The moment you clear customs at Hong Kong International, make a beeline for any 7-Eleven or MTR station counter and buy an Octopus Card. This little plastic miracle is how you pay for absolutely everything that moves in Hong Kong — MTR trains, buses, trams, ferries, minibuses, and even street vendors who've been using it longer than most Western cities had contactless payment.

Load HK$300-500 to start (trust me, it disappears fast). The card itself costs HK$50 deposit which you get back when leaving, plus whatever credit you load. You can top up at any MTR station, 7-Eleven, Circle K, or those orange machines scattered everywhere. Way better than juggling coins on a swaying minibus or trying to pay exact change at a dai pai dong noodle stall.

Pro transport hack: works immediately on the Airport Express train (HK$115 to Central), so you skip the tourist ticket confusion and those painful queues at the machines. Also covers the Star Ferry (HK$4.80), Peak Tram (HK$99), all outlying island ferries, and even some McDonald's locations. Basically, if it moves people or food in Hong Kong, Octopus handles it.

Ultimate lazy traveler bonus: link it to Apple Pay if you've got an iPhone, so you can tap your phone instead of fishing for the card every time.