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Travel - International
AIR: The territory has its own airline, Air Macau (NX), which operates regional flights. Other airlines serving Macau include Air Koryo, China Northwest, China Southwest, Yunnan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, EVA Airways and TransAsia Airways. A variety of charter airlines operate from Japan.
Approximate flight times: Flights from Europe and North America are usually via Hong Kong. From Hong Kong to London is 14 hours; for other flight times, see Hong Kong after the China (PR) section.
International airports: Macau International Airport (MFM) (website: www.macau-airport.gov.mo) is 6km (4 miles) southeast of the city. Buses run to the city and Macau-Hong Kong ferry terminal via major hotels (travel time – 15-30 minutes). Bus fares cost HK$40. Taxis to the city centre are also available for approximately MOP40. Airport facilities include banks and bureaux de change (24 hours), car hire, duty-free shops and restaurants.
An ExpressLink service has been introduced which allows fast, trouble-free transfers between Macau and Hong Kong airports. Ferries depart approximately every 15 minutes (travel time – 55 minutes). On arrival at Macau Ferry Terminal, passengers travel by a special shuttle bus to the enclave’s airport. Travellers should allow approximately one hour between ferry arrival time in Macau and departure time from Macau International Airport.
Departure tax: MOP80 per person for destinations in China, and MOP130 for other destinations. Children under 12 pay reduced rates. Payment must be made in local currency.
Helicopter: East Asia Airlines and Helicopters Hong Kong Limited operate daily flights between Hong Kong and Macau (travel time – 16 minutes). Cost: HK$1205-1268 (weekdays) or HK$1414-1477 (weekends and public holidays) one way. Helicopters depart from the Macau Maritime and Heliport Terminal, situated in the Outer Harbour.
SEA: A wide variety of vessels sail the 60km (37 mile) distance between Macau and Hong Kong: jetfoils, jumbocats, turbocats, hover-ferries and catamarans. There are more than 100 scheduled sailings each way throughout the day, while jetfoils operate round the clock. Passengers are advised to be at the terminals at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time in order to complete immigration formalities; there is always a standby queue for a prior boat for passengers who arrive unexpectedly early.
Jetfoils depart every 15 minutes from 0700 and every 30 minutes between 1730/1800-0400 (travel time – 55 minutes). Turbocat services take one hour. Catamaran services take 1 hour and 10 minutes. For further details call Macau (tel: 726 301; website: www.nwff.com.hk).
Tickets to Hong Kong can be bought in Macau up to seven days in advance. For travel from Hong Kong to Macau, jetfoil and jumbocat tickets can be bought up to 28 days in advance. A computerised booking system is available from Hong Kong MTR Travel Service Centres in the MTR stations of Admiralty, Central, Tsim Shat Sui, Causeway Bay, Mongkok, Tseun Wan and Kowloon Bay.
Telephone bookings for jetfoil services can be made by holders of Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express (tel: (+852) 2859 6596); further information can be obtained from the Far East Hydrofoil Company Ltd (tel: (+852) 2859 3351 or (in Macau) 790 7039).
The baggage allowance is 10kg per person on high-speed ferries and in general is limited to hand-carried items. Tour operators can arrange luggage-handling where required. Porters are available for heavy luggage.
There are also turbojet and ferry services to Fu Yong ferry terminal in Shenzhen, China (travel time – one hour).
ROAD: The crossing point into China is via the Barrier Gate (Portas de Cerco). Buses run frequently to and from this point from 0800-1830 (travel time –two hours 30 minutes).
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