Hong Kong and Macao Together: How Many Days and How to Get Between Them?

How to split your days

Our guides suggest 3 to 4 days for Hong Kong on its own and 1 to 2 days for Macao, and the Macao guide notes that many travellers combine the two. On a combined trip, two to three days in Hong Kong plus one to two in Macao, or 4 to 5 days in total, is a comfortable pace.

With one day in Macao, focus on walking the Historic Centre on the Macao Peninsula (Senado Square, the Ruins of St. Paul's, Mount Fortress). With two, add A-Ma Temple, Guia Fortress and the villages of Taipa and Coloane.

Our existing posts cover a Hong Kong-only itinerary and getting in from the airport. This post focuses on linking the two cities.

• 4 days: Hong Kong 2 + Macao 1-2
• 5 days: Hong Kong 3 + Macao 2
• Macao 1 day: Historic Centre / 2 days: add Taipa and Coloane

• Hong Kong travel guide →
• Macao travel guide →
• Hong Kong in 3 days →

Where to fly in and out

There are two main options: fly into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and out of Macau International Airport (MFM), or fly in and out of Hong Kong with a side trip to Macao. Which works better depends on flights and fares for your dates, so compare recent search prices on the route pages below.

If you leave from Macao, staying your last night in Taipa keeps the airport trip short. Public buses, the LRT Taipa Line and taxis serve Macau airport; a taxi to central Macao Peninsula takes about 20 minutes.

On a Hong Kong round trip, decide whether to bring all your luggage to Macao. For a short visit, leaving bags at your Hong Kong hotel or a luggage storage service makes the crossing easier.

• Incheon → Hong Kong route info →
• Incheon → Macao route info →
• Hong Kong airport to the city →

Getting between Hong Kong and Macao

You can cross by ferry or by bus. Ferries arrive at Macao's Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (Macao Peninsula side) or Taipa Ferry Terminal (near the airport and Taipa). If you are staying near the Historic Centre, the Outer Harbour is closer; for Taipa or the airport area, Taipa terminal is handier.

The other option is the shuttle bus across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. MGTO says a taxi from the airport to the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal takes about 15 minutes, so onward trips within Macao are short.

We do not quote schedules or fares. Check ferry schedules on marine.gov.mo and the bridge shuttle on hzmbus.com before you go.

• Ferry: to Macao's Outer Harbour or Taipa ferry terminal
• Bus: Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge shuttle
• Schedules and fares: check official sites (marine.gov.mo, hzmbus.com)
• Entry rules for both places depend on your nationality — check each government's official information

Money: Hong Kong dollars and patacas

Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) and Macao the pataca (MOP). The pataca is pegged at MOP103.20 = HKD100, so the two are close in value. Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes Hong Kong dollars are widely used in Macao too, and cards are widely accepted.

Macao's public buses cost MOP6 a ride and give no change, so carry coins or a Macau Pass card. In Hong Kong, an Octopus card covers transport and convenience stores; keep a little cash for small stalls.

• Peg: MOP103.20 = HKD100
• Macao bus MOP6, no change given
• Macao taxi MOP21 for the first 1,600 m, MOP8 extra from the airport
• Hong Kong daily budget about HK$500-700 (budget) to HK$1,200-1,600 (mid-range)

• Cash vs card vs travel card →

Sample 5-day itinerary

Built from the sights in our guides: 2 days in Hong Kong and 2 in Macao, plus a departure day. For 4 days, skip Day 4 and keep Macao to the Historic Centre. The last day works whether you fly out of Macao or return to Hong Kong.

Check opening hours and closing days officially. The steps at the Ruins of St. Paul's get very crowded by day.

• Day 1 (Hong Kong): Central and Sheung Wan lanes, Man Mo Temple → Victoria Peak → Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui for the Symphony of Lights
• Day 2 (Hong Kong): dim sum → Ngong Ping 360 and the Tian Tan Buddha → Temple Street Night Market
• Day 3 (to Macao): ferry or bridge bus → Senado Square → Ruins of St. Paul's → Mount Fortress → Macao Museum → egg tarts and a pork chop bun
• Day 4 (Macao): A-Ma Temple → Guia Fortress and Lighthouse → bus to Taipa Village (Rua do Cunha, Taipa Houses) → Coloane Village
• Day 5: fly out of Macao, or return to Hong Kong for your flight

Typhoons, safety and what to check

Summer is typhoon season in both cities. In Hong Kong it runs May to September, and when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or higher is raised, buses, ferries and most public transport stop. In Macao the season runs May to November, worst in July to September. Services between the two cities can change too, so leave a spare day around your crossing.

For weather, October to December is best in Hong Kong and October to November in Macao, so autumn suits a combined trip.

Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that thefts targeting tourists are frequent in Macao. Keep bags in front on crowded heritage steps and squares, and check your government's travel advisory before you go.

• Weather: Hong Kong forecasts and Macao's weather bureau (smg.gov.mo)
• Ferry schedules marine.gov.mo, bridge shuttle hzmbus.com — check officially
• Entry rules for Hong Kong and Macao: check each official source (vary by nationality)
• Macao emergency 999, MGTO tourism hotline +853 2833 3000
• Hong Kong uses British-style three-pin (Type G) outlets; bring an adapter if needed

FAQ

Related reading

Itinerary · Hong KongHong Kong in 3 Days: Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, the Peak and LantauA 3-day Hong Kong plan: Central, Kowloon, Star Ferry, the Peak, Octopus card, dim sum,…Tips · Hong KongHong Kong Airport to the City: Train, Bus or TaxiAirport Express, A-route bus or taxi from Hong Kong airport: times, fares, best fit by…ComparisonPaying Abroad: Cash vs Credit Card vs Travel Money Card — What's Cheapest?How exchange rates and card fees really work abroad, when cash still matters, and how to…

All articles →