In this guideShow
Ferry or bridge bus: how to get from Hong Kong to Macau
There are two practical ways to reach Macau from Hong Kong for a day: a TurboJET ferry from the city, or the shuttle bus across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge from the bridge’s Hong Kong Port on Lantau. Both land you close to the old town.
| TurboJET ferry | Bridge shuttle bus | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves from | Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal, Sheung Wan (also China Ferry Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui) | Hong Kong Port of the bridge, near the airport (buses B4, B5, B6) |
| Arrives at | Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (some sailings to Taipa) | Macao Port of the bridge |
| Journey | About 1 hour at sea | About 45 minutes |
| Economy fare | HK$194 weekdays, HK$212 weekends and holidays, HK$242 night sailings (from 25 April 2026) | About HK$65, HK$70 overnight (check the operator’s booking site) |
| Frequency | Regular daytime sailings; the last Sheung Wan → Outer Harbour sailing is 22:30 | 24 hours: every 5–10 minutes from 09:00, every 30 minutes after midnight |
| Last way back | Outer Harbour → Hong Kong at 23:00 | Runs all night |
Which to choose: if you are staying on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon, the ferry from Sheung Wan is the simplest door-to-door option. If you are near the airport or Tung Chung, or you want a late return without watching the clock, the bridge bus is cheaper and never stops running.
Passport and entry: Macau is a separate border
Macau has its own immigration, separate from Hong Kong and mainland China. You leave Hong Kong, enter Macau, and do the same in reverse on the way back, so carry your passport all day. Many passports can visit Macau visa-free, but the permitted stay depends on nationality: check the Macao government’s visa list for your passport before you buy a ticket. A Hong Kong stamp does not answer the Macau question.
A one-day Macau itinerary from Hong Kong
This route keeps the walking in the old town, uses one transfer to Taipa and Cotai, and leaves a buffer for the trip back. Adjust the start time to your ferry or bus.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 08:30–09:30 | Ferry from Sheung Wan or bridge bus from the Hong Kong Port |
| 10:30 | Senado Square, St Dominic’s Church and the lanes up to the Ruins of St Paul’s |
| 11:30 | Monte Fort above the Ruins for the view over the peninsula |
| 12:30 | Macanese lunch in the old town: minchi, African chicken or a pork chop bun |
| 14:00 | A-Ma Temple, or straight to Taipa Village for egg tarts and old shophouses |
| 16:30 | Cotai: walk through the big resorts; casinos are 21+ only |
| 19:00 | Dinner, then the Grand Lisboa and the lit-up bridges after dark |
| 21:00–23:00 | Back to the ferry terminal or the bridge port; keep the last ferry as a hard limit |
What to see on a Macau day trip
- The UNESCO old town: the Historic Centre of Macao is a World Heritage Site. Senado Square, the Ruins of St Paul’s and Monte Fort sit within a short walk of each other.
- A-Ma Temple: one of the oldest temples in the city, on the southern tip of the peninsula. Combine it with the Barra waterfront.
- Taipa Village: narrow lanes, Portuguese-era houses and snack shops, a quieter contrast to the resorts next door.
- Cotai: the resort strip. Walking through the public areas, shows and shopping is free; only the gaming floors have an age limit of 21.
- Macanese and Portuguese food: egg tarts, serradura, minchi and African chicken are worth planning a meal around. More ideas are in the Macau travel guide.
Getting around Macau
Macau is small, but the old town, Taipa and Cotai are spread out enough that you will want one or two rides. Public buses cost MOP 6 in cash or MOP 3 with a stored-value card. From the bridge port, routes 101, 102 and 103 run into the city, and route 101 runs around the clock. Hotels and casinos also run free shuttles between the border points and their properties, but there are fewer routes than before the pandemic, so keep the bus or a taxi as a fallback.
Money, payments and costs
Macau’s currency is the pataca (MOP), pegged to the Hong Kong dollar. Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted one to one, but change usually comes back in patacas, so spend them before you leave. Card and mobile payments work in most resorts and many shops; carry some cash for small bakeries and buses.
A realistic budget for the day, excluding gambling: a return ferry from about HK$390 on weekdays, or about HK$130 return by bridge bus, plus meals, snacks and a couple of bus or taxi rides.
Mistakes that ruin a Macau day trip
- Forgetting the passport. Macau is a separate border in both directions.
- Missing the last ferry. The last Outer Harbour → Hong Kong sailing is 23:00. If you might be late, use the bridge bus, which runs all night.
- Trying to see everything. The old town plus one of Taipa or Cotai is a full day.
- Weekend surprises. Weekend and holiday ferry fares are higher and the old town is busier. A weekday is calmer and cheaper.
Coming from Shenzhen instead?
From Shenzhen you can take a ferry to Macau, or cross into Zhuhai and walk over to Macau. The Macau travel guide covers both routes, and the border crossing hours guide helps if your day starts or ends in Shenzhen.
Sources and how this guide was checked
Ferry times and fares come from TurboJET’s 2026 changes as reported by Macau Daily Times and HR Online; the bridge bus timetable from HZM Bus; Macau bus fares from the Transport Bureau. Fares and schedules change, so check the operator before you travel.
- Macau Daily Times: TurboJET schedule changes — last Sheung Wan → Outer Harbour sailing 22:30 and last Outer Harbour → Hong Kong sailing 23:00 from 15 April 2026.
- HR Online: Hong Kong–Macao ferry fares from 25 April 2026 — TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet fares after the April 2026 increase.
- HZM Bus (bridge shuttle operator) — 24-hour timetable and frequency between the Hong Kong and Macao ports.
- Macao Transport Bureau (DSAT): buses from the bridge port — routes 101, 102 and 103 and the MOP 6 / MOP 3 bus fare.
- Macao Government Tourism Office: World Heritage — the Historic Centre of Macao and its monuments.
- Macao Government Tourism Office: casinos — gaming age and casino context.
- Macao SAR Government: visas and entry — visa-free entry by nationality.
