Hong Kong and Macau are one of the most visited destinations in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong and Macau are known for their bustling streets and vibrant lights. Hong Kong and Macau both have a colourful colonial history.
Hong Kong was a stronghold of the British Colonial Empire in Asia and gained its autonomy and was given back to China in 1997 but under the condition of “one country, two systems” rule of the Special Administrative Region (SAR).
On the other hand, Macau had been part of the Portuguese empire for hundreds of years and was also returned back to China on 1999 under the same “one country, two systems” rule of SAR.
The two regions are brimming with life, lights and energy. Macau is considered to be the Las Vegas of Asia due to its massive and luxurious hotels and casinos. Hong Kong is one of the most loved destinations when it comes to shopping and fantastic family-friendly attractions.
Hong Kong can be considered the “City of Lights of Asia” due to the high volume of bright electronic billboards and glowing neon lights.
My family and I went for a short break to Hong Kong and Macau. It was the first international trip for my parents and sister so I made sure they would have a great time. I made sure that we visited all the main attractions in Hong Kong and Macau. I’m really glad they enjoyed it!
Here is our Hong Kong Itinerary with a little side trip to Macau.
Visa Requirements
As part of the SAR rules, Hong Kong and Macau have their own immigration and border control. Don’t forget to bring your passport with you when you catch the ferry to visit Macau or Hong Kong (v.v) for a day trip.
I used my British passport on this trip because I’ve not sorted out my dual citizenship yet.
British Passport: No visa required
Philippine Passport: No visa required
Suggested Accommodation
There are loads of Hong Kong hotel deals online, but since we were travelling as a group, we chose to stay in an apartment near Austin Road.
You can use Airbnb to book an apartment in Hong Kong if you are travelling as a group. If you are new to Airbnb you can get a £25 travel credit on your Airbnb apartment here.
There are loads of Hong Kong hotels available online. Here are some of my suggested hotels ranging from luxury to budget hotels.
Luxury Hotels in Hong Kong:
The Ritz – Carlton Hotel
Address: International Commerce Center, No.1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Check current hotel rates: Agoda | TripAdvisor
The Upper House
Address: Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong, China
Check current hotel rates: Agoda | TripAdvisor
Budget Hotels in Hong Kong:
Mojo Nomad Aberdeen Harbour
Address: 100 Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, China
Check current hotel rates: Agoda | TripAdvisor
Minimal Hotel Culture
Address: 88 Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Check current hotel rates: Agoda | TripAdvisor
Best Backpackers Hostels in Hong Kong:
Check Inn HK
Address: 2/F, Kwong Wah Mansion, 269-273 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China
Check current hotel rates: Agoda | TripAdvisor
Apple Hostel
Address: B3, 10/fl., Block B, Chungking Mansions, Tsim Sha Tsui, 36-44 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Check current hotel rates: Agoda | TripAdvisor
5 Footway Inn
Address: 8 R. de Constantino Brito, Macau
Check their rates at Agoda | TripAdvisor
Suggested Activities
You will never run out of attractions, from the family-friendly places to visit in Hong Kong and places to visit in Hong Kong. I wrote another blog post to highlight our suggested best things to do in Hong Kong.
Macau has a prominent Portuguese influence. There is more to Macau than just casinos, there are other attractions and places to visit. You can check out the 10 Best Things To Do in Macau That You Shouldn’t Miss
Trip Budget
| Travel Essentials | Description ( Cost) | Total Amount Spent ( GBP & PHP) |
| Airfare | Manila – Macau- Manila | £156.00 | Php 2,500 (promo price) per person |
| Activities | Disneyland Cable Car (Ngong Ping 360) Victoria’s Peak, Macau Museum Senado Square Venetian Macau (Gondola) | £75 | PHP 5,000 |
| Accommodation | ( £350 | PHP 23K) 3 bedroom apartment in Hong Kong & (£35 | PHP 2,300) 5 footway.inn in Macau | |
| HKG Tourist Day Pass | 55 HKD ( optional ** Unlimited ride of MTR only) | £5 | PHP 360 |
| 317 HKD (return) per person | £31| PHP 2,000 | |
| 150 HKD ( Deposit of 50HKD with Initial stored value of 100HKD (adults) & 20HKD (Elderly) | £14 | PHP 980 | |
| TOTAL COSTS /pax | excluding accommodation | £281 | PHP 18,560 |
Itinerary Details
Here are the detailed Hong Kong itinerary and a visit to Macau that my family and I did during our visit to these popular tourist destinations in Asia.
DAY 1:
Fly from Manila – Macau
19:30 departure from Manila
21:30 Arrival from Macau
Travel tip: Make sure you have your Macanese Pataca ready when you land in Macau (You’ll need this for your bus fare). There are a few money exchange stalls in the airport if you desperately need one. You can also use Transferwise for an easy foreign currency exchange in one card.
Get the bus at the arrival area going to the Senado square. The hotel is just a few minutes away from the square.
23:00 – 00:00 Check – in at the hotel 5footway.inn Project Ponte 16
DAY 2:
After our breakfast, we sorted out our belongings and left them in the porter’s room of the hotel.
9:00 Check out at the hotel 5footway.inn Project Ponte 16
9:30 – 17:00 Visit Senado Square, Macau Museum, The Fortaleza Do Monte, Ruins of St. Paul’s
18:00 Took the Turbo Jet Ferry in Taipa terminal to Hong Kong via Kowloon (60mins ferry ride)
20:00 Arrival in our apartment near Austin MTR
DAY 3:
08:00 Sort out the attraction tickets
Travel tip: Get an Octopus card and use it pay for your transport, buy stuff from the shops etc.
10:00 Visit Ngong Ping 360 & Buddhist Temple
17:00 Set off to Disneyland (Lantau Island)
17:30 Disneyland
20:00 Head towards MTR Austin (Apartment)
Day 4:
09:00 catch MTR Central (21 mins MTR)
09:30 walk to Lower Terminus(The Peak)
10:00 Arrive at The Peak Lower Terminus
12:00 Lunch in Bubba Gump or Wildfire
13:00 Nature Walks
18:00 Time to get some Hong Kong souvenirs! Shopping time (Ladies Market, Mong Kok)
19:00 Visit the harbour promenade for the Lights and Sound show
Day 5:
12:00 Check out at the Apartment
13:00 Catch the ferry to Macau (14:00)
14:00 Departure to Macau
Travel tip: You can use the free shuttle located just in front of the ferry terminal going to the hotels and casino.
15:00 Explore Macau –Venetian Macau, Gondola ride, Dinner time etc.
20:00 Head towards Macau airport
23:25 Flight departure time to Manila
01:20 Arrival at Manila Airport
I hope you’ll find this Hong Kong itinerary useful for your upcoming visit to Hong Kong and Macau with your family and friends.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryazan Tristram
Travel Writer & PhotographerRyazan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published on Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British – Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history and culture.
There’s some really handy info on this post. You mention the casinos, which I’m looking forward to visiting when I travel to Macau.
Thank you very much Stuart! I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Macau, just gamble responsibly.
Great post! This is really helpful since I am planning to go to Hong Kong next year for the first time.
Hi Rosemarie, thank you very much. I’m sure you’ll have a great time in HK. 🙂 Keep us posted!
Hi There,
Thank you for your detailed post, it is very helpful as I am planning our Hong Kong and Macau trip. Just a query is it possible to cover Ngong Ping and Disneyland all in one day? It is myself and my husband who are travelling. My plan was to take Ngong Ping cable car from Tung Chung station, however I saw in your itinerary that you arrived at 10am Ngong Ping and left around 5pm to arrive at Disneyland all in the same day? Did you manage to cover entire Disneyland?
Cheers
Hi C,
Thank you for your kind comment. 🙂
Yes, you can possibly cover Ngong Pin and Disneyland in one day. It’s on the same side of the city and just 1 metro train away. This will also depends on how you want to spend your day, we went to disneyland only for a few hours because we travelled with my parents (big group) and no kids. Otherwise, we will spend more time in Disneyland than Ngong Pin.
If it’s just the two of you, it would be more quicker and manageable. 🙂
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This is one of the most detailed and handy itineraries about Macau I’ve read in a while, Ryazan! Thanks for leading us through the process and making the process easier and manageable. Are 5 days enough to explore Macau?
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Good post, You shared the amazing experience of your trip. it is really enjoyable and Hong Kong is a beautiful destination to visit. There is so much to see and do. It looks like a really beautiful drive. You captured awesome pictures on your travel trip. Thanks for share it.
Thank you very much.