A guide for travelling to Macao from HKIA

Keen to sample the buttery Portuguese tarts or the savoury pork chop buns synonymous with the city? Travellers to Macao will discover that there’s much more in store – from beautiful architecture both historical and modern to exciting entertainment and endless shopping. Macao is a must-visit destination in the Greater Bay Area, and it’s incredibly easy to connect to if you’re flying into Hong Kong International Airport. 

With our Direct Air+Sea and Direct Air+Land connections, you can proceed directly from the airport to Macao – either by ferry or coach – without having to first exit through immigration or lug your baggage through several checkpoints. 

Looking to hit the road? Here, we share everything you need to know about the 45-minute coach journey from Hong Kong International Airport to HZMB Macao Port.  

Before you go, double-check which travel documents you need for entry into Macao – and download our PDF guide to help you on your way. 

1. Arriving at Hong Kong International Airport 

After you land, follow the overhead signs to Mainland/Macao and Transfer Desks E2. They’ll take you to the transfer coach ticketing desk where you’ll pick up your ticket to Macao.  

Alternatively, you can book Cathay Pacific's Direct Air+Land flight and coach transfer through our website.* Your tickets will be combined conveniently into a single booking. 

2. Skip Immigration 

Instead of going through Immigration, continue following the signs to Mainland/Macao until you see a lounge area with couches and a navy sign that says “E2”. 

3.Mainland/Macao connection via the SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach Service 

At transfer area E2, look for a tall brown lightbox labelled “SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach Service”. It lists important information like the coach timetable and the first and last departures of the day. The time between departures is either 30 or 60 minutes depending on the time of the day, while the last bus departs at 20:30.  

To get your ticket, line up at the ticketing desk in the Macao queue.  A representative for the coach operator, Macau HK Airport Direct , will help you print your ticket and transfer your checked baggage to the SkyPier Terminal for you to collect before boarding the coach. Simply provide your travel documents, boarding pass and baggage tag receipt (sometimes attached to your boarding pass). You’ll also receive a sticker that shows you’re Macao-bound – display it somewhere prominent to help the SkyPier team differentiate you from the Zhuhai-bound passengers. 

If you haven’t previously booked your coach ticket, you can pay for the next available coach here with cash, credit card, WeChat Pay or Alipay. You may also have to pay an additional fee if you have more than one piece of checked baggage or if you’ve exceeded the baggage weight or size limit. 

Also, be mindful that only same-day transfers are allowed – that means your coach must depart on the same date your flight arrives in Hong Kong. Please allow for sufficient time to catch the coach after landing at the airport. Check the timetable in advance here . 

4. Catch the train to the SkyPier Terminal 

Head over to the ticketed gate labelled “Coach Ferry Boarding”, scan your coach ticket and take the escalator down to the Automated People Mover (APM) – this will carry you to the SkyPier Terminal.  

Note that you’ll be leaving the airport terminal, so make sure you’ve finished your souvenir shopping before you take the train. 

5. SkyPier Terminal 

After a two-minute ride on the train, you’ll disembark at the SkyPier Terminal. Facilities available here include an ample waiting area, washrooms, water dispensers, charging stations, a currency exchange booth and a convenience store.  

Follow the overhead sign labelled “Baggage Reclaim” to pick up your checked bags – you’ll need to collect them before boarding the coach. SkyPier Terminal staff will help you unload your bags from the carousel. 

6. Board the coach 

Relax in the waiting area until your departure is announced. Then, show or scan your coach ticket at the boarding gates and head upstairs to the pick-up bay. Put your bags in the stowage compartment of the coach before you board. When you’ve settled in, sit back and enjoy the all-around sea views as the bus drives over the 55-kilometre Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) spanning the Pearl River estuary. 

7. Arriving in Macao 

After a 45-minute ride, you’ll arrive at the Macao Port of the HZMB. Don’t forget to pick up your baggage from the coach, which the staff at the port will unload for you. A representative from HKIA will also be at the drop-off bay waiting to escort you to the Macao Arrival Hall. 

8. Immigration 

Follow the signage to proceed through the immigration process. Foreign passport holders can queue up in the manual lane, while registered travellers can use the automated e-channel. Once you’re through, follow the large green arrow on the floor labelled “Arrival Hall (To Macao)”, which will bring you downstairs to the customs inspection and connections to the city. 

9. Arrival Hall lobby 

You can check out the tourist information centre or exchange money before you explore the rest of the city. Otherwise, to exit Macao Port, follow the signs for your preferred mode of transport. Your options include public bus (following express routes to selected landmarks in the city centre), free shuttles to various casino hotels and taxis.  

*Direct Air+Land is available for selected routes on our website. For regions where this service is not available, please make your booking via a travel agent. If you're departing from Taiwan China, please purchase your coach tickets separately. We’ll arrange your bags to be checked through when you check in at your departing airport.