Dividing time between HK and Maca
Mar 29, 2013 | 10:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: united, american, alaska
Posts: 1,849
Dividing time between HK and Maca
I'm flying into Hong Kong late on a Wednesday night and departing Monday morning. That gives me 5 nights, 4 days. I am thinking of 1-2 nights in Macau and at least one full day (because I think I need that to follow some architectural walking tours).
I'm puzzling over whether it is best to do that in the beginning, middle or end of the trip. Factors would be transportation ease (i.e. would it be easier dealing with immigration and transportation if I were going right from the airport to Macau or vice versa, as opposed to going in the middle) and whether anything might be crazier over the weekend (which would drive Macau at the start of the leg.)
Anybody have any insight?
I'm puzzling over whether it is best to do that in the beginning, middle or end of the trip. Factors would be transportation ease (i.e. would it be easier dealing with immigration and transportation if I were going right from the airport to Macau or vice versa, as opposed to going in the middle) and whether anything might be crazier over the weekend (which would drive Macau at the start of the leg.)
Anybody have any insight?
Mar 29, 2013 | 10:14 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 11,079
If your HKG arrival/departure coincides with the sailing time of the direct ferry to and from Macau at HKG airport then do it at the beginning or the end.
You will save time as you will be considered in transit to and from Macau and not have to get to the piers in town and deal with entry/exit and the stamps.
You will save time as you will be considered in transit to and from Macau and not have to get to the piers in town and deal with entry/exit and the stamps.
Mar 29, 2013 | 7:55 pm
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Posts: 12,312
Last direct HKG-Macau sailing is at 10p. What time is your scheduled arrival? After that you can still go to HK Island and transfer, but that means very late getting to Macau.
Anyways, I generally suggest two nights in Macau. Hotels are much cheaper in Macau than Hong Kong; but they are also much lower Sunday to Thursday than Fri/Sat, while in HK, weekends may be a little bit cheaper than weekdays, especially in the top hotels. But that may not work for you if you arrive HKG late on Wed. Anyways, Thursday night in Macau is a given. Whether you want to add Wed, Fri or neither depends.
Anyways, I generally suggest two nights in Macau. Hotels are much cheaper in Macau than Hong Kong; but they are also much lower Sunday to Thursday than Fri/Sat, while in HK, weekends may be a little bit cheaper than weekdays, especially in the top hotels. But that may not work for you if you arrive HKG late on Wed. Anyways, Thursday night in Macau is a given. Whether you want to add Wed, Fri or neither depends.
Last edited by rkkwan; Mar 29, 2013 at 9:40 pm
Mar 31, 2013 | 4:02 am
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,377
Wed Night: Arrive HKIA -> ferry to Macau
Thurs: 1 full day in Macau, overnight in Macau
Fri: Spend half day in Macau. Ferry -> HK
Sat-Mon: Spent in Hong Kong
That way, you can spend Wednesday + Thursday night in Macau at lower hotel rates before the weekend hits. Then Fri, Sat, Sun night in Hong Kong.
Thurs: 1 full day in Macau, overnight in Macau
Fri: Spend half day in Macau. Ferry -> HK
Sat-Mon: Spent in Hong Kong
That way, you can spend Wednesday + Thursday night in Macau at lower hotel rates before the weekend hits. Then Fri, Sat, Sun night in Hong Kong.