Planning a Hong Kong to Macau day trip is easier than many first-time visitors imagine. The two cities are well connected, and you have two excellent transport options: the traditional TurboJET ferry across the Pearl River Delta, or the modern Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) Shuttle Bus, which crosses the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge.
The question is:
Which one should you choose?
During our recent Hong Kong holiday, we decided not to choose at all.
Instead, we travelled from Hong Kong to Macau by TurboJET ferry, explored Macau for the day, and returned to Hong Kong that evening via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge Shuttle Bus.
Experiencing both routes allowed us to compare them first-hand and discover that each offers its own advantages. If you’re planning your first visit to Macau, this combination is, in our opinion, one of the best ways to enjoy a day trip.
In this guide, we’ll share exactly how we did it—from buying ferry tickets and boarding the boat to returning across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. Along the way, we’ll also share practical travel tips, real prices, and useful advice that we wished we had known before setting off.
Our Hong Kong to Macau Day Trip at a Glance
| Journey | Transport |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong → Macau | TurboJET Ferry |
| Explore Macau | On foot with a knowledgeable local guide |
| Macau → Hong Kong | HZMB Shuttle Bus |
| Trip Duration | Easy day trip |
| Payment | Apple Pay accepted for ferry ticket purchase |
Why We Chose Two Different Ways to Travel
Most visitors either take the ferry both ways or use the bridge shuttle bus for both directions.
We decided to experience one of each.
There were two reasons.
First, our hotel—the Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan—was only about a 10-minute walk from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, making the ferry an easy and convenient choice for our morning departure. If you’re staying in Sheung Wan or Central, it’s hard to beat the convenience of simply walking to the terminal. (We’ll share why we think this hotel offers some of the best value in Hong Kong in a separate article.)
Second, we wanted to experience the impressive Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge on our return journey. Opened in 2018, this remarkable bridge-tunnel system stretches 55 kilometres (34 miles) across the Pearl River Estuary and is one of the world’s most ambitious engineering projects. Returning by shuttle bus gave us the opportunity to experience this modern marvel while also comparing it directly with the ferry.
As it turned out, taking the ferry one way and the bridge bus the other proved to be an excellent combination.
Before You Go
If this is your first trip to Macau, here are a few things worth knowing before you leave Hong Kong:
- Bring your passport. Although both Hong Kong and Macau are Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of China, you will still pass through immigration when travelling between them.
- Check whether you need a visa for Macau before your trip. Visa requirements may differ from those for mainland China or Hong Kong.
- Allow extra time for immigration and boarding, especially during weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
- Apple Pay and major credit cards can be used to purchase ferry tickets at the self-service kiosks.
- Travel light if you’re only visiting for the day, as you’ll be moving through immigration checkpoints twice.
With that sorted, it was time to make the short walk from our hotel to the ferry terminal and begin our journey across the Pearl River Delta.
Buying Your Hong Kong to Macau Ferry Ticket
One pleasant surprise during our trip was just how easy it was to buy our ferry tickets.
Although many websites recommend booking online in advance, we were travelling on a weekday outside the peak holiday season. Instead of pre-booking, we simply walked into the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal and headed for one of the self-service TurboJET ticket kiosks.
The entire process took only a few minutes.
The kiosk displayed the available sailings, current fares and seating class. We selected the next available departure from Hong Kong to Macau (Outer Harbour), chose Economy Class, and paid directly at the machine.
For us, the fare was HK$194 per person for the 11:00 am sailing.
(Insert photo of the kiosk here.)
One feature we particularly appreciated was the variety of payment options. The self-service kiosk accepted Octopus Card, Apple Pay, major credit cards, and other contactless payment methods.
Elaine simply tapped her iPhone using Apple Pay, and the payment was completed within seconds. If you already have an Octopus Card, you can simply tap it on the reader instead—another convenient option for visitors who have been using Octopus throughout their Hong Kong trip.
Moments later, the machine printed our ferry tickets.
(Insert photo of the ticket here.)
Our printed ticket clearly showed:
- Route: Hong Kong → Macau (Outer Harbour)
- Departure Time: 11:00 am
- Class: Economy
- Fare: HK$194
- Date: 9 July 2026
Having a printed ticket also made it easy to proceed through the departure gates and immigration.
China Travel Bug Tips
💡 Can you buy ferry tickets at the terminal?
Yes. If you’re travelling on a normal weekday, purchasing tickets directly at the terminal is quick and convenient. During weekends, public holidays and major festivals, however, sailings can sell out. Booking online in advance is recommended during these busy periods.
💳 What payment methods are accepted?
The TurboJET self-service kiosks accept:
- Octopus Card
- Apple Pay
- Visa
- Mastercard
- UnionPay
- JCB
This makes buying tickets quick and cash-free for most travellers.
⏰ How early should you arrive?
We recommend arriving 30–45 minutes before departure. This gives you enough time to purchase your ticket (if required), clear immigration and reach your boarding gate comfortably.
If you haven’t already got an Octopus Card, we highly recommend picking one up as soon as you arrive in Hong Kong. Besides paying for MTR trains, buses and convenience stores, it can also be used at the TurboJET self-service ticket kiosks, making your Hong Kong to Macau journey even more convenient.
Arriving in Macau: Don’t Rush Out Just Yet
After about an hour on the TurboJET ferry, we arrived at Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal.
The arrival process was straightforward. After clearing Macau immigration, we entered the main arrival hall, where we paused for a few minutes to get our bearings before heading into the city.
For first-time visitors, this is a good place to slow down rather than rush outside.
Macau may be small, but it’s still a different destination from Hong Kong, and taking a few minutes to understand the transport options can save time later in the day.
A Pleasant Surprise: Everything Is Clearly Signposted
One thing that immediately impressed us was the airport-style wayfinding system.
Directional signs throughout the terminal were clear and easy to follow, with information displayed in Traditional Chinese, Portuguese, English, Japanese and Korean.
For international visitors, this makes navigating the terminal remarkably straightforward, even if it’s your first time in Macau.
The multilingual signs also reflect Macau’s unique identity. As a former Portuguese territory and today’s international tourism destination, Macau welcomes visitors from around the world.
Good News for Hong Kong Visitors: Hong Kong Dollars Are Widely Accepted
Another pleasant surprise was that we didn’t have to exchange money immediately.
Although Macau’s official currency is the Macanese Pataca (MOP), most shops, restaurants and transport operators also accept Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).
That made our day trip much simpler because we had already withdrawn Hong Kong Dollars for our stay in Hong Kong.
China Travel Bug Tip
💰 Do you need to exchange money?
For a day trip, not necessarily.
Most businesses accept Hong Kong Dollars, although change is usually given in Macanese Pataca. If you’re only visiting for the day, many travellers find it perfectly convenient to use HKD throughout their trip.
Hiring a Local Guide in Macau: Why We Chose a Licensed Travel Agency
After clearing immigration at the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, we entered the arrival hall where a number of independent drivers and tour guides were offering sightseeing services.
This is quite common at ferry terminals around the world.
Rather than accepting the first offer, we decided to spend a few extra minutes exploring the terminal.
That’s when we found Smart (C & M) Turismo Limited, a licensed travel agency conveniently located inside the ferry terminal itself.
(Insert photo of the agency and your group photo.)
The staff spoke English, patiently listened to what we wanted to see, and recommended a private sightseeing itinerary that focused on Macau’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, Portuguese heritage, local food and hidden corners—not just the famous casinos.
Within a short time, they arranged a knowledgeable local guide who accompanied us throughout the day.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made.
A good guide doesn’t simply take you from one attraction to another. They explain the stories behind the places, answer your questions, and help you understand what makes Macau unique. Our guide also adjusted the itinerary based on our interests, making the day far more flexible than joining a large coach tour.
For travellers who enjoy learning about the places they visit, we believe hiring a knowledgeable local guide is well worth considering.
Our Recommendation
We had a positive experience with:
Smart (C &M) Turismo Limited
📍 Located inside the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal
Contact
Guide: Lenin Samia
📱 WhatsApp: +853 6307 9755
📱 WeChat: +853 6307 9755
📘 Facebook: Lenin Samia / Macau Time Travel
If you’re interested in a private sightseeing tour, simply mention that you found him through ChinaTravelBug. It helps him know where the referral came from, and he’ll be happy to discuss an itinerary that matches your interests.
China Travel Bug Tip
Not every traveller needs a private guide.
If your goal is simply to visit Senado Square or the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Macau’s public buses and free casino shuttle buses make it easy to explore independently.
However, if you have only one day in Macau and want to understand its fascinating blend of Chinese and Portuguese history, a private guide can make your visit far more rewarding.
Disclosure
We paid for our own private tour during this visit.
After the trip, the guide kindly offered ChinaTravelBug a small referral commission for future bookings made through our recommendation. This does not affect our opinion or our review. We only recommend guides and travel services that we have personally experienced and would confidently recommend to our own family and friends.
Cash in Macau: Our Experience Using a Wise Card at a Bank of China ATM
Although most businesses in Macau accept Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), we wanted to test another option that many international travellers use today—withdrawing cash using a Wise debit card.
Since Elaine already had her Wise card, she volunteered to try it at a Bank of China ATM located inside the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal.
The transaction was straightforward and completed within a few minutes.
The ATM accepted the Wise card without any issues, and Elaine successfully withdrew Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)directly from the machine.
For travellers who already use Wise while travelling overseas, this provides another convenient way to access cash without needing to exchange money at a money changer.
Why We Chose Hong Kong Dollars
One interesting aspect of travelling between Hong Kong and Macau is that both Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) and Macanese Pataca (MOP) are widely accepted in Macau.
Because we had already been using Hong Kong Dollars throughout our Hong Kong trip, we decided to continue using HKD in Macau instead of withdrawing Macanese Patacas.
Our local guide, Tommy, was also happy to accept payment in Hong Kong Dollars, and throughout the day we found many restaurants, shops and attractions that did the same.
For a short day trip, this made things much simpler, as we didn’t have to worry about exchanging money or being left with unused Macanese currency before returning to Hong Kong.
China Travel Bug Tip
💰 Do you need Macanese Patacas (MOP) for a day trip?
Not necessarily.
For most day visitors, Hong Kong Dollars are widely accepted at many tourist attractions, restaurants and shops.
However, there are two things worth remembering:
- Prices are usually displayed in Macanese Patacas (MOP).
- If you pay in Hong Kong Dollars, any change is often given in Macanese Patacas, so try to use smaller notes when possible.
Is a Wise Card Worth Bringing?
Based on our experience, yes.
If you already have a Wise card, it’s a convenient backup for accessing local cash while travelling. We had no problems using it at a Bank of China ATM immediately after arriving in Macau.
That said, for many travellers on a one-day Macau trip, you may not need to withdraw cash at all if you already have sufficient Hong Kong Dollars from your stay in Hong Kong.
Travel Tip: Have an Early Lunch Before Leaving the Ferry Terminal
If you’re travelling to Macau with children—or even as adults—our advice is simple:
Don’t start sightseeing on an empty stomach.
After clearing immigration and arranging our local guide, we decided to have an early lunch before setting off.
Our guide recommended a casual restaurant located on the upper floor of the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal.
(Insert photo of Elaine studying the menu.)
At first, we wondered whether we should wait until we reached Macau’s famous old town to eat.
However, this turned out to be a surprisingly good decision.
The restaurant wasn’t a tourist-focused venue serving Portuguese or Macanese cuisine. Instead, it offered familiar Hong Kong-style Chinese dishes, and we noticed plenty of local workers and office staff having their lunch there—a good sign that it was a reliable and reasonably priced place to eat.
For families, this is especially worth considering.
Once you begin exploring Macau’s historic centre, you’ll probably spend the next few hours walking through Senado Square, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, narrow heritage streets and various attractions. Having everyone well-fed before starting the tour makes the day much more enjoyable, particularly if you’re travelling with children.
China Travel Bug Tip
🍜 Fuel up before your sightseeing begins.
If you’re arriving at the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, consider having an early meal before leaving the building.
We found that:
- The restaurant was clean and comfortable.
- Prices were reasonable.
- It served familiar Hong Kong-style Chinese food.
- Many local workers were eating there—a reassuring sign for first-time visitors.
- It saved us time later, allowing us to explore Macau’s historic district without having to stop and look for lunch.
Sometimes, the simplest travel decisions make the biggest difference.
A small observation we noticed
One thing we’ve learned while travelling is this:
When we’re in an unfamiliar city, we often look beyond the signboard and ask a simple question:
“Where do the locals eat?”
Seeing local office workers and ferry terminal staff choosing this restaurant gave us confidence that the food was likely to be fresh, reasonably priced and consistent. While it’s not a destination restaurant, it was exactly what we needed before a full afternoon of walking around Macau.
More Facilities Inside the Macau Ferry Terminal
Before leaving the ferry terminal, we noticed several familiar facilities that can be useful for travellers.
(Insert photos of McDonald’s and the coffee kiosk.)
If you need a quick meal, coffee or simply want to take a short break before heading into the city, the terminal has convenient options, including:
- 🍔 McDonald’s – ideal for families with children or travellers looking for a quick, familiar meal.
- ☕ BTC (Bean To Cup) Coffee Kiosk – freshly brewed coffee if you need a caffeine boost before starting your sightseeing.
These facilities are especially useful if you’ve just arrived on an early ferry or are waiting for your return sailing to Hong Kong.
China Travel Bug Tip
The Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal is more than just a transport hub. Besides immigration and ferry services, you’ll also find:
- Restaurants and cafés
- ATMs
- Convenience stores
- Licensed travel agencies
- Seating areas and restrooms
If it’s your first time in Macau, there’s no need to rush out immediately. Spending a few minutes getting organised before beginning your sightseeing can make the rest of your day much more relaxed.
Should You Hire a Private Guide in Macau?
For most visitors, a one-day trip from Hong Kong means every hour counts.
After arriving at Macau’s Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, I decided to hire a licensed local private guide with his own vehicle. Instead of following a fixed coach itinerary, we wanted the flexibility to customise the day according to our interests.
For our family, it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.
Why We Chose a Private Guide
🚐 Comfortable Private Transport
One of the biggest advantages was having a dedicated vehicle waiting for us throughout the day.
Macau may be relatively small, but many attractions are spread across different districts. Having a driver meant we could travel comfortably in air-conditioned comfort without worrying about buses, taxis or walking long distances in the summer heat.
For families travelling with children or elderly parents, this alone can make the day far more enjoyable.
📍 A Flexible Itinerary
Unlike package tours with rigid schedules, our itinerary could change throughout the day.
Our guide adjusted the route based on our interests, the weather and the crowds.
When Elaine wanted to spend more time exploring the UNESCO World Heritage area around the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square, there was no pressure to rush.
🎨 Custom Stops Along the Way
One pleasant surprise was visiting the Poly MGM Museum.
The museum hosts changing exhibitions throughout the year. During our visit, the featured exhibition was “Silk Roads Beyond Borders.”
Since much of China Travel Bug explores the history of the Silk Road, this unexpected stop became one of Elaine’s favourite discoveries in Macau.
Sometimes, these unplanned discoveries become the highlights of a trip.
🥧 Visiting the Original Portuguese Egg Tart
Elaine had one special request before arriving in Macau.
She wanted to visit the original Lord Stow’s Bakery, where Macau’s famous Portuguese egg tart first became popular.
Instead of squeezing it into a packed group itinerary, our guide simply adjusted the route and took us there.
For us, that’s one of the biggest advantages of private travel—you can prioritise the places that matter most to you.
🌍 Beyond the Famous Landmarks
Of course, we still visited Macau’s iconic attractions.
From the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the A-Ma Temple—part of Macau’s UNESCO World Heritage Site—to the dazzling Cotai Strip with its spectacular integrated resorts, the itinerary blended history, culture and modern Macau into a single day.
What we appreciated most was that we never felt rushed. Instead of constantly checking bus routes or deciding where to go next, we could simply enjoy discovering Macau.
China Travel Bug Tip
If you’re travelling from Hong Kong for just one day, a private guide may cost more than travelling independently—but it can also help you see significantly more in the same amount of time.
It is especially worthwhile if you’re travelling as:
- Families with children
- Small groups of 3–6 people
- First-time visitors to Macau
- Travellers who want a customised itinerary rather than a fixed group tour
For our family, the extra convenience and flexibility made the experience well worth it.
Getting Back to Hong Kong: Know Which Free Shuttle Bus to Take
One thing we almost overlooked at the end of the day was how to return to Hong Kong.
Our guide pointed us to the correct free casino shuttle bus, which saved us both time and confusion.
(Insert photo of the Venetian/Parisian/Londoner sign.)
Don’t Assume All Free Shuttle Buses Go to the Same Place
Many of Macau’s integrated resorts operate complimentary shuttle buses, but they serve different destinations.
If you’re planning to return to Hong Kong, make sure you board the correct shuttle.
For example:
- Macau Ferry Terminal – for passengers returning by ferry to Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) Macau Port – for travellers returning to Hong Kong by the cross-border shuttle bus (“Golden Bus”).
The buses look similar, but they take you to completely different locations.
Our Return Journey
Instead of taking the ferry back, we chose to experience a different route.
Our guide recommended taking the free shuttle bus to the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) Macau Port, where we crossed the bridge by the 24-hour cross-border shuttle bus back to Hong Kong.
It turned out to be smooth, efficient and gave us the opportunity to experience one of the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge systems.
China Travel Bug Tip
If you’re unsure which shuttle bus to take, don’t hesitate to ask.
During our visit, we found the sales assistants and customer service staff inside the integrated resorts to be friendly and helpful. Simply tell them where you’re heading—whether it’s the Macau Ferry Terminal or the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) Macau Port—and they’ll point you to the correct shuttle bus.
A quick question can save you a long detour and help you get back to Hong Kong smoothly.
