Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [273]
New World First Ferry (NWFF; 2872 7676, in Hong Kong 2131 8181; www.nwff.com.hk) operates high-speed catamarans from the Macau ferry terminal every half-hour or so between 7am and 10.30pm. In Hong Kong they leave the China ferry terminal ( Map; Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui) on the half-hour from 7am to 10.30pm. The trip takes 60 to 75 minutes and tickets cost HK$140/175 on weekdays/nights (6pm to 10.30pm), and HK$155/175 on weekends/public holidays. Deluxe class is HK$245/275 on weekdays/nights and HK$260/275 on weekends/public holidays.
CotaiJet ( 2885 0595, in Hong Kong 2359 9990; www.cotaijet.com.mo) has high-speed catamarans leaving from Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal ( Map; 2885 0595) to the Shun Tak Centre in Hong Kong every half-hour between 7.30am and 8.30pm. In Hong Kong they leave from the ferry terminal in the Shun Tak Centre every half-hour between 7am and 7pm. Tickets can also be purchased at Sands and the Venetian in Macau, and at the ticketing office of Chu Kong Passenger Transport ( Map; 2857 6625; Shop 305N, Shun Tak Centre, Sheung Wan) in Hong Kong. Prices are the same as TurboJet’s. Getting a membership to Sands (it’s free and issued on the spot) entitles you to complimentary ferry tickets, subject to conditions that change from time to time. Check its website (www.sands.com.mo) or simply ask the help desk in Sands or the Venetian. Free shuttles at the ferry terminal in Taipa will take you to destinations along the Cotai Strip.
Macao Dragon ( in Hong Kong 3972 3600; www.macaodragon.com) was supposed to operate the same route as CotaiJet by its own fleet of catamarans, but at the time of writing it was not yet in service.
Macau is also linked directly to Hong Kong International Airport by the TurboJet Sea Express ( 2859 3333; www.turbojetseaexpress.com.hk), which has nine ferries operating between 8.15am and 8.15pm. It costs MOP$235/180/128 per adult/child/infant and takes 45 minutes.
The Macau Express Link ( 2886 1111, in Hong Kong 2859 3401), run by TurboJet and seven airlines operating in Macau, connects Macau Inter-national Airport to Hong Kong. Passengers can check in and transit straight through to Macau from Shop G02 at the ferry terminal at the Shun Tak Centre. Make sure you arrive at the ferry terminal three hours before flight departure. You’ll be given a temporary boarding pass after you check in. When you arrive at the ferry terminal in Macau, you do not need to go through immigration; instead, proceed to the Express Link waiting room at Berth 2, and a transit bus (four daily from 11.50am to 6.45pm; from Macau airport, five departures between 11.30am and 6.10pm) will take you directly to the airport. The fare is the same as the normal TurboJet service.
Tickets can be booked up to 90 days (TurboJet) and 28 days (NWFF and CotaiJet) in advance at the ferry terminals, many travel agencies or online. You can also simply buy tickets on the spot, though advance booking is recommended if you travel on weekends or public holidays. There is a standby queue for passengers wanting to travel before their ticketed sailing. You need to arrive at the pier at least 15 minutes before departure, but you should allow 30 minutes because of occasional long queues at immigration.
You are limited to 10kg of carry-on luggage in economy class, but oversized or overweight bags can be checked.
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MACAU TO CHINA
Nationals of Australia, Canada, EU, New Zealand and most other countries (but not US citizens) can purchase their visas at the border with Zhuhai, but it will ultimately save you time if you buy one in advance. These are available in Hong Kong (see Click here ) or in Macau from China Travel Service (CTS; Map; 2870 0888; 207 Avenida do Dr Rodrigo Rodrigues, Nam Kwong Bldg; 9am-6pm), usually in one day.
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Air
Air Macau (NX; Map; 8396 5555; www.airmacau.com.mo; Ground fl, Nam Ngan