Getting from Guangzhou to Macau
 

Hi, I have some business finishing up in Guangzhou, and would like to swing by Macau before flying home from HKG.

How do I get from Guangzhou to Macau? I've been to Macau several times (on business), but always from HK.

I believe there are buses, but how easy are they for a whitey (with a small suitcase) who can only say hello, thank you, and Wynn Casino in Cantonese? Do they take you across the Gong Bei gate or drop you off in front and then you walk across?

Is a private car a reasonable option? Perhaps my hotel in Guangzhou (Westin) could arrange? It's like a 2-hour trip, no? Any guesses at cost?

Any suggestions appreciated!

High Speed Train Guangzhou to Lowu station, taxi to Skekou ferry terminal,
ferry to Macau. Its probably 3+ hours. Maybe Helicopter from Shenzen
to Macau is faster? ( 2 hours total time from GZ) Fastest probably fly to Macau from Guangzhou on plane? ( 30 min)
Bus from Garden hotel to Gongbei border walk over to Macau? ( 3.5 hours)

From city center to city center, direct bus to Gongbei and cross the border, should be faster than all the other ways, including flying.

The buses terminate at the underground mall right at the border. You need to walk across the Gongbei border yourself. On the Macau side, you'll get free shuttles to all the major casinos.

With all due respect, do you know what you're talking about? I can't imagine going via SZ makes any sense at all.

Where do I get the bus in Guangzhou and where can I find a schedule?

There are nice busses to Gongbai border from CAN airport, from China Marriott and as mentioned by anacapamalibu, from Garden Hotel. It's like 60-70RMB IIRC. Very easy for whitey not speaking any Chinese. I know there is one ~8:00AM from CAN airport but you will have to get the rest of the schedules somewhere else. Just ask the folks at the front desk of your hotel in Guangzhou.

BTW, there's no non-stop flight CAN-MFM to start with.

I get sick on buses in China. Would prefer car, rail, helicopter, ferry or plane.
If you take the bus to Gongbei then walk across the border there are free buses
directly to Wynn Hotel ..just look for the people holding up placards. ( and Wynn is in english)

Any idea of that high speed rail is actually going to ever be finished between Zhuhai and Guangzhou?

I believe that direct bus (hire a private car or taxi for even shorter time) to Gongbei border is the fastest way.

Yeah, you need to negotiate that sort of trip, though. It would be the fastest. A person at your Guangzhou hotel may be able to set that up for you. I've never done this but I've read that ~400RMB is the typical fare from Shenzhen's to CAN. I'd think ~400-500RMB should do it but Zhuhai's a bit further out than Shenzhen but your hotel should give you an idea of the price. I'm pretty sure you won't be the first who has ever asked them.

You could also take buses to the Macau side of the border checkpoint, but the bus station is right at the China gate (the checkpoint is local speak) in Macau. Buses to Zhuhai will run more frequently so it's a bit YMMV on that.

There are free shuttle buses from the Macau side of the China gate to all the casinos if you wind up going to Gongbei/Zhuhai.

I did Guangzhou to Zhuhai by bus in the summer of 2007. It cost 75 RMB and it took about 2.5-3 hours.

Who flies this route? Is it daily?

Nobody flies this route. Read rkkwan's post again. @:-)

Doh! Thanks! :o

Hello! I am heading to Guangzhou for a few days and would like to make a day trip to Macau - is this reasonably possible? If so, what is the updated transportation situation there?

I was just looking for a good day-trip from CAN, so any other good places to visit not named Hong Kong would be appreciated. ^

Finally, does anyone know a good tailor in Guangzhou? :D Thanks!

It doesn't.
I would go to Zhuhai and cross the border from there.