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Macau is undoubtedly a popular weekend destination for local travellers, given its proximity to Hong Kong, commonality in languages, and attractive entertainment, shopping, and dining scene. While visitors and locals traditionally travelled to the 853 by ferry from Hong Kong, the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau (HK-ZH-M) Bridge in late 2018 has heralded alternative transport for those less disposed to sea faring. In addition to catching cross-border coaches, visitors departing for Macau from Hong Kong can now hail a direct cross-border ride from Uber with a few clicks on the app.
Uber announced its new Intercity Trip between Hong Kong and Macau on February 3. Travellers can now use the Uber app to pre-book a direct transfer from addresses in Hong Kong to Macau. Unlike simply hailing an Uber as you’re stepping into the lift to leave your building, all rides to Macau must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance up to 90 days ahead of departure. No doubt Uber’s latest product comes as welcome news to anxious travellers — no more scrambling for ferry tickets or running to catch the last bus across the border; simply book your ride to Macau ahead of time on the app.
Of course, immigration rules still apply. All travellers crossing the Hong Kong-Macau border must present valid IDs, passports, and/or visas at immigration booths, and might be required to disembark the vehicle to enter or exit either city on foot. Luckily, most cross-border drivers are familiar with the rules and processes of each immigration point and should be more than happy to direct you during your trip.
The travel time between the two cities via Uber is expected to remain similar compared to ferry and bus routes. Depending on queues at immigration and general traffic within the cities as well as on the HK-ZH-M bridge, your journey should take around one hour to an hour and a half. That said, there’s definitely time saved because you won’t have to factor in early arrival to get through checkpoints or waiting time for the ferry within the terminal.
Conveniently, Uber is offering a breakdown of complete fare structures and fees online, allowing travellers to easily budget for their trip without having to stress over elevated prices during periods of increased demand. A one-way trip from Hong Kong to Macau ranges between $2,900 to $3,500 depending on your pick-up or drop-off location in Hong Kong, with tolls and additional surcharges already included in the estimated trip fare displayed in-app. Plus, you can cancel your trip for free any time before receiving driver details, and up to six hours before the scheduled pick-up time if you have received them, allowing for more flexibility and insurance to trip planning and budgeting.
Meanwhile, Uber has also reentered Macau after a nine-year hiatus, offering visitors another way to skip winding taxi queues without the hassle of deciphering an unfamiliar public transport system. While Uber operates in Hong Kong using hire-car permits, it is a formally recognised ride-hailing platform in Macau that partners with licensed local taxi companies. This added safety insurance, coupled with the ease of point-to-point transfer and reduced time on the road, means Uber will likely see an increase in popularity and demand for intercity trips over the Lunar New Year holidays and beyond. If you’ve been holding off on a Macau trip, now is as great a time to visit our sister city as ever!
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