Getting from Hong Kong to Macau

Just a short ferry away from Hong Kong stands Macau; the Vegas of Asia. For those who love excitement blended with a historic Portuguese town in the middle of Asia, Macau should be included in your trip.

Getting from Hong Kong to Macau is a fairly simple journey.

Up until recently, the main method of transport was the TurboJet ferry from Hong Kong to the Macau Ferry Terminal. The Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal is situated in Sheung Wan, Central, so take the MTR to Sheung Wan Station, exit D then take the several escalators up to purchase your ticket. Different companies offer different packages depending on whether you want a one-way ticket, a return to the terminal or a return to the airport. The Turbojet ticket costs HK$159 from Hong Kong to Macau and HK$172 for weekends and holidays. The sailing time is around 55 minutes and the service runs every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. This is the recommended journey for anyone staying in the Macau casino area. You don’t need to purchase these tickets in advance.

The TurboJet also offers a 50-minute ferry ride to Macau from Hong Kong International airport and vice versa, running from 7.30 am – 10 pm every 90 minutes. Another ferry company also runs a variety of options and the CotaiJet runs boats to different ferry terminals. Many of the big casino hotels offer free shuttle buses from the Macau Ferry Terminal directly to your hotel, just make sure you have a copy of your booking to show the driver.

If you are a resident of the U.K, U.S, EU, or Canada, immigration should just take a few minutes and you will be granted a 30-180 day tourist visa. Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after your planned departure from Macau. If you’re a Chinese citizen and already have a Hong Kong visa then you’re allowed to visit Macau if you depart from Hong Kong. Immigration forms are distributed on the ferry, so remember to bring a pen.

If you are pressed for time and have a lot of spare cash, you can pay upwards of HK$3000 per person to get to Macau via helicopter; taking 15-20 minutes. A new bridge connecting Hong Kong to Macau is now built and offers another route between these two cities.