So you also want to visit Macau as part of your Hong Kong trip? If you’re wondering if it can be done, well, the answer is YES. Not only is it possible, but Macau day trips from Hong Kong are also actually quite common.
You can reach Macau from Hong Kong in three ways: by ferry, by shuttle bus, and by cross-boundary coach.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If your are traveling soon and still on the planning stage, you can also visit our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Here, we compiled travel essentials, including immigration requirements and all our recommended hotels and tours. Just visit this page: TPT Masterlist. We have a compilation for destinations around the world.
Hong Kong to Macau by Ferry
Traveling to Macau from Hong Kong by ferry is the classic way to make the crossing. This used to be the only way before the sea bridge was completed.
Ferry Terminals in Hong Kong
There used to be three terminals where you could catch a ferry to Macau. But these days, it looks like MOST, if not all, public sailings are coming from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan) near Central in Hong Kong Island.
NOTE: Not to be confused with China Hong Kong City Terminal, which is located in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. I can no longer find any sailings from this terminal and from the SkyPier near Hong Kong Airport. So to be on the safe side, if you prefer the ferry, just head over to the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan.
Ferry Terminals in Macau
Now that we got the Hong Kong terminal settled, let’s now talk about ferry terminals in Macau. There are two ports or terminals in Macau that are being used by ferries from Hong Kong:
- Taipa Ferry Terminal. The newer, larger, and more modern of the two terminals. It’s located near Cotai Strip, so if you’re heading straight to mega-resorts like The Venetian, Parisian, Londoner, or Galaxy, this is the most convenient arrival point. It’s also closer to Macau International Airport, which makes transfers faster and easier. Most ferries today are routed here, and the terminal is very well-organized, with plenty of free hotel shuttle buses, taxis, and public transport options waiting outside.
- Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. Located on the Macau Peninsula, closer to the city’s historic and cultural attractions. If your itinerary focuses on Senado Square, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, the Macau Museum, or walking around old town, this terminal puts you nearer to the action. That said, it’s the older terminal, and while it’s still functional and well-connected by buses and taxis, it feels less polished compared to Taipa. Fewer ferries dock here now, but it’s still a good option if you want to start your day right in Macau’s historic core.
Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Operators
You also need to choose the company you’re sailing with. Two ferry operators connect Hong Kong and Macau.
- TurboJet. This is the more established ferry operator, primarily sailing to and from the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal on the Macau Peninsula. They also have schedules for Taipa Ferry Terminal, but they are very few and far between.
Image courtesy of TurboJet - Cotai Water Jet. It sails exclusively to Taipa Ferry Terminal, as of this writing. But it’s slightly roomier and smoother than some TurboJet sailings, with options like first-class seating and complimentary snacks on certain tickets.
Image provided by Klook
Fares for the economy class for both operators are exactly the same, with weekend and night sailings generally pricier than weekdays:
HONG KONG – MACAU FERRY FARE
- Weekdays: HK$ 175
- Weekends: HK$ 190
- Night Sailings: HK$ 220
You can get tickets at the terminal, but it’s slightly cheaper on Klook. You can also get additional discounts if you use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK, valid for one-time use only.
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The journey takes about one hour. Ferries are generally comfortable, air-conditioned, and employ assigned-seating system. However, depending on the weather and sea conditions, the ride can sometimes get rough, especially during windy days or the typhoon season. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this might not be the best option for you.
Hong Kong to Macau by Bus
If you don’t like crossing the sea to get to Macau, how about the bus? You have two options:
Shuttle Bus
Shuttle buses will take you from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port in Hong Kong across the sea bridge to the Macau side.
But you’ll have to get from the city center to the HZMB Port on your own, as well as from the HZMB Port in Macau to your final destination. It’s basically a point-to-point bus. But from the Macau port, there are usually free shuttle buses operated by big resorts that you can take to get to the main tourist areas.
HZMB SHUTTLE BUS FARE
- Day: HK$ 65
- Night: HK$ 70
Cross-Boundary Coach
If you’re coming from the city center, maybe the better option for you is the so-called cross-boundary coach. These are also buses, run by various private operators, providing services from different pick-up points in the city center of Hong Kong to Macau. These work with fixed routes and usually have multiple drop-off points in Macau.
You’ll still need to get off the HZMB Port and clear the Immigration check on foot, but you’ll be boarding the same bus on the other side.
- Fare: HK$ 160-180
- Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours
You’ll find a lot of options on Klook. Below are two options we found:
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When booking, pay attention to the pick-up point because some are located outside the city center. But two of the most popular pick-up points that are in the downtown Kowloon area are Prince Edward (along Shanghai Street) and the China Hong Kong Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.
We’ve tried this option before and we had a good experience.
Between the ferry and the bus, both Vins and I prefer the bus. Although, the journey takes longer — usually two (2) hours if coming from the city center — it’s generally a much smoother ride, without the risk of getting seasick.
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
For more details about different areas to stay in Hong Kong, you can check out our Where to Stay in Hong Kong article. But you may also check out these top accommodations in Hong Kong based on online user reviews for recommendations.
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- iClub Sheung Wan Hotel, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan Hotel, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Mini Central, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- B P International, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Stanford Hillview Hotel, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Metropark Hotel Mongkok, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Hotel, New Territories. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Four Points By Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung, New Territories. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Regal Airport Hotel, New Territories. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Search for more Hong Kong Hotels!
Protect your finances when traveling!
Getting a travel insurance is optional, but we highly recommend this, especially when traveling abroad. Travel can be unpredictable, and though we hope we’ll never use it, having it gives us peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For international destinations, consider PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance. You can GET IT HERE. Don’t forget to use WORTHIT for a special affordable rate.
Join The Poor Traveler Support Group
✅ If you have any questions or need travel tips, feel free to post them to the TPT Support Group. The members are very helpful. This Facebook support group has been around for a long time, and many members have found travel buddies through it. You can join too! Just visit The Poor Traveler Support Group. Note that this is different from The Poor Traveler Facebook page.
Updates Log
2026 2 4 – First uploaded
Edited by: Asta Alvarez
