“Hong Kong. Final call!”
I heard the airport crew’s voice echo through the terminal as I hurried toward the boarding gate. The excitement of exploring a new destination buzzed inside me as I handed over my boarding pass.
Less than two hours later, our plane touched down at Hong Kong International Airport, the first international airport I had ever stepped into. Hong Kong may be small, but it’s undeniably fast-paced and progressive, and this time, my journey wouldn’t end there. I was heading further, across the sea, to Macau.
How to Get from Manila to Macau in One Day (Solo Female Traveler Edition)
I’ll be honest, when I first looked into this trip, I expected a mess of transfers and wasted hours. Turns out you can go from Manila to Macau in a single day, on a tight budget, without really setting foot in Hong Kong city at all.
I did this route solo. It was cheaper and smoother than I thought it’d be, so here’s exactly how it went, step by step.
Why This Route Actually Works
Most people assume the only way from Hong Kong to Macau is by ferry. There’s also a land option: the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB), a 55km bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. If you fly into Hong Kong Airport, you’re already close to the bridge terminal on the Hong Kong side. No need to head into the city.
Fewer transfers. Less traffic. A very manageable solo travel day.
How to Go to Macau from Hong Kong by Bus
Step 1: Fly from Manila to Hong Kong.
Route: MNL (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) to HKG (Hong Kong International Airport) Airline used: Cebu Pacific
The flight takes about 2 hours. Filipino passport holders get visa-free entry into Hong Kong, so immigration should be quick.
Step 2: Clear Immigration and Get Local Cash
Clear Hong Kong immigration like normal. Then find an ATM and withdraw some HK dollars. You’ll need small cash for the local bus and the bridge shuttle, so don’t skip this.
Step 3: Catch the Airport Bus to HZMB Hong Kong Port
Follow the airport signs to the bus bay and look for the New Lantau Bus (NLB) route B4. It runs straight from the airport to the HZMB Hong Kong Port.
- Fare: HK$9.10 (roughly ₱65)
- Travel time: About 25 minutes
Short and simple. Nothing to overthink here. The line moved slowly, but the excitement of crossing the bridge for the first time kept me going.
Thinking back to my trip to Tai O, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Another border crossing finally checked off my travel bucket list.
Step 4: Exit Hong Kong Immigration
At the HZMB Hong Kong Port, go into the Passenger Clearance Building with your passport ready. This is where you officially exit Hong Kong before the bridge crossing.
The building’s stunning architecture left me in awe, both its exterior design and interior details.
Step 5: Buy Your HZMB Shuttle Bus Ticket and Cross the Bridge
After clearing immigration, buy your shuttle bus ticket for the bridge itself at the designated ticket counters or kiosk.
- Fare: HK$65 daytime, HK$70 at night. Kids ride half price at HK$33.
- Payment: Octopus card, HKD cash, or Alipay/WeChat
- Frequency: Every 5 to 15 minutes during the day, every 15 to 30 minutes late at night
- Ride time: 40 to 45 minutes across the 55 km sea bridge
Try to grab a window seat. The views over the water are genuinely worth it. Now, years later, my own ambitious attempt to cross the borders of Hong Kong and Macau via the HZMB was finally happening.
Step 6: Clear Macau Immigration
When you arrive at the HZMB Macau Port, you’ll go through a second immigration check. Filipino passport holders get visa-free entry into Macau too, so this part should move fast.
Step 7: Get a Local SIM and MacauPass
Right near the arrival hall, there’s a Circle K (basically Macau’s version of 7-Eleven). Pop in and grab:
- A local SIM card for data and calls
- A MacauPass, a rechargeable transit card used for public buses and accepted at some shops and vending machines too
Both take five minutes and make the rest of the trip a lot easier.
Step 8: Bus Into Macau Peninsula
Outside the arrival hall, look for public bus 101X heading toward Macau Peninsula, in the direction of Senado Square.
- Fare: MOP$6 to 8, cash or MacauPass
- Travel time: 18 to 20 minutes depending on traffic
- Get off at Almeida Ribeiro / Tai Fung, stop M135. It’s a 5-minute walk to Senado Square from there.
And that’s it. Manila to the middle of Macau, all in one day.
A Few Honest Tips for Solo Travelers
- Keep small cash on hand in both HKD and MOP. Not every step takes cards or e-wallets.
- Keep your passport somewhere easy to reach. You’ll go through immigration twice in a fairly short window.
- Download offline maps before you leave, especially if you’re only picking up a SIM once you land in Macau.
- Give yourself a buffer. Between the flight, two bus rides, and two immigration checks, it’s a full day. Don’t cut it too close.
2017 Flashback: Tai O Village Memories
I first explored Hong Kong in 2017, visiting the quaint fishing village of Tai O, famous for its stilt houses. During a boat excursion, our Cantonese-speaking boatman pointed toward a striking bridge in the distance. I didn’t understand his words, but one thought stayed with me: that bridge would soon become part of something bigger. It was an ambitious connection linking major cities near Mainland China.
You don’t need a complicated itinerary or a ferry ticket to get from the Philippines to Macau. Just some local currency, a bit of planning, and a willingness to hop on a few buses along the way.
Looking back, that early trip feels like the prologue to my latest adventure. Here’s a closer look at my first Hong Kong journey in 2017.
I drafted this blog post while resting in my hotel room in Macau. This trip marks my first solo adventure of 2025, checking off an important item on my travel bucket list and celebrating a personal milestone.
