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Planning to take the Hong Kong to Macau ferry? The good news is that it’s incredibly easy. With frequent departures throughout the day and a journey time of just one hour, it’s one of the easiest ways to travel between the two destinations.
I recently took the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau myself for a day trip and was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the whole process was. From buying tickets to getting through immigration, everything went much quicker than I expected.
Here’s everything you need to know before taking the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau.
How much does the Hong Kong to Macau ferry cost?
The price of the Hong Kong to Macau ferry depends on the ferry company, the time of day, and whether you’re travelling during a busy period.
The cheapest tickets start from around €18, although most departures are usually priced between €21 and €23. During the busiest times, particularly in the morning and evening when many people are visiting Macau for a day trip, prices can increase to around €27.50.
If you’re travelling on a weekend or during a holiday, I’d recommend booking your ticket in advance. Also, to make sure you get your preferred departure time and don’t need to wait around for the next departure. When I travelled, the ferry looked almost full both times.
I booked my ticket via Klook, and that worked perfectly!
How long is the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau?
The ferry crossing itself takes almost exactly one hour.
Of course, you’ll also need to allow some extra time for check-in and immigration before departure, and immigration again after arriving in Macau. Even so, I found the whole process surprisingly efficient and much quicker than going through an airport. I suggest arriving about 30 minutes before your departure time.
The ferry was smooth, comfortable, and with allocated seating, you can just sit back and enjoy the journey.
Which ferry companies operate between Hong Kong and Macau?
Two main companies operate the Hong Kong to Macau ferry:
Both operate multiple departures throughout the day, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a departure that suits your itinerary.
I travelled with Cotai Water Jet both times, so I can only talk about that experience.
How often do ferries run?
Ferries usually depart every 30 to 60 minutes, although the exact timetable depends on the ferry operator and the time of day.
Morning departures are generally the busiest, as lots of people visit Macau on a day trip. During these peak hours you’ll often find departures every half hour, while quieter periods usually have hourly services.
For my trip, I took the 9:30 am ferry from Hong Kong and returned on the 10:00 pm ferry. Personally, I thought this was the perfect amount of time. I had enough time to explore without feeling rushed, but I also wasn’t left wondering what to do for the last few hours.
How to get to the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal
The Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal is located inside Shun Tak Centre, directly above Sheung Wan MTR Station on the Island Line.
Getting there couldn’t really be easier. Once you arrive at the station, just follow the signs for the Macau Ferry Terminal (Exit D). You don’t even have to leave the building.
One thing that did confuse me slightly was that it eventually looks like you’re walking out of the shopping centre. Don’t worry, you’re still going the right way. You’ll need to head up to the third floor, and not leave the building at all, where you’ll find both the ticket counters and the departure hall.
If you’ve already booked your ticket online, you can skip the ticket counter and head straight towards ticket check and immigration. If not, you can easily buy your ticket there before continuing.
At the ticket check, you can scan your QR code, and they will also give you a physical ticket.
What is the departure process like?
I expected the departure process to take quite a while, but it was actually very straightforward.
After entering the departure area, you’ll first pass through Hong Kong immigration. In most cases, international visitors can use the automated e-Channels, which makes the process very quick.
After immigration, you’ll enter a waiting area that feels quite similar to a small airport terminal. Large screens display your departure gate, making it easy to see where you need to go.
When you enter the waiting area at your gate, staff will place a small sticker on your ticket with your allocated seat number. Seats are assigned, so there’s no need to queue early or worry about finding a place to sit.
Boarding started only a few minutes before departure, and the ferry left right on time.
Arriving in Macau
Once the ferry arrives, you’ll go through Macau immigration before leaving the terminal.
Again, this was much quicker than I expected. I barely had to wait before I was through immigration and ready to start exploring.
How to travel from the Macau Ferry Terminal
Where you go next depends on which part of Macau you want to visit.
Visiting the resorts
If you’re heading to The Venetian, The Parisian, The Londoner, or the Sands, you’re in luck.
These hotels operate free shuttle buses directly from the ferry terminal.
At first I thought these buses were only for hotel guests, so I felt a bit awkward getting on. It turns out anyone can use them, even if you’re only visiting for the day.
Just follow the signs outside the terminal, hop on the correct shuttle, and around ten minutes later you’ll arrive at the resorts. Most of them are connected, making it really easy to explore several of them without needing any extra transport.
I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy this area as much as I did, but it ended up being one of my favourite parts of Macau.
Visiting Macau’s historic centre
If you’re planning to visit Senado Square, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, or Macau’s beautiful Portuguese-style streets, you’ll need to take one of the public buses.
One thing that’s worth knowing is that Macau’s public buses don’t accept bank cards.
Instead, you’ll either need cash or a Macau Pass.
If you’re coming from Hong Kong, I’d recommend bringing a few Hong Kong dollars with you. They’re accepted in many places across Macau, including on the buses, so you don’t have to withdraw Macanese pataca that you’ll probably never use again after your trip.
Just remember that the buses don’t give change, so it’s best to bring smaller notes or coins. The bus costs 6 Macanese pataca.
Overall, I found Macau a little less cashless than Hong Kong. Cards were accepted in plenty of places, but having a small amount of cash definitely made life easier.
Is a day trip from Hong Kong to Macau worth it?
Absolutely.
Before visiting, I wasn’t sure whether one day in Macau would be enough or if it would feel too rushed. After doing the trip myself, I can definitely say it’s worth it.
I managed to explore the resort area, wander through Macau’s historic centre, and see many of the city’s highlights in a single day. That said, I still left feeling like there was more to see. Attractions like teamLab SuperNature Macau, Macau Tower, and some of the museums could easily fill another day.
If your itinerary allows it, I’d probably recommend spending one night in Macau so you can explore at a more relaxed pace. But if you only have one day while visiting Hong Kong, don’t hesitate to make the trip. The Hong Kong to Macau ferry makes it an easy and worthwhile day trip.
Final thoughts
Taking the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau turned out to be one of the easiest parts of my trip. From the quick immigration process to the comfortable crossing and convenient transport on arrival, everything was incredibly well organised.
Whether you’re planning a Hong Kong to Macau day trip or staying overnight, travelling by ferry is by far the most convenient option. Just book your ticket in advance if you’re travelling during a busy period, arrive a little early, and you’ll be exploring Macau before you know it.
Let me know if you have any questions
