Macau Getting there & around

Getting around

Public transport

Public buses and minibuses run on 40 routes from 6.45am till just after midnight, with destinations displayed in Portuguese and Chinese. Fares – MOP$2.50 on the peninsula, MOP$3.30 to Taipa, MOP$4 to Coloane Village and MOP$5 to Hac Sa Beach – must be paid into a box; there’s no change.

The Macau Tourist Map has a full list of both bus companies’ routes, and a pamphlet listing all bus routes is worth picking up from MGTO outlets. Useful services on the peninsula include buses 3 and 3A, which run between the ferry terminal and the city centre. Bus 3 continues up to the border gate, as does bus 5. From the ferry terminal, bus 12 runs past the Hotel Lisboa and then goes up to the Lou Lim Ioc Garden and Kun Iam Temple.

Buses 21, 21A, 25 and 26A run to Taipa and Coloane.

^ Back to top

Car & motorcycle

Car

The brightly coloured, open-sided Mokes that have so long been the mainstay of Macau’s humble car-hire industry might be on their last lap. Laws forbidding vehicles older than 10 years being hired mean the rental companies are being pressured to retire their fleets in 2007. It’s not, however, a fait accompli, so ask around when you get there.

Avis Rent A Car (726 571; www.avis.com.mo; Ground fl, Macau ferry terminal) hires out cheap Suzuki Vitaras for MOP$550 a day during the week and MOP$700 at the weekend.

^ Back to top

Local transport

Taxi

The taxi flag fall is MOP$10 for the first 1.5km and MOP$1 for each additional 200m. There is a MOP$5 surcharge to go to Coloane; travelling between Taipa and Coloane will cost MOP$2 extra.

Journeys starting from the airport cost an extra MOP$5, and large bags an extra MOP$3. For a yellow radio taxi call 519 519 or 939 939.

^ Back to top

Bicycle

Bikes can be rented in Taipa Village. You are not allowed to cross the Macau–Taipa bridges on a bicycle.

^ Back to top