Step-by-step Guide on how to go to Macau by car and bus through Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB)

Along the opening of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) on the October 23rd, 2018, visitors have a new option traveling between Hong Kong and Macau besides ferry and helicopter. Now visitors can take vehicles, such as franchised buses, cross border buses, shuttle buses and private cars with a special license plate getting to/from Macau.

This world’s longest bridge + tunnel sea crossing connects Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in the Pearl River Delta. Traveling time between Hong Kong and Macau will be shortened to around 30 – 40 minutes for a single trip.

In the past, the speed ferry was the only available way going to Macau from Hong Kong. Now visitors can go to Macau from Hong Kong by bus or car with many options of start locations.

This article is a step-by-step instruction on how to go to Macau via HZMB. Which one is the cheapest way to Macau? Which one is the most convenient? You can jump to the end for the quick solution and conclusions from insider opinions.

HZMB is outside city center. For those staying in downtown area far away from Hong Kong Port, there are other ways getting to Macau.

How to go to Macau through Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge?

The mega project of HZMB took 9 years to finish. The 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge consists of 22.9km bridge section, 6.7km undersea tunnel and two artificial islands. There are 12.6km roads on the Hong Kong side and 13.9km on the Macau and Zhuhai side linking to the bridge.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (Hong Kong Port) is very close to Hong Kong International Airport (approx. 3-minute ride). Thus, obviously it is a bit far away from downtown area. Using the bridge is not too complicated. Technically you need to find a way to get youself to the Hong Kong/Macau Port and get you through the bridge. For the moment, all of the visitors have three ways to use HZMB traveling between the two cities.

For those who need to start early to Macau or want to stay close to the bridge, you can consider staying in one of the airport hotels for convenience. These hotels are either within walking distance to airport or only 3-5 minute ride away.

There are three ways to use HZMB between Macau and Hong Kong

1. Travel to the Hong Kong Port and change to bridge shuttle bus (check out);
2. Make use of the cross-boundary coach directly going to Macau (check out);
3. Private limousine service (check out);

The cross-border buses brings passengers directly from downtown to Macau through HZMB. There are many route options with various start locations: (A) Prince Edward/The Elements/China Hong Kong City; (B) Jordan and (C) APM/Diamond Hill.

The HZMB Shuttle Bus links the Hong Kong and Macau customs on each end of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. It brings visitors traveling between the two cities through HZMB. Visitors need to find a way getting to the Hong Kong Port and pass the custom first. It is the cheapest way going to Macau.

The cross-border limousine service is flexible and available for 24 hours daily. Visitors can enjoy a customized route and more privacy.

Remember that on both ends of the bridge there are Immigration and Customs check points (Hong Kong’s and Macau’s). Thus, no matter which service you decide to take, you will have to get off bus on each end of the bridge with your luggages and clear Immigration in person. It means even you take the cross-border bus or private car to Macau, you will still have to get off bus twice for Immigration and Customs clearance.

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Take the cross-boundary coach service directly to Macau

As its name indicates, the cross-boundary coach will run from Hong Kong city center directly to Macau and pass two Immigration check points in both ports. It allows passenger to get on board in downtown area, stay on bus and bring you from Hong Kong downtown to major hotels in Macau. It’s suitable option for those who want to skip the trouble of looking for transportation from downtown to the Hong Kong Port.

Note: passengers cannot stay on bus when passing the Immigration. You have to get off the bus and clear Customs and Immigration on your own.

Step 1: Hop on the cross-boundary coach in downtown

There are three cross-boundary coach operators serving between Hong Kong and Macau: “HK-Mo Express“, “Eternal East Express” and “ONE Bus“.

HK-MO Express has three starting locations in Hong Kong (Prince Edward, Elements shopping mall and Hong Kong China City) and passes 7 hotels in Macau en route. Eternal East Express starts from APM, Plaza Hollywood and Metroplaza and has 3 hotel stops in Macau. ONE Bus starts from APM shopping mall in Hong Kong and also stops at 3 hotels in Macau.

All the three cross-border coaches will bring you to Macau within 2 hours.

Where to buy the tickets for Hong Kong-Macau Cross-boundary Coach?

1. Tickets for Hong Kong – Macau Express:
The ticket for HK-MO Express is available from online booking and the above authorized booking platform.

2. Tickets for ONE Bus:
There is only one authorized ticket counter for ONE Bus in Hong Kong.

• Shop B, G/F, The Lodge, 535 Canton Road, Jordan, Kowloon;

You also can get tickets of ONE Bus from 5 hotels in Macau, including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Sands Macao, The Londoner Macau and Four Seasons Macau:

• CotaiTravel (Shop 612, Level 3), The Venetian Macao;
• Concierge, The Venetian Macao;
• CotaiTravel (Shop 3017, Level 1), The Parisian Macao;
• Concierge (Level B1, South Lobby), The Parisian Macao;
• CotaiTravel (Shop 1030, Level 1), The Londoner Macau;
• Sands Lifestyle (Level 2), The Londoner Macau;
• Sands Lifestyle (Level 1, Sands Rewards Counter at The Plaza), Four Seasons Macau
• CotaiTravel (Shop 1030, Level 1), Sands Cotai Central;

For more bus details, you can reach them by +(852) 3760 0888 (Eternal East Express) and +(852) 2979 8778 (HK-MO Express) and +(852) 2773 6998 (ONE Bus).

Step 2: Immigration and Customs clearance in both Hong Kong and Macau

Although you can use the same cross-boundary bus directly from Hong Kong downtown to Macau hotels, you will still need to get off bus with all your luggages and clear immigration and Customs on both sides of the bridge: Hong Kong Port and Macau Port.

The Passenger Clearance Building is well-designed and well-signed. Simply take your valid passport (with valid visa to Macau if applicable) and pass security check, Immigration as well as Customs (similar to the airport). Normally in a few minutes you can get back to the cross-boundary coach pick up area.

Remember the license plate of your bus and follow the instruction from the driver. Look for the bill boards and your own bus parking location. Once passing the immigration, you can get on the same bus with your ticket.

If you go from Macau to Hong Kong with cross-border bus:

The steps of taking cross-border bus from Macau to Hong Kong is similar to going from Hong Kong to Macau. The only difference is the start and stop locations.

Hop on the cross-border coach at the selected hotels of Macau;

Choose your preferred Macau hotels to start the journey to Hong Kong. HK-Mo Express Coach will stop in Hong Kong at Prince Edward. ONE Bus ends the cross-border bus ride at Jordan. And Eternal East Bus stops at three locations in Hong Kong: Plaza Hollywood, APM and Metroplaza.

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Take the 24-hour bridge shuttle bus to cross HZMB – Cheapest way to Macau

The shuttle bus is the main means of transport for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. It runs 24-hour per day and only on the bridge between two ports (Hong Kong Port and Macau Port).

Using the 24-hour bridge shuttle bus is easy to manage for all the visitors. All you need to do is to find a way to bring yourself to the HZMB Hong Kong Port. Then you need to pass Immigration and Customs (leaving Hong Kong) and get a shuttle bus ticket.

The 24-hour bridge shuttle buses are waiting on the same floor in the restricted area. It will take you to the restricted area of Macau Port on the other end of HZMB in 35 minutes. Simply enter the border by clearing the Immigration once again in Macau.

Step 1: Get to the HZMB Hong Kong Port
(from Hong Kong to Macau);

Dozens of the public buses have adjusted the routes and added one new stop at the “HZMB Hong Kong Port”, where you must clear Immigration and Customs before getting a bridge shuttle bus ticket. Some are connected with the MTR stations (eg. B5 and 901), from where you can easily transfer from the metro system.

Or simply get to the Terminal of Hong Kong International Airport and change to any of the bus covering HZMB Hong Kong Port. Normally, the air bus takes around 45-90 minutes from downtown to the airport depending on your start location.

Another option for getting to the airport is by taxi. All the three local taxis (red taxi, green taxi and blue taxi) can get to the Hong Kong Port area.

Step 2: Immigration and Customs clearance (Hong Kong Port)

Clearing immigration in Hong Kong Port is very easy. Simply take your valid passport (with valid visa to Macau if applicable) and pass security check (in Macau), Immigration as well as Customs (similar to the airport). It will not take too long to finish the whole process.

Step 3: Get tickets for HZMB Shuttle Bus

You don’t need to get bus ticket in advance, as purchasing the ticket directly at Hong Kong Port and Macau Port is very convenient. Bus tickets are available from both the ticketing counters and vending machines in the Hong Kong Port and Macau Port. There are dozens of ticket machines and it normally will not take too long to finish the purchase.

Where to buy HZMB Shuttle Bus ticket?

HZM Shuttle Bus ticket is only available from the restricted areas of the Hong Kong Port. For Macau Port, the tickets are available both inside and outside restricted areas.

At Hong Kong Port:, right behind the Hong Kong Customs you will find both ticket vending machines and manual ticket counter. Six e-payment methods, including Octopus Card, BOC Pay, Wechat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay and M Pay are available from the ticket machines.

If you pay with the Octopus Card and don’t have enough remaining money, there is a Circle-K convenient store where you can top the card.

In case you don’t have any of the e-payment, you can get ticket from the manual ticket count next to the machines.

Step 4: Change to HZMB Shuttle Bus

The shuttle bus pick up area is on the same floor (Departure Hall). Take your time and no need to rush. There are plenty of buses waiting. It departs with an average interval of 5-minute during rush hours and 10 – 15 minute intervals during non-peak period.

Usually, the bus will leave immediately once it’s full. Every day over 320 departures are planned to serve the passengers.

Step 5: Immigration and Customs Clearance (Macau Port)

Once getting off the shuttle bus, go up to the 3/F of Macau Port and enter the border with valid passport and visa.

Step 6: Pick a transportation heading to your destination

Outside the Macau Port, you will find taxi, public bus and free casino shuttle bus to bring you to other destinations. Just follow the signs.

If you go from Macau to Hong Kong with HZMB Shuttle Bus:

1. Get to the HZMB Macau Port;

The HZM Shuttle Bus works similar if you travel from Macau to Hong Kong. The first step is also to find a transportation bring you to the bridge. However, unlike Hong Kong Port with dozens of buses to the city, for the moment, Macau only provides two public buses, bus No.101X and No.102X, connecting to the bridge (“Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Frontier Post” station). Bus No.101X brings passengers to downtown area while bus No.102X covers mainly in Taipa.

Taxi service and two ferry terminal shuttle bus lines are also available at Macau Port. Ferry terminal shuttle buses bring you to both Macau ferry terminals (Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal). Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal is located close to the downtown area while the Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal is in Taipa with all the latest hotels and casinos (check out which region fits you better).

2. Get on bridge shuttle bus to Hong Kong;

The HZMB shuttle bus ticket is available both before and after passing the Macau immigration (In Hong Kong Port, ticket can only purchase after passing the immigration).

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Hire a private car to go to Macau from Hong Kong through Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

Hiring a private car from Hong Kong to Macau is also possible. The private limousine can pick up the passenger from requested location. The service is available 24 hours daily. It is a preferred way for group and family travel.

For the moment, there are some private car services running between Hong Kong and Macau that you can book directly online.

Book private car service running between Hong Kong and Macau

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Hong Kong Port – Immigration and Customs, Transportation

Hong Kong Port is located close to Hong Kong International Airport on an artificial island. The Immigration and Customs are inside the 2-floor Passenger Clearance Building. The shuttle bus ticket counters and ticket vending machines are equipped in the restricted area of the Departure Hall (1/F).

The immigration and Customs provide 24-hour service.

There is also the Hong Kong Airport Check-in Service counter in the arrival hall of Passenger Clearance Building (G/F). It’s convenient for those who travel from Macau and depart from the airport in Hong Kong.

How to get to Hong Kong Port of HZMB – Major transportation connecting Hong Kong Port to downtown

You can use either the public bus, the new Hong Kong-Macau cross-border coach, private vehicles or taxi service to travel between downtown and Hong Kong Port.

The following public buses offer service to/from Hong Kong Port to the city center.

For more details of the routes and which one is more convenient for you, you can check their official website (Long Win Bus Route, Citybus Route, New Lantao Bus, Minibus).

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Macau Port – Immigration and Customs, Transportation

Macau Port is sharing the same 3-floor building with Zhuhai Port. Both of them are located on an artificial island in between of Macau and Zhuhai. The Immigration and Customs of Macau is located on the 3rd floor. Same as the Hong Kong Port, Immigration and Customs clearance are required.

How to go to Macau Port of HZMB – Major transportation connecting Macau Port to downtown

You can choose taxi, free casino shuttle bus, or public bus to Macau Port from city center.

Take public bus to Macau Port of HZMB

Beside taxi and shuttle bus to ferry terminals, you can also use the two public bus service to/from Macau Port.

More details of the routes from the official website of HZMB shuttle bus.

Free shuttle coach between ferry terminals and Macau Port

Two free shuttle bus lines are serving from Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (Macau downtown) and Macau Cotai Ferry Terminal (Macau Taipa) to Macau Port. Buses run from 10:00am to 7:30pm everyday with 5-7 shifts per hour.

You can then transfer to various casino free shuttle bus to different destinations at ferry terminal interchange stations.

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TLDR: Conclusion and easy solution – Which one is the best way to Macau?

All the above ways crossing HZMB to Macau are the friendly options to those who have seasickness. Which one is the best is depending on your own preferences.

• If you are staying in Kowloon and downtown, then the cross-border coach is very convenient. It starts from various locations and can bring you directly from city center to Macau. You can pick one start location convenient for you.

• If you stay in New Territories or you are on the budget travel, then taking HZMB Shuttle Bus crossing Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is a good option and the cheapest way. There are many methods bringing visitors to the Hong Kong Port and Macau Port. You only need to pick one to get to the bridge.

• If you would like to enjoy some private time or travel with family, the cross-border limousine undoubtedly is a comfortable and convenient solution. All you need to do is to book a car and wait for the drive to pick you up.