Often called the "Vegas of China", Macau is a tiny independent city-state that lies 65 kilometres west of Hong Kong. Defined by Portuguese colonial architecture and glitzy casinos, Macau is a fascinating mix of cultures. While luxury entertainment ( read : gambling) here is world-class, the city has much more to offer than that. One moment you’ll be admiring 17th Century Portugese church, then you could be sampling Chinese street food and the next moment you could step into a casino for some harmless gambling!
Being such a short while away from Hong Kong, most people squeeze in a 2 day visit to Macau on their trip to Hong Kong. If you're planning to do so too, taking a ferry to Macau is your most economical and efficient bet. You have plenty of options, price ranges and can be picked up from different points across Hong Kong.
Traveling From Hong Kong to Macau By Ferry
While traveling by ferries are a popular mode of transport across China, the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau is especially popular. It boasts excellent services from both the two ports and there are a large number of high-speed crossings operated by some of the region’s leading ferry companies. Here's all you need to know before hopping on a ferry to Macau.
What is distance from Hong Kong to Macau by ferry?
Macau lies 19km from Hong Kong via ferry. It should take you 55 minutes approximately to cover the distance.
What are my ferry options from Hong Kong to Macau and back?
Well, you have 2 ferries - the TurboJet Ferry and Cotai Ferry that offers you combined total of 158 sailings per day! Yes, you heard that right. The red ferry is run by TurboJet and the blue ferry is run by Cotai Water Jet. 158 sailings up and down, which means you can pretty much choose an slot of your choice and convinience.
Is it cheaper to buy round trip tickets?
Yes! It most definitely is cheaper to buy round-trip tickets.
Do you need a visa to travel to Macau?
No. Your Hong Kong visa is sufficient to give you entry into Macau.
TurboJet Vs Cotai - Know Your Ferry Better
TurboJet Ferry | Cotai Ferry | |
| Number of Routes | 7 Routes | 3 Routes |
| Most Popular Route | Sheung Wan Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong and Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal | Hong Kong Sheung Wan Ferry Terminal to Taipa |
| Prices | Range from HK$330 to HK$540 ( round trip) | Range from HK$310 to HK$370 ( round trip) |
| Point Of Difference | The TurboJet mainly ferries to Macau Outer Harbour and is convenient for those visiting Macau city. | The Cotai Ferry mainly ferries to Taipa, the area of Macau home to some of the city’s most popular casinos and hotels! |
| Night Ferries | TurboJet runs special ferries at night, peak hours, and during holidays and festivals. | Cotai ferries do not have any ferries scheduled out of their usual timings. |
| Ratings & Reviews | 4/5 - Tripadvisor | 4/5 - Tripadvisor |
| What's best for me? | If you're visiting the Ruins of St. Paul, Macau Tower, Senado Square, and nearby areas, the TurboJet ferry harbour at Outer Harbour Macau is closer. It is also where most restaurants, hotels and the Portugese parts of Macau are. | If you're visiting the Venetian, the casinos, House of Dancing water and A-Mo Cultural Village, the Cotai Ferry at Taipa is closer. |
Apart from the appearance, both the Turbojet ferry and Cotai Ferry are quite similar. Prices are marginally different, so go ahead and choose whichever ferry drops you closest to the area you intend to explore.
Pro Tip : If you happen to find only TurboJet ferries at the time of your convenience, you can disembark and take the casino shuttle to reach the Taipa casino area.
Macau Ferry Routes Simplified
If you're new to the city, seeing the maps and trying to figure out the ferry routes can be taxing. Let me simplify the most popular and frequently used ferry routes for you. If you're looking to travel via any of these routes, grab your tickets right away to avoid last minute hassles!
1. Hong Kong and Macau Outer Harbour - TurboJet
One Way Tickets From HK & Macau
Enjoy seamless transfers between Hong Hong and Macau with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock, departing every 15 minutes.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 55 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Every 15 minutes from 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM daily.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
Round Trip Tickets From HK & Macau
Benefit from seamless round trip transfers between Hong Kong & Macau Outer Harbour with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock, departing every 30 minutes.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 55 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Every 15 minutes from 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM daily.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
- Prices differ if you book for a weekend instead of a weekday. Eg: If you book for a weekday, return trips cannot be scheduled on weekends or holidays.
2. Kowloon and Macau Outer Harbour - TurboJet
One Way Tickets From Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour
Benefit from seamless transfers between Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock, departing every 30 minutes to an hour.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 55 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM to 10:35 PM daily.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
Round Trip Tickets From Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour
Benefit from seamless round trip transfers between Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock, departing every 30 minutes.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 55 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM to 10:35 PM daily.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
- Prices differ if you book for a weekend instead of a weekday. Eg: If you book for a weekday, return trips cannot be scheduled on weekends or holidays.
3. Hong Kong Airport and Macau Outer Harbour - TurboJet
One Way Tickets From Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour
Benefit from seamless transfers between Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock, departing every 30 minutes to an hour.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 55 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM to 10:35 PM daily.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
Round Trip Tickets From Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour
Benefit from seamless round trip transfers between Kowloon & Macau Outer Harbour with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock, departing every 30 minutes.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 55 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM to 10:35 PM daily.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
- Prices differ if you book for a weekend instead of a weekday. Eg: If you book for a weekday, return trips cannot be scheduled on weekends or holidays.
4. Tuen Mun and Macau - TurboJet
One Way Tickets From Teun Mun & Macau
Sit back, relax and benefit from seamless transfers between Tuen Mun & Macau with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 40 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Ferries from Tuen Mun and Macau depart daily at varying times.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
Round Trip Tickets Teun Mun & Macau Outer Harbour / Taipa
Benefit from seamless round trip transfers between Tuen Mun & Macau Outer Harbour with well-equipped TurboJet ferries that run round the clock, departing every 30 minutes.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 40-55 Minutes depending on stop chosen
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Ferries depart every 15 minutes from 7:40 AM to 9:50 PM daily
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
- Prices differ if you book for a weekend instead of a weekday. Eg: If you book for a weekday, return trips cannot be scheduled on weekends or holidays.
5. Hong Kong and Macau (Taipa) - Cotai
One Way Tickets From Hong Kong & Macau (Taipa)
Enjoy seamless transfers from Hong Kong to Taipa, Macau. Board a comfortable boat, sit back and relax while you take in the sights on these fast, convenient transfers.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 45 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : These transfers are available at a half-hourly basis from 7:00 AM-11:30 PM at Hong Kong and 7:00 AM-1:00 AM at Macau.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
Round Trip Tickets Teun Mun & Macau Outer Harbour / Taipa
Enjoy seamless roundtrip transfers to/from Hong Kong or Taipa, Macau. Board a comfortable boat, sit back and relax while you take in the sights on these fast, convenient transfers.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 40-55 Minutes depending on stop chosen
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Ferries depart every 15 minutes from 7:40 AM to 9:50 PM daily
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
- Prices differ if you book for a weekend instead of a weekday. Eg: If you book for a weekday, return trips cannot be scheduled on weekends or holidays.
6. Kowloon and Macau - Cotai
One Way Tickets From Kowloon and Macau (Taipa)
Enjoy seamless transfers from Kowloon to Taipa, Macau. Board a comfortable boat, sit back and relax while you take in the sights on these fast, convenient transfers.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 45 Minutes
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Transfers from Kowloon to Macau (Taipa) are available during the day at 08:15 AM, 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM and 12:15 PM. Transfers from Macau (Taipa) to Kowloon are available at 10:45 AM, 4:45 PM, 5:45 PM and 6:45 PM.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
Round Trip Tickets Kowloon to Macau (Taipa)
Enjoy seamless roundtrip transfers to/from Kowloon or Taipa, Macau. Board a comfortable boat, sit back and relax while you take in the sights on these fast, convenient transfers.
Good To Know
- Travel Time : 40-55 Minutes depending on stop chosen
- Ferry Timings & Frequency : Ferries from Kowloon to Macau depart at 8:15 AM, 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM and 12:15. PM. While ferries from Macau to Kowloon depart at 10:45 AM, 4:45 PM, 5:45 PM and 6:45 PM.
- Luggage : One carry on baggage that must not exceed 20 Kg. Additional 25 HKD for a second bag.
- Prices differ if you book for a weekend instead of a weekday. Eg: If you book for a weekday, return trips cannot be scheduled on weekends or holidays.
Handy Tips For Your Ferry Ride To Macau
- Queue up early and get a seat on the upper deck. Your 1 hour of travel will be all the more worth it with the pristine views.
- If you have a tendency for sea-sickness, the middle seats help combat the nauseating motion.
- You're allowed to bring food onboard. You can also purchase snacks and beverages onboard.
- While Macau’s currency is Macanese Patacas (MOP), the region warmly accepts Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) as well. So, do not worry about getting your currency exchanged as you can pay and request for change anywhere in HKD itself.
- Though ferries run between Hong Kong and Macau every 15 minutes, you can pre-purchase your tickets online for a better deal. Moreover, during peak season, the queues for tickets can get quite long.
