Chen Liu
What's Inside
Shivering in the biting air-con? That was me last June, stuck in a 45-minute queue at the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry terminal, watching my carefully planned day slip away. I've guided dozens of groups through this duo, and let me tell you — the common advice online will leave you exhausted and broke.
Here's the truth: a well-planned Hong Kong and Macau multi-city itinerary saves you at least USD 200 and three hours of unnecessary running around. The secret? Avoid the noon ferry, skip the Macau casino show unless you're a high-roller, and never trust Google Maps for walking directions in Hong Kong's maze-like elevated walkways.
Right, let me walk you through the actual 7-day plan I use with my clients — no fluff, just the ground truth.
Why Combine Hong Kong and Macau in One Trip?
These two cities are polar opposites, yet they're just a one-hour ferry apart. Hong Kong is a vertical concrete jungle with world-class hiking and street food; Macau is a Portuguese-colonial time capsule drowning in neon and egg tarts. Combining them gives you two distinct experiences without the hassle of a long-haul flight. Most first-timers underestimate the cultural whiplash — from the frantic pace of Mong Kok to the lazy afternoon in Coloane village. You get the best of both worlds.
Before You Go: Critical Tips for Foreign Travelers
Payment and Connectivity
Forget using cash everywhere — even in Macau, many small shops now only accept Alipay or WeChat Pay. The catch: your international credit card might not work on local apps. Solution: Load money onto Alipay before you leave, and carry a backup Visa card (accepted at major hotels and some restaurants). For internet, you must have a VPN installed before arrival — China's Great Firewall blocks Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp. I recommend Astrill or ExpressVPN. Download Apple Maps (it actually works decently in Hong Kong) and avoid Google Maps for walking — it'll send you into dead-ends.
Visa Requirements
Most nationalities get visa-free access to Hong Kong (14 to 180 days) and Macau (up to 90 days). But if you're a Chinese passport holder, you'll need a separate exit endorsement. Always check the latest on the Hong Kong Immigration Department website. Pro tip: Print out your ferry confirmation and hotel bookings — immigration officers sometimes ask to see them.
The 7-Day Hong Kong and Macau Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hong Kong – Kowloon Side
Morning: Land at Hong Kong International Airport. Take the Airport Express (24 mins to Kowloon station, HKD 105). If you're on a budget, cityflyer bus A21 (45 mins, HKD 33) is fine but avoid peak hours when luggage racks fill up.
Afternoon: Drop bags at your hotel — I always recommend Hotel ICON (Tsim Sha Tsui) for its rooftop pool and location. Then walk to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for that classic Victoria Harbour view. Skip the Avenue of Stars selfie spots — go to the hidden terrace at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre instead. Lunch: Kam's Roast Goose (226 Nathan Road). Order the roasted goose rice (HKD 158) but arrive before 12pm or you'll queue an hour.
Evening: Star Ferry across to Central (HKD 4). Grab a drink at the rooftop bar Sevva (25/F, Prince's Building) for a skyline that'll make your jaw drop. My advice: Book a window seat two days in advance.
Day 2: Hong Kong Island – Peak and Central
Morning: Take Peak Tram (book on Klook to skip the ticket queue — the physical line can be 40 mins). Warning: The tram queue itself can be long even with pre-booked ticket. Go before 9am. At the Peak, walk the Lugard Road loop (30 mins flat) for the best photo angle.
Afternoon: Descend and walk through Central's escalator system. Stop at Tai Cheong Bakery (35 Lyndhurst Terrace) for the original egg tart (HKD 10). Then head to Man Mo Temple (124 Hollywood Road) — free entry, quiet, and smells like incense. Lunch: Lin Heung Kui (160-164 Wellington Street) for dim sum. The trolley service is chaotic but authentic. Bring cash — no cards accepted.
Evening: Explore Sheung Wan's antique shops or take the tram to Causeway Bay for shopping. For dinner, Under Bridge Spicy Crab (421 Jaffe Road) — the signature crab (HKD 380) is worth it but be ready for garlic breath.
Day 3: Lantau Island – Big Buddha and Disneyland
Morning: Take the MTR to Tung Chung (30 mins from Central). Hop on Ngong Ping 360 cable car (book Crystal Cabin for glass floor — HKD 235 round trip). The Buddha is impressive, but the real gem is the Wisdom Path nearby — a set of 38 wooden pillars with Heart Sutra inscriptions, almost always empty.
Afternoon: If you have kids (or love Disney), head to Hong Kong Disneyland. Use the single-rider lines for Hyperspace Mountain to save time. My pet peeve: The park closes earlier than you think — check the app for show times.
Evening: Return to Tung Chung and take the MTR back. For a late dinner, Tim Ho Wan (Olympian City 3) — the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. Get the baked BBQ pork buns (HKD 28).
Day 4: Ferry to Macau – Day 1 in Macau
Morning: Take the TurboJET from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan). Book online 3 days ahead to secure morning slots. The 9am ferry is ideal (1 hr, HKD 171-211). Pro tip: Sit on the port side for a view of the bridges.
Afternoon: Arrive at Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. Take free shuttle bus to Hotel Royal (near Senado Square). Leave luggage and walk to Ruins of St. Paul's. The actual ruin is just a facade — head to the museum beside it (MOP 15) for the real history. Then wander down Rua do Cunha in Taipa for egg tarts — Lord Stow's Bakery (1 Rua do Tassara) has the original (MOP 13 each).
Evening: Macau's casinos come alive. Watch the free show at the Wynn Macau — a dancing fountain and dragon performance, better than any table game. For dinner, A Lorcha (289 Rua de Almeida Ribeiro) serves Portuguese-African chicken (MOP 98). Pay in cash — cards not always accepted.
Day 5: Macau Second Day – Taipa and Coloane
Morning: Take bus 26A to Coloane village. That's the sleepy side of Macau — bakeries, a tiny beach, and the Coloane Trail (easy 1-hour walk). Bring mosquito repellent.
Afternoon: Visit the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion (free, but need to register with passport at the entrance). Then ferry back to Macau Peninsula for lunch at Restaurante Litoral (261 Rua Central) — the Portuguese tapas (MOP 150 for two) are fantastic.
Evening: Take the 8pm ferry back to Hong Kong. If you stay overnight, the Grand Lisboa's light show at 9pm is a sight.
Day 6: Return to Hong Kong – Shopping and Dim Sum
Morning: After a restful night, head to Lung King Heen (Four Seasons Hotel) for dim sum — it's the first Chinese restaurant to earn three Michelin stars. Reservations essential. Alternatively, Lin Heung Tea House (160-164 Wellington Street) for a chaotic but authentic experience.
Afternoon: Shopping in Mong Kok — Ladies' Market (Tung Choi Street) for souvenirs, but bargain hard. The stalls double prices for tourists. My trick: Speak a few words of Cantonese like "gwai laa?" (how much?) and they'll give a fairer price.
Evening: Last dinner at Yung Kee Restaurant (32-40 Wellington Street) for roasted goose — their century egg (HKD 25) is a must-try.
Day 7: Departure or Last-Minute Exploration
If your flight is in the evening, store your luggage at the airport's left-luggage counter (HKD 15 per hour). Visit the Hong Kong Museum of History (100 Chatham Road) — free on Wednesdays. Otherwise, grab a final egg tart at Kowloon City's Hing Kee Bakery before heading to the airport.
How to Get Between Hong Kong and Macau
The two main ferry operators are TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet. Both run from Sheung Wan (Hong Kong) to Macau Outer Harbour or Taipa. Journey time: 55-65 minutes. Prices: HKD 160-220 one way depending on class. Booking tip: Use Klook or Trip.com — they accept foreign credit cards and let you choose seats. Don't buy from counterfeit ticketing apps on the street.
There's also the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge shuttle bus (HKD 65, 40 mins) but it drops you at the border junction, not the city center. Only use it if you're heading to Zhuhai first.
| Mode | Duration | Cost (One Way) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry (TurboJET) | 55 min | HKD 171-211 | Direct to Macau Peninsula |
| Ferry (Cotai Water Jet) | 60 min | HKD 160-200 | Direct to Taipa (Casino area) |
| Bridge Shuttle | 40 min + border | HKD 65 | Budget, but inconvenient |
Where to Stay in Hong Kong and Macau
Hong Kong
- Budget: Hop Inn on Minden (Tsim Sha Tsui) — clean dorms from HKD 250/night, good Wi-Fi, and English-speaking staff.
- Mid-Range: Dorsett Mongkok — great location near MTR, rooms small but functional. Average HKD 600/night.
- Splurge: Hotel ICON (Tsim Sha Tsui) — rooftop infinity pool, views of Victoria Harbour, from HKD 1,500/night.
Macau
- Budget: HKD Hostel (Rua da Caldeira) — dorm beds MOP 150, no frills but central.
- Mid-Range: Hotel Royal (near Senado Square) — colonial charm, average MOP 400/night, includes breakfast.
- Splurge: Grand Lisboa — iconic building, but rooms are luxurious, from MOP 1,200/night.
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