How to get from Hong Kong to Macau. From Hong Kong to Macau - how to get there? Sights of the former Portuguese colony
Hong Kong, like Macau, is an autonomous region within China. But next to the PRC, they seem to be not just separate states, but like other planets.
It would be an unforgivable stupidity to come to Hong Kong and not visit Macau. Moreover, these areas are separated from each other at a distance of some 70 kilometers - a mere trifle for a modern tourist.
In this article we will tell you how to get from Hong Kong to Macau and, if necessary, back in one day. Considering that the first state is an island, water transport comes to mind first.
But the ferry is not the only way to travel between Hong Kong and Macau. A helicopter is also available for wealthy travelers. In addition, you can travel to Macau directly from Hong Kong International Airport. This travel option has a number of advantages. But there are also disadvantages. However, let's take things in order.
Why go to Macau at all?
This question is not idle. It would seem, why does a traveler need to overcome these 70 kilometers, think about how to get from Hong Kong to Macau, worry about the return journey, if you can limit yourself to visiting one island state?
But you need to go to the mainland for a number of reasons. And not just to check off the list of countries you've visited. Hong Kong was once a British protectorate. And Macau was a colony of Portugal. Therefore, these areas of the PRC with a special status are not at all similar.
In Macau, you seem to plunge headlong into the atmosphere of good old Europe. Next to the futuristic skyscrapers of the metropolis are small houses in the Portuguese colonial style with majolica plaques and tiles.
Macau will appeal to those who are partial to gambling. After all, in a small area of the city there are several dozen casinos. Because of this, Macau is called the “Las Vegas of Asia.”
In addition, this former Portuguese colony has many museums and attractions, such as the Guia Fortress and San Ma Lo, which are under the auspices of UNESCO.
Another important reason to visit Macau
Many Russians have a very serious reason to travel to the neighboring region of China. And it's called visa-run. The fact is that citizens of the Russian Federation can stay on the territory of the Hong Kong Islands without a visa for only two weeks.
But who travels such a distance for 14 days? But the border regime cannot be violated. Therefore, many Russians prefer to leave Hong Kong and enter it again the next day, thereby opening up the opportunity to stay on the islands for another 14 days. After all, mainland China is already a “foreign country.”
When leaving Hong Kong, travelers go through border control and receive a stamp in their passport. It’s not far to go to the neighboring region for a visa-run, the ticket is inexpensive. All that remains is to resolve the issue of accommodation for the night and how to get from Hong Kong to Macau: by ferry, helicopter or some other type of transport.
And before we start figuring it out, here's some important information for transit passengers. You can travel to Macau without opening a Hong Kong visa. Right next to the international airport there is a pier for ferries departing to the Pearl River Delta.
By plane
We are now starting to study the question of how to get from Hong Kong to Macau, what transport is best to do this and how much it will cost. Let us first respect those tourists who do not count money, but love to travel in comfort.
Let's consider the most expensive type of transport - an airplane. Let's put it this way: this is not only the most expensive way to cover 70 kilometers, but also the longest. There are no direct flights between Hong Kong and Macau. You will have to fly with transfers. The following transfer points are available to choose from:
- "Pudong" (flights operated by China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines),
- Manila (Philippine Airlines),
- Kuala Lumpur (Air Asia).
The cheapest trip will cost 195 euros. And the travel time during which you will cover 70 km will vary (depending on the airline you choose) from six to ten hours. So flying on an airliner is not the smartest idea.
By helicopter
Let's look at other ways to get from Hong Kong airport to Macau by air. A helicopter is suitable for wealthy travelers, especially if they are in a hurry. After all, the ferry, even though it is high-speed, covers the distance between the islands and the mainland in an hour. And the Sky Shuttle helicopter gets to Macau in twenty minutes.
There are two disadvantages of such a vehicle. The first flight departs only at 10:30, and the last at 22:59. Prices for a seat in a car are also a bit steep. On weekdays, a one-way flight will cost a traveler 4,300 Hong Kong dollars (34,547 rubles). On weekends and holidays, you will have to add another 500 HCD (about 4,000 rubles) to this amount.
Do not forget that the helicopter lands not in the center of Macau, but at its airport. So the total travel time will be even longer than if you were traveling by ferry. As you can see, out of all the variety of vehicles we have one left - the ferry.
Hong Kong - Macau: how to get there by ferry
The island state has a huge fleet. There are piers in different parts of the city from which large, medium and small ships depart. They are operated by several companies, but ticket prices are approximately the same.
We have already mentioned that you can go to Macau directly from the transit area of Hong Kong airport without going through passport and customs control. What to do with luggage and is it possible to arrive back at the hub's neutral strip? We'll talk about this later. In the meantime, information for those who are already in the city and are interested in how to get from Hong Kong to Macau.
There are two piers at your disposal. The largest pier is located at the Sheung Wan metro station on Hong Kong Island. Find the second pier at 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. It is located near the Tsim Sha Tsu MRT station on the Kowloon Peninsula. Both marinas are quite easy to find. Road signs lead to them from metro stations.
Ferry companies
There are quite a few of them, but there are only two large carriers. There’s no point in guessing which one to choose. Better think about where exactly you want to get to in Macau.
One ferry berths at the city's cape, at the Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal, and the second - at Taipa Island. There are also many casinos and attractions there. Taipa Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge. But many passengers take tickets to the nearest ferry without knowing how to get to Macau.
Transport in Macau is excellent, so in any case you will quickly get to the place you need in the city. The TurboJet company has a lot of ships. So ferries leave every 15 minutes.
The second company, called Cotai Water Jet, changes flight intervals depending on the time of day and days of the week. Do not think that the two berths in the city are assigned to carrier companies. Both companies dispatch their boats from two piers in the city and from Hong Kong International Airport.
Purchasing tickets and other formalities
The procedure is very simple. Already at the metro station you will see signs showing the way to the ferry pier. Go into the foyer where the cash register booths are located. By the way, tickets can be bought online. We'll talk about cost later.
Right there, in the lobby, you will see an electronic board with the Hong Kong - Macau ferry schedule. It indicates the company that carries out the transportation, departure and arrival times. And of course, the destination (the main pier or Taipa Island).
Most tourists don’t bother too much and just buy a ticket for the next flight. Then they go through passport and customs control and go to the storage hall where they wait to board.
The speedboat ride is only an hour. So most passengers purchase economy class tickets. And there is a little trick here. Since such tickets sell out quickly, they sell economy class for the next flight. But there are few people who want to go to the highest rank halls.
Therefore, those budget passengers who are supposed to travel on ships of this company later are allowed onto the ferry. So tourists in the reviews are advised not to hesitate, but to immediately go through passport and customs control and try their luck in the storage hall.
This information will be of interest to those arriving at the Chek Lap Kok airport in transit. And also those tourists who consider Macau as their destination. Hong Kong Airport is a convenient transport hub.
To come to Macau for a period of less than 30 days, Russians do not need a visa. True, upon entry a fee of 100 AOM is charged - this is approximately 800 rubles.
To take the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau, you need to go to transit area E2 at Chek Lap Kok International Airport. There are Ferry pier signs everywhere. Following them, you will easily reach the pier.
Once again, please note that the pier is located in no man's land. That is, you can go there without going through customs and border control. Already on the ship, stewards will hand out immigration cards. The form must be completed to present to the border guards in Macau.
Current issues regarding the transit zone
We have already talked about how a transit traveler can get from Hong Kong to Macau. The question remains of how he can get back to the airport transit zone. Yes, on the same ferry!
If you have a boarding pass for the plane, you present it when boarding the ferry. If you were on vacation in Macau and are planning to fly home via Hong Kong International Airport, you can check in for your flight online. Print your boarding pass and present it when purchasing your ferry ticket.
A more complex issue is with the luggage of those passengers flying to Macau through the Chek Lap Kok hub. After all, suitcases are issued after passing through passport control. But at Hong Kong airport the procedure is finely tuned.
When purchasing a ferry ticket, you show the Laggage Tag - this is a piece of cardboard that was glued to your boarding pass at the point of departure. Using the code on it, airport staff search for your luggage and reload it on board the ferry for which you are issued a ticket. You pick up your suitcases in Macau.
The only inconvenience is that you do not depart on the first flight, but an hour later. After all, employees need time to find your luggage and deliver it to the pier.
Ferry prices
A trip to Macau is not a cheap pleasure. But in any case, a ferry ticket is cheaper than a helicopter flight. Many tourists choose the TurboJet company because its ships run every 15 minutes during the day, and at night the interval between flights is an hour.
The price depends on the time of day (more expensive at night), the day of the week (cheaper on weekdays), the starting point and pier (from the airport to Taipa Island the route is longer than others) and, of course, on the class. A ticket to the economy deck will cost you from 164 to 200 Hong Kong dollars (1318 -1607 rubles).
Tourists warn that the Water CotaiJet company does not have separate seats for adults and children. Tickets cost the same. Ships depart every half hour. And they don't run 24 hours a day.
The first flight departs at 6:30 and the last at 18:00. A ticket on weekdays costs from 165 (in economy class) to 2,240 Hong Kong dollars (from 1,315 to 18,000 rubles) in a compartment for 8 people.
The Macau - Hong Kong ferry is highly praised by travelers in reviews. It’s comfortable, clean, and doesn’t make you feel sick at all. The ship travels very quickly and reaches its destination in 55 minutes.
Sights of the former Portuguese colony
Now you already know how to get from Macau to Hong Kong. What to visit in the Special Region of China? Even if you're not a fan of gambling, you should visit the Venice Casino to see a replica of this Italian city's Grand Canal.
A lover of antiquities will be interested in the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral and Senado Square. Those who want to join Taoist spirituality will find the A-Ma Temple.
If your soul craves adrenaline, head to Macau Tower. At the top of this tower there is a jumping area.
Hong Kong and Macau are two of the brightest jewels in the crown of China's tourist destinations. The location, closer than a hundred kilometers from each other, makes it possible to visit both places in one trip. Traveling independently from Hong Kong to Macau by ferry or any other means is not difficult.
Travelers are attracted to the historical sites of the former Portuguese colony of Macau, chic shops, casinos and nightclubs. You can travel across the Pearl River and the South China Sea at:
- Ferry;
- Helicopter;
- Airplane.
The reason for a short-term departure may also be the renewal of the permitted period of stay.
Important: a visit to the Chinese capital of excitement will allow you to reset the 14-day limit for foreigners to stay in Hong Kong.
In the summer of 2018, a bridge connecting two special administrative zones was put into operation. It will help you solve the problem of how to get from Macau to Hong Kong by car. The vehicle can be rented. The bus of the local carrier China Travel Tours began operating. Travel time is 2 hours, you can get there for a small amount of 10 to 20 euros. The ticket purchasing site is only available in Chinese.
Ferry
An easy and inexpensive way to travel between Macau and Hong Kong. It is a fast, comfortable means of transportation on the water surface with service in economy and VIP classes. The journey takes approximately an hour. Rough weather at sea can overshadow the experience, but it does not pose a danger to life.
You can set off from three ferry piers in Hong Kong:
- Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal named Sheung Wan. Located on Hong Kong Island. Flights every 15 minutes;
- China Ferry Terminal or Kowloon. On the opposite side of the Hong Kong port from the previous terminal, on the Kowloon Peninsula. Flights with breaks from 30 to 60 minutes;
- Sky Pier at the airport. Only for those traveling in transit, solving the problem of how to get from Macau, and not officially leaving the terminal area. Tourists in the city cannot use it.
Sailing is available from 7am to 1am depending on departure location.
In Macau, disembarkation takes place in two places - the Outer Harbor and Taipa Island. As in Hong Kong, the piers are located a short distance from each other, on different shores. Travel between marinas, hotels and popular tourist spots is carried out by metro. You can get there by taxi or public transport. In both cities, the effect of the “great firewall of China” is limited, but for independent navigation it is recommended to save the route with the names of the desired points on the map offline on a smartphone, and make the necessary notes in your diary.
Ticket price
It is more profitable to travel during the day on weekdays. An economy class ticket costs HK$171. The return trip will be $10 cheaper. More expensive VIP tickets are divided into two categories - regular and separate small cabin. For a simple luxury seat you will have to pay two prices.
Interesting: on weekends, holidays and evening flights the price is higher.
The exact ferry schedule from Hong Kong to Macau and back can be found on the websites of three carrier companies: Turbo Jet, Cotai Waterjet and First Ferry. Tickets can be purchased in a variety of ways, but due to unstable weather and possible travel delays to the ferry, it is recommended that you purchase your ticket just before boarding. There are almost always seats available, flights run regularly, with short intervals.
Helicopter Hong Kong-Macao
For wealthy fans of air travel, a helicopter from Hong Kong to Macau is available. It will deliver you from one point to another in less than half an hour. Along the way, unforgettable views of the water surface, marine life and megacities of the South China Sea open from above.
You can take off on the flight from 10 am to 10 pm. The service will cost HK$4,300. Online booking and payment is available on the official website of the Sky Shuttle carrier company. This travel option is the fastest possible.
Airplane Hong Kong-Macao
There are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Macau. If you plan to visit only these two cities, then an airliner is not the most profitable and fastest way to travel. You will have to spend from 8 to 15 hours on a flight with transfers at one of three points:
- Manila;
- Shanghai;
- Kuala Lumpur.
You will have to spend several hours waiting for a transfer at the terminal of the intermediate arrival point. It is recommended to use air travel for those wishing to visit several cities in the region, between which there is air communication.
Tickets for a round trip flight will cost from 20 thousand rubles. You can check the schedule and make a reservation online through special services or on airline websites.
Hong Kong and Macau require separate visas for foreigners. This is due to their special status within the Chinese model of “one country, two systems”. Previously, the cities were foreign colonies, only recently they were transferred to the PRC. Local governments have broad autonomy in various areas of self-government and the economy. Citizens of the Russian Federation do not require a visa for a short-term visit to the special administrative regions of China, Hong Kong and Macau.
When moving from one area to another, you must go through passport control at entry and exit. It is enough to show a Russian passport, receive a paper with the indicated dates of arrival and departure, and the permitted time of stay. A free migration card is issued to fill out.
Please note: documents must be preserved and not exceed the permissible legal time spent in each territory. For Hong Kong - 14 days, for Macau - 30 days.
The close location and ease of movement allows you to visit both tourist centers in one trip. By wisely calculating the time and planning the route, you can get twice as many impressions from traveling to this region. Developed infrastructure, modern means of communication and the hospitality of local residents will help you not get lost in the metropolis.
Hong Kong - Macau: how to get there, what transport to use and, most importantly, why go to Macau? These questions are often asked by travelers planning their independent travel route in advance. Visiting Macau can have several purposes:
- Sightseeing of local attractions.
- Visiting gaming centers.
- Getting new impressions.
- Extension of the possibility of visa-free stay in Hong Kong.
Google Maps / google.ru
Whatever the purpose of a trip to Macau, this city leaves no one indifferent. There are not many ways to get to it from Hong Kong - ferry and helicopter. Each of them has its own advantages, however, there are also disadvantages.
About ferries
From Hong Kong you can leave for Macau from three berths:
- Senwan, or as the pier is indicated on the maps - Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal;
- China Ferry Terminal;
- SkyPier Terminal.
Each terminal is comfortable and equipped in accordance with all modern requirements. You should choose your departure point based only on your own needs.
All three berths are serviced by the following companies:
- TurboJet.
- CotaiWaterJet.
- "First Ferry".
There are no particular differences between the travel conditions and its cost. The schedule and current prices can always be checked on the carriers’ websites, but there is no particular need for this either. The ticket price does not differ depending on the place of purchase. You can pay for the trip:
- at station ticket offices;
- in self-service terminals;
- on carriers' websites;
- when boarding the ferry.
There is no need to purchase tickets in advance. The fact is that weather conditions may change and the ferry for which you have a paid ticket simply will not depart. For the same reason, you should not buy tickets online in this case.
Bee Your Guide / flickr.com
Of course, the carrier will return the money or provide the opportunity to sail at another time, but this is unnecessary trouble. These efforts will require time and moral investment, as well as a good knowledge of the English language.
As a rule, even if there are no problems with speaking English, travelers always have difficulties over time. Even if there is enough time, it is better to spend it differently than during the procedure for refunding money or reissuing a travel document.
The cost of travel in a simple cabin, that is, in economy class, is 150-170 Hong Kong dollars, or HKD. There is no point in purchasing more expensive tickets, since the difference between the salons will only be in how many seats there are in a row.
Prices for non-day flights in Economy Class are as follows:
- Business class costs between HK$280 and HK$330.
- Night flights in business class - from 300 to 440 Hong Kong dollars.
An overnight trip in economy class will cost 200-220 Hong Kong dollars. An interesting option is the “weekend ticket”. Its cost is 180 HKD. But it is only suitable for those who travel to Macau for the whole weekend - from Friday evening to Sunday evening.
As for luggage, you can take luggage with dimensions 30.5x30.5x45.7.
Central pier
Most often, travelers use the ferry service at the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal. This is due to many reasons:
- convenient location;
- fast travel to Macau;
- availability of frequent flights;
- 24-hour ferry departure schedule.
This pier is located almost in the center of Hong Kong, at the Sheung Wan metro station. This is the blue line, the so-called “island line”. There is no need to use the metro. You can get to this pier by tram or bus; all routes going in the direction of Kennedy Town are suitable. The stop at which you need to get off is called the same as the pier - Macau Ferry Terminal.
shankar s. /flickr.com
High-speed ferries depart from here; they cover the distance from Hong Kong to Macau in 55 minutes during the day. Possible delay - 10 minutes. Night voyages spend longer at sea.
Ferries departure times at this pier:
- 15 minutes during the day, starting at 07:00 and ending at 24:00.
- 2 hours – at night, from midnight to seven in the morning.
Tickets are always available at ticket offices and self-service terminals. If travelers are late and have no time to figure out what and where is located in the station building, then there is no need to be nervous. You should immediately go to the pier and pay the fare directly upon boarding the ship.
In general, everything on the pier is arranged very clearly, intuitively and logically. Cases about which one can say the phrase “we had difficulty getting to the ferry, could not find the exit, the passage was blocked, there are no signs in the building” cannot arise here. Information signs are everywhere and directions are illustrated with arrows.
The shop and waiting room in the pier building are open 24 hours a day. Of course, the sanitary rooms are not closed either. There is a small cafe, but its work includes a break. However, the building has vending machines for drinks and snacks. The ticket offices are closed at night, so when boarding a night flight you need to use either the terminals or pay for the fare directly on the ship.
Twang_Dunga / flickr.com
This pier has one more advantage, which has nothing to do with a trip to Macau. True, this advantage may only be relevant for those tourists who remember the times of video salons in the USSR. We are talking about films with Jean-Claude Van Damme in the title role - “Double Impact” and “Kickboxer”. Some of the street scenes were filmed in the area of this particular pier, although, of course, everything here has changed since then.
On the Kowloon Peninsula
The Tsim Sha Tsui pier, or as it is indicated on the maps - China Ferry Terminal, is located in Kowloon. The address of this port is Canton Road, building 33.
This berth is less convenient to use than the Central one. The reason is the high likelihood of confusion for those who are unfamiliar with Chinese train stations and do not fully understand English with a local accent.
lwtt93/flickr.com
The fact is that so-called “internal” ferries carrying passengers along the Zhujiang River arrive at this port. Accordingly, similar flights depart from here. That is, the station is always crowded with people, there is bustle, crowding and excitement. There are often queues at the box office. If such nuances do not cause any difficulties, and the port’s location is more convenient than the central one, then you can safely leave it.
Ferry departure times to Macau from this pier are as follows:
| Departure time from Hong Kong | Arrival time in Macau |
| 07:00 | 13:00 |
| 07:30 extension | 13:30 |
| 08:00 | 14:00 |
| 08:30 | 14:30 |
| 09:00 | 15:00 |
| 09:30 | 15:30 |
| 10:00 | 16:00 |
| 10:30 | 16:30 |
| 11:00 | 17:00 |
| 11:30 | 17:30 |
| 12:00 (seasonal, additional) | Depends on the type of ferry |
| 18:00 | 20:30 |
| 18:30 | 21:00 |
| 19:00 | 21:30 |
| 19:30 | 22:00 |
| 20:00 | 22:30 |
That is, high-speed ferries do not depart from this pier. The fare is slightly lower than on high-speed flights. On average, the difference is about 20 local dollars. There are no night flights either.
In general, the Kowloon pier is not the most convenient place to get on the ferry to Macau. However, if you wish, you can figure out everything that is happening at the station. But you should come here in advance, since there is no such clarity as at the Central Pier, Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, here.
In an Aeroport
As a rule, tourists traveling to Macau from Hong Kong itself do not use it. The point is not only that it is further to get to the terminal than to the city ones, but also that there are few ferries departing from here to Macau - 4 during the day, there are no night flights. On weekends, starting on Friday evening, ferries depart more frequently. However, the schedule must be clarified.
Chek Lap Kok Airport, where the pier is located, has international status. Probably, in this regard, the main emphasis in the frequency of departure of ferry flights is on weekends and the departure time itself is combined with the arrival of aircraft. Many fly through Hong Kong to the “Asian Las Vegas” from Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia.
In general, if you are in Hong Kong itself, there is no point in using the airport water terminal. But if such a desire arises, you should check the schedule and prices on the carriers’ websites. There is no need to purchase tickets in advance; you can pay for the trip immediately before boarding the ship.
Where do ferries arrive?
In Macau itself, ferries can dock in two places:
- Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal - in the city itself, on the peninsula;
- Taipa Ferry Terminal - on Taipa Island.
Where exactly the ferry arrives is important for those travelers who have planned their itinerary to depart from Macau airport. The airport is located on Taipa Island.
However, no one has any particular difficulties moving from the pier in Macau to the airport in Taipa, where you can leave things in a storage room. Free buses run throughout Macau, supported by local casinos, some of them pass through Taipa Airport.
Once your luggage, if any, is left at the airport, you can walk back across the bridge and take beautiful photos of the panoramic views, or take the bus again. Of course, there are also taxis between Macau and the Taipa airport.
Video: Travel Hong Kong - Macau.
About helicopters
Not the cheapest, but the most exciting and fastest way to get from Hong Kong to Macau on your own.
The helicopter stays in the air for 20 minutes. There is no special hassle before boarding. A standard migration card is filled out. The cost of the flight is HKD 4,300 one way. On weekends and holidays prices become higher. The difference is 500-600 Hong Kong dollars.
revistaaerea.com
This is not a charter or air travel on a private helicopter. Transport helicopters fly from Hong Kong to Macau every day. If you have free funds in your budget and want to find out what a transport helicopter is, you need to purchase tickets for a regular flight at a suitable time.
There are 20 such flights per day. The first helicopter departs from Hong Kong at 10:30, and the last at 22:59. On weekends, 4 additional flights join regular flights, and on holidays there are many more.
You can check the flight schedule, cost and find out other information related to helicopter flights on the portal www.skyshuttlehk.com, that is, the Internet resource of the airport from which flights take place.
Although a helicopter is not the most budget option for getting from Hong Kong to Macau or returning from Macau to Hong Kong, this method of travel is in high demand. On weekends and holidays there may not be enough tickets for everyone, regardless of the availability of additional departures. Therefore, when choosing this way to get to Macau, you should book your seat in advance, as opposed to departing by ferry.
In this article we will look at Macau, how to get there by ferry from Hong Kong, and also look at the three piers in Hong Kong from where ferries depart and the two main companies that provide transportation in the direction Hong Kong - Macau.
How to get from Hong Kong to Macau
Just an hour's drive from Hong Kong is the city of Macau, a mega-resort and gambling hub of China, which also has interesting historical sites. First of all, tourists are attracted to Macau by large casinos and hotels. This is the new gambling capital of the world. Macau is home to 5 of the world's 10 largest casinos. There's also plenty to see in Macau, with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of San Ma Lo and Guia Fortress being popular among tourists.
Getting to Macau by ferry is the most popular way to travel between Hong Kong and Macau. It's convenient, fast enough, and, of course, it's the cheapest way. There are two piers in Hong Kong from which you can get to Macau. You can also get to Macau from the airport.
Macau: how to get there from China Ferry Terminal Pier
Address: 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
How to get there: MTR Tsim Sha Tsui, exit A1. When exiting the metro, walk along Haiphong Rd. and turn right onto Canton Rd. The pier will be a little further on the left side of the road.
The China Ferry Terminal Pier is located in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, about a kilometer north of the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Terminal. To get to the pier, you can walk to Harbor City Mall, or take a taxi to 33 Canton Road.
Macau: how to get there from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal Pier
How to get there: MTR Sheung Wan, Exit D.
The Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal Pier is located near the IFC Towers in the Shun Tak Center on Hong Kong Island. Landmark - Star Ferry terminal and IFC Mall.
Main companies - carriers Hong Kong - Macau
Macau is a popular tourist destination from Hong Kong. There are two main ferry operators to Macau from Hong Kong: TurboJet and CotaiJet. With their help, you can get to Macau by ferry from Hong Kong within an hour.
Hong Kong-Macau ferries of two companies depart from each pier. Over the past few years, almost half of Hong Kong-Macau ferries have stopped operating, so I advise you to choose one of these two.
Macau: how to get there on TurboJet
The TurboJet ferry to Macau from Hong Kong departs the piers every 15 minutes on weekdays and weekends. This Hong Kong - Macau ferry only goes to Macau Ferry Terminal.
The Hong Kong-Macau TurboJet ferry travel time is approximately 55 minutes. They depart from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal pier. Arrive in Macau to the area where the largest casinos and hotels are located, such as Lisboa and MGM.
TurboJet prices are the same for adults and children, but vary depending on the time of day and weekdays/weekends.
For some reason, prices back from Macau are lower than there. Apparently, there are more people who want to go to Macau than back :)
Day (weekdays): HK$164-HK$153 (return)
Day (weekends and holidays): HK$177 – HK$166 (return)
Night (every day): HK$200-HK$189 (return)
How to get from Hong Kong to Macau: CotaiJet
The CotaiJet ferry from Hong Kong to Macau arrives at Taipa, one of the Macau islands. Therefore, CotaiJet in Macau may be more convenient for those visiting Macau hotels located on Taipa Island. The travel time of the Hong Kong-Macau CotaiJet ferry is approximately the same as the TurboJet - one hour. The CotaiJet ferry from Hong Kong to Macau operates every 30 minutes from 6:30 am.
CotaiJetService prices
Day (weekdays): HK$165 – HK$154 (return)
Day (weekends and holidays): HK$177 – HK$167 (return)
Night (every day): HK$201 – HK$190 (return)
Sky Pier - Macau - Hong Kong ferry from the airport
The third pier, from which you can get from Hong Kong to Macau, is located right at Hong Kong International Airport and is called Sky Pier.
Address: Hong Kong International Airport, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong.
These are not all the ways to get from Hong Kong to Macau. But these are the most popular. You can also travel from Hong Kong to Macau by helicopter. But read about this method in the following articles.
Today we will talk about how to get from Hong Kong to Macau by ferry and what is interesting in the gambling capital of China. Most tourists come to Macau for one day from Hong Kong, walk around the city and go back to Hong Kong. One day is enough to see all the main places of the former Portuguese colony, so today we will briefly go over the main attractions and look at photographs of the city at night.
How to get from Hong Kong to Macau by ferry
In Hong Kong there is three piers Ferry departures to Hong Kong and Macau: Macau Ferry Terminal(Hong Kong Island), pier in the Kowloon area And at Hong Kong airport. We will not consider the option of how to get from Hong Kong airport to Macau; we will focus on the first two. They are used by the vast majority of Hong Kong residents and visitors.
- If you plan to get to Macau from hong kong islands, you need the Macau Ferry Terminal. The nearest metro station is Sheung Wan.
- If it is more convenient to take a ferry from Hong Kong to Macau from Kowloon, the required berth is located at the address - Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal, 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
I recommend leaving from the pier located in the Kowloon area. Finding the ticket office and departure point from Kowloon Pier is not easy the first time; to do this, use a special map of Hong Kong attractions. Instead of the standard pier and ticket office, you will need to look for a building called China Hong Kong City, located on Nathan Road. The ticket office is located on the second floor.
Hong Kong-Macau ferry. Prices and travel times
Ferry schedules and prices can be found on the websites of the carriers - Turbo Jet and Cotai Water Jet. As a rule, they use the services of Turbo Jet. Ferries of this carrier travel from Hong Kong to Macau every 15 minutes around the clock. For night ferries that depart from 12 midnight to 7 am, you need to check the schedule, they run less frequently.
Prices vary depending on the class and day of departure. Turbo Jet's Economy Class Hong Kong Ferry ticket will cost from 164HKD to 200HKD. The price depends on whether you go on weekdays or weekends, and whether you plan to sail during the day or at night. All information is provided on the official websites. Travel time approximately one hour. Important nuance, if you depart from the pier from Hong Kong island. I couldn’t find the ticket office, there are only offers from travel agencies selling tickets to Macau for 310 HKD. This is almost twice as much as if you buy from a pier in the Kowloon area. Perhaps I just couldn’t find the ticket office, but it’s better to play it safe and go from Kowloon.
Crossing the border simple formality. You are given exit stamps in Hong Kong and entry stamps in Macau. If there are few people, it only takes a few minutes. Eat caveat when boarding the ferry, which can be useful to many. If you immediately buy a ticket for the Hong Kong Macau ferry and back for a specific time, but it turns out that you saw the city earlier than planned, there is no point in waiting for the departure time indicated on the ticket. You go to the pier, show your ticket and you are put on the nearest ferry. Very comfortably.
How to get to the city from the pier
Directly at the exit from the pier building, after passing through border control, there will be a bus stop in front of you. From this stop buses run to all popular places in Macau. If you don’t know the number of the bus you need, just check it at the information desk located in the pier building. Travel, as well as all other expenses in Macau, can be paid in Hong Kong dollars. The course is almost identical.
Macau sightseeing map
Below you can see a map of Macau attractions:
What to see in Macau
A short overview of places that are popular with tourists.
Macao TV tower
The famous Macau Tower, which not only offers excellent views of the city, but also a place from which you can go bungee jumping. By the way, the second highest place in the world from which you can jump is 233 meters! Below is a video of my jump, and in a separate article I’ll tell you about the prices and sensations. It was worth it, it was amazing)))
Ruins of St. Paul
Business card of Macau. As a rule, it is very crowded and people go here first. You can get there by bus from the pier upon arrival from Hong Kong.
There is a fort in the immediate vicinity of the ruins of St. Paul, which offers a pleasant panoramic view.
Another very popular tourist spot. Here you can buy souvenirs and try local cuisine. Always very crowded.
Old Quarter of Macau (Rua da Felicidade) and local food area
The most famous street of old Macau is visible in the photo below. Do you see the red casement windows on the second floors of buildings? Many years ago, the street was very popular, especially with visiting sailors. This is not surprising, because in each of the windows one could see representatives of the ancient profession. Now times have changed and the street has become one of the attractions of Macau. The area where you can taste local cuisine is marked. I haven’t dined there myself, but my friend from Hong Kong recommended this place to me.
From here Macau is at your fingertips. If time permits, the place is worth a visit. You can get there either by cable car or on foot.
A very unusual hotel. Its trick is that inside the hotel there is a pavilion decorated to resemble the famous Italian city. If you arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon, it will be interesting to walk the streets of Macau to appreciate with your own eyes the scale of China’s gambling zone. The casinos and hotels are really huge and very beautiful when illuminated at night. To get to the place you need to cross the bridge and end up in the Taipa area
Don't be afraid to get lost in Macau. The city where it will be nice to just walk and gaze at the colonial architecture. If you're here for one full day, you'll have plenty of time to explore at a leisurely pace.
