• Getting Around Macau
• Getting Around Macau By Bus
• Getting Around Macau For Free
• Getting Around Macau

Located only 64km (40 miles) from Hong Kong across the mouth of the Pearl River, Macau is most easily accessible from Hong Kong by high-speed jetfoil, with most departures from the Macau Ferry Terminal, located just west of the Central District in the Shun Tak Centre, 200 Connaught Rd., on Hong Kong Island. Situated above the Sheung Wan MTR station, the Shun Tak Centre houses booking. Thrillseekers should head straight to the Macau Tower to experience the world's tallest commercial bungee jump. For a fee, visitors can dive 233 meters off the edge. If that sounds too intense, there are also options to walk around the edge of the observation deck (tethered to it, of course) and to climb to the very top of the tower.

Just an hour away, but quite different from Hong Kong, is Macau: the mega-resort and casino center that also has interesting historical sights.

It is popular to travel from Hong Kong to Macau. In this article, you will find out how to travel to Macau from Hong Kong and what to see in Macau.

How to Get from Hong Kong to Macau

From Hong Kong to Macau, there are three modes of transportation: sea, land, and air. We suggest that you travel to Macau by ferry, which is the most convenient and economical.

By ferry (most recommended): It takes about 1 hour by boat from Hong Kong to Macau. The one-way fare is about 170KD. The fare for night ferries or holidays will be slightly more expensive.

By bridge (a new and comfortable way): Take the bus over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge from Hong Kong port to Macau in just 40 minutes.

By helicopter (the coolest): It takes only 15 minutes to take a direct flight from Hong Kong to Macau, however the price is 4,300 HKD one way.

Hong Kong to Macau by Ferry

Hong Kong Ferry Terminals

1. Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (preferred, most frequent ferries)

Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal is near the IFC Towers in the Shun Tak Centre on Hong Kong Island. You can take the subway and get off at Shueng Wan Station. During the daytime, there is a boat every 15 minutes.

2. China Ferry Terminal (recommended, good location)

China Ferry Terminal is in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is about a kilometer north of the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry. You could walk to it through Harbour City Mall, or just take a taxi to 33 Canton Road.

3. Sky Pier at the Hong Kong International Airport (for transiting tourists only)

The terminal is located next to the Hong Kong airport. If you plan to take a boat directly from Hong Kong airport to Macau, you can choose to depart from this terminal.

4. Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal (Generally not recommended, inconvenient location)

This terminal is located in the New Territories, which is not popular for tourists. There are less than 10 ferries traveling between Hong Kong and Macau every day. This terminal is only practical if you are staying nearby.

See more details about Hong Kong transportation.

Macau Ferry Terminals

It doesn't matter which port to go to Macau because Macau is not big. No matter which terminal you arrive at, there are free shuttle buses that can deliver you to any hotel or casino.

1. Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal (close to downtown Macau)

Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal, also known as the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, is the main northern terminal closest to San Ma Lo, architectural attractions, and about 23 mainly smaller casinos.

You can take Bus 3 from San Ma Lo to the Macau Ferry Terminal in about 10 minutes for 2.5 HKD.

2. Taipa Terminal (close to casinos, hotels, airports)

Taipa Terminal is to the south, closest to the Cotai Strip area with the biggest casinos such as the Venetian, the City of Dreams across the street, and the Macau International Airport.

To go to the Taipa Terminal, take the Cotai Jet from any of the three Hong Kong terminals. There are late night returns (at 1 AM) from the Cotai Terminal to the Hong Kong Macau Terminal.

Ferry Tickets: Costs and Where to Buy Them

Ferry prices are higher in the evening and highest at night, and higher at weekends and holidays.

• For economy class, the prices are from 171 to 211 HKD for a single trip.
• For superior/first class, the prices are from 346 to 391 HKD for a single trip.

You can buy ferry tickets at every ferry terminal as well as online. Usually, it is no problem to buy tickets on the spot except on some festival days. If you would like to skip long lines, you’d better arrive early or buy tickets online.

Getting from Hong Kong to Macau by Bridge

The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, the longest sea-crossing in the world, connects the cities of Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau. This crossing is open 24 hours.

There are shuttle buses going from Hong Kong to Macau at all hours, they cost 65 HKD normally (70 HKD at night: 12-6 AM). The buses take around 45 minutes.

In Hong Kong, there are direct shuttle buses starting from Hong Kong Airport, Tsim Sha Tsui and Central to Macau via the bridge.

Planning a Macau Day Trip

Macau's main draw for tourists are the big casinos and hotels. It is the new gambling resort capital of the world with 5 of the world's 10 largest casino resorts. But there are also old Portuguese sites to see. UNESCO World Heritage sites San Ma Lo and Guia Fortress are popular with tourists. See the Top 6 Things to Do in Macau.

The St. Paul’s Ruins

The ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, which was built in 1580, are now the most representative landmark in Macau. They combine the style of European Renaissance and Oriental architecture, reflecting a blend of Eastern and Western culture.

Monte Fortress

Monte Fortress was built in 1627. The fortress, and the Macau Museum in it, is probably the best place to go to learn about Macau's history and culture. Museum tickets cost 15 HKD.

Senado Square

Until 1999 Macau was a Portuguese colony. Senado Square was an old Portuguese square. Old pastel colored buildings line the sides, and a church is at the back. It and about 20 other old buildings and forts are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Walking around the square, you will feel like you are in Europe, with such a beautiful view and ambience. You can see so many shops selling Macau snacks like Portuguese egg tarts, puddings, and pork sandwiches.

The A-Ma Temple

The A-Ma Temple is a symbol of Macau's Mazu culture. With a history of over 500 years, it is one of the oldest temples in the city as well as a World Heritage attraction.

The A-Ma Temple was one of the first places the Portuguese saw when they arrived in 14th and 15th centuries and it still functions as a spiritual beacon in Macau.

Casinos

The Venetian Macao

The Venetian Macao is a super large resort with the theme of Venetian waters, with 3,000 luxury suites, more than 30 restaurants, more than 330 retail stores, 4 outdoor swimming pools, and an 18-hole rooftop golf course. It is one of the largest casinos in the world, with no less than 640 gaming tables and 1,760 slot machines.

At the same time, it is also a must-see for tourists and one of the most well-known places in Macau.

Grand Lisboa

The building of the Grand Lisboa is like a giant golden lotus flower. It is the landmark of Macau and is very eye-catching. There are not only luxurious suites, but 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 costed 4 billion USD and attracts a lot of tourists not only for its luxurious outside, but even the decoration inside.

Getting to the casinos in Macau is easy. Free casino buses line up at both ferry terminals, and pretty women representing their hotels and casinos stand and hand out coupons and information. Just get on the bus you want for free. You can easily get lost in the biggest casinos eating, shopping, and seeing the shows.

If you have two days in Macau, check How to Get the Most out of Macau in 2 Days.

More Things You Should Know

1. Most nationalities don’t need a visa to travel to Macau. You'll need your passport to travel between Hong Kong and Macau. Foreign tourists to Hong Kong generally have no problem entering Macau with a free short-term stamp on their passport. Check whether you need a visa or not.

2. Hong Kong dollars can be used in Macau. You don’t need to exchange them.

3. If you easily get seasick on ferries, take some medicine or use seasickness band. It takes about one hour by ferry at a speed of 35-50 knots.

Enjoy a Hassle-Free Macau Day Tour with Us

We understand that most tourists would like to visit Macau in an efficient way at a competitive price. Based on these needs, we offer a seat-in-couch one-day tour to Macau from Hong Kong: see below.

If you would like a private tour, please feel free to contact us. You could also see our Hong Kong tours for inspiration.

Hong Kong – Macau Group Tour

Getting Around Macau

Duration: approx. 8 hours
Available: Not Available Now

Note: 1 day before departure, you will get a fax with detailed information about pick up time, pick-up place (and directions if no free pick up at your hotel), itinerary, sightseeing information, and emergency number of the tour operator in your hotel in Hong Kong.

Turbojet ferry

Itinerary

Around 8am: Your guide in Hong Kong pick you up from a designated hotel in downtown Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, or North Point.

Around 9am: Arrive at Hong Kong – Macau Ferry Port and depart for Macau by comfortable Turbojet. Your Hong Kong guide will give you your Turbojet tickets and see you off at the pier.

Turbojet ticket

In the morning: After one hour you arrive at Macau. You will be met by your Macau guide and led to the coach. Explore the Ruins of St. Paul, Monte Fortress, including a section of the old city wall, and Senado Square. See the Border Gate and do shop for local souvenirs at the sidewalk stalls.

Macau tour bus

The Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral

Getting Around Macau By Bus

Senado Square

Simple buffet lunch in a local restaurant: Choose from a selection of main dishes, soup, vegetables, desserts, and drinks.

Getting Around Macau For Free

In the afternoon: Continue city sightseeing with a visit to the A-Ma Temple, from which Macau gets its name! Visit the famous casinos for a look around if time permits.

A-Ma Temple

Around 5pm: Your Macau guide will see you off at the Macau –Hong Kong Ferry Pier and you return to Hong Kong by comfortable Turbojet. Guilde and driver in Hong Kong meet you and drop you off at the designated hotel.

Inclusions:

• Transport by air-conditioned coach and Turbojet ferry (hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels only)
• English-speaking tour guide and entry to all attraction listed in the itinerary
• Simple lunch, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges

Instructions

• To ensure your booking, please let us know your Hong Kong hotel information and contact number at least two days before departure. The designated hotel pick-up points change daily, depending on demand.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off is the same unless specified. Consult with your tour guide and driver if you want to get out somewhere else.
• You need a passport and maybe a visa. If you require a Macau visa that is your responsibility. Most nationalities don't. Macau visa fee (about HK$100) is not included in the tour price. In general it takes a few minutes to complete the process of issuing visa, but in peak season, it takes longer. It depends on how many passengers queue in line. Our tour guide in Hong Kong will explain to you how to apply for a Macau visa upon arrival.
• If you want to visit other attractions like the Macau Tower, you can get back to Hong Kong at night, we can book Turbojet tickets with night sailing at 21:00 and tour guide will pass return tickets to clients on that day (upon picking up or meeting at pier).
• Transfers to Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal and transfers to hotel in Hong Kong are arranged on your own.

Other Considerations

• Since it is a group tour, sometimes you will need to wait until everybody arrives in Macau from different boats in the morning. Please be patient.
• The tour does not have shops, factories, and unscheduled stops unless passengers request them. Report any violations.
• Don't wear shorts or casual slip-on footwear if you wish to be accepted in the casinos (some have stricter dress codes).
• Please note that during the Christmas and New Year period there may be delays at immigration and re-routing of traffic around the major tourist areas.
• If you are vegetarian or Muslim, you are suggested to take snacks on your own or choose the dishes you can have during buffet time.

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Getting Around Macau

Macau is a tiny place, so tiny that it’s not even half the size of Hong Kong so getting around it is pretty much easy. It is small that car rental will never thrive and that you can get around it without having to spend a penny. Yes, that is right. Getting around Macau is cheap or sometimes even free.

Do not get me wrong though, it is not an inexpensive city. Hotels are much more expensive than accommodations in other parts of Asia and the food is quite pricey, too. That is, if you do not know how and where to look.

One of the most common questions we get from tourists wanting to visit Macau is whether it is necessary to book a tour to explore it. The answer is Yes and No. Yes, for convenience. No, because it is expensive and can pretty much be done DIY style. After all, getting around Macau is easy. To better acquaint yourself with the ins and outs of Macau, read first the Ultimate Macau Travel Guide before continuing.

Getting Around Macau

Like any other cities in the world, there are different mode of transportations to choose from depending on your needs and preference. If you are a budget traveler, take advantage of complimentary shuttles or make use of public buses. If you are on a short visit and time is of the essence, taxis are everywhere.

Taxi

There is no scarcity of taxi in Macau. Taxi can bring you to wherever you want to go fast. The flag down rate is MOP19 which is approximately USD2.5 and additional MOP2 for every subsequent 240 meters. Beware though, Macau is infamous for having a rampant taxi scams, so extra precaution is required. Take taxis only at the official taxi stand and know your rights as passengers. To prevent from being scam by taxi drivers, continue reading here: How Not To Get Scammed by Taxis in Macau.

Public Bus

Taking the public bus is a cheaper alternative to taking taxis though not as fast. If you are in no rush, then this is the better option. Public buses is available for 24 hours with day and night buses. Make sure that you have exact fare as it doesn’t give any change. The minimum fare is MOP3.2 when you are taking buses within Macau Peninsula. MOP4.2 if you are coming from Macau to Taipa island and MOP6.4 if from Macau to Coloane. To know more about public buses in Macau and bus stops click here: Macau Public Bus.

From Venetian Hotel, Parisian, Four Seasons, Studio City, City of Dreams or Galaxy Hotel, you may take Bus No. 26A to go to the city center. The city center is where the Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul’s are located. Take 26 if you are going to A-Ma Temple or Macau Tower.

Free Shuttle Bus

Big hotels in Macau offer complimentary shuttle service not only to their hotel guests but to the public. Almost all hotels in Macau have free shuttle service to all ports of entry in Macau such as; Macau International Airport, Macau Ferry Terminal, Taipa Ferry Terminal, and the Border Gate to China.

If you are going to Senado Square or Ruins of St. Paul’s, the city center, take free shuttle service of Studio City, City of Dreams, and Wynn Palace to Macau Peninsula near the Grand Emperor Hotel. The drop off point is a 10-minute walk away from the city center. If you are coming from Hong Kong and getting off by ferry from either Macau Ferry Terminal or Taipa Ferry Terminal, take the complimentary shuttle service of Grand Lisboa Hotel or Wynn Hotel Macau as these hotels are also walking distance to the city center.

Uber

Uber service is sadly and unfortunately suspended in Macau until further notice.

Walk

I’ve mentioned above that Macau is a tiny place so walking is a famous mode of getting from one place to another. The Cotai Strip is home to over 5 gigantic hotels and is within walking distance. The city center is full of famous landmarks, old churches, temples, and casinos that a full day can be spent without taking any automobile. Walking is probably the best option to see Macau as it should be seen.

Coming Soon:

MTR (Mass Rapid Transit System)

True to its promise of modernization, Macau’s train system is already on its way and expected to operate in 2018 making the transportation easier than ever.

Indulge on beautiful resort hotels and spend on good food because transportation expenses may not be a part of your overall expenses if you know how to get around it. Proper research and asking questions can make your Macau transportation expenses out of the question.

Getting Around Macau

For some other travel tips in Macau read here: Travel Tips for Travelers Going to Macau

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• Hi, is the MRT operational now? Also is there a free shuttle from the city center to the Venetian Mall, and perhaps to other major malls in Macau like One Central? Thanks!