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MTR: tap in, tap out, distance-based

Hong Kong MTR uses Octopus in and out. Airport Express is a separate fare table. East Rail First Class needs an extra tap. How to use exit letters.

Notes dated 2026-09

Exits are letters and numbers, such as Mong Kok E2. Hotels and maps use these. They beat “east exit”. MTR Mobile lists them.

Lines visitors actually use

  • Tsuen Wan line (red): TST–Mong Kok–across the harbour toward Central.
  • Island line (blue): Sheung Wan, Central, Causeway Bay, North Point, Shau Kei Wan (bus 9 to Dragon’s Back).
  • Kwun Tong / Tuen Ma: Sham Shui Po; Diamond Hill for Sai Kung buses.
  • East Rail: Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, University, Admiralty. Border line. First Class is a separate tap.
  • Airport Express: its own fare table, not a normal MTR ride.

Light Rail (Tuen Mun, Yuen Long)

Street-level trains in the northwest New Territories. Validate on the platform before boarding and when you leave. Sam Shing is useful for Castle Peak Bay. It is not urban MTR; Google sometimes routes you oddly.

Questions

What if I cannot exit for lack of value?

Pay the difference or top up at the customer centre. On-loan cards allow a small negative; sold tourist cards often do not, so you can get stuck.