Macau ~~ Ferry to Hotel
 

Can't find the answer to this anywhere else, so need your help. We will take the ferry from HK to Macau, but wonder how to get from the Macau ferry terminal to the Sofitel on Ponte 16. It doesn't look too far apart on the map; but, do we take a taxi and do the drivers speak English. In fact, how many people there speak English?

Thanks in advance ~~ Fodorites always come through with good recommendations!

Sandra (McBeanie)

The Sofitel likely has a free shuttle. Taxi lines at the ferry may be long at times, and it's just easier if you have the Chinese name 十六浦 printed and hand it to driver.

There is a shuttle bus service and make sure you get of at the hotel entrance and not the casino's. Also, it would save some time if you take the boat to the nearest terminal, there are two one on each island.

I usually just get a cab since I don't like to wait and it shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes.

The ferry to Macau has limited capacity so book it the day before.

Really? We just booked day of, as there are hourly ferries. Of course, on a weekend, book ahead.

Turbojet runs every 15 minutes, and during holidays, I've seen them doubling that frequencies. I haven't had problem getting tickets for the next sailing or the immediate one after in years. Furthermore, if you're at Sheung Wan, you can take Cotaijet to Taipa if Turbojet's sold out, and if you're at Macau, you can take New World First Ferry to Kowloon.

Having said that, if you're traveling around major holidays, it may still be advisable to get tickets perhaps the day before, if it's not too much an hassle.

Sandra, I'll be anxious to read about HKG and Macau. I should try to go to Macau sometime. Brad took the helicopter, I think. It was several years ago. Ferries were full, and he was anxious to get there for a one-day visit. He enjoyed it.

BTW, all ferry services allow standby. One can just buy a ticket of a later sailing on that same day, then go through immigration and then just standby for an earlier sailing. Be one of the first few in line and you can ALWAYS get on, since some of those who've bought tickets may not show, and more likely have already stoodby and sailed earlier.

And as I mentioned, Turbojet often adds sailings to more frequent than every 15 minutes. They might not even sell tickets on those sailings at all, but rather just clear up all those standing by at the pier.