How To Get To Macau From Hong Kong
Three practical ways to cross: the ferry, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge bus, or a direct flight. Here's how to choose.
Hong Kong and Macau sit on opposite sides of the Pearl River Delta, roughly 65km apart by water — two separate Special Administrative Regions of China, so crossing between them always means a full immigration check even though both are technically part of the same country. Most visitors travel between them by high-speed ferry, though the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB), which opened in October 2018 as the world's longest sea-crossing bridge at 55km, added a cheaper — if slightly less direct — bus option. A small number of travellers use a direct helicopter transfer or fly straight into Macau instead. This guide covers all four, with current terminals, prices and journey times.
Option 1: Ferry (most popular)
High-speed catamaran ferries are operated by two companies — TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet — running frequently between Hong Kong and Macau, with departures roughly every 15–30 minutes at peak times and 24-hour service on some routes. Journey time is around 60–70 minutes depending on the exact route and sea conditions.
| Hong Kong departure points | Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan/Shun Tak Centre), Hong Kong International Airport SkyPier, China Ferry Terminal (Kowloon, select routes) |
|---|---|
| Macau arrival point | Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal — as of 15 June 2026, ferry services that previously used the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal on the peninsula have relocated to Taipa. Double-check which terminal your ticket names before booking, since older guides (including outdated printouts or apps) may still reference Outer Harbour. |
| Journey time | ~60–70 minutes |
| Typical fare (one-way, economy) | Roughly HK$175 on weekdays, HK$190 on weekends/holidays, higher for night sailings — check current fares before booking, as prices are periodically revised |
| Best for | Most travellers — frequent, direct, no transfers |
Tip: since ferry services now consolidate at Taipa, this is actually more convenient than before for anyone staying at a Cotai resort — you'll be closer to The Venetian, Wynn Palace, Galaxy and the other Cotai megaresorts on arrival than you would be from the old Outer Harbour terminal. If you're staying on the peninsula, budget extra time and cost for a taxi or shuttle bus from Taipa into the old town.
Option 2: Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge bus ("the Golden Bus")
Nicknamed the "Golden Bus" for its gold livery, the HZMB Shuttle Bus is a 24-hour public shuttle running solely between the Hong Kong Port (an artificial island next to Hong Kong International Airport) and the Macau Port. It's the cheapest way to cross, at roughly HK$65 for a daytime ticket and HK$70 overnight, with buses departing every 5–10 minutes at peak times and every 15–30 minutes overnight. The bus ride itself takes about 40–45 minutes, though total journey time — including getting to the Hong Kong Port and clearing immigration on both ends — is closer to 45–75 minutes.
| Journey time | ~45–75 minutes including border formalities (bus itself: ~40–45 min) |
|---|---|
| Cost | ~HK$65 daytime / HK$70 overnight, one-way — significantly cheaper than the ferry |
| Catch | Only runs between the two border ports — you'll need separate local transport to reach the Hong Kong Port itself, and then again from Macau's port into the city |
| Alternative | Private "direct cross-border coach" operators (e.g. ONE Bus) run door-to-door from central Hong Kong locations straight to major Macau resorts for around HK$160–200 — more expensive but no transfers |
| Best for | Budget travellers, or those already near Hong Kong International Airport |
Note that the bridge and its shuttle service are periodically suspended during typhoons and occasionally for major events (e.g. road cycling races) — if you're planning to cross this way during typhoon season, build in a backup plan.
Option 3: Helicopter
A direct helicopter transfer takes about 15 minutes and lands close to the Macau ferry terminal. It's by far the fastest option, at a significant price premium over the ferry or bus — worth it mainly for special occasions, tight connections, or travellers who value time far more than cost.
Flying directly into Macau
If you're not coming via Hong Kong at all, Macau International Airport (on Taipa) has direct flights from a range of destinations across Asia, including mainland China, and connections from further afield. Several regional airlines serve Macau directly, so it's worth comparing a direct flight against flying into Hong Kong and crossing by ferry or bridge — flying direct saves the extra crossing, but Hong Kong often has more flight options and competitive fares from long-haul destinations.
From Macau International Airport, free casino shuttle buses and public buses run into both the peninsula and Cotai — see our getting around Macau guide for details once you've landed.
Which should you choose?
Our take
For most trips, the ferry is still the easiest choice — frequent departures, no need to pre-book weeks ahead, and (since June 2026) it drops you directly into Taipa, right next to the Cotai resorts. Choose the Golden Bus if you're departing from near Hong Kong airport and want to save on cost, or a direct cross-border coach if you'd rather avoid the transfer at the Hong Kong Port entirely.
FAQ
How long is the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau?
About 60–70 minutes, with departures roughly every 15–30 minutes at peak times.
Do I need a visa to cross from Hong Kong to Macau?
Requirements depend on your passport — many nationalities get visa-free entry to Macau, but check current rules for your nationality before travelling, as Hong Kong and Macau are separate immigration jurisdictions. See our visa and entry requirements guide.
Can I do Macau as a day trip from Hong Kong?
Yes — see our dedicated day trip guide for a realistic hour-by-hour plan.
Which Macau ferry terminal should I use?
As of 15 June 2026, all TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet services from Hong Kong arrive at the Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal — the older Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal on the peninsula is no longer in use for this route.
Is the Golden Bus cheaper than the ferry?
Yes, significantly — roughly HK$65–70 one-way versus HK$175–190 for the ferry — but it only runs between the two border ports, so you'll need separate transport to and from each end.
Sources & further reading
- HZMB — official cross-boundary transport information — Hong Kong government route and service details
- TurboJET — official ferry site — current schedules and fares