Ferry to Macau

Although Macao is connected to Hong Kong by a road bridge and even shares a normal land border with China, maritime transport plays an important role.

Ferries are the quickest and most comfortable way to travel, particularly from Macao to Hong Kong.

Towards mainland China, there is frequent ferry service to the city of Shenzhen, or from inland ports in the narrow strait between Macau and China, from where ferries sail mainly to Zhuhai.

The 10 best hotels in Macau

When travelling from Macau to Hong Kong or vice versa, you must always go through passport control on both sides. Although both cities are formally part of China, they are two autonomous regions with their own rules, so it is not possible to travel between them without a passport.

Ferries from Macau to Hong Kong

The most frequent ferry service operates to the neighbouring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Ferries are significantly faster than buses, and immigration procedures tend to be more convenient and better organised than when travelling by bus.

Routes and ferry companies

In both Macau and Hong Kong, there are always two ferry terminals from which ferries depart. You can find a detailed map below.

Two companies operate regular services between Macau and Hong Kong.

Turbojet – official website, online ticket booking, timetables: turbojet.com.hk
Cotai Water Jet – official website, online ticket booking, timetables: cotaiwaterjet.com

Turbojet

Cotai Water Jet

Both companies operate different main routes.

Macau Outer Harbour <->, Hong Kong Sheung Wan
- OnlyTurbojet operates on this route
- Frequency – every 30 to 60 minutes
- First ferry from both Macau and Hong Kong – 7.30 am
- Last ferry from Macau – 23:59
- Last ferry from Hong Kong – 23:30
Macau Taipa <-> nd Hong Kong Sheung Wan
- The route is mainly served by Cotai Water Jet, with just 1–2 daily services provided byTurbojet
- Frequency – every 30 to 60 minutes
- First ferry from Macau – 09:00 (Cotai)
- First ferry from Hong Kong – 7.30 am (Cotai)
- Last ferry from Macau – 22:30 (Cotai)
- Last ferry from Hong Kong – 23:59 (Cotai)
Macau Taipa <-> Kowloon
- OnlyTurbojet operates on this route
- Frequency – 2–4 ferries a day

The Cotai Water Jet route from Macau Taipa Harbour to Hong Kong Airport ( HKG ) is currently suspended.

How much do tickets cost and where can I buy them?

Tickets for all routes operated by both ferry companies are priced the same. There are slight differences in prices for higher classes, with Cotai Water Jet being cheaper.

Economy Class – seats on the lower deck
Super Class (Turbojet) or Cotai First (Cotai Water Jet) – more comfortable seats on the upper deck with complimentary refreshments (similar to in-flight meals)

Interior of the ship, Cotai Class

Prices also vary between day and night fares, and there are different rates at weekends and on weekdays.

	Economy Class / Cotai Class (Turbojet and Cotai Water Jet)	Super Class (Turbojet)	Cotai First (Cotai)
Daytime sail (weekdays)	175 hkd	365 hkd	310 hkd
Daytime sailings (weekends and public holidays)	190 hkd	395 hkd	329 hkd
Night ferry	220 hkd	415 hkd	360 hkd

The same fares in Macau patacas apply on the journey from Macau to Hong Kong.

When you purchase a ticket, you will be allocated a specific seat on the boat, and it is not possible to reserve a window seat in advance.

Turbojet ticket sales

Ticket offices at the Macau Taipa ferry terminal

Cotai Water Jet ticket

How does passport control work?

Immigration checks are very quick and, as they take place directly within the ferry terminal buildings, everything is very straightforward.

You will go through passport control before entering the waiting areas at the jetties and, after arrival, before leaving the ferry terminal building.

Typical waiting times on both sides of the border are5 to 10 minutes.

Passport control, Hong Kong

Passport control in Macau Taipa

How do I get to the ports?

Where exactly are the Hong Kong and Macau ferry terminals, and which bus or MTR routes go there? Where can you buy tickets or travel cards?

Sheung Wan Pier

Macau Outer Harbour
- “Terminal Marítimo De Passageiros” bus stop – routes 1A, 3, 3A, 10, 10B, 10X, 12, 17S, 28A, 28B, 29, 32, 56, 60, 102X, AP1
Macau Taipa
- Bus stop “Terminal Marítimo De Passageiros Da Taipa” – routes 26, 36, 51A, 73S, MT1, MT4
- “Terminal Marítimo Da Taipa” monorail station
Hong Kong Sheung Wan
- “Sheung Wan” MTR station – dark blue “Island Line”
- "Macau Ferry" bus stop
  - citybus.com.hk– routes 3A, 4, 4X, 7, 37B, 37X, 71, 71P, 90B, 91
  - search.kmb.hk– routes 905, 905P, 914, 914X, 930, 930A, 930B, 930X, 948, 948B, 948P, 948X, 950, 952, 962X, 967, 969, 979, 982X
Hong Kong Kowloon
- ‘Austin’ underground station (450 metres) – brown ‘Tuen Ma Line’
- “Tsim Sha Tsui” MTR station (450 metres) – red “Tsuen Wan Line”
- “China Ferry Terminal” bus stop –search.kmb.hk(3C, 14, 238X)

Macau Taipa bus stop

Sheung Wan Station

You can buy an Octopus card, onto which you can top up your fare in Hong Kong, at any MTR station from a ticket counter or a ticket machine. Detailed information on ticket prices and payment can be found in the section on Transport in Hong Kong.

The Macau Pass travel card, onto which you can top up your fare in Macau, can be purchased at convenience stores in the arrival halls of both Macau ferry terminals. Detailed information on fares and payment can be found in the Transport in Macau section.

Convenience shop selling the Macau Pass

Alternatively, in Macau you can pay the fare in exact cash to the driver ( 6 mop). However, you can also pay in Hong Kong dollars.

Ferries to mainland China

Ferry services to mainland China are ideal for a quick trip to the cities of Shenzhen or Shekou, as well as for crossing from the centre of Macau to the centre of Zhuhai via the Inner Channel.