Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China on the Pearl River Delta, about 60 km west of Hong Kong. Its compact peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane combine a UNESCO-listed Portuguese colonial old town, Cantonese temples and street food, and the glittering casino resorts of the Cotai Strip.
- Public
- Dense Transmac, TCM and Macau Public Transport buses (MOP 6 cash, USD 0.75) cover the peninsula, Taipa and Coloane; free casino shuttles link the borders, ferry terminals and resorts; the LRT serves Taipa, Cotai, Seac Pai Van and Hengqin
- Taxi
- Metered black cabs with a MOP 21 (USD 2.60) flag-fall; plentiful at ranks but slow in traffic, with surcharges for airport, ferry terminals, HZMB and Hengqin
- Rental
- Not recommended: narrow one-way streets, scarce parking, driving on the left; tourists may drive with an international permit but buses and taxis are easier
- Walking
- Historic Centre of Macau is compact and walkable; Taipa Village and Coloane are pleasant on foot
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 4/5
- Taxi
- 3/5
- Rental
- 2/5
- Walking
- 4/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi, bus or casino shuttle | Taxi MOP 40-60 (USD 5-7.50); bus MOP 6 (USD 0.75); shuttle free | 10-20 minutes | |
| Taxi or bus | Taxi MOP 75-100 (USD 9.40-12.50); bus MOP 6 | 25-40 minutes | |
| HZMB bus via Hong Kong Port or TurboJET SkyPier | HKD 65-80 plus bus B4 (USD 8-10), or ferry from HKD 194 (USD 25) | 1.5-2 hours |
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Public buses
Hours: Roughly 06:00-24:00; some night routes (N prefix)
Free casino shuttle buses
Hours: Approx 09:00-24:00
Macau Light Rapid Transit (LRT)
Hours: Roughly 06:30-23:00
Taxis
Hours: 24 hours
Pedicabs and bicycles
Hours: Daytime
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Flag Fall
- MOP 21 (USD 2.60) for the first 1.6 km; MOP 2 (USD 0.25) per 220 m thereafter
- Surcharges
- MOP 8 (USD 1) for trips from the airport, Taipa Ferry Terminal, HZMB Macau Port and Hengqin; Coloane and luggage supplements apply
- Payment
- Cash in MOP or HKD; limited card or mobile payments
- Scams
- Drivers may refuse the meter or claim a fixed rate; insist on the meter or use a different taxi. Report complaints to DSAT or the MGTO hotline +853 2833 3000
- Tips
- Show the destination in Chinese characters; drivers rarely speak English; no tipping required
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus
Cost: Approx HKD 65-80 (MOP 67-82, USD 8.40-10.30) one way; slightly higher overnight
Duration: About 45 minutes bridge ride plus border formalities (total 1.5-2 hours door to door)
TurboJET ferry
Cost: Economy HKD 194 weekday, 212 weekend/holiday, 242 night (MOP 200/218/249; USD 25/27/31); Super Class HKD 406/436/460 (MOP 418/449/474; USD 52/56/59) since 25 April 2026
Duration: About 55-65 minutes
Cotai Water Jet
Cost: Cotai Class HKD 192 weekday, 209 weekend/holiday, 242 night (MOP 198/215/249; USD 25/27/31); Cotai First roughly HKD 330-380 (USD 43-49)
Duration: About 55-65 minutes
Macau to Zhuhai (Gongbei) at Border Gate
Cost: Free to cross on foot (MOP 0, USD 0)
Duration: 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on queues
Macau (via Hengqin) to mainland
Cost: LRT token about MOP 6-12 (USD 0.75-1.50); card MOP 3-6 (USD 0.38-0.75)
Duration: About 2-minute LRT ride plus immigration
High-speed rail from Zhuhai
Cost: Approx CNY 70-80 (USD 10-11); verify on the 12306 app
Duration: About 1 hour
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Macau is small and well connected: ferries and the 55 km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge bring most visitors; free casino shuttles, public buses, taxis and a growing LRT handle local travel. The Border Gate and Hengqin Port link Macau to mainland China. A car is rarely needed.
Airports
Macau International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Zhuhai Jinwan Airport
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Google Maps
DSAT 'Macau Bus' real-time bus app
MPay
Alipay / WeChat Pay
TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet apps
12306 (China Railway)
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Carry small MOP or HKD coins: buses give no change at MOP 6 (USD 0.75) cash
Load a Macau Pass card (refundable) or use MPay for reduced bus fares; Octopus cards are not accepted on Macau buses
Free casino shuttle buses run from the Border Gate, Outer Harbour, Taipa Ferry Terminal and HZMB Macau Port to resorts; no hotel booking is required
Insist on the meter in taxis; MOP 8 (USD 1) surcharge applies from the airport, Taipa Ferry Terminal, HZMB Macau Port and Hengqin
Hong Kong dollars are accepted at par-ish (HKD 1 = MOP 1.03) but change is given in MOP
Download Google Maps offline; Chinese place names help with taxi drivers
Cross-border to mainland China needs a valid passport and, for most nationalities, a visa or visa-free eligibility; check before travelling