign credit/debit cards is generally not supported for topping up unless your card is linked to a Hong Kong bank account.
The Octopus app allows you to check your balance and view recent transactions. However, registering the card requires a local phone number, which is mandatory for linking the card to an account for online top-ups or app features.
Unlike Alipay in Shenzhen, international debit/credit cards cannot directly top up Octopus without a local bank account or mobile number.

For visitors who want to use Octopus efficiently:

Carry enough Hong Kong cash to top up your card at convenience stores or MTR stations as needed. Typical top-ups are HKD 50, 100, or 200 per transaction.
Use the card primarily for transport and retail where cashless convenience is still faster than paying cash directly.
If you plan a longer stay, consider getting a tourist Octopus card at the airport or MTR Customer Service Centres, which can be refunded on departure.

In summary, the Octopus Card is very practical for local residents but less flexible for international visitors. The need for cash top-ups and local registration limits its seamless use compared to Alipay in mainland China. Unfortunately, there is currently no easy way to link it to foreign bank accounts, so carrying a moderate amount of Hong Kong cash is necessary for top-ups.

Octopus Card, not easy like alipay

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