How to Get from Hong Kong Airport to Macau by Bus
My Actual Travel Route from Hong Kong Airport to Macau
Arriving in Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) late at night was the starting point of my Macau trip.
And the first question was simple:
How do I get from Hong Kong Airport to Macau at this hour?
Before the trip, I found information about a free shuttle bus service that is occasionally offered between Hong Kong Airport and Macau via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB).
And the first question was simple:
And as it turned out—
choosing this route was absolutely the right decision.
Before the trip, I found information about a free shuttle bus service that is occasionally offered between Hong Kong Airport and Macau via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB).
And as it turned out—
choosing this route was absolutely the right decision.
No immigration procedures in Hong Kong,
no complicated transfers,
and incredibly smooth entry into Macau.
It was one of the most comfortable cross-border transfers I’ve experienced.
The route I took—from Hong Kong Airport ➜ Macau—was during a promotional free period.
Even outside the free period, you can follow the exact same steps.
So basically, the process is the same anytime!
Below is the full flow of the route:
🚌 Direct Bus from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to Macau
After arriving at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA),
I used the free shuttle bus operated by “Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct.”
▶Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct
Even though it’s an airport transfer, the surprising part is this:
- You don’t need to go through Hong Kong immigration at all
- This alone makes the journey incredibly smooth
📍 How to Use the Free Bus (Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct)
✅ No Immigration Required (You can board without entering Hong Kong!)
This free bus works as a “transit service,”
which means you do NOT enter Hong Kong when transferring to Macau.
You also don’t go through passport control — it’s extremely smooth.
But this also means:
If you enter Hong Kong by mistake, you can no longer use this bus.
The bus counter is located inside the transit / restricted area,
so once you pass immigration and enter Hong Kong formally, you lose access.
What if I accidentally go through immigration…?
Then you’ll need to use another route!
Use the HZMBUS (paid shuttle bus) instead.
Helpful links:
✅ Check-in Counter & How the Process Works
The check-in counter is located inside the restricted area of HKIA,
and you can book or check in on the spot, even on the same day.
You can check the timetable here:
⚠️ A few things to keep in mind:
The free bus has limited seats → it can fill up
- If procedures take too long, you may miss the bus you want
To avoid these risks, I made an online reservation in advance.
Thanks to that, all I had to do was check in — super smooth.
You can book your seat here:
▶Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct Reservation
(Detailed steps on how to book are explained in the next section ⬇ )
⏱ Check-in Timing
Depending on whether you have checked luggage:
I. If you have checked luggage:
Check-in deadline: 60 minutes before bus departure
II. If you don’t have checked luggage:
Check-in deadline: 30 minutes before bus departure
🧭 How to Get to the Counter
I didn’t take many photos of the route to the counter (still regret that…),
but simply follow the signs with “澳門 (Macau)” on them.
Just walk in that direction and you’ll be fine!
One important thing:
HKIA has both a “Ferry Counter” and a “Bus Counter.”
Make sure you go to the bus side — don’t accidentally line up for the ferry!
📝 How to Make an Advance Reservation
Step ①: Access the reservation page
Step ②: Enter your personal details
Step ③: Select your desired bus
Step ④: Enter your personal and flight information
Step ⑤: Review the cart
Step ⑥: Confirm the booking
After completing your reservation, a confirmation email with a PDF ticket will arrive.
On the day of travel, just show this confirmation at the counter.
You can show it on your smartphone, but I recommend printing a copy in case you run into issues like:
no internet
low battery
unreadable QR code
🚍 How to Reach the Bus Terminal at Hong Kong Airport
After completing check-in, you’ll receive a small sticker that you attach to your clothing.
This sticker acts as part of your “ticket,” and it helps the bus staff immediately identify passengers heading to Macau.
I actually kept mine and stuck it in my passport case as a souvenir.
🚆 Take the Shuttle Train to the Departure Hall (Exit Control Point)
Here’s something most people don’t expect:
The Macau-bound bus terminal is NOT inside the main HKIA building.
Because of that, passengers must take a short shuttle train to reach the exit control area where the bus departs.
But don’t worry —
this shuttle is not part of the city’s MTR system,and it’s completely free.
✅ Clear Signs to the Shuttle Train
At the bus counter, staff will guide you toward the shuttle train,
so don’t worry if you’re unsure at first.
Even if you miss the explanation or can’t hear clearly:
Just look for the escalator on the left side of the counter.
That escalator leads down to the shuttle train platform.
There is one more important landmark:
You’ll see a small ticket gate at the entrance to the escalator.
This gate is the biggest clue that you’re at the correct escalator.
If you arrive at an escalator without a ticket gate, you’re in the wrong place — go back and check again.
(Information as of December 2024.)
⏳After Arriving at the Bus Terminal
Once you get off the shuttle train, you’ll enter the bus departure terminal.
There is a waiting area where passengers can sit until the bus arrives.
When departure time approaches, the staff will make announcements and guide everyone to line up.
Just follow the instructions and the flow of the passengers —
boarding is smooth and organized.
🛂 Macau Arrival – Immigration and How to Move Around After Arrival
The bus ride takes about 45 minutes.
Once you arrive at the Macau Port immigration area,
this is where you go through immigration for the first time on this route
Thanks to the strength of a Japanese passport, my experience was incredibly smooth —basically a walk-through.
Not “Kao-pass”, but more like a “pass-pass,” right?
…That joke barely works in English.
After passing immigration, take the escalator down to the 1st floor,
and you’ll find the Macau bus terminal.
From here, several local buses depart toward different parts of the city,
so you can move freely based on where you’re staying or where you want to explore.
For recommended bus routes after entering Macau, check out the article below. Be sure to take a look! 👇
（※ This linked article is currently in Japanese, so translate as needed!）
【完全ガイド】マカオのバスとマカオパスの使い方
マカオ観光の移動はバスが便利！旅行者でも安心して使えるポイントをまとめました。
For getting around Macau, using Google Maps was incredibly convenient.
It showed accurate bus routes, travel times, and boarding locations —
honestly a lifesaver during my trip.
I’ve also written an article introducing the apps I found most helpful in Macau.
You can check it out here 👇
（※ This linked article is also currently in Japanese, so translate as needed!）
マカオ一人旅で役立った アイテムとアプリ3選
本当に役立った旅の相棒たち。
💤 Tips for Late-Night Travel – Where to Wait and How to Stay Safe
When I arrived at Hong Kong International Airport, my schedule looked like this:
Arrival at HKIA: around 4:30 AM
Shuttle bus departure: 8:30 AM
That meant I had about three hours to wait before check-in and boarding.
But don’t worry —
there’s a comfortable waiting area right near the bus counter.
I stayed there, took a light nap, and had no problem catching my bus.
✅ What the Waiting Area Is Like
・Outlets available (you can charge your phone)
・Bright enough for safety, but not overly lit — a calm space
・Many other travelers resting or napping → surprisingly reassuring atmosphere
While I was charging my phone with my multi-port travel adapter,
a traveler sitting next to me turned and asked:
“Could I use one of your ports too?”
I couldn’t help but smile.
Maybe this is what people mean when they say travel brings unexpected little moments of connection.
…So wait, does that make me the “international charging station”?
Well, apparently you can recharge smartphones and global trust.
🚌 Returning from Macau to Hong Kong – About the Paid Bus (70 MOP)
For the return trip, I used a different bus company: HZMBUS.
This is because Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct does not run during late-night hours,
so it isn’t suitable for early-morning or overnight departures.
In contrast, HZMBUS operates 24 hours,
making it the most reliable option when traveling from Macau to Hong Kong at night.
The frequency of the buses changes depending on the time of day:
▶According to the official timetable , the intervals are:
06:00–23:59: every 5 minutes during peak hours, otherwise every 10–15 minutes
00:00–05:59: every 15–30 minutes
The bus terminal is located here:
I bought my ticket on-site for 70 MOP.
If you travel between 06:00–23:59, the fare is 65 MOP, so it’s slightly cheaper.
To reach the HZMBUS departure point, you’ll need to take a local city bus.
Thankfully, Macau’s city buses run 24 hours, which is one of the perks of staying in a casino city — transportation never sleeps.
🛃 Macau Exit Immigration → Hong Kong Entry
Before boarding the bus, you’ll pass through Macau exit immigration,
which, again, was incredibly smooth for me —
another “passport privilege moment,” as my Japanese passport let me walk right through.
After that, I boarded the bus, which was brightly lit and easy to spot even late at night.
There were plenty of other passengers, so I never felt unsure about where to go.
Even if you aren’t confident, you can just follow the flow of people.
When the bus arrives in Hong Kong, you’ll pass through Hong Kong immigration.
⚠️ Important:
Unlike the outbound journey, this route is not treated as transit.
You will officially enter Hong Kong on arrival.
🛃A Note About “Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct” (Outbound Route Bus)
Of course, you can also use Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct when returning home directly from Macau.
Advantages：
・No need to enter Hong Kong
・Seamless airport procedures, very smooth for connecting flights
Disadvantages：
・The fare is quite high (280 MOP)
Check-in：
・You must complete on the Macau side at least 45 minutes before departure
Bonus Info：
Surprisingly, it appears that Hong Kong Express boarding passes can be issued directly at this counter.
And since you don’t formally enter Hong Kong, some travelers report getting 120 HKD refunded at HKIA —
this is the Hong Kong “Air Passenger Departure Tax,” which may be returned if you do not enter Hong Kong.
(Refund availability depends on airline/ticket conditions, but it’s good to know!)
✅ Bonus Tips – Best Ways to Save Money When the Free Period Ends
If the free shuttle period is not available, the main alternative becomes HZMBUS,
which is usually the most cost-effective option.
💰 Fare Comparison (When the Free Period Is Not Available)
Looking purely at the fare, HZMBUS is significantly cheaper,
making it a perfectly valid option for most travelers.
However, if you want the convenience of not leaving the airport at all, plus a smoother and more predictable process,
then Macau Hong Kong Airport Direct may still be worth choosing despite the higher fare.
You can find more details about how to ride HZMBUS here:
🛃 Final Thoughts – A Personal Note After This Trip
Looking back, being able to reach Macau using the free shuttle bus felt like such a blessing.
I could take a short nap at Hong Kong International Airport during the late hours,
skip Hong Kong immigration altogether,
and travel completely free of charge.
Honestly, that convenience was hard to beat.
But—
after actually experiencing it, I did find myself thinking:
If I have to wait three hours for the first free bus… maybe I should’ve just taken HZMBUS and gone to Macau right away?
Because yes, the free shuttle is wonderful.
But the waiting time is still part of your precious trip.
HZMBUS, on the other hand, has a very clear step-by-step guide provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board,
and the immigration process was almost effortless.
So if you arrive at HKIA early in the morning and feel like:
I want to reach Macau right now and make the most of my time!
…then honestly, choosing HZMBUS instead of waiting might be the better option.
Travel time is one of your most valuable resources.
That said, this is also a bit of hindsight talking.
This was my first overseas trip, my first solo trip,
and to be honest, “immigration” felt like a huge barrier at the time.
That’s exactly why I chose the route that skipped Hong Kong immigration,
even if it meant waiting a few extra hours.
But after finishing the journey, I found myself thinking:
Wait… that was way easier than I imagined!
That’s why, if I arrive late at night, I might just use HZMBUS.
Though if I arrive in Hong Kong during the day, I’m definitely using the free bus again!
Well yeah, you don’t have to wait at all during daytime.
In the end, choosing the travel style that fits you will make your Macau journey even more enjoyable.
✍️ Summary – Smooth Hong Kong to Macau Travel Even Late at Night
If the free shuttle bus is available, consider yourself lucky — it’s the easiest and most convenient way to get from Hong Kong Airport to Macau.
Once you arrive in Macau, it’s easy to move around, and you can start sightseeing from day one.
Even if your flight arrives late at night, HKIA has a safe and comfortable waiting area.
If you arrive early in the morning and want to reach Macau as soon as possible, or if the free period is not running, HZMBUS is the best alternative.
For the return trip to Hong Kong, HZMBUS is reliable and runs 24 hours, making it ideal for any schedule.
Which Bus Should You Choose? – Comparison Table
Below is a simple chart to help you decide which option fits your situation.
【Case for comparison】
Free shuttle campaign active (Airport Direct)
Arrival at HKIA during late-night hours
(No immigration, no transfers)
(Must clear immigration + move to bus terminal yourself)
(Several hours until the first bus)
(24-hour service, frequent departures)
(You can nap, but you lose time)
(No wasted hours — go straight to Macau)
I hope this guide helps you plan a smooth, safe, and efficient journey fromHong Kong International Airport to Macau.
Whether you choose the free shuttle or HZMBUS, pick the route that best matches your travel style — and enjoy your trip!
