Planning a day trip to Macau

[djfuzz]

Despite visiting HKG quite a few times, I've never actually been over to Macau. Am trying to plan a trip for my folks who were keen on checking it out for a least a day trip (they are staying in Tsim Sha Tsui).

I gather they need to take a ferry from the China Ferry Terminal, which seems straight forward enough, but was wondering if anyone had any tips for getting there / what to see? Many thanks in advance.

 

[equus]

Have done this a couple of times with different groups of friends. Takes a bit of a leap to just wing it, but we took the ferry (not the fast one, it is not that much slower, and we just enjoyed the scenery). On arrival (after immigration), in the hall, just wait for one of the tourist guides to approach you. (Just hang around and look like a tourist). They offer a price, and will drive you all around teh city - stopping off while you walk up the through the fort, the fishermans temple etc. They will then eitehr take you back to the ferry terminal, or drop off at one of the casinos for a wander (or flutter, or whatever), then catch a cab or bus back to the terminal.

Leaving after a leisurely breakfast, catch the ferry, see most of Macau, then get a ferry back sees you back for a pre-dinner drink, and you have seen most of Macau in a day.

Didn't bother changing any money - the tour guide accepted HKD, as will most of the tourist type places.

 

[dajop]

The other tip, if not wanting to pay for a guide, many of the casinos offer free shuttles from the wharf. A few of these (not the ones on the Cotai strip), such as Wynn's are only short walk from the more interesting parts of Macau.

 

[Stephen65]

We caught the fast ferry, then hopped a free shuttle to a casino near the historical area and then walked around looking at churches, museums etc for the day. One day is enough to see all the major historical sights. We did the walking tour set out in the Lonely Planet guide and stopped at a Macanese/Portugese restaurant for lunch. The only downer in the whole trip was arriving at Macau immigration in the morning and being at the back of a an enormous queue of mainland Chinese. Because of this queue it took us about 45 minutes to clear immigration. If you are a HK resident there is a much shorter queue. Everyone takes HKD and you'll only end up with Macau currency if you get it in change.

 

[BVT]

Well worth a day trip. We caught a local bus and wandered around the town, including the historical part. Very interesting architecture. Great food in local restuarants, too.

Have fun.

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks again for the suggestions - the casino bus sounds like a great idea!

 

[marks]

+1 for the casino bus and the lonely planet guide walking tour.
The old macau amazed me. Get a cab to the fort if you're not into steep walks!
In the evening, have dinner in a great local resturant then get a cab to one of the new casinos for entertainment. Gambling, show, shopping, drinking, etc.
They have buses back to the wharf for the ride home. The ferries are very comfortable for a good nap on the way home.

Cheers.

 

[amaroo]

Have never been to Macau however, when in HGK we always stay at the FS which is near by the Macau terminal.....the number of helicopters I've seen take off/land over the past dozen or so stays is incredible.

Always thought if I go - I'm going by one of those choppers:mrgreen:

 

[Alanslegal]

With the ferry ride, make sure you (naturally as a frequent flyer would do) pay for First Class cabin. The cost is not that much more than the regular economy cabin ticket. FC is more spacious, private, usually on the upper deck of the boat which has less people, and you get priority boarding and disembarkation ... the latter is super-beneficial for the immigration queues because they make sure you get off first before everyone else in economy class. Oh and a good idea is to walk quickly when off the boat as all the chinese folks like to rush to the immigration queues so they don't lose any gambling time from the casinos

 

[Isochronous]

Also get First Class on the CotaiJet ferry. You'll find this is cheaper than First Class on the other company (FirstFerry), the boats are more modern and spacious, the free drinks/food are better, and it takes you to the Taipa Ferry Terminal rather than Macau, which is a smaller terminal with shorter immigration queues. Then once you get out choose a hotel bus - Wynn and Grand Lisboa are handy since both are near Senado Square, and hence St Paul's Ruins, Macau Mesum in the old fort, etc.

Also make sure you see Guia Fortress and the Taipa Village Houses - beautiful little cottages painted aqua green that are now each mini-museums. All these places you can get to by cab - cabs are cheap. Most places will only be a MOP30-40 fare or so, which is A$5 max.

In terms of food:
* Portuguese egg tarts. Choi Heung Yuen bakeries are everywhere and are quite solid, but the best ones are from Lord Stow's bakery. They have an outlet in the Venetian but its better if you take a cab to the original.
* La Bonne Heure - this is on an alleway off Senado Square. Setup by an ex-Robuchon chef. One of the best French meals I've ever had, and very reasonable - you won't pay more than A$30 for a main.
* Club Militar - you need to book, but great Portuguese/Macanese food, and the building is gorgeous. A pink cottage setup as an officer's club for the Portuguese navy.

On currency - you should be fine with credit card. HKD is accepted at 1:1, but the actual exchange rate is 1.03 MOP = 1 HKD. THis is why I always use my 28 Degrees card to withdraw a few patacas on arrival - you save 3% on cash transactions!

 

[Hvr]

Have done this trip recently and just rock up to the nearest ferry terminal and go. Well worth a day trip and lots to see especially without gambling.

 

[samh004]

Also get First Class on the CotaiJet ferry. You'll find this is cheaper than First Class on the other company (FirstFerry), the boats are more modern and spacious, the free drinks/food are better, and it takes you to the Taipa Ferry Terminal rather than Macau, which is a smaller terminal with shorter immigration queues. Then once you get out choose a hotel bus - Wynn and Grand Lisboa are handy since both are near Senado Square, and hence St Paul's Ruins, Macau Mesum in the old fort, etc.

Also make sure you see Guia Fortress and the Taipa Village Houses - beautiful little cottages painted aqua green that are now each mini-museums. All these places you can get to by cab - cabs are cheap. Most places will only be a MOP30-40 fare or so, which is A$5 max.

In terms of food:
* Portuguese egg tarts. Choi Heung Yuen bakeries are everywhere and are quite solid, but the best ones are from Lord Stow's bakery. They have an outlet in the Venetian but its better if you take a cab to the original.
* La Bonne Heure - this is on an alleway off Senado Square. Setup by an ex-Robuchon chef. One of the best French meals I've ever had, and very reasonable - you won't pay more than A$30 for a main.
* Club Militar - you need to book, but great Portuguese/Macanese food, and the building is gorgeous. A pink cottage setup as an officer's club for the Portuguese navy.

On currency - you should be fine with credit card. HKD is accepted at 1:1, but the actual exchange rate is 1.03 MOP = 1 HKD. THis is why I always use my 28 Degrees card to withdraw a few patacas on arrival - you save 3% on cash transactions!

Everything you’ve said, spot on! +1

However would add if you wanted to visit Robuchon in the new Lisboa, the best time is at lunch as you can have the set menu, instead of the ludicrous a la carte prices.

 

[Isochronous]

Everything you’ve said, spot on! +1

However would add if you wanted to visit Robuchon in the new Lisboa, the best time is at lunch as you can have the set menu, instead of the ludicrous a la carte prices.

That's right - lunchtime at the Robuchon isn't so exorbitant!