Hong Kong - Macau Border Crossing Options (Bus and Ferry)
There are two border crossing options for your Hong Kong and Macau Trip. Looking for the better of the two will depend on your situation or preference.
Good questions to ask when deciding:
Good questions to ask when deciding:
1. How much is my budget?
2. How many hours can I allot for travel time?
3. Do I easily get seasick?
Ferry and bus during the "crossing" will both take an hour. The differences are 1. price, 2. location/distance of the ports, 3. volume of people at the immigration counter
Klook link: Book your Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Tickets here.
Klook link: Buy your Hong Kong Octopus card here.
I've tried both ways of crossing so this is my attempt to compare hoping that I can help you decide which suits your time and budget more.
Hong Kong - Macau - Zhuhai Border Crossing via Bus
Open 24 hours
As of November 2023:
As of November 2023:
Bus ticket: 65 HKD per person
Bus fare (can be paid via Octopus card or cash) to HZMB Hong Kong Port Passenger Clearance Building via the Airport Bus: 33 HKD
Bus fare in Macau: 6 HKD/ 6 MOP
FYI: This is currently the longest bridge-tunnel system sea-crossing in the world.
This port is in Lantau Island so you can also ride the MTR to Sunny Bay and B5 bus to the clearance building. I opted for the airport bus because we had our luggage with us.
The bus ride itself was comfortable and there are a lot of buses plying this route non-stop, immigration process was fast but this will also depend on the volume of people that will be there with you
Tickets can be purchased using Octopus card, Cash, or Credit Card. No reservations needed.
Tickets can be purchased using Octopus card, Cash, or Credit Card. No reservations needed.
Klook link: Buy your Hong Kong Octopus card here.
Again, take into consideration that going to HZMB Hong Kong Port Passenger Clearance Building via the airport bus takes more than an hour from the center of Hong Kong.
Going to Cotai, Taipa, old Macau from the border may also take an hour.
Riding the bus for the border crossing definitely saved us money but it took us around 4 hours for the whole process so if you're crossing for a day tour then also bring a lot of patience 'cause you might need to spend 6-8 hours travelling back and forth the clearance buildings and four immigration counters. If you decide to take this, start as early as you can.
If I were to do this again, then I'd still choose the bus if it's round trip or for when my airplane ticket enters and exits Hong Kong.
Hong Kong - Macau - Zhuhai Border Crossing via Ferry
Open until 11 PM (visit Klook or their website to confirm)
Open until 11 PM (visit Klook or their website to confirm)
Click on this link to view the price, available dates, and book: Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Tickets.
We rode this pre-pandemic so this experience that I'll write below is assuming that not a lot of things has changed since then.
The ferry port we rode at was in Sheung Wan, I believe there's a also a port in Kowloon. It's close if you're staying in Central, TST, Mongkok etc. for you don't have to travel back to the airport area.
The ferry in Macau side is closer to the tourist attractions compared to the Gongbei border. Also, there should be a lot of casino free shuttles you can ride from here. This is still the more efficient way of crossing borders especially for day tourers.
If I were to do a Macau Day Tour from Hong Kong (which I'd rather not), I'll ride the Ferry back and forth especially if money/budget is not an issue or I'd ride the Ferry going to Macau then the bus going back to Hong Kong.
If I were to do a Macau Day Tour from Hong Kong (which I'd rather not), I'll ride the Ferry back and forth especially if money/budget is not an issue or I'd ride the Ferry going to Macau then the bus going back to Hong Kong.
Btw, Macau is one of my favorite destinations so it's not enough for me to stay for a few hours if I'm there. But I also understand why a lot of travelers opt for a day tour 'cause if you plan your itinerary well, a day should really be enough to explore the famous tourist spots in Macau.
PICTURES FROM THE BUS RIDE:
This building is new and it's easy to navigate even for first timers. Here you'd have to show your passport and arrival card 'cause you're exiting Hong Kong. There wasn't an arrival form in Macau but you'd have to answer the HK arrival form again when going back to Hong Kong.
No traffic. No seasickness.
Macau side was also easy to navigate. There's are several bus outside although I wasn't paying attention so I don't know if there were free shuttles here as well.
PICTURES FROM THE FERRY RIDE in 2019:
If you plan on staying the night in Macau, personally the best way was how we did it before.
Entry Airport - Hong Kong
Border Crossing
Exit Airport - Macau
For this, you won't need to cross the border twice.
For this, you won't need to cross the border twice.
Everything, in time. 💖
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