Hong Kong Itinerary with Macau, Disneyland & Ocean Park Tour for First-Timers

Hong Kong and Macau are among the best places to visit for travelers who plan to go on their first trip abroad.

Not only are there a lot of exciting things to see and do, getting around is very easy even for first-timers & newbie travelers.

The best part is that you can visit both countries in one short trip as they are only 1-hour apart by ferry!

This guide will help you plan a trip to Hong Kong & Macau with Disneyland, Ocean Park, Macau Tower & other attractions.

I’ve included a 3-day itinerary + suggestions on how to spend 4, 5 or 6 days.

Scroll down to see the detailed do-it-yourself (DIY) trip guide, followed by the budget breakdown and lots of extra travel tips.

Hong Kong-Macau travel goals!

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Trip Checklist

Before we go on with the actual itinerary, here are things you might need to prepare and bring for a hassle-free trip.

I’ve posted a lot of discounts on this guide. Make sure to check them out and pre-book online to save money, time & avoid the hassles of bringing/exchanging cash during your trip.

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Hong Kong & Macau Itinerary Blog Contents

Trip Checklist

Hong Kong & Macau Itinerary

Hong Kong & Macau Budget

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Where to Stay in Macau

Travel Tips Before You Go

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Hong Kong & Macau Itinerary

This sample 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary will take you to the top tourist spots in Hong Kong and Macau including Disneyland, Ocean Park, Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, Tian Tan Buddha, The Peak, Tsim Sha Tsui, Venetian Macau, Macau Tower & more.

It’s suited for serious sightseers who have limited days on their trip & want to see as many sights as possible. Yes, it’s a lot of attractions to cram in just 3 days BUT it’s doable if you manage your time well & follow the travel tips below.

Feel free to tweak the activities & timings based on your traveling style, schedule, & attractions that interest you the most.

3 Days Hong Kong & Macau Itinerary

After reading the step-by-step tips below, scroll down for recommendations on planning Hong Kong & Macau trips for 2 days, 4 days & more

Day 1: Ngong Ping & Disneyland Hong Kong

After touchdown in Hong Kong Airport, start your trip with an exhilarating ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car in Lantau Island. See the Tian Tan Big Buddha & explore Ngong Ping Village. Then, spend the rest of the day at Disneyland Hong Kong.

Flight to Hong Kong

Go on the earliest flight to Hong Kong to enjoy 3 full days for sightseeing.

To further maximize your time, I suggest that you book the return flight from Macau instead of round-trip Hong Kong flights. For example, you can book a one-way “Manila to Hong Kong” flight & another “Hong Kong to Manila” flight.

If you already booked round-trip Hong Kong flights or if flying out from Macau is not practical, it’s no biggie. Day trips to Macau are easy to do because the HK-Macau ferry only takes 1 hour. You can still use the itinerary below to guide your trip planning.

Manila to Hong Kong flight itinerary

Step 1 (0300 am): Arrive at Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Step 2: Pay the Philippine Travel Tax (for outbound Philippine residents only) — Price is P1,620 per person on economy class ticket.

Step 3: Bag drop at departure hall if you’re bringing checked-in luggage — Always use web/mobile check-in at least 4 hours before your flight. The earlier the better.

Step 4: Clear Philippine immigration checkpoint.

Step 5: Wait for boarding call at the pre-departure area.

Step 6 (0600 am): Manila to Hong Kong flight departure.

0810 am: Hong Kong Airport arrival

Arriving at Hong Kong International Airport

Step 1: Clear Hong Kong immigration checkpoint.

Step 2: Claim luggage and clear customs checkpoint.

Step 3: Exchange currency to Hong Kong dollars or withdraw money at ATM.

Step 4: Claim Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card and other discounts/tickets you’ve booked online at the designated claiming area.

How to get around Hong Kong — You can choose to go by public transport, taxi/ride-sharing, hop-on-hop-off/tourist bus or chartered car.

Getting around Hong Kong by public transport is easy & affordable. This itinerary makes good use of Hong Kong’s MTR train & bus system.

Google Maps is a must-have when traveling on your own. Use the “transit” directions to see suggestions on how to get around by public transport including what route/line to take & travel time estimates. Remember, the directions feature only works online, so you will need mobile data access.

Consider taking a taxi to avoid long walks, especially if you’re traveling in a group (sharing costs). Better yet, use Uber for hassle-free rides in Hong Kong & Macau.

Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card — HKD 94 price online. Includes HKD 50 pre-loaded credit. The Octopus Card is a must-have when traveling in Hong Kong. Get this card to enjoy discount fares and easy payments on Hong Kong’s MTR (metro) trains, buses & trams.

Pre-book online here

It can also be used for payments at convenient stores & partner shops throughout Hong Kong. Take note of the designated claiming area at Hong Kong International Airport. Buy top-up credit when you claim the card. You can get back/refund any remaining balance (except for the non-refundable deposit) at the MTR stations.

Internet access in Hong Kong & Macau — Pocket WiFi hotspot rentals that you can book online usually require you to drop-off the device in Hong Kong. Because this itinerary assumes you’ll be flying out from Macau Airport, the best option is to get a SIM card or roaming plan for Hong Kong & Macau.

Hong Kong SIM card — HKD 53 discount price online. Includes 1.5GB 4G data + HKD 18 preloaded credit. Regular price is HKD 68.

Book discount here

Pick up available at Hong Kong International Airport.

Macau SIM card — HKD 45 discount price online. Includes unlimited 4G data (HKD 50 credit). Regular price is HKD 50.

Book discount here

Take note of the claiming area & opening hours at Shun Tak Center near Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal. Shun Tak Center is also where you’re going to claim the Hong Kong-Macau ferry tickets. So, you can pick-up the SIM card right after/before claiming the ferry tickets.

0900 am: Ngong Ping 360 cable car & Tian Tan Big Buddha

The Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the “Big Buddha,” is the World’s largest outdoor sitting Buddha that is made of bronze. See the Po Lin Monastery & Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery famous for its hall with almost 13,000 miniature Buddha statues. The best way to get to Ngong Ping Village is by riding the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride, which offers panoramic views overlooking Lantau Island, Hong Kong Airport and the South China Sea.

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Ngong Ping 360 cable car ticket — HKD 167 per adult discount price online for a round-trip standard cabin ticket. The regular walk-in price is HKD 210 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

Proceed to the ‘Pre-Booked Counters’ at the Cable Car Terminal. Present your mobile or printed voucher to claim the entry ticket.

Instead of going directly to downtown Hong Kong for your hotel check-in, you can head straight to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car terminal in Tung Chung. Both Ngong Ping and Disneyland Hong Kong are located near the airport.

Starting your day this way will save you time by skipping the train travel to downtown HK and back. Leave your luggage at Citygate Outlets self-service while exploring Lantau Island.

How to get to Ngong Ping village from HK Airport

Step 1 (0900 am): Ride the S56 or S1 bus from Hong Kong Airport to Tung Chung — HKD 3.5 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. The S1 bus stop is located at the Terminal 1 ground level below the arrival concourse, on Cheong Tat Road. Ask the airport information booth to point you in the right direction.

Step 2 (0930 am): Drop off at the Tung Chung bus terminus near Citygate Outlets.

Step 3: Store luggage at Citygate Outlets self-service lockers — Pay using your Octopus Card. The small locker costs HKD 10 every 2 hours, for the first 6 hours. From the seventh hour onwards, the price bumps up to HKD 20 every 2 hours. For 12 hours storage, the cost will be HKD 90 in total. If you have a large bag or multiple small-medium sized bags, fit them in the large locker instead. The large locker costs 2x the small locker, so that’s HKD 180 for 12 hours storage. See more info hereand here.

Step 4: Walk to Tung Chung Station of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.

Step 5 (1000 am): Ride Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung Station to Ngong Ping Village.

Step 6 (1030 am): Walk to the Tian Tan Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery & the Wisdom Path. Explore Ngong Ping Village on your way back.

0200 pm: Disneyland Hong Kong

Experience a magical adventure at Disneyland Hong Kong. It is the second Disney-themed amusement park in Asia after Tokyo Disneyland.

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How to get to Hong Kong Disneyland from Ngong Ping Village

Step 1 (0100 pm): Ride Ngong Ping 360 cable car to Tung Chung.

Step 2 (0130 pm): Ride the MTR train from Tung Chung Station to Disneyland Resort Station — HKD 14.3 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. Estimated travel time is 20 minutes. At Tung Chung Station, board the Orange “Tung Chung” Line (towards Hong Kong).

Step 3: Change trains at Sunny Bay Station, to the Pink “Disneyland Resort” Line (towards Disneyland Resort).

Step 4 (0150 pm): Drop-off at Disneyland Resort Station (end of the line).

Step 5 (0150 pm): Walk to Disneyland Park Hong Kong entrance.):

Disneyland Hong Kong admission/entrance fee — HKD 519 per adult discount price online for the 1-Day Ticket. The regular walk-in price is HKD 619 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

You can enter the Disneyland Hong Kong directly by scanning QR code on your phone. There’s no need to redeem the physical ticket unless you want to keep it as a souvenir.

Once inside, enjoy Toy Story Land first because it’s the farthest. Then, prioritize zones that you like the most, visit Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland & Adventureland. Finally, end at Main Street, U.S.A. Download the official Disneyland HK mobile app to see queue times & help you plan your trip.

Also, check the Disneyland show schedules before arriving. Don’t miss the “We Love Mickey!” Projection Show that runs at 7:15 pm every Wednesday, the daily “Flights of Fantasy Parade” at 1:30 pm, “Disney Paint the Night” Parade at 8:00 pm, and Festival of the Lion King at Adventureland. The “Disney in the Stars” fireworks had been temporarily discontinued starting Jan 2018 to give way to park transformation.

0815 pm: Transport to Hong Kong city center

How to get to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island from Disneyland

If you left your luggage at Citygate Outlets, here’s how to get back to Tung Chung:

Step 1 (0815 pm): Ride the MTR train from Disneyland Resort station to Tung Chung Station — HKD 14.3 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. Estimated travel time is 20 minutes. At Disneyland Resort Station, board the “Pink” Disneyland Resort Line (towards Sunny Bay Station).

Step 2: Change trains at Sunny Bay Station (end of the line), to the Orange “Tung Chung” Line (towards Tung Chung).

Step 3: Drop-off at Tung Chung Station (end of the line).

Step 4 (0845 pm): Claim luggage at Citygate Outlets lockers service.

To Kowloon hotel from Tung Chung

Step 1: Ride the MTR train to Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei or Mong Kok Station. HKD 16.9 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. Estimated travel time is 40 minutes. At Tung Chung Station, board the Orange “Tung Chung” Line (towards Hong Kong).

Step 2: Board the Red “Tsuen Wan” Line (towards Central).

Step 3: Drop off at MTR station nearest to your hotel.

Step 4: Walk or ride taxi/Uber to your hotel.

To Central/Hong Kong Island hotel from Tung Chung

Step 1: Ride the MTR train to Hong Kong station. HKD 22.4 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. At Tung Chung Station, board the Orange “Tung Chung” Line (towards Hong Kong).

Step 2: Drop off at Hong Kong station (end of the line). Central and Hong Kong MTR stations are interconnected by walking paths.

Step 3: Walk or ride taxi/Uber to your hotel.

1000 pm: Hong Kong hotel check-in

Hong Kong Hotel

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Day 2: Ocean Park, The Peak & Tsim Sha Tsui

Greet the morning with aquatic creatures & adrenaline-pumping rides at Ocean Park Hong Kong. Then, enjoy the steep tram ride up The Peak for breathtaking views of the Hong Kong skyline and Victoria Harbor. From Central, go aboard the iconic Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui and enjoy the Symphony of Lights show. Cap the night with a shopping spree at Hong Kong’s night markets & outlet stores.

0800 am: Ocean Park Hong Kong

Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s famous marine-themed amusement park. Don’t miss the giant panda habitat, jellyfish & Chinese sturgeon aquarium, as well as the Grand Aquarium.

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Ocean Park Hong Kong admission/entrance fee — HKD 404 per adult discount price online for the 1-day E-Ticket. The regular walk-in price is HKD 480 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

You can enter the attraction directly by presenting your mobile or printed voucher.

How to get to Ocean Park Hong Kong

Step 1 (0800 am): Ride the MTR train to Ocean Park Station — From Central or Tsim Sha Tsui, estimated travel time is 15 minutes.

From Central: HKD 5.3 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. At Central Station, board the Blue “Island” Line (towards Chai Wan).

Change trains at Admiralty Station. Board the Lime “South Island” Line (towards South Horizons).

From Tsim Sha Tsui: HKD 11.9 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. At Tsim Sha Tsui Station, board the Red “Tsuen Wan” Line (towards Central).

Change trains at Admiralty Station. Board the Lime “South Island” Line (towards South Horizons).

Step 2: Drop-off at Ocean Park Station.

Step 3 (0815 am): Walk to Ocean Park Hong Kong entrance.

0230 pm: The Peak / Victoria Peak

The breathtaking panoramic view from Victoria Peak is Hong Kong’s most popular attraction for a good reason. Enjoy the best views overlooking the city’s famous skyline and Victoria Harbor, complete with all of Hong Kong’s tallest and most famous skyscrapers. The scenic and thrilling The Peak Tram is a worthy attraction on its own. Here, you can also visit the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Trick Eye Museum & other attractions.

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The Peak Tram round trip ticket + Sky Terrace 428 admission — HKD 87 per adult discount combo ticket price. The regular walk-in price is HKD 99 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

Proceed to ticket booth & present your mobile or printed voucher to claim the entry ticket.

SKIP-THE-LINE: The Peak Tram round trip ticket + Sky Terrace 428 admission — HKD 94 per adult discount combo ticket price. Regular price is HKD 103 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

Review the meet-up info to claim the entry ticket.

How to get to The Peak Tram/Victoria Peak from Ocean Park

Step 1 (0230 pm): Ride the MTR train from Ocean Park to Admiralty Station — HKD 5.3 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. At Ocean Park Station, board the Lime “South Island” Line (towards Admiralty).

Step 2 (0236 pm): Drop off at Admiralty Station (end of the line).

Step 3: Walk to The Peak Tram lower terminus along Garden Road.

Step 4: Ride The Peak Tram to Sky Terrace 428 at Victoria Peak — See combo packages above for discount ticket prices.

0500 pm: Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui

Enjoy a nostalgic ferry crossing with an amazing view of the amazing skyline on both sides of Victoria Harbor.

Redeem Hong Kong-Macau ferry tickets

if you booked your Hong Kong-Macau ferry tickets online, you will need to redeem your ferry ticket at the Shun Tak Centre redemption/ticket counters before proceeding to the Star Ferry & Tsim Sha Tsui. The steps on how to redeem are posted on the “Day 3″ part of this guide.” In the meantime, here are the directions on getting to the redemption/ticket counters.

How to get to Shun Tak Centre from Victoria Peak

Step 1 (0500 pm): Ride The Peak Tram to the Garden Road (lower terminus) Station.

Step 2Step 3 (0520 pm): Ride the MTR train to Sheung Wan Station — HKD 4.5 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card. Estimated travel time is 5 minutes. At Central or Admiralty MRT Station, board the Blue “Island” Line (towards Kennedy Town).

Step 4: Drop-off at Sheung Wan.

Step 5 (0525 pm): Walk to Shun Tak Centre and proceed to redemption/ticket counters.

Redeem Macau SIM card booked online

If you booked the Macau SIM card on Klook as well, you can pick it up at Shun Tak Centre. Make sure to confirm the proper claiming area.

How to get to Star Ferry-Central Pier from Shun Tak Centre

Option 1: Walk to Star Ferry-Central Pier No. 7 — 16 minutes/1.1 km walk.

Option 2: Ride Bus #2 from “Shun Tak Centre/Macau Ferry Bus Terminus” bus stop to “Central (Ferry Pier)” bus stop — HKD 4.1 fare per adult. Pay with Octopus Card.

How to get to Tsim Sha Tsui via the Star Ferry

Step 1 (0600 pm): Ride Star Ferry from Central Pier (No. 7) to Tsim Sha Tsui Pier — The fare is HKD 2.50 (non-peak days) to HKD 3.40 (peak days) per adult. Pay with Octopus Card.

Step 2: Walk to Tsim Sha Tsui promenade.

0630 pm: Tsim Sha Tsui & Symphony of Lights

A trip to Hong Kong is not complete without a visit to Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront to enjoy the panoramic views of impressive Central Hong Kong Skyline and Victoria Harbor. This is a must for photographers! Don’t miss the Symphony of Lights, the World’s Largest Permanent light and sound Show by Guinness World Records. It lights up every night starting at 8 pm and includes more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour.

Symphony of Lights Cruise — Cruise Victoria Harbour on a ferry to enjoy unbeatable views during the Symphony of Lights show.

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The Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui is closed for repair and improvement works, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2018. If you want to see the famous statues, a selection of the Avenue of Stars exhibits is displayed at Garden of Stars and Starry Gallery. You can find it near exit P1 of East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, along Moody & Salisbury roads. Take the escalator/stairs/elevator to the podium level.

0830 pm: Hong Kong at night & shopping

Hong Kong Night Markets & Outlet Shopping

Here’s a list of places to shop in Tsim Sha Tsui and elsewhere in Kowloon:

Day 3: Macau Day Trip

The day starts with a one-hour ferry to Macau. Don’t miss a visit to the Macau Tower, Ruins of Saint Paul Cathedral & Senado Square. Then enjoy the attractions at Taipa including Venetian Macau & City of Dreams.

0630 am: Hong Kong to Macau Ferry

The best Hong Hong Kong-Macau ferry operators are TurboJET and Cotaijet. For this itinerary, I suggest that you go with Cotaijet because they arrive at Macau-Taipa Ferry Terminal, which is located beside Macau Airport. It’s also close to Venetian Macau, City of Dreams & Galaxy Macau and other casinos in Taipa Island.

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How to get to Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal

Step 1 (0630 am): Ride the MTR train to Sheung Wan Station. The fare is HKD 9.7 to HKD 11.9 per adult (Octopus card) if coming from Kowloon side.

Step 2: Change to the Blue “Island” Line at Admiralty or Central. Ride the train towards Kennedy Town.

Step 3: Drop off at Sheung Wan Station.

Step 4: Claim Octopus card refund at Sheung Wan MTR Customer Service Centre if you have balance leftover.

Make sure you have already redeemed the Hong Kong-ferry tickets & have them on hand before arriving. See the instructions below for more info. If you did not redeem the tickets the day before. You will need to wait for the redemptions counters to open at 9:00 am.

Step 5: Proceed to ferry departure terminal

Step 6: Clear Hong Kong immigration checkpoint

Step 7 (0730 am): Hong Kong to Macau ferry departure

Hong Kong to Macau Cotaijet ferry ticket — HKD 160 per adult discount price online for a one-way weekday ticket. Regular price is HKD 201 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

How to redeem Hong Kong-ferry tickets booked on Klook

Step 1: Claim your “exchange ticket” at Beng Seng Travel redemption counters in Shop 310-312, Shun Tak Centre, Sheung Wan. Present your printed or mobile voucher so they can confirm your booking.

IMPORTANT: Claiming of exchange tickets is only possible during operational hours of the redemption counters, from 9:00 am to 1:00 am. Because we’re targeting an early morning (7:30 am) ferry departure to Macau, you will need to get the exchange tickets on an earlier day. For example, Day 2 of this itinerary. The best time to do it is after your trip to Ocean Park, before crossing the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.

Step 2: After claiming the exchange ticket, proceed to the Cotaijet Ticket Office to redeem your Cotaijet tickets. Their ticket office is located at Shop 305D, Shun Tak Centre. Operating hours from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm.

IMPORTANT: Redeem the Cotaijet tickets as early as you can to avoid sold out time slots.

The process of redeeming TurboJET tickets is similar to the steps above. The only difference is that you need to redeem the TurboJET tickets at the TurboJET Ticket Office, 3/F Shun Tak Center. Open 24 hours.

0830 am: Arrival in Macau

Arriving at Macau-Taipa Ferry terminal

Step 1: Clear Macau immigration checkpoint.

Step 2: Clear Macau customs checkpoint.

Step 3: No need to exchange currency to Macau Pataca (MOP) since Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is accepted almost everywhere in Macau including taxis and buses. The value of HKD is almost equal to MOP.

Luggage storage in Macau

You’ll be needing a place to store your luggage for this Macau day trip. This is the reason to go straight to Macau International Airport after arriving at the ferry terminal.

You have the option to use the self-service lockers at Macau Ferry Terminal or try your luck with the baggage service counters at the casino/resorts. For convenience, I recommend leaving your bags at the airport instead so that you can manage your time better & avoid potential hassles on your way to the airport later in the evening.

How to get around Macau — You can choose to go by public bus, free casino shuttles, or taxi/Uber. Of course, there also the option of booking a hassle-free guided tour.

Most casinos in Macau offer free shuttle services to the ferry terminals & Macau Airport. To get to the other attractions, however, you might need to take a taxi/Uber or go with the cheaper public bus.

Use Google Maps ‘transit’ directions feature to see recommended routes & bus stops. HKD is accepted to pay for public bus fares in Macau. Prepare exact amount because Macau bus services do not provide change.

How to get to Macau Airport from Taipa Ferry Terminal

Option 1: 10 minutes/700m walk

Option 2: Ride the taxi if you have heavy luggage.

Option 3: Ride the free shuttle to either Venetian Macau. OR, City of Dreams if it leaves earlier. Then, ride another free shuttle to Macau Airport. This option will take a much longer time.

0930 am: Macau Tower

Walk the 360-degree observation deck for unobstructed views across Macau – and see even as far as Hong Kong!

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Macau Tower admission/entrance fee — HKD 109 per adult discount price online. The regular walk-in price is HKD 145 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

Tickets include admission to the Observation Lounge on Level 58 and the Outdoor Observation Deck on Level 61. Proceed to ticket booth & present your mobile or printed voucher to claim the entry ticket.

How to get to Macau Tower from Macau Airport

Step 1: Walk to the airport bus stop along Avenida Wai Long.

Step 2: Ride Bus #26 to Macau Tower — Bus fare is MOP 4.2 per adult. Travel time is around 35 minutes.

1130 am: Ruins of Saint Paul Cathedral & Senado Square

Enjoy a walking tour around Senado Square, Ruins of Saint Paul Cathedral, Na Tcha Temple & Fortress Hill.

How to get to Senado Square / Saint Paul Cathedral from Macau Tower

Step 1: Ride Bus 32 to Calcada De Santo Agostinho bus stop — Bus fare is MOP 3.2 per adult. Travel time is around 15 minutes.

Step 2: Drop off at Calcada De Santo Agostinho bus stop along Avenida da Praia Grande. This bus stop is located immediately after Nam Van Lake.

Step 3: Walk to Senado Square — 5 minutes/500m walk

Step 4: Walk to Saint Paul Cathedral & Fortress Hill. Eat free samples of beef/pork jerky at food shops on the way to the Ruins of Saint Paul Cathedral.

0230 pm: Venetian Macau

Aside from the casino, the main attraction at Venetian Macau is the Venice inspired Shoppes Canal/Venetian canals.

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Gondola Rides at Venetian Macau — HKD 108 per adult discount price online for 20 minutes gondola ride. Regular price is HKD 134 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

Present your mobile or printed voucher at Boutique Di Gondola (Shop 832 Grand Canal Street). OR, Emporio Di Gondola (Shop 891 Grand Canal Street)

How to get to Venetian Macau from Senado Square

Step 1: Ride Bus #26A from Almeida Ribeiro (near Senado Square) to Galaxy Macau — Bus fare is MOP 4.2 per adult. Travel time is around 30 minutes.

Step 2: Drop off at Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca bus stop located in front of Galaxy Macau & near the entrance of Taipa Village.

Step 3: Walk to Venetian Macau — 5 minutes/500m walk.

0400 pm: City of Dreams Macau

Best sights here are House of Dancing Water (world’s largest pool-based performance show), Vquarium, The Bubble Fountain & more.

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How to get to City of Dreams Macau from Venetian Macau

These casinos are located right next to each other, within easy walking distance.

The House of Dancing Water admission/entrance fee — HKD 503 per adult discount price online. Regular walk-in price is HKD 580 if you buy on site.

Book discount here

You can enter the attraction directly by presenting your mobile or printed voucher. Remember to select the show time at 5 pm. The entire show lasts about 85 minutes and no intermission.

Includes a complimentary ride on “Golden Reel” at Studio City on the same day or the day after if you booked for show dates on or before June 30, 2018.

0630 pm: Wynn Palace Fountain Show

Signature fountain show at Wynn Palace’s Performance Lake. Check show schedules here.

How to get to Wynn Palace from City of Dreams Macau

These casinos are located right next to each other, within easy walking distance.

0730 pm: Transport to Macau International Airport

Ride free shuttle from Wynn Palace to Macau International Airport.

0805 pm: Macau International Airport

Departing from Macau International Airport

Step 1: Bag drop/check-in for Macau to Manila flight. No additional airport/departure taxes or terminal fees for outbound flights from Macau International Airport. All fees should be included in the flight ticket price.

Step 2: Clear Macau immigration checkpoint

Step 3: Wait for boarding call at pre-departure area.

Step 4: Macau flight departure.

Hong Kong & Macau Budget

Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.

I’ve included backpacker budget estimates for food & accommodations to give you an idea of how cheaply you can do the trip. As you know, actual budgets/expenses may be different depending on many factors including personal traveling styles, time of visit, etc. If you have money to splurge on hotels, food, and extra activities, simply use the expenses posted to calculate your estimated budget.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) and Central are the best areas to stay in Hong Kong. TST offers a wider variety when it comes to prices. You can find hostels/guesthouses catering to backpackers and low budget travelers as well as 5-star hotels. Meanwhile, hotels in Central caters to a more upscale crowd.

If you’re set on a splurge, choose a hotel near the waterfront for sweeping views of Hong Kong‘s skyline and Victoria Harbour. In this case, stay in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST), which offers a view of the more impressive Central Hong Kong‘s skyline.

The neighborhoods of Jordan, Mong Kok, Sheung Wan and Wan Chai are also great options as these places are located next to Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. If you plan to stay in these areas, remember to choose a location within easy walking distance to an MTR train station.

Click below to see rates and compare hotels in Hong Kong within your budget. The best locations & properties with the highest review scores are pre-selected so you can easily pick the perfect place to stay.

Where to Stay in Macau

The best areas to stay in Macau are ‘Macau City’ and Cotai Strip in Taipa Island.

Cotai Strip offers an unbeatable location in the heart of Macau’s mega-casino district. It’s also close to Macau Airport. Prices tend to be on the high-end on this side of Taipa Island.

If you’re looking for a cheaper hotel, consider staying in ‘Macau City.’ Pick a hotel close to major historical sites like Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul Cathedral.

Best Luxury Hotels in Macau

Splurge at the best 5-star and 4-star hotels in Macau.

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HKD 1000 or less

4-Star & 5-Star hotel promo rates — Grab massive discounts on luxury rooms available for booking today.

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HKD 800 or less

Recommended 3-Star & budget hotels — Great-value rooms for travelers seeking comfort at affordable rates. Perfect for those traveling with family & friends.

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HKD 700 or less

Best budget hotels in Macau — For travelers looking for decent yet affordable accommodations.

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HKD 600 or less

Best hostels & budget hotels — Cheap hotels & places to stay for backpackers/solo travelers on a tight budget.

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Cheapest places to stay in Macau

Click below to find accommodations in Macau with prices for as low as HKD 500 or less.

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Travel Tips Before You Go

Do I need a visa to visit Hong Kong?

Nationals of about 170 countries and territories can enter Hong Kong without a visa for tourism/transit purposes. Maximum stays vary from 7 days to 180 days depending on nationality.

Countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Hong Kong include The Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom, Australia & EU Citizens.

For a hassle-free trip, make sure that you are able to meet the following normal immigration requirements:

Hong Kong tourist visa for Filipinos

Filipinos/Pinoy tourists do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong granting the purpose is tourism or transit. Philippine passport holders get a maximum stay of 14 days.

Simply show up at the immigration checkpoint and get your passport stamped.

Always remember that all countries have the right to refuse entry to any person even if they are eligible for the free tourist visa or have a valid visa on hand at the border.

Make sure that you are able to provide the requirements listed above to avoid raising concerns from both Hong Kong & Philippine immigration.

At the very least, have these on hand at the immigration checkpoint: A return/onward ticket, hotel reservations and tours/attraction ticket confirmations that you have pre-booked online.

These documents will help to convince them that you are really are visiting as a tourist, NOT for work, and you are able to fund the trip.

Do I need a visa to visit Macau?

Nationals of around 170 countries can enter Macau without a visa for tourism/transit purposes. Maximum stays vary from 7 days to 180 days depending on nationality.

Countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Macau include The Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom & Australia.

Normal immigration requirements should be more or less the same as Hong Kong (see list above).

Macau tourist visa for Filipinos

Filipinos/Pinoy tourists do not need a visa to enter Macau granting the purpose is tourism or transit. Philippine passport holders get a maximum stay of 30 days.

How to get Hong Kong Dollars?

Hong Kong’s currency is called Hong Kong Dollars (HKD or HK$). You should be able to exchange your USD, SGD, EUR, GBP & major currencies easily at most money exchange stalls. Don’t exchange a lot at the airport. Branches found in the city usually offer better rates.

ATMs — I use my ATM card a lot when I travel. It’s way more convenient than to worry about bringing and exchanging cash. Because banks charge a fee (usually USD 5 or more) per withdrawal, I make sure to withdraw large amounts instead of several smaller ones.

It’s important to check if your bank requires you to activate your card for international withdrawal. Your card might be useless otherwise. I use a Bank of the Philippine Islands ATM card (Cirrus) and I have to call their 24-hour hotline to activate my card before I travel abroad. On the other hand, My Unionbank debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) does not need activation to withdraw money abroad.

Philippine Peso to Hong Kong Dollars

PHP is widely accepted at currency exchange stalls in Hong Kong because of the large number of OFWs. As mentioned, exchange most of your money at the city center, not at the airport. Better yet, save time by withdrawing from an ATM or exchanging your pesos to Hong Kong dollars before you leave.

How to get Macau Pataca?

Macau’s currency is called Macau pataca or Macanese pataca (MOP or MOP$).

You may be able to survive a trip to Macau without exchanging your money to Macau Pataca (MOP) since Hong Kong Dollars are accepted in almost all tourist establishments. HKD to MOP exchange rate is almost 1:1.

Should I book my Hong Kong/Macau hotel online?

Here are these trusted booking sites that I use them frequently to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy hassle-free trips. Click below to see today’s lowest prices.

AgodaBooking.comAirbnb

Book your stay sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms tend to get fully-booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Having hotel reservations is very important when traveling abroad because immigration officers often require tourists to provide the address of their accommodation. In addition, here top reasons why I prefer to book online & why you should too:

Where can I book tours in Hong Kong/Macau & attraction tickets?

I often book online to enjoy discounts and cashless convenience during my actual trip. Always check prices of tours and attraction tickets on these booking sites:

KlookGetYourGuide

If you’re booking tours and you’ve already finalized your travel dates, book early, especially if you are traveling in a group to lock-in those open slots for your group.

Is the iVenture Hong Kong & Macau Attractions Pass worth it?

The iVenture attractions pass is a special card that provides entry to many top attractions in Hong Kong & Macau. It’s very convenient and saves you time because you only make the purchase once instead of buying admission tickets separately.

The regular cost of the card is HKD 989 (per person). It’s available on Klook for a discounted price of HKD 890.

See discount and all inclusions here

As you know, you can also book huge discounts on Klook if you buy tickets individually. So the BIG question is:

Is the iVenture pass more cost-effective compared to buying individual discounts tickets on Klook.

The short answer is YES. You’re going to save money with the iVenture card assuming you’re visiting the attractions included in the itineraries posted above & you’re visiting BOTH Hong Kong & Macau.

If you’re visiting Hong Kong only, however. Or, if you’re only visiting a few attractions during your trip, it will be cheaper to buy the discount tickets separately on Klook.

Posted below are the attractions included in the iVenture card with a comparison of Klook prices and the regular price if you buy admission tickets on-site:

Now, you can really see the huge amount of savings with the iVenture card & Klook discounts. As mentioned, the iVenture card is not for those traveling to Hong Kong only. You will only get maximum benefits if you’re visiting Macau too.

Here are prices with Macau attractions included:

Based on the breakdown above, booking the Klook discounts will save you just over HKD 100.

The major advantage of the iVenture card though is that it comes with these two included:

For HKD 100 more, you will be able to enjoy a hassle-free guided tour of Macau. Plus a nice sunset cruise of Victoria Harbour. HKD 100 only converts to PHP 660 / USD 13!

Here are the remaining attractions included:

How to book cheap flights to Hong Kong & Macau?

If you are flying to Hong Kong & Macau within the next 2-3 months, the general rule to spend less on flights is by booking sooner rather than later. In case you are booking well ahead of your trip, keep a lookout for airline promo fares & seat sales.

The easy way to find the cheap flights that you can book right now is to use flight search engines. These sites compare prices on different airlines to show you the cheapest flights. Check multiple flight search engines listed below:

MomondoSkyscannerWegoTripAdvisor

Always check promo fares before booking. Visit the airlines’ official website, mobile app, Facebook, Twitter & other social media accounts for updates.

You can also check the latest airline promo alerts posted here on Detourista. Click below to start:

Subscribe to the email alerts to save time from checking many websites frequently.

You can also get updates by following Detourista on Facebook. Remember to select the “See first” in news feed option.

To learn more, visit the guide on how to book cheap flights.

Useful travel apps for Hong Kong & Macau

Google Maps — Remember to download the offline maps before you go to access the map even if you don’t have mobile data.

Use the directions feature if you plan to get around Hong Kong on your own. I love this feature because I often like to wander around places that I visit & see the sights on foot. The directions on Google Maps is also super useful because it displays train, bus & tram routes in Hong Kong. It only works online, so you will need internet access.

Maps.me — Excellent Google Maps alternative that automatically saves offline maps.

Uber — To see fare estimates, click below to install the app on your phone.

Get Uber

XE Currency — Free & easy currency converter.

Google Translate — Very useful when communicating with locals who do not understand/speak English.

Agoda & Booking.com — My go-to for convenient hotel bookings & cheap rates. For home/apartment rentals, I use Airbnb as well.

Skyscanner & Momondo — These top flight search apps make it super easy to compare airfares from multiple airlines. Download the app & sign-up to the price alerts to get updates on cheap flights.

Get Skyscanner for iOSAndroid

TripAdvisor — Great for restaurant reviews & recommendations. One of the features that I use often is the “cheap eats” filter & the map view.

Go to website

How to get a local data SIM card or pocket WiFi hotspot in Hong Kong & Macau

Stay connected online during your whole trip. Not only does it make it possible to share your travel moments instantly, you can also travel better by having access to all your favorite travel apps anytime. If you can’t get a good roaming data plan from your current provider, pre-book a local/roaming SIM card online.

Book SIM card here

Book WiFi hotspot here

Don’t Stop Here

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