Hong Kong to Macau: How to Travel Guide

Check our guide on how to travel from Hong Kong to Macau, including prices, schedules and ferry terminals between these two Chinese SARs

If you are visiting Hong Kong for a few days maybe you should consider Macau for a day trip. Despite the fact that these regions are now Chinese SARs (Special Administrative Region), they have a number of differences. It is certainly worth visiting both Hong Kong and Macau and discover the peculiarities of these unique Asian urban areas.

hong kong to macau

How to Get From Hong Kong to Macau

Getting from Hong Kong to Macau is quite easy and the two regions are approximately 60 km from each other (depending on where you count the distance). The most popular option to travel from Hong Kong to Macau is using the ferry. There are a few points in which you can take the speed ferry in Hong Kong, and two ferry terminals in Macau.

As of 2020, it is also possible to travel from Hong Kong to Macau via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge. There are buses from the Hong Kong Port, but also cross-border buses from different points in HK.

How to Buy Ferry Tickets from Hong Kong to Macau

Before we analyze the ports in which you can start your journey in both Hong Kong and Macau, let’s check how to buy tickets for the journey. The good news is that can buy tickets online before hand on Klook, allowing you to plan your trip better. However this option more widely available if you are starting your trip from Hong Kong.

The one-way ticket cost usually around 160 HKD and the round trip usually costs around 300 HKD.

Click here to buy ferry tickets on Klook

You can also buy tickets directly at any ferry terminal, however, depending on the time and terminal, you may find long queues.

Let’s analyze the options to travel from Hong Kong to Macau and vice versa. Firstly let’s analyze the terminals in both Hong Kong and Macau:

Macau Ferry Terminals

Macau itself is much smaller than Hong Kong, so it is easy to understand it has less ferry terminals. It is in fact easier to organize your Macau side of the trip, as the Macau SAR is pretty small. Here are the terminals:

salary in macau
The Venetian Macao. Photo by Tristan Schmurr

Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal

The Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal is one of the two options to arrive or leave Macau from or to Hong Kong.

Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal

The Taipa Ferry Terminal is the second option to visit Macau from Hong Kong.

This is the best option if you are going to take a flight in Macau, as its the closest to the Airport.

Hong Kong Ferry Terminals

Hong Kong has much more ferry terminals than Macau, which is easy to understand due to its size and population. If you traveling to Hong Kong, we also recommend getting the Octopus Card to get around Hong Kong easily.

Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal

The Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal is probably the best option to get to Macau, both in terms of ferry frequencies, as well as for its location. Ferries from this terminal usually depart with no more than 30 minutes between each ride.

This terminal is in Sheung Wan, close to Central Hong Kong. The Sheung Wan MTR Station is just short walk away to the ferry terminal.

China Ferry Terminal

The China Ferry Terminal is another option, and especially good if you are staying in Tsim Sha Tsui or Mong Kok area. There is also a pretty good number of ferries departing from this terminal.

Hong Kong Airport to Macau

It is also possible to travel directly from Hong Kong Airport to Macau. However this option is only available for passengers arriving in Hong Kong by air. You can skip Hong Kong immigration and access various ports in the Pearl Delta River, including the two ferry terminals in Macau.

Ferry Companies Operating from Hong Kong to Macau Ferry

There are two companies operating the route from Hong Kong to Macau and vice versa: TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet. They are pretty similar in standards, travel speed and ticket prices in this route.

The only key differences between these two companies are the ferry frequencies, and the ferry terminals served. If you want to get from / to the Macau Taipa terminal, Cotai Water Jet is a better option. For travelers using the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, your best bet is using TurboJET.

Check ferry prices from Hong Kong to Macau Taipa Terminal

Hotels in Hong Kong

Here are some hotels you may want to consider for your stay in Hong Kong.

Hotel LBP – a great hotel in Sheung Wan, close to the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal

Prince Hotel, Marco Polo – an excellent option close to the China Ferry Terminal

You may also want to check our guide on where to stay in Hong Kong for more details.

Hotels in Macau

Hotel Okura Macau – an excellent hotel to enjoy Macau to the fullest.

The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel – one of the most impressive hotels in Asia.

Bridge from Hong Kong to Macau

Since the last time this article has been updated, the bridge connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai in Mainland and Macau is ready.

While the bridge is ready, travel didn’t become necessarily easier or quicker. You will still have to pass immigration to exit Hong Kong and to enter Macau. For that reason, the ferry still remains as one of the best options to get from Hong Kong to Macau.