How to Get from Hong Kong to Macau (2025)

Knowing how to get from Hong Kong to Macau can help you plan a trip to the Vegas of Asia during your time in Hong Kong.

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. Check out the themed hotels in Macau like The Venetian Macau Resort but also explore the historic sights.

How to Get from Hong Kong to Macau

Getting from Hong Kong to Macau By Ferry 

When looking at how to get from Hong Kong to Macau, the most traditional and popular way is by high-speed ferry, which takes around an hour. Ferries run frequently from Hong Kong Island (Sheung Wan), Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui), and the airport to Macau’s Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal. It’s a comfortable ride with options for economy or business class, and it offers great views of the Pearl River Delta.

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.
• Cotai Water Jet is a high-speed ferry linking Hong Kong with Macau’s Taipa Ferry Terminal in about an hour. This offers modern catamarans seating around 400 passengers and offers multiple classes, from standard Cotai Class to premium Cotai First and private VIP cabins. Travelers benefit from free resort shuttle buses on arrival, plus flexible baggage options. It’s the most convenient choice for those heading to Cotai’s major hotels and entertainment resorts.

Getting to the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal: The terminal is situated in Sheung Wan, Central, where most of the things to do in Hong Kong can be found, so take the MTR to Sheung Wan Station, exit D then take the several escalators up to purchase your ticket.

Tips for how to get from Hong Kong to Macau

• Boarding Time & Immigration: When planning how to get from Hong Kong to Macau, you’ll need to arrive at the ferry terminal well in advance (commonly 30 minutes before departure) to allow for check-in, ticketing, and immigration clearance. 
• Night Sailings: These tend to cost more and may have fewer departures; if traveling late, verify schedule ahead as some sailings are “special” or “optional” depending on day of week.
• Destination Consideration: If you’re staying in Cotai (Venetian, Galaxy, etc.), using Taipa Ferry Terminal (Cotai Water Jet or TurboJET sailings to Taipa) will save you time onward. If you arrive Outer Harbour, you may need to take a shuttle, taxi or public transit to your hotel.
• Airport Transit: If coming through HK International Airport and eligible for SkyPier, you may be able to connect without going through Hong Kong immigration, directly to a ferry. But this is only for transit passengers, and schedule is more limited.

Ferry times Hong Kong to Macau

When planning how to get from Hong Kong to Macau, here are the current ferry times (as of 2025) between Hong Kong and Macau, covering the main operators. Schedules can change, so it’s best to confirm closer to your travel date.

TurboJET – Hong Kong (Sheung Wan) to Macau (Outer Harbour)

The journey takes around 55 to 60 minutes.

• Morning: 07:30, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30
• Afternoon: 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30
• Evening and night: 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30, 23:00

Cotai Water Jet – Hong Kong (Sheung Wan) to Macau (Taipa)

These ferries take about an hour and are more convenient if you are staying in the Cotai resort area.

• Morning: First sailing around 07:30, then roughly every 30–60 minutes until 11:30
• Afternoon and evening: 12:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30, 22:30 (some departures run only on weekends or holidays)

Ferry charges from Hong Kong to Macau

TurboJET (Sheung Wan ↔ Macau Outer Harbour)

Class	Weekday (Day)	Weekend / Holiday (Day)	Night Sailing
Economy Class	175	190	220
Super Class	365	395	415
Premier Grand Class	495	–	575
Premier VIP Cabin (4 seats)	2,480	–	3,310

Cotai Water Jet (Hong Kong ↔ Macau Taipa)

Class	Weekday	Weekend / Holiday	Night Sailing
Cotai Class	175	190	220
Cotai First	310	329	360
VIP Cabin (8 seats)	2,480	2,632	2,880

Hong Kong to Macau By Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge Shuttle Bus

Known as the “Golden Bus,” this route crosses the world’s longest sea bridge and is a popular choice for locals looking at how to get from Hong Kong to Macau. The bus ride takes about 45 minutes and operates 24/7, making it one of the most flexible options. You’ll need to go through immigration on both sides, but it’s affordable and convenient for travelers staying near the bridge’s ports.

Travelers can also book a licensed cross-boundary car transfer, which uses the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. This door-to-door service is especially convenient for groups, families with luggage, or business trips, as it eliminates the hassle of navigating bus and ferry terminals.

Getting to Macau from Hong Kong via helicopter

For the fastest and most luxurious option, helicopters link Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan Heliport and Macau in just 15 minutes. This is a premium service with breathtaking aerial views, popular with business travelers and those seeking a unique experience, though it comes with a high price tag.

What visa do I need for Macau?

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, depending on where you are from. Citizens of 81 countries can enter Macau without a visa for a period varying by nationality (from 14 days to 1 year).

Here are some examples:

Country / Region	Duration of Stay Visa-Free
United Kingdom	6 months
United States	30 days
Australia, Canada, New Zealand	30 days
Most European Union countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain etc.)	90 days
Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey etc.	30 days (varies)
Brunei	14 days

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.

Things to know before you go to Hong Kong

How to Get from Hong Kong to Macau F.A.Q

What is the fastest way to travel from Hong Kong to Macau?
The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus, also called the “Golden Bus,” takes about 45 minutes and runs 24 hours a day. High-speed ferries are also quick, usually around 1 hour.

Can I take a ferry from Hong Kong to Macau?
Yes. Ferries run from Hong Kong Island (Sheung Wan), Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui), and the airport to Macau’s Outer Harbour or Taipa Ferry Terminal. The journey takes around 55–70 minutes.

Is there a bus across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge?
Yes. The shuttle bus runs day and night, with buses every 5–10 minutes during peak hours and every 15–30 minutes overnight.

Are there direct flights from Hong Kong to Macau?
No. The distance is too short for commercial flights. Ferries, buses, or private cars are the main options.

How much does it cost to get from Hong Kong to Macau?
Ferry tickets usually range from HK$170–220 depending on the time and class of seat. The HZMB shuttle bus costs about HK$65 for adults (one way).

Do I need a visa to travel from Hong Kong to Macau?
It depends on your nationality. Many visitors, such as those from the UK, EU countries, USA, Australia, and much of Asia, can enter Macau visa-free for between 30–90 days.

Can I use the Hong Kong MTR to reach Macau?
Not directly. You can take the MTR to Tung Chung or Kowloon, then transfer to buses or ferries that go to Macau.

What is the easiest option if I’m coming from Hong Kong International Airport?
You can take a direct ferry from the SkyPier at the airport to Macau without passing Hong Kong immigration, or use the HZMB shuttle bus.

Can I drive from Hong Kong to Macau?
Yes, but you need a special permit and approval for cross-border driving. Most visitors prefer the shuttle bus, taxi, or coach over the bridge.

Which option is best for tourists?
The ferry is the most comfortable and tourist-friendly option, while the bridge shuttle bus is the cheapest and most flexible. Once you arrive in Macau, make sure to check out the Venetian Macau Hotel for an incredible stay at a luxury, themed hotel.

Things to do in Hong Kong?
There is plenty of things to do in Hong Kong, including the Peak & The Sky Terrace 428.