Getting Around

There are many different way to get around in Macau but if you are not a local, and have come to visit this place for just a few days, or are a foreigner, then make sure you read this guide. It will equip you with all the transportation methods, routes and basic know how:

On foot:

Since the Macau Peninsula is small and compact, travelling by foot is the best way to get around. Macau has a total area of about 29.5 kilometers square and in that small area, there are so many things to discover.

It is also a good option because being a pedestrian means that you don’t have to take long routes to reach your required destinations. On the down side, you will have to fight the crowd which is literally going in all directions. Also, make sure that you look both ways before crossing roads, because traffic rules are not followed very strictly. Be on the lookout for opportunistic pickpockets as well. The terrain is also rather hilly, so if you can’t walk up steep lanes, because of your age, or a weak heart or stamina, then we suggest you try out alternative transport methods.

The pavements in and around the Senado Square are made of hand-laid limestone pieces made into pretty artistic designs. This is something which is considered a characteristic feature of the Senado Square. Macau is also hilly, be prepared to struggle up and down steep lanes and steps.

The Cotai area is one place where we suggest you don’t walk. There is pretty much nothing to see, except for a ling of new hotels and huge building sites running along the length of the streets. It would be better if you spend your time somewhere else, wisely.

By bus:

There are three bus companies through which a person can travel Macau and its districts. They are:

• Transportes Urbanos Macau (Transmac)
• Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau (TCM)
• Sociedade de Transportes Públicos Reolian (Reolian)

All these companies have websites that provide online route guides. The fare for rides within the Peninsular is less than the routes that run between the Peninsular and Taipa, the Peninsula and Coloane and the Peninsula and Hác Sá.

The disadvantages to this mode of transportation is that you need to give to give exact change to the drivers, who don’t speak English fluently at all. The routes are made in loops, so even a short distance can take a long while. Therefore, you should get your required destination written down in Chinese by someone who understands you, so that you can show this to the driver.

Macaupass is a transport debit card system that is now widely used by Macau citizens. It provide discounts on paying bus fare. There are specific distribution points where you can purchase these.

By scooter

The streets in Macau are narrow and very seldom have any space available for parking cars or other large automobiles. Scooters, therefore, work best when there are only one or two people who want to travel, and they even allow you to see the beautiful spots in Macau without having to look through a window. Some of these magical crowded spots are the Portuguese fort, the Coloane Village and the Cheoc Van Beach. Since Macau is quite small in size, it becomes easy to navigate your way around while using a scooter.

Macau Scooter Hire is a company that provides scooters for rental. It would be a good idea to make reservations online prior to your arrival. You can hire scooters and motor bikes at an hourly rate, or bundle some hours up such as at US$19 for 3 hours. Another option is to hire it on a daily basis such as at $40 per day. The golden rule is that the longer you are planning to hire it fore, the cheaper it will become available to you. You need to show your driving licenses before the company lets you use their motorbikes.

By taxi

Taxi is a good way to travel in style, but it is quite expensive. For example, do Senado to the border can exceed about 40MOP. The longer the taxi ride, the cheaper it will get, as opposed to a standard meter rate.

Taxi drivers understand very little English or Portuguese, so you can either have your destination written in Chinese by someone else, or show it to them, or you can look at the list of casinos and other important places that drivers usually carry with them, and simple point to the one you want to go to. This is usually kept in the sun guard of the front passenger seat.