HONG KONG TO MACAU | TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY, BUDGET, CHEAP HOTELS
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Hong Kong to Macau?
More and more people visit Macau when they travel to Hong Kong. I also did the same. Macau is just a fast ferry or a bus ride away from Hong kong, and it is of course, practical to add it to your itinerary. I have outlined below necessary information that may be helpful when planning your trip to Hong Kong and Macau.
Hong Kong to Macau: Reasons to Add Hong Kong in Your Itinerary
Regarded as the shopper’s paradise in Asia, Hong Kong is flocked by both locals and foreigners alike to splurge or to spend some quality time doing window shopping.
But Hong Kong is more than just its shops, stalls, and goodies. There is another facet to this bustling city which appeals to all visitors, apart from shopaholics, in general.
1. An “East Meets West” Experience
Hong Kong was a former colony of Great Britain, which earned it the moniker “British Hong Kong.” For a region situated in the East but once ruled by a Western country, Hong Kong is an Eastern city with the vestiges of Western influences to it.
Although much of Hong Kong today is predominantly of Chinese culture, in reality, the city is much more diverse culture-wise, mixing various people from different ethnicities. It is quite amazing to see a melting pot of unique individuals set in the same location.
2. It’s also about the food
Chinese people are famous for their cuisines. Hong Kong, being at the perfect location close to the sea, is best known for its sumptuous seafood dishes as well as a myriad of dim sum—or bite-sized—foods.
The dishes you could try in Hong Kong are substantially unique from the rest of China. When the foods from the provinces of the country are known for their exquisite tastes, the grubs at Hong Kong are more carefully-suited for general consumers—meaning, they are made more palatable to suit varying tastes.
But Hong Kong also understands that people in the area are not only there for their local dishes. As such, you can also expect dishes from other culture served in the area, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and African.
3.For the sights worth seeing
It is hard to imagine Hong Kong is a place of visit without its commerce. But strip the city momentarily off of its merchants, what you get are stunning places flocked by people. Hong Kong, therefore, is also a tourist destination for its amazing views, often best viewed from high places.
For instance, reaching the zenith of Victoria Peak would give you a bird’s eye view of possibly all of Hong Kong and the surrounding places. A perfect location to take panoramic shots of the nearby vistas.
4.An ideal family destination
Hong Kong is a place full of parks, museums, and nature reserves that could accommodate families. Children alone are specifically enjoying Hong Kong for the likes of Disneyland as well as the Hong Kong Space Museum, among others.
5.Vibrant nightlife
The fun never stops for the people of Hong Kong. When night time comes, so are the night owls who are exuberant in enjoying the city’s clubs and discos.
But enjoying the city’s landscape during the dark is also another part of it. For people who would prefer to keep it wholesome and low-profile, there is the night cruise along Victoria Harbor which gives discerning passengers a tour across the waters of Hong Kong and a view to the astonishing Symphony of Lights.
Must read: Hong Kong Travel Guide
Hong Kong to Macau: Why Macau Should Be Added in Your Itinerary
Macau is often popularized by the idea that it’s the “Las Vegas of Asia” for an excellent reason—when the gamblers from every direction of the world are not trying their luck at the casinos or are indulging in their sinful nature in the said U.S. state, they are flocking in Macau to do the same thing.
But is the place just a paradise for wealthy gamblers or hedonists who have lots of money to burn with their expensive hobby?
Gambling and excessive indulgences maybe two things about this unique region in China. But there is more to Macau than what common hearsay suggests.
1.A melting pot of various cultures
Macau may be home to at least half a million natives. But that number speaks only of the local Chinese who themselves hail from diverse ethnicities. Mixing that idea to the fact that Macau is also a hotspot for tourists, this select administrative region easily creates a melting pot of people from a unique culture. If anything, these people add unique color and dynamics to an otherwise monotonous and static setting.
2. It’s like Hong Kong, only better
It might seem like an orange-to-apple comparison to pit both Macau and Hong Kong from one another as tourist destinations. In reality, the two share many significant similarities from each other such as by espousing commerce in its many forms, but with Macau surpassing it in some ways possible. To put it in simple terms, Macau inhabits everything that makes Hong Kong special, only make it significantly better by adding more flair to it.
3. Macau feels like being in two different worlds at once
Whereas Hong Kong was once a colony of the British back in the day, Macau was a slice of the large pie by the Portuguese. Despite being relatively free from the grasp of its former colonial master, the influence of Portugal remains palpable and visible in Macau, essentially mixing it with the predominantly Chinese culture. When you see Western buildings coalescing with Oriental architecture, there is a sense of being in two significantly distinct but harmoniously blending worlds.
4. It’s a food paradise
It is hard to enjoy any place with an empty stomach. The people in Macau know this full well and whose idea alone transformed the area into heaven for food lovers. Although Chinese foods are still unique in the place, there is no denying of the appeal of foreign dishes, particularly Portuguese and African, can offer on the table.
5.Ideal location for taking photographs
Both shutterbug and professional photographers alike have a special place in Macau for their hobby and trade. Featuring areas that are significantly unique and distinct from most, the place makes for a comfortable place for taking valuable images at any angle. Like taking photos in general, every shot you make while in Macau is like taking a piece of it with you, the idea alone of which is exciting.
Must read: Macau Travel Guide
Travel Visa [Hongkong to Macau]
Filipinos can enter Hongkong and Macau without a Visa.
For other passport holders, you may check the links below
Hong Kong and Macau Money
Hongkong: HK Dollar – 1 HK Dollar = PHP 6.56 = 0.13 USD
Macau: Macanese Pataca – 1 Macanese Pataca = PHP 6.36 = 1.12 USD
There are many ATMs and money changers all over Hongkong and Macau. You can change your USD the moment you arrive at Hongkong International Airport.
Electricity and Power Plugs in Hong Kong and Macau
Hongkong’s standard electrical voltage is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most bathrooms in some hotels also have outlets for 100 volts; otherwise, you will need a transformer for your appliances. Most convenience stores in Hongkong sell inexpensive adaptors.
Macau’s electrical voltage is 220 V, 50 Hz.
List of Budget Hotels in Hong kong
Book your Hongkong Hotel room in advance. These few accommodations listed below are situated
in Tsim Sha Tsui Area. I prefer this area because of its proximity to various transport hubs and attractions.
To book, simply click any of the links below.
Cosmic Guest House (Managed by Koalabeds Group)
licheng guesthouse Canadian Hostel
Hong Kong to Macau Itinerary
Day 1 – Hongkong
- Arrival
- Claim Octopus Card and Wifi Device at Hongkong Airport
Skip the line, you can buy Octopus Card and Wifi Device on the links below
BOOK YOUR HONGKONG OCTOPUS CARD (HK AIRPORT PICK UP) HERE
RENT 4G WIFI (Hong Kong Pick Up) FOR HONGKONG AND MACAU HERE
- Travel from the Airport to the Hotel
If you are traveling with many pieces of luggage, it would be more convenient to take a shared coach transfer from the airport to your hotel.
You can book your shared coach transfer on the link below:
BOOK SHARED COACH TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO YOUR HOTEL HERE
- Hotel Check-in
- Exploring Tsim Sha Tsui Area: Space Museum, Museum of Art, Avenue of Stars, Temple Street
- Rest
Must read:
Tsim Sha Tsui Travel Guide
Hongkong Space Museum and Avenue of Stars
Nathan Road
DAY 2 – Hongkong
- Disneyland (Whole Day)
BOOK DISNEYLAND PARK TICKET HERE
Avoid the line, book your Disneyland Ticket in advance below:
Must read: Disneyland
DAY 3 – Hongkong
- Lantau Island: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, Lantau Village.
You can book in advance through the link below:
BOOK NGONG PING 360 + LANTAU CULTURAL TOUR HERE
If you don’t want to join the heritage tour just book the cable car on the link below:
BOOK NGONG PING 360 ROUND TRIP HERE
Must read:
Lantau Island Travel Guide
Ngong Ping Cable Car
DAY 4- Hongkong
- Star Ferry Ride, Victoria Peak, Ocean Park, and) Symphony of Lights (Evening)
To avoid the line, you can book in advance the following:
Tram in going to Victoria Peak – BUY PEAK TRAM FAST-TRACK COMBO TICKET HERE
Ocean Park – BUY OCEAN PARK TICKET (QR Code Direct Entry) HERE
Must Read:
Star Ferry Ride
Victoria Peak
Ocean Park
Symphony of Lights
DAY 5 – Hongkong to Macau
BOOK HKMO EXPRESS BUS TRANSFER HONGKONG to MACAU HERE
Must read:
DAY 6- Going Home
Hongkong to Macau Travel Budget
This budget is just a guide for you to plan your trip. Always anticipate that you will spend a little more depending on your travel style, preference, etc.
Note: I did not include in this budget the airfare.
Hotel
1,000/day ( There are many cheap Hotels and Inns along Tsim Sha Tsui, Hongkong area, depending on the season of course. Cheap hostels range from PHP 600-800. Of course, you can opt for a mid to high range hotel; please click on the links above for the list of hotels.)
Food
Your budget for Hongkong to Macau trip would depend on where you wanted to eat. There are fast-food chains all over, convenience stores that can be found anywhere all over these places. Most budget hotels don’t offer free breakfast, but they do have free coffee and hot water. Some budget travelers would buy drinks, bread, noodles, etc. from a convenience store for their breakfast. Again, it depends on how much you wanted to spend on your food.
DAY 1
- Hong Kong Octopus Card (HK Airport Pick Up) -PHP 602 (initial load)
- 4G WiFi Device rental for Hong Kong to Macau: PHP 1,770 (6 days)
- Octopus Card (you will use this to get around Hongkong). The load that you will load would depend on where will you go. You can reload your card at thousands of locations all over Hongkong ( You can reload your Octopus card at Mc Donald, 7 Eleven, Watsons, Train Stations,etc.)
- Shared Coach Transfers from HKG Airport to Hong Kong Hotels: PHP 445
Most of the attractions in Tsim Sha Tsui Area are free. However, Museums like the Space and the Museum of Art, you need to pay for the entrance. The Avenue of Stars and Temple Street are free.
DAY 2
Disneyland Park Ticket – PHP 3,838.00
DAY 3
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car + Lantau Island Heritage Tour -PHP 2,193
DAY 4
Star Ferry Ride
Victoria Peak : Price for the Round Trip Bus + Observation Wheel + Sky Terrace 428 + Madame Tussauds (4-in-1 Combo) – PHP 1,696
Ocean Park- PHP 1,375
Symphony of Lights (Evening) – Free
DAY 5
HKMO Express Shared Bus Transfers from Hong Kong to Macau (Chinalink): PHP 1,034
I opted to visit free tourist attractions in Macau, so I only spent on bus transportation.
DAY 6
Hi Sir! I found your blog very helpful, read everything on it. We have an upcoming HK trip this August & decided to do it in our own since we are on a budget. I’m glad to hear you also stayed at Canadian Hostel, we will also be staying here since it’s the cheapest hostel we can find). We just hope we won’t have any problems with the immigration since we are a group of young individuals. I’ll keep reading this blog as reference. Thank you & God speed!
wow, than you. enjoy your trip.for as long as your passports are okay, there will no problem. Enjoy
This is a fun place to visit… but i just noticed that some vendors are quite pushy
tama ka, but just be nice and be careful when asking for discounts