The Octopus — China T-Union Card, a new addition to the realm of cross-border transport payment cards, was released March 26. Alongside existing options like Hu Tong Xing and Lingnan Pass • Octopus, let’s take a look at the distinctions among these cards. 

Octopus — China T-Union Card 八达通-全国通卡

The Octopus — China T-Union Card is a variant of the Hong Kong Octopus card. It can be purchased at all Circle K stores and seven designated MTR customer service centers in Hong Kong. The seven MTR stations are Admiralty, Fanling, Hung Hom, Kowloon Tong, Lok Ma Chau, Sheung Shui and Tsuen Wan. The card is priced at HK$88 and does not carry any deposit or stored value.

The newly released Octopus — China T-Union Card is for sale at Admiralty Station in Hong Kong. Photo by China News Service

The presence of the “China T-Union” (交通联合) and the “Octopus” (八达通) logos on the card indicates that cardholders can conveniently tap for rides on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. The card allows access to 38,000 public bus routes in 336 mainland cities, along with 285 urban rail routes and ferry services in 48 cities.

In Hong Kong, users can also utilize the card at retail and dining establishments similar to a standard Octopus card. However, on the Chinese mainland, its functionality is limited to transport payments.

To recharge the card, users need to top up in HKD without the necessity of topping it up with RMB, as the card offers foreign exchange conversion from HKD to RMB. However, a currency transaction fee is charged when using the card via foreign exchange conversion.

Replenishing the card with cash in Hong Kong follows the same process as standard Octopus cards. In Shenzhen, top-ups can be done at Shenzhen UnionPay EPS Kiosks (深银联易办事自助缴费终端机). Regardless of their locations, users can conveniently recharge the card using the Octopus app on their mobile phones.

Shenzhen UnionPay EPS Kiosks. Photo from the Octopus website

Hu Tong Xing 互通行(深港一卡通)

The Hu Tong Xing cross-border payment card integrates functionalities of both the Shenzhen Tong and the Hong Kong Octopus cards.

The Hu Tong Xing card contains two separate e-purses — the Octopus one in HKD and the Shenzhen Tong one in RMB. The card is compatible with the China T-Union and Octopus systems, allowing cardholders to pay for public transport in 336 mainland cities and Hong Kong.

In Shenzhen, Hu Tong Xing cardholders receive equivalent discounts to those using standard Shenzhen Tong cards.

A passenger places a Hu Tong Xing card over a reader at Shenzhen Metro’s Futian Station on Aug. 30, 2023. Photo by Xinhua

The Hu Tong Xing card can only be purchased in Shenzhen. It’s priced at 68 yuan and does not carry any deposit or stored value. It can be purchased via the Shenzhen Tong app (with the physical card delivered by mail) or at Shenzhen Tong customer service outlets, checkpoints, and postal service outlets.

To top up the Shenzhen Tong e-purse, cardholders can use the Shenzhen Tong app or visit Shenzhen Tong customer service outlets or terminals, or Shenzhen Metro stations.

To top up the Octopus e-purse, cardholders can use the Shenzhen UnionPay EPS Kiosks at Shenzhen Metro stations along lines 1, 2 and 5, as well as at Line 4’s Futian Checkpoint Station, or visit the Octopus service outlets and convenience stores in Hong Kong. Recharging via the Octopus app is also an option.

Lingnan Pass • Octopus 岭南通•八达通

Lingnan Pass • Octopus combines the Lingnan Pass and Octopus functions, and also incorporates two separate e-purses — the Octopus one in HKD and the Lingnan Pass one in RMB. The card is priced at 70 yuan and does not carry any deposit or stored value.

Whereas a standard Lingnan Pass primarily covers public transport payments within Guangdong, the Lingnan Pass • Octopus card, showcasing the China T-Union logo, broadens its utility to 336 mainland cities; and with the Octopus logo, it remains valid for use in Hong Kong. In Guangzhou, Lingnan Pass holders benefit from identical discounts available to users of Guangzhou’s transport payment card — Yang Cheng Tong, or Ram City Pass (羊城通).

A Lingnan Pass • Octopus Card.

The card can be purchased on the “岭南精选+” WeChat miniprogram or the “岭南通文化产品店” Taobao store. Reloading the Octopus HKD purse mirrors the process for ordinary Octopus cards in Hong Kong, while the Lingnan Pass RMB purse can be topped up at specific Lingnan Pass service providers within Guangdong or via the Lingnan Pass app.

Conclusion

The aforementioned three cards, issued by different companies, share similar functionalities. Regardless of the card held, spotting the China T-Union logo enables passengers to pay for public transport in 336 mainland cities, while the Octopus logo facilitates payments in Hong Kong, spanning transport, dining, and retail sectors. Differences lie in the cards’ availability in Hong Kong or the mainland, and the necessity of dual currency top-ups for two e-purses or just a single currency.

The China T-Union and the Octopus logos.

Passengers seeking information on cities accepting the China T-Union cards can visit the official WeChat account of China T-Union — “交通联合官方服务号” (ID: ChinaT-union1). By checking the “城市名单” section in the menu, they can easily access the list of cities recognizing cards with the China T-Union logo.

Alternatively, passengers can opt for mobile payment solutions for public transport transactions in different cities. Platforms such as the “乘车码” WeChat miniprogram or the Alipay app (click “出行” on its menu) enable users to settle public transport fares hassle-free after selecting a specific city on the platforms.