Macau

[Douglas Dubh]

Not sure when it will be, but when I return to Hong Kong I'd like to spend a day in Macau. I was looking into it recently. I noticed that things are a bit spread out. Is there an easy way to get between the major sites? I looked at some tours but not sure they're worth the money and might be too structured. Plus they include lunch and leave early and I want to eat at the Hard Rock. I was thinking a hop on hop off bus might work but the reviews for the one in Macau were not good.

Who's been to Macau and can tell me the easiest way to get from the ferry terminal to the UNESCO sites to the casinos and back? Anything else one should know about traveling to/from Hong Kong and around Macau? Sites not to miss?

 

[fabfemmeboy]

The easiest way is to hop free shuttles from the various casinos/hotels. Things aren't really spread out so much as grouped into three main areas: Cotai, Taipa, and Old Macau. It's easy to get from one area to another via casino shuttles (that generally make a loop) or cab (only about 15 minutes to most places). Keep in mind there are two ferry terminals - one on Taipa near the airport and one up near the older casinos. Either one will have buses that will take you back to the major casinos for free. For example, if you arrive at the Old Macau ferry terminal, you can take a free hotel shuttle to the Lisboa, which is walking distance to Largo Senado/St. Pauls. From there, either take a cab across the bridge or find where the casino shuttles pick up/drop off near the UNESCO sites, then take one of the shuttles to a newer casino/hotel on Taipa (Venetian, City of Dreams, etc.) which will be near Hard Rock.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Thanks. I saw mention of the shuttles on trip advisor, but wasn't sure they allowed passengers who weren't staying at one of the hotels.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

The easiest way is to hop free shuttles from the various casinos/hotels. Things aren't really spread out so much as grouped into three main areas: Cotai, Taipa, and Old Macau. It's easy to get from one area to another via casino shuttles (that generally make a loop) or cab (only about 15 minutes to most places). Keep in mind there are two ferry terminals - one on Taipa near the airport and one up near the older casinos. Either one will have buses that will take you back to the major casinos for free. For example, if you arrive at the Old Macau ferry terminal, you can take a free hotel shuttle to the Lisboa, which is walking distance to Largo Senado/St. Pauls. From there, either take a cab across the bridge or find where the casino shuttles pick up/drop off near the UNESCO sites, then take one of the shuttles to a newer casino/hotel on Taipa (Venetian, City of Dreams, etc.) which will be near Hard Rock.

Is there anything for tourists to do in the Taipa area outside of the casinos of Cotai? Is the Macau tower worth going up?

 

[fabfemmeboy]

I don't know about Macau tower. As for Taipa, there are neat areas to see in/around Taipa Village, including a walking tour of historic homes/historic houses museum (self-guided and doesn't take very long).

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Thanks again.