Complete Guide to Traveling Between Hong Kong and Macau

Just an hour or so from Hong Kong you’ll find yourself in Macau, a city with a rich melting-pot history, distinctive cuisine, a growing arts and entertainment scene, and even sandy beaches! Read this article to learn about all the routes, tips, and attractions in Macau.

Best Transportation Options from Hong Kong to Macau

There are four ways to get to Macau from Hong Kong:

Speed Ferry (traditional way): the most traditional way to travel between Sheung Wan (Hong Kong Island) and Macau. The ride takes around one hour.
Cross-boundary Bus (direct way): Cross-boundary buses go from downtown to Macau. There are many cross-boundary bus routes. Choose your start location.
HZMB Shuttle Bus (cheapest way): This bus links Hong Kong and Macau customs on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Visitors must get to Hong Long Port and pass customs.
Private Car (convenient and direct way): It takes about an hour to get from Hong Kong to Macao. You’ll find a rich history, distinctive cuisine, a growing arts and entertainment scene, and even sandy beaches.

Options	Ride duration	Price
Speed Ferry	55 min	$22,44 – $24,37
Cross-boundary Bus	110 min	$20,52 – $23,08
HZMB Shuttle Bus	35 min	$8,34
Private Car	Depending on the start location	$410,39 up

The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB), longest sea crossing, Bridge. — Photo by Vicky T on Unsplash

How to Plan Your Hong Kong to Macau Trip

Step-by-Step Itinerary Planning

Travel Mode: Take the ferry or the new bridge. The ferry is quick and scenic, while the bridge is a unique road trip.

Book your transport: Buy ferry tickets or book a bus in advance, especially during peak seasons. Ferries leave Hong Kong regularly.

Plan your day in Macau: Start at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, then wander through Senado Square. Try local food for lunch. In the afternoon, visit A-Ma Temple and the Macau Tower for views.

Go back to Hong Kong: Take the ferry or bus back to Hong Kong. Check the schedule to avoid rush hour.

Essential Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Currency: The Macanese pataca is the local currency, but Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted.
Language: Cantonese and Portuguese are the official languages, but English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.
Weather: It’s hot and humid in Macau, so dress comfortably and drink plenty of water.
Customs and Immigration: Keep your passport handy as there are border checks between Hong Kong and Macau.
Transport: Many hotels run free shuttles to and from the ferry terminals.

Top Attractions to Visit in Macau

The St. Paul’s Ruins

St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in 1580, is Macau’s most famous landmark. They mix European and Asian styles, showing a mix of Eastern and Western cultures.

Ruins of St. Paul's, Macau, Hong Kong — Photo by Vernon Raineil Cenzon on Unsplash

Senado Square

Macau was a Portuguese colony until 1999. Senado Square is an old Portuguese square with pastel-colored buildings and a church. The square is beautiful. You can buy Macau snacks like egg tarts, puddings, and pork sandwiches.

The A-Ma Temple

The A-Ma Temple represents Macau’s Mazu culture. It is one of the oldest and most important temples in the city. The Portuguese saw the temple in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is still a spiritual center in Macau.

A-Ma Temple, a landmark you must visit in your travel to Hong Kong to Macau — Photo by Constantine S on Unsplash

Hidden Gems and Unique Experiences

The Venetian Macao

Venetian Macao is a large Venetian resort. It has 3,000 luxury suites, 30+ restaurants, 330+ shops, 4 outdoor pools, and an 18-hole rooftop golf course. It has the world’s largest casino with lots of gaming tables and machines. Tourists must see it. It’s one of Macau’s most famous places.

Venetia Macau — Photo by Mauricio Muñoz on Unsplash

Grand Lisboa

The Grand Lisboa is a giant golden lotus flower. It is Macau’s landmark. There are also Michelin restaurants, outdoor pools, and spas.

Wynn Palace

It is owned by the world gambling king, Alan Wynn. It is said that this resort costs 4 billion USD and attracts a lot of tourists not only for its luxurious outside but even the decoration inside.

How to Book Ferries, Buses, and Private Transfers Between Hong Kong and Macau

Ferries: Two high-speed ferries take passengers to different parts of Macao in about one hour. TurboJet ferries from Sheung Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui go to the Macao Maritime Ferry Terminal on the Macao Peninsula every 15 minutes. Cotai Water Jet sails to Taipa Ferry Terminal on Taipa Island every 30 minutes.

Ferries, the fastest way to go to Hong Kong to Macau — Photo by Richard Haas on Unsplash

Buses: A shuttle bus connects the cities. Tickets are sold in the departure hall of the Passenger Clearance Buildings. You can get to the Hong Kong departure hall by bus or taxi from the city and the airport. For transport info, see the HZMB website.
Cars: Travellers also have the option to take a privately run coach or car for direct travel from within Hong Kong. Trans Isand and One Bus are two such operators, which offer advance ticket bookings online. This option is convenient for families or groups.

Recommended Tours and Guided Experiences

Many companies offer day trips from Hong Kong to Macau. The tours include transport, a tour, and a meal. It’s easy to see the highlights without worrying about logistics.

Cultural walking tours: If you want to explore on foot, book a cultural walking tour. These tours focus on Macau’s history and blend of Eastern and Western influences. You will visit historic neighborhoods, temples, and colonial buildings.
Food and culinary Tours: A culinary tour is a must for food lovers. You can try Macanese food at local restaurants. This includes African chicken, egg tarts, and dim sum.

Discover the Blend of East and West in Macau

Experience Macau’s unique heritage. Macau has beautiful buildings from different cultures, famous landmarks, nice restaurants, bars, and shops.

Senado Square is part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau. It is surrounded by grand Portuguese buildings, mosaic-tiled pavement, Chinese temples, and shophouses. It offers a great first peek at the city’s fascinating heritage.

You can’t miss the A-Ma Temple. This temple is one of the oldest in Macau. It is dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of the Sea, who is believed to protect fishermen and sailors.

Food, Festivals, and Cultural Landmarks

Macanese cuisine captures Macau’s multicultural history. The food is a mix of Chinese and Portuguese with ingredients from former Portuguese colonies in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Africa. It’s one of the world’s first fusion cuisines.

Book a table at Restaurant Litoral for a traditional lunch. For modern Portuguese food, book a table at Mesa, a four-star restaurant.

Practical Travel Tips

What is the best time to visit China? The best time to visit China is during the spring, when ) the weather is mild, perfect for sightseeing, and autumn seasons, when the weather is cool, with clear skies and the parks are beautiful with fall foliage.

Essential advice on getting around

Get an Octopus Card: This rechargeable smart card is for public transport and purchases. This smart card can be used for public transport and purchases. It saves time and money.
Follow Signs: Stations are well-signposted in English and Chinese, making it easy to navigate.
Bring Your Tissue: Not all public toilets provide toilet paper, so it’s a good idea to carry some tissues with you.
Hand Sanitizer: Some public toilets may not have soap or hand sanitizer, so bringing your own is always a good idea.

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