Confused by HKG Airport > Macao procedure

Question

Hello,

I have an upcoming stay in Hong Kong planned for March and I'm contemplating splitting it between Hong Kong and Macao. If I go for this option, I'd like to go to Macao first, then to Hong Kong but I'm struggling a bit understanding the system of getting from HKG (the airport) to Macao.

I will be landing on Air France around 18:00 and will have a checked baggage. Can anyone confirm that I don't need to go through HK immigration but instead, I will simply walk to a "Macao terminal" within the airport, buy a bus ticket, give someone my baggage stub and then get a bus to Macao border (where I can catch a bus to my hotel)?

I'm most confused about how this works with the checked baggage - I assume that if I don't go through immigration, I won't get to the baggage claim either. Does this mean that someone will go fetch my baggage for me based on that baggage stub and then deliver it to me in the terminal / at the border? Does this work for any airline (on arrival to HK, not departure)?

And finally - do I need to prebook the bus to Macao? I'd rather wait until I arrive as delays (or early arrivals) can of course occur, but I'm not sure how common is it for them to sell out.

Thanks a lot for any input :)

Answer

Traveling from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) directly to Macao is possible via a “direct Macao transfer” service offered at the airport, but there are some important points to understand, especially regarding checked baggage and immigration.

First, the concept of the Macao Transfer Service allows passengers to bypass Hong Kong immigration if they are continuing directly to Macao. In theory, you do not formally enter Hong Kong, and you stay within a designated transit area. Here's how it generally works:

Passengers take a dedicated shuttle bus or coach from HKG to the Macao border (usually via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge terminal).
Checked baggage may be handled differently depending on your airline. For some airlines participating in the direct Macao transfer, your baggage can be checked through to Macao, but you usually need to drop it off at a dedicated counter or arrange for it during online check-in.
If your airline does not participate in this through-check service, you will need to clear Hong Kong immigration and collect your baggage before traveling to Macao yourself.
For most airlines, standard baggage claim procedures mean that unless you specifically arrange a through-checked transfer, you won’t have your checked baggage in the Macao terminal.

Regarding the bus:

Tickets for the HKG–Macao shuttle buses or coaches do not always need to be prebooked, especially in off-peak periods. However, early evenings (such as your 18:00 arrival) can be busy, and it’s safer to book in advance to guarantee a seat.
Most buses operate frequently, but during peak travel times or holidays, it’s possible to sell out.
The bus will take you to the Macao side of the border, after which you go through Macao immigration to enter the city. From there, you can catch a local taxi or shuttle to your hotel.

In summary, while the Macao transfer option allows you to bypass Hong Kong immigration, it is very airline-dependent for checked baggage. Many travelers choose to go through Hong Kong immigration, collect their baggage, and then take a direct bus or taxi to Macao themselves to avoid complications.

Tips:

Check with Air France if they support direct baggage transfer to Macao before arrival.
If unsure, plan for collecting your baggage in Hong Kong and then taking a shuttle or taxi to Macao.
Consider booking your bus in advance if arriving in the evening to avoid waiting or sold-out buses.

So, the “no immigration + baggage delivered” scenario is only feasible if your airline and the transfer service support it. Otherwise, you will need to clear HK immigration and handle baggage yourself.

Confused by HKG Airport > Macao procedure

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