How to get the bus from Macao to Hong Kong Airport (and vice versa)
We’re creatures of habit, so don’t blame yourself if you’re still getting to and from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) the hard way. But there really is no need to bother with ferries or the regular bus when a direct service seamlessly connects you to the airport. If you’re travelling from Macao, you can even check-in your luggage and pick-up your boarding pass before getting on the bus. How easy is that?
This is what you need to know about getting to and from HKIA.
From Macao
Where do I catch the HK Airport Direct bus from?
The bus departs from the not-so-catchily named HZMB Macao Port – which is not a port in the maritime sense of the word but an enormous bus station on the Macao side of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
The facility is located in the northeastern part of Macao, next to the Macau New Urban Zone reclamation project and is served by the 101X and 102X local bus routes. You can also get there by taxi (if you can find one) or by free hotel shuttle buses that depart from Wynn Macau, Ponte 16, the Londoner, Wynn Palace and Grand Lisboa Palace (the latter in the evenings only). Click here to learn more.
What do I need to know about the schedule?
The bus to HKIA departs every 30 minutes starting from 7:30 am to 7.30 pm daily. The ride takes about 45 minutes. Minimum flight connection times vary according to the airline, so check the table here when planning your journey.
Where can I purchase my bus tickets?
Tickets can be purchased at HZMB Macao Port, or reserved online. You can get them up to 30 days before your departure date.
The cost is 280 patacas for adults, or 210 patacas for seniors 65 years old and children 12 and below.
One piece of baggage is free. Additional baggage costs 90 patacas per piece.
So I can check-in for my flight before leaving Macao?
For most direct flights, yes. Have your baggage x-rayed, go through security, then follow the sign that says “Hong Kong International Airport Check-in Service.” You’ll be issued with your airline boarding pass at the counter.
You then pass through Macao’s immigration checks and can relax at the HK Airport Direct lounge until your bus is ready for boarding.
What happens at the Hong Kong end?
Once you arrive in Hong Kong, you pass through another security screening, which is normally very efficient and shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes.
Little known fact: passengers who arrive at HKIA via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge are entitled to a refund of the airport departure tax – about 120 patacas. You can apply for this at a counter right after security.
You’re now airside. All you have to do is enjoy a drink, a meal, or some duty-free shopping in the departure lounge until your flight is ready for takeoff.
[See more: Here’s a guide to the hotel and casino shuttle bus services in Macao]
From Hong Kong International Airport
I’ve just landed at HKIA. Where do I go?
Follow the signs that read “Mainland/Macao Ferries” and “Bonded Bus” (that’s you). The ferry and bus ticket counters are located next to each other.
What about my bags?
When you buy your bus ticket, you also hand in your luggage tag: they’ll use it to help you transfer your baggage from plane to bus.
If you have checked luggage, you’ll need to wait at least an hour until they’ve retrieved your bags. If you have hand luggage only, you should be able to board a bus fairly quickly.
See above for ticket costs.
What happens after I buy my ticket?
Half an hour prior to boarding time, take HKIA’s Automatic People Mover (it’s a driverless train) to your assigned bus bay, which will be near the airport ferry piers. Your luggage will be waiting for you there. Collect it and then board the bus.
Once you arrive in Macao, a security check and immigration formalities await – then you’re done. Bem vindo!
