Planning a trip from the bustling streets of Hong Kong to the vibrant city of Macau? You're in for a treat! As someone who loves exploring, I've gathered all the essential tips and tricks to make your journey across the Pearl River Delta smooth and enjoyable.
Let's dive into how you can easily get from Hong Kong to Macau!
How Far is Macau from Hong Kong?
Macau is only about 65 kilometers straight-line distance from Hong Kong, which makes it perfect for a day trip! This relatively short distance means you can easily enjoy Macau's sights and sounds and be back in Hong Kong by evening!
There are several ways to make this journey, each with its own perks.
Option 1: Join a Macau Tour
If you want a super easy and hassle-free way to see Macau's highlights, joining a guided one-day tour to Macau is definitely the way to go. Many tour packages, like those you can find on Klook, include your round-trip high-speed ferry tickets (economy class).
Plus, some even offer the convenience of hotel pickup in Hong Kong! This means you won't have to worry about arranging any transport yourself, letting you focus entirely on enjoying Macau.
マカオ 聖ポール天主堂跡
There are so many tours and routes available, so you can pick one that covers all the spots you're keen to see, like the Ruins of St. Paul's.
Option 2: Take a High-Speed Ferry
The high-speed ferry is hands down the most popular and common way to travel from Hong Kong to Macau. The trip usually takes about an hour, making it a quick and efficient choice if you're looking to make the most out of your day.
If you're doing a day trip to Macau, it's best to buy your return tickets in advance because the ticket counters can get really crowded in the evening. Just like at an airport, you'll need to check in and go through immigration, so make sure you arrive at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Klook Tip: Sometimes, if you're early enough, they might even put you on an earlier boat, which is a nice bonus!
Two main companies operate these high-speed ferries, and their ticket prices are quite similar.
TurboJET Ferry
You'll easily spot these with their distinctive red hulls! TurboJET Ferries are known for having frequent sailings and generally sticking to their schedule, which makes them very reliable.
ターボジェット（TURBOJET）フェリー
If you book your tickets through Klook, all you need to do is show your QR code when you enter, which is incredibly conelloYou can catch a TurboJET ferry from a couple of locations in Hong Kong:
- Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan: This one is super accessible, as it's directly connected underground to MTR Sheung Wan Station (Exit D).
- China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui: If you're on the Kowloon side, this terminal is about a 5-minute walk from MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit A1).
Both these terminals will take you directly to Taipa Ferry Terminal in Macau. It's a good idea to choose the terminal closest to your hotel.
ターボジェット（TURBOJET）フェリーの内部
When it comes to seating, TurboJET offers two main classes:
- Economy Class: This is your standard, budget-friendly option. You can bring up to 20kg of luggage per person.
- Super Class: For a bit more comfort, this class offers perks like free meals and access to a VIP waiting room. You also get a generous 30kg luggage allowance.
The journey itself takes approximately 1 hour from either Hong Kong port straight to Macau.
Cotai Water Jet
Look out for the blue-hulled ships of the Cotai Water Jet! They also operate from the Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan to the Taipa Ferry Terminal in Macau. A great feature of Cotai Water Jet is that they often run late into the night, and you can easily select your departure time when booking on Klook.
コタイウォータージェット（COTAI WATER JET）
Their seating classes include:
- Cotai Class: This is their standard seating arrangement, similar to economy, with a free luggage allowance of 20kg (within specific dimensions).
- First Class: Enjoy more spacious, independent seats, along with free snacks, an additional 20kg luggage allowance, and even priority disembarkation upon arrival.
コタイウォータージェット（COTAI WATER JET）の内部
Like TurboJET, the Cotai Water Jet journey to Macau also takes about 1 hour.
Option 3: Hop on a High-Speed Bus
Since the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) opened in 2018, taking a high-speed bus has become another excellent way to reach Macau. This incredible structure is the world's longest sea bridge, stretching about 50 kilometers!
圖片來源：Unsplash
The bus journey across the bridge itself is quite quick, around 20 to 30 minutes, but the total travel time from Hong Kong to Macau via bus, including transfers and immigration, is approximately 2 to 3 hours. This is comparable to the ferry journey once you factor in check-in and boarding times.
永東高速バス
Several bus companies operate, but I recommend the Yongdong Express Bus (Eternal East Bus), which you can book in advance through Klook. Just arrive at your designated pick-up point 15 minutes before departure and show your QR code along with your passport to board effortlessly. You'll need to go through immigration on both sides.
After passing Hong Kong immigration, you'll walk to catch the "gold bus" shuttle that takes you across the bridge. You might even spot airplanes from Hong Kong airport on your right during the trip! Once you stop on the Macau side, you'll go through Macau Immigration and Customs.
Here are some convenient Yongdong Express Bus pick-up locations you can choose from, depending on where you're staying:
- Kwun Tong APM: Located next to the popular APM shopping mall, this stop is directly connected to MTR Kwun Tong Station.
- Diamond Hill Plaza Hollywood: This pick-up point is right by the shopping mall, which is directly connected to MTR Diamond Hill Station.
- Kwai Fong Metroplaza: You'll find this bus stop inside the Metroplaza shopping mall, just a 1-minute walk from MTR Kwai Fong Station.
Once you arrive in Macau, there are buses available to take you to your accommodation, like the 28B from the ferry port. You might also find the "Bus Traveling System" app helpful for navigating Macau's buses.
Option 4: The High-Speed Rail (HSR)
You can technically use the High-Speed Rail, similar to Japan's Shinkansen, but it's not a direct route to Macau. Since there's no direct HSR connecting Hong Kong and Macau yet, you'd need to go through mainland China. This means your route would look something like: Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Zhuhai → Macau.
Source: 香港高鐵
Because of this detour, using the HSR generally takes more time and costs more than the ferry or bus. So, I wouldn't usually recommend it as the most efficient way to get to Macau. However, if you're a railway enthusiast or simply prefer a more relaxed journey, it could be an interesting experience! The HSR departs from Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station, which is well-connected to the MTR system.
If you have a Tourist Octopus Card, navigating the MTR for your Hong Kong travels will be super easy!
Best Way To Get To Macau From Hong Kong? My Recommendation!
Let's break down the pros and cons of each travel method to help you decide:
Travel Method | Pros | Cons |
Tours | Enjoy Macau's sights effortlessly No need to arrange transport | Limited flexibility Restricted sightseeing time |
High-Speed Ferry | Quick travel time (~1 hour) Enjoy the sea views | Weather-dependent (can be cancelled) Luggage weight restrictions |
High-Speed Bus | Choose the most convenient pick-up spot Relatively short travel time across the bridge | Potential for traffic jams during peak hours |
High-Speed Rail (HSR) | Comfortable journey Enjoy the scenery | Indirect and long route Higher cost |
Generally, the high-speed ferry is the most popular and easiest method to travel to Macau from Hong Kong due to its frequent departures and direct route. However, remember that ferry services can be affected by bad weather, so always check the conditions if you're traveling during certain seasons.
The high-speed bus is also a fantastic alternative, especially if a pick-up point is closer to your hotel or if you prefer a land journey.
Consider your travel dates, budget, and how much flexibility you want when making your choice! No matter which option you pick, your trip from Hong Kong to Macau is sure to be an adventure.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong Travel Essentials 🇭🇰
Top things to do in Hong Kong
- Attractions: Hong Kong Disneyland | Ocean Park | Victoria Peak Tram | Victoria Harbour Cruise | Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
- Day trips: Ngong Ping 360 and Lantau
- Visiting multiple attractions in Tokyo? Get the Klook Pass Hong Kong and enjoy up to 27% savings!
Getting around
- Airport transfer: Hong Kong Airport Express | Car transfer
- Train and bus: Tourist Octopus Card
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