Transportation

Macau International Airport (MFM) sits on Taipa, close to the Cotai casino strip and only a short hop from the peninsula. Many resorts run free shuttle buses from the airport for guests, which is the easiest option. Public buses (routes such as AP1) and metered taxis are cheap and quick, and the light rail (LRT) also links the airport with parts of Taipa. Have small patacas or an app payment ready for buses.

Macau is compact and its main public transport is an extensive, cheap bus network run by TCM and Transmac, reaching the peninsula, Taipa and Cotai. A single light rail (LRT) line serves parts of Taipa and the airport, and free resort shuttles cover the casino strip usefully. Buses take exact change in patacas or a Macau Pass card. Walking works well in the historic centre where sights cluster together.

The Macau Pass is the local stored-value card, mainly used to tap onto buses at a discount over cash and to pay at some convenience stores. Buy and top up at convenience stores and kiosks. It is handy if you ride buses a lot, but for a short trip many visitors simply use exact-change coins or mobile payment. The card and mobile MPay by the same operator are widely used by residents.

Taxis in Macau are black with a cream roof, metered and reasonably priced, with surcharges for trips to Cotai, the airport and for luggage. They can be hard to hail at peak times, near casinos or during rain, so use taxi stands at hotels. There is no widespread ride-hailing app like Uber for private cars, so cash or a card and knowing your destination in Chinese help. Keep the receipt if you need to report a problem.

Macau connects easily to its neighbours. High-speed ferries such as TurboJet link Macau with Hong Kong in about an hour, and cross-border buses run over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Land border crossings connect to Zhuhai on the mainland. Remember that Hong Kong and mainland China have their own separate entry rules, so carry your passport and any required approvals, and check the latest border requirements before you travel.

Getting around Macau is cheap and easy if you plan a little. Use the free resort shuttle buses; even if you are not staying there, they conveniently link the ferry terminals, airport and casino strip. Carry exact-change patacas for public buses or a Macau Pass, and download the bus app for routes. Wear comfortable shoes for the hilly historic centre, and avoid taxis in the rain when they are scarce.