Get From Hong Kong Airport to Macao

This article discusses several ways to get to Macau (Macao) from Hong Kong. The distance between Hong Kong and Macau is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} over sea and the most common method of transportation is by ferry.

Steps

  1. From the baggage claim area, exit the security doors and walk towards the middle of the arrival terminal to purchase tickets from the automated machine or counter for the Airport Express train.
  2. Board the train and alight at the second stop, about 32 minutes away, at Kowloon.
  3. Exit the platform gates and walk ahead and slightly toward the right to an escalator or the glassed elevator to go up one level.
  4. At the ground level, turn right, then left and walk {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} towards the ground transport hall.
  5. Get on a free K4 shuttle that goes to various hotels and stops at the China Ferry Terminal. Ask the attendant if in doubt.
  6. Get off the shuttle in the basement, in front of the hotel entrance, walk ahead on the sidewalk and enter the building on the right at the far end to the elevators.
  7. Take the elevator to the Departure level, get off and walk to the right toward a row of ticket counters. Find the counter that says First Ferry Macau and buy a ticket for immediate or later departure.
  8. Walk to the departure hall behind you and find the corresponding exit gate. Enter within 30 minutes of departure.
  9. Pass through Hong Kong passport control, and then follow signs to the correct departure gate.
  10. Take a helicopter as an alternative. There is also a heliport at the ferry terminal. It costs considerably more (about 150 GBP) but it only takes 15 minutes to get there.
  11. There is a new ferry system which leaves direct from the Hong Kong Airport (HKIA) which takes 55 minutes to get to Macau.

Tips

  • 15 minutes by helicopter
  • 1 hour 15 minutes by the ferry, plus 1 hour or more to take the train and deal with the ferry terminal.
  • Most ferries arrive at the main Macao Inner Harbor terminal. Some new routes go directly to the casinos at Cotai, not recommended for general tourism unless your hotel is there.
  • A taxi from the airport to the nearest ferry terminal at Kowloon is prohibitively expensive at about 1 hour and up to 300 HKD. If you must do this, try to find a taxi driver who speaks some English and try to bargain for a fixed fair.
  • Note that you may encounter "touts" standing in front of the respective ferry ticket windows offering tickets on the next or upcoming sailing. These are legal safe tickets to buy (offered at face value) on sale because a tour operator over-bought for his group. You may buy a ticket for the next sailing but use it for a subsequent one. Or you may buy a ticket for a sailing a bit later, but usually can present it at the gate for the next sailing unless the ferry is completely full.
  • An alternative is to take the ferry direct from Hong Kong Airport Ferry Terminal. This requires locating the desk before passing through passport control, and checking when the next ferry departs. Since there are few departures throughout the day, you will probably miss it and then must proceed as above. If you take this ferry, ask them about passport control and baggage claim.
  • On the ferry you can relax, buy basic food and drink, and use the toilet. Many people sleep.
  • If you have a large amount of luggage, helpers at the train stations will help you on and off the trains. You are on your own if you take a shuttle (Kowloon) or walk to the ferry terminal (Hong Kong Island)
  • Hong Kong at night is generally safe; don't fear leaving the airport or Express train stations.
  • Another alternative is to take the Express train all the way to Hong Kong Island, the final stop, and then transfer through the train terminal underground to the Shun Tak ferry terminal. Follow signs to walk through a long maze. At the end you will go up a number of levels (total about 5) via escalators to the departure halls and find the ticket booth along the wall for the Macao TurboJet. Enter the restricted zone across the footbridge, take the escalator down to passport control, and then another escalator down again to the ferry gates.

Warnings

  • If you arrive after about 7 PM, it's too late to make the last China Terminal ferry in Kowloon. Then you must proceed to Hong Kong Island and depart from Shun Tak ferry terminal.
  • Be careful about too-eager helpers and watch for pickpockets in Hong Kong. Carry your wallet on your body or in a front pocket (men)
  • Be sure to exchange money upon exiting the baggage claim area to have local currency to buy tickets.
  • Transit visas may be required to complete this task.

Things You'll Need

  • passport
  • local currency
  • rolling luggage or luggage carts

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