Macau Travel Tips : FAQs
Do you plan on traveling to Macau anytime soon? Read along for Erik the Hungry Traveller’s Macau Travel Tips to ensure your stay in Macau gets to be worthwhile!
Below are the questions that I asked myself before my trip to Macau. And if you are reading this blog, then you must be like me who wants to know the basics of the place before actually going to Macau.
So consider yourself lucky that I am sharing this with all of you (LOL). I visited Macau last May 2019 so these tips are fresh as they can get.
Okay, here we go!
Macau travel Tips: Q&A
Macau Travel Tips # 1. Overnight Vs Day Trip?
You can either go on a day trip or an overnight stay in Macau. It will all depend on your planned itinerary and your travel budget.
Traveling to Macau is usually synonymous with traveling to Hong Kong. One usual itinerary is making Macau a side trip travel after or before exploring Hong Kong.
With this said day trips to Macau is possible, especially now that the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge is finally accessible and can bring you to either of the three places mentioned at any time of the day.
However, if you want a more relaxed tour of Macau and get to see more spots then I recommend you do an overnight stay.
I always consider myself a laid back, chill traveler. Thus in all my visits to Macau, I always stay overnight.
I visit the known tourist spots in the morning and explore the hotels and casinos at night.
Macau Travel Tips # 2. How do I Get to Macau?
You can get to Macau via Hong Kong either through:
- Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge
- Turbo Jet or Cotai Water Jet Ferry
- By Swimming – Kidding!
Macau Travel Tips: As mentioned in my first travel tip. You can now take the Hong Kong – Zhuhai- Macau Shuttle buses heading to Macau.
Travel time is at 30-40 minutes in crossing the bridge. This option is cheaper and faster than riding a ferry.
A Ferry Tale Story
There are two ferries (the boat not the “fairy godmother” – a bad joke I know) that would cross Macau from Hong Kong and vice versa.
They are the Turbo Jet Ferry and Cotai Water Jet Ferry.
The Turbo Jet ferry arrives in Macau at the Macau Outer Harbor while the Cotai Water Ferry arrives in Macau at the Taipa Ferry Port.
Travel time for either of the two ferry boats is approximately 1 hour.
What’s the difference if you arrive at the Outer Harbor and Taipa Ferry Port? Well, you’ll find out in the next travel tip. (wink)
Macau Travel Tips # 3. Know the Difference Between Macau Outer Harbor and Taipa
There are two ferry ports in Macau. One is near Macau’s tourist spots while the other is near the Casino strip.
Want to take a guess which one is which?
Macau Outer Harbor is closer to the frequently visited tourist spots of Macau and if you want to explore the Las Vegas side of Macau then your starting point should be in Taipa.
Macau Travel Tips: Knowing the difference between the Outer Harbor and the Taipa ferry port is crucial as this is a good vantage point when exploring Macau.
When you ask directions from locals they always reference either the Outer Harbor or the Taipa port when they give out direction.
Macau Travel Tips 4. Where to Stay in Macau
Stay at Grand Lapa Macau Hotel as it is near the famous tourist spots in Macau and it also has a great view of the Outer Harbor.
There are a lot of hotel options in Macau. But Grand Lapa Macau is one of the better options to choose from.
The hotel is one of the pioneering 5-star hotels in Macau. Thus it’s a tourist attraction in itself. And just because it one of the first does not mean its facilities are old.
Shall we compare Grand Lapa to wine? As it ages it becomes more and more sophisticated.
Fun Fact: Macau has a strong European influence since they were previously a colony of Portugal. And Grand Lapa captures the beauty and regality of old Portugal combining with the rich Chinese architecture which is equally beguiling.
Grand Lapa Macau is a practical and value for money option if you wish to stay for a couple of days in Macau.
It has all the amenities and facilities of the more expensive 5-star hotel at a more reasonable cost.
Macau Travel Tips 5. Mode of Transportation While Exploring Macau
Unlike Hong Kong, Macau does not have any trains. You can either explore Macau either through walking, by bus or by taxi, or a combination of the three.
Macau Travel Tips: Explore Macau by taking a bus AND walking
Bus rides in Macau can be so much fun! Taxis are not that expensive in Macau. However, it generally costs more compared to riding a bus and walking. Plus you are there to explore and immerse in the culture of Macau. Ride a bus and walk!
The bus in Macau cost 6 Macanese Pataca /HKD and multiple bus routes will take you to the different parts of Macau.
A taxi ride from Grand Lapa Hotel to Macau Tower cost me around 40 HKD while a bus ride would only cost me 6 HKD. You do need to walk to the bus stops
Oh, another tip: When asking for directions make sure to ask the Macau police officers or hotel concierge (any of the hotels) as they are the best at giving directions.
Macau Travel Tips 6. Using Hong Kong Dollars in Macau
You absolutely can use Hong Kong money while in Macau! However, you can not use Macau currency when in Hong Kong.
Macau Travel Tips :
When shopping in Macau make sure to ask the shop for a change in Hong Kong Dollars so that you can still use it on your Hong Kong trip. If you do not want to make sure to use up all your Macau money before heading to Hong Kong.
Macau Travel Tips 7. Places to Visit in Macau
Here are my top choices and my final Macau travel tip. I have been to Macau a couple of times, and these are the must-visit places when exploring Macau.
- Ruins of St Paul
- Senado Square
- Macau Tower
- Cotai Strip
- Hotel Hopping at the Cotai Strip
Pack Your Bags. Macau is waiting for You!
Macau may not be on top of your list when we talk about South East Asia destinations. But I tell you the place is beautiful and offers a lot of great cultural experience. Macau is the perfect blend of when east meets the west type of place.
I hope that my Macau travel tips would ease up your apprehension and or concern about visiting this wonderful place.
So there you have it! Erik the Hungry Traveller’s Macau Travel Tips. Xiexie / thank you/ Salamat, everyone, for finding time to read. See you in my next posts.
36 thoughts on “Macau Travel Tips: Commonly Asked Questions About Macau”
Erik. you made Makau my next destination. Your blog will be my reference on trips from now on!!
This is so helpful. I will be travelling to Macau on my own too, and seeing your blog is a really big help. This made me more excited!!
I always hear good things about Macau. It really interests me. Thanks for sharing tips,it would be helpful for future reference.
So so glad you shared this with us. I am headed there next month. These are useful tips.
Macau is indeed a beautiful place and the answers you have provided here are really very informative.
Macau looks stunning, I would definitely love to visit some time. I’m defo adding this to my bucket list.
id love to add this place in my bucket list .. I haven’t tried travelling abroad bu hopefully someday – when I conquer my fear of height ahaha
I’m going to Macau in next month. I can’t to see the places. Thanks for sharing your tips!
I would love to visit Macau – it looks like you had so much fun….not only on the bus. It’s such an unusual place – and I love the fact that they speak Portuguese – will make travelling much easier for me.
Yes Macau has been one of my fave international destinations. Yes a lot of the signs there are translated to portuguese and chinese so im sure navigating the streets would be a breeze for you
The Phlippines is blessed with such a beautiful land and amazingly warm people. I always love coming back to the Philippines every year.