Kay2

I'll be flying into Hong Kong for a meeting in Macau in July. I've been to HK a couple of times before the new airport and I took a day trip to Macau, but not gone there to stay.

I'm looking at taking the ferry either to or from Macau directly, then staying overnight in HK at the other end of trip to do a couple of favorite activities--star ferry, peak, etc.

I'm wondering which would be easier? The flight I am looking at arrives at 3pm from Munich. If I read the ferry schedule correctly, the next sailing is 6pm, then 10pm. So, I would get to Macau hotel around 7pm?

Alternately, for the return flight that departs at 1:30pm, I would take the 9:45am sailing.

Have the schedules been rather steady or do they vary by season?

Other advice I should consider?

wolfmisc

Just have been to Macau the other week.Went to Macau from Bangkok with Air Asia. We took the jet ferry from Macau terminal. There are ferries going out of there to Kowloon and Hong Kong island about every 30 minutes from early in the morning to late in the night. The fare is around 20 USD per way and person and it just takes 1 hour for the trip. We went back the same way from Hongkong-Macau terminal in Hongkong West.
I didnt know that there is also a ferry from Lantau to Macau. But if you saw it in INTERNET IT SHOULD BE OK.
But mentioning they are sailing just every 3 to 4 hours why not taking a cab or MRT to Kowloon ferry terminal and going from there?

rkkwan

I feel like you're wasting less time by going into Hong Kong first, and take the 9:45am sailing from Macau to HKG on your day of return.

The schedule is pretty steady.

Kay2

When time came to book I ended up on different flights, so I arrive at HKG at 4:30pm the day before my meeting and depart from HKG at 11:00pm on the day my meeting ends.

So, I'm going to spend the night in Hong Kong. I've chosen a harbour view room at the Salisbury YMCA. I don't know if I will use the train/bus, door-to-door, or citybus (I haven't seen much about this option)--if I'm tired I'll do the door-to-door so fewer decisions.

I plan to clean up, get something to eat, then depending on energy level take the Star Ferry, watch the lightshow from my room. Next morning try to find some dim sum for one.

I will need to be in Macau by around noon, so I plan to go to the First Ferry and catch a ferry 10-11am. Assume I will need taxi--will scope it out on the ground. I considered the Harbor Pacific Hotel at about HK$70 more than the Y for tower/no view just for convenience of door-to-door bus, then right at the ferry for next day, but sounds like the Y is worth the effort.

Returning from Macau there is not a good ferry connection directly to airport, so I imagine I will hang out in Macau, then take a ferry to Hong Kong and travel on to airport. It looks like the K2 bus runs from the China Ferry Pier to the Airport Express Train, so that might be the best route upon return. Otherwise, if I take the Turbocat to HK Island, how easy is it to make it to the HK airport express station?

Cicerone

It is theoretically possible to walk between the Macau ferry terminal on HK Island and the HK Airport Express station, it would all be on elevated walkways above traffic, but it would be kind of a longish walk, esp. if you have more than just one rolling suitcase. Would be about ½ to ¾ of a mile maybe in distance. In some spots there will be 4-5 stairs to negotiate when connecting to different sidewalks and shopping mall entrances. In the heat it may not be that enjoyable. You can also take a taxi in about 3 minutes. You could also take the MTR one stop from Sheung Wan to Central, but IMO that would involve a lot more walking, and going up and down stairs than actually walking via the pedestrian bridges. If it were my trip and I had suitcases, I would take a taxi, it will cost about HK$15, certainly less than $20.

I don’t think that the Airport Express shuttle bus stops at or near the Macau Ferry terminal, but take a look at http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/a...airportex.html to see if it does.

You could also take one of the following buses from the Macau ferry terminal to either the IFC Building or the Exchange Square Bus Terminus, both of which are next to the Hong Kong Airport Express station: 2, 7, 91, 109, 182, 720, 788, and the M49 (there are others, but these run every day at all times of day, for a full list go to http://www.citybus.com.hk/eng/main.asp)

I don’t know what day your trip is, but you should consider making a ferry reservation for both legs ahead of time. The ferries can get booked up, esp if you trip is on a public holiday here when ferries are really jammed. As you are returning to Hong Kong during the daytime, when boats are less crowded, you are probably OK with no having a reservation, but if you actually know what time you want to return, there is no harm in having the reservation just in case.

rkkwan

1. From HKG to YMCA Salisbury - you can take the A21 Cityflyer bus. It stops at "Middle Road, Nathan Road" before the Sheraton. Cross Nathan Road by the pedestrian tunnel, walk past the Peninsula, and you're there. Very short walk, but not so great if you have luggage.

2. From YMCA Salisbury to China Ferry Pier. It's a pretty short walk up Canton Road, or through the Harbour City shopping center. Total distance: 0.5 mile.

3. The last Macau-HKG ferry leaves at 8pm, which will be perfect for your 11pm flight out of HKG, if I understand you correctly. I don't know why you say it won't work. But if you do need to go through Hong Kong, it's easiest to take the ferry to Hong Kong Island.

After you get out of immigration, go down the escalators and turn left and walk east through the Shun Tak Center shopping arcade. You'll exit the building onto a covered, elevated walkway. Cross the busy Connaught Road on that walkway to Vicwood Plaza. Right down on Connaught Road is a stop for the A11 Cityflyer bus. That's the last real stop before the airport, and you can be there within 30 minutes. <b>I can promise you</b> it's faster than taking the Airport Express with less walk.

Kay2

You are right about the ferry to HKG. I must have misread the schedule. The website says I must arrive 2 hours before flight departure at the SkyPier to process the check-in procedures with BA. So, I can make a reservation for the 20:00 ferry from Macau. Get to the ferry pier early for check in, arriving at airport at 20:50 for my 23:15 flight. Easier than going back through Hong Kong. I can do some Macau sightseeing before heading to the airport.

I am happy with my overnight in HK on arrival rather than arriving at 16:30, trying to make the 17:00 check in for the 18:00 ferry. I can make a reservation for that ferry too. I have some flexibility, just have to be at a meeting at 2pm in Macau on Monday, July 9.