Just after a month of the opening of the High Speed Rail (HSR) Line, another Hong Kong and China’s mega construction project, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the world’s longest sea crossing is about to open. It connects Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in the Pearl River Delta and shorten the traveling time to/from Macau from 1 hour to 30 minutes. Besides taking speed ferry (Cotai Water Jet and TurboJet), now visitors can use vehicles traveling between Hong Kong and Macau or Zhuhai.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Opens
(Source: Transport and Housing Bureau, Hong Kong)
The Chairman Xi of China attended the official opening ceremony of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HMZB) on October 23, 2018 (today). The new shuttle or cross border buses to Macau will start service when Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opens to the public on the second day (October 24, 2018).
Facts of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is 55km long and currently the world’s longest sea crossing. The mega project consists of 22.9km bridge, 6.7km undersea tunnel and two artificial islands. In addition, there are 12.6km roads on the Hong Kong side and 13.9km on the Macau and Zhuhai side linking to the bridge. This bridge tunnel system connects Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai. Within an hour you can now commute to one of these cities in the Pearl River Delta.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
(Source: Transport and Housing Bureau, Hong Kong)
Hong Kong Port
(Source: Transport and Housing Bureau, Hong Kong)
The artificial island connecting to Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
(Source: Transport and Housing Bureau, Hong Kong)
How to travel through Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
As a visitor to Hong Kong, you can travel through Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge by several modes of transportation. The newly opened bridge allows franchised buses, cross border buses, shuttle buses, green minibuses, taxis and private cars with a special license plate.
However, licensed shuttle buses will be the main transportation option for many budget travelers. They run 24 hours a day and leave every 5 minutes at peak hours. In case you travel off peak hours there are buses every 10 – 15 minutes. Should you travel overnight plan some additional time. Buses will leave every 15 – 30 minutes.
Be aware that all passengers will have to get off the vehicles and clear the immigration at both end of the bridge.
Passenger Clearance Building in Hong Kong
How long does it take to get to Macau via Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge?
Traveling time between Hong Kong and Macau will be around 30 – 40 minutes for a single trip. For travelers going to Zhuhai time savings will be significant. In the past it took about 4 hours to go from Hong Kong International Airport to Zhuhai. Now you can reach Zhuhai within 45 minutes.
How much does it cost to use Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge?
A single adult ticket fare to Macau is HK$ 65 during the daytime. At night there is a surcharge and you have to pay HK$ 70 for an adult (single trip ticket). Kids and seniors pay only half price.
For additional information/comparison on other transportation options, I will update and add in the review of how to get to Macau as well as where to get discounts.
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