Went to Macao in 1996 and then again in 2005 - didn't look like that on either occasion!!! And there was no causeway.... Think I need to go back! Another excuse to go to Hong Kong airport too!!!
Thanks for your comment, Hong Kong airport is excellent, Macao has retained some it's old towns/areas the issue is how to get there, or more to the point, how to get back. Taxis are plentiful at the port and the hotels so you can get there, but finding a cab back is a lottery.
Very useful video! Visited Macao twice before the pandemic and used the ferries from the skypier so didn’t have to enter Hong Kong immigration. The ferries haven’t been restored to a frequent enough service, so to be able to do it by bus now without entering Hong Kong makes me much more likely to go back! Thank you for posting this 👍
You're very welcome, I did want to take a ferry but there weren't any on the days I was travelling, so that does sound like you're right that they haven't been restored and possibly being phased out.
What a brilliant tip! I went through HKG back in 2016 as part of my round-the-world (using all miles!) but didn't think to dip into Macau. I might do this bundle tour the next time I visit the area. POOOKE!!!
Thanks for your comment Red, Macau is an experience I had one day around the hotel, one day exploring the old towns on the southern island and then a day on the north island with the old forts and so on. Worth a trip.
What an informative video. Just in time for my trip next month. As a matter of fact Turbo Jet just cancelled their ferry for the date I was to travel from HKIA to Macau so this has saved me the trouble.
We stayed in the Conrad Macau for four nights back in 2017 ( it is the Far Easts equivalent to Vegas for gambling but that wasn't why we were there) and we wanted to do a day trip to Hong Kong. There was no link road/ bridge then, but there was a high speed hydrofoil jet boat. I presume it's still there andi think it was about an hour and not that expensive as I recall, but I'm thinking a lot quicker than a coach. I only mention it as it's another option, especially if time is important
Thanks for your comment, much appreciated. I wanted to take a ferry one way but there wasn't a ferry on either travel day. Perhaps if I was the other side of immigration it would have been different.
This is a very useful tip. It's almost 20 years since I was last in HK and Macau and I can't even remember how I got to Macau. I'd love to go back to that area although some people have said HK isn't what it used to be.
Thanks for your comment and support, Macao has become a bit of a gambling centre, although I enjoyed a couple of the more authentic old town type of areas.
First of all thank you because my girlfriend has problems to go to Hong Kong since she should apply the visa for Hong Kong this video extremely helpful for people like me. Thank you 3000❤
You're very welcome, I'm glad the video was helpful. I wasn't able to find any good information on how to get from Hong Kong to Macao before I flew and that was the main motivation on making the video, so if it helps one person then it is worth it.
Hello, hope the trip went well. Did your girlfriend have to get a multi-entry visa for Hong Kong? I think I am of a similar situation. My girlfriend needs a Visa for HK but not for Macau, even if we were to transit using Phil's method.
The bridge is right-hand drive because when China funded the bridge, they made sure the bridge itself becomes a sort of Chinese mainland territory (the bridge also connects to Chinese Zhuhai). Though it's weird that they still use left-hand drive Hong Kong and Macao buses to transport passengers.
Thanks for your comment, Hong Kong on the left not so weird due to the British Influence, but Macao is more so, and changing the side you drive on is near impossible in a modern world, I think it was Sweden that changed the side they drove on in the 60s and it was a huge undertaking even back then.
Great video! is it necessary to book the hong kong to macau bus in advance or can they be purchased on arrival? if it needs to be booked in advance how do you calculate which bus time to book based on flight landing time?
I bought a ticket at the desk when I arrived in Hong Kong, there is a chance that the bus could be full but the busses I went on were less than half full. Have a great trip, Phil
Thank for your question, you'll need to check on the website in the link for the availability on the day that you arrive but I recently checked for another viewer and the last bus was 8:30pm, so you would need to be on the ground by 7pm or 7.30pm
What a helpful video! Quick question though, you see I'm planning on landing in HK and immediatley going to Macau for a quick trip; but then returning to stay in HK for the rest of my trip. At the start you mentioned that going to Macau wouldn't require HK immigration but how would that work if I'm going to be returning to HK? Would I do immigration when I'm back from Macau? Please let me know, if you know. Again, great video! 😄
Thanks for your question, you can only use this service when you're flying in or out of Hong Kong Airport, so on your return you'd use a different bus service which would take you to the pier and that's where you'd go through immigration into Hong Kong.
You must spend a lot of time investigating the best way to do things on your travels. You set out with a great deal more certainty than I would. I did a day trip to Macoa a million years ago & there just the casino, not really my bag.
I love travel but it makes me anxious, especially travelling solo. Planning reduces my anxiety, so I do tend to do a lot of planning. I've got a video about non-gambling things in Macao, so look out for that 😊
Your video is very helpful but I have one additional complication. I am traveling with someone who will have a wheelchair that is checked in with the airline. So, when we exit the plane, we can have wheelchair service waiting for us but the question is if this service can take us all the way to the bus counter, then to the luggage pick up. If yes, it will work for us.
I want to be clear here that I don't know the answer to your question, but I can offer the following information: My checked bags were collected, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't collect your checked items, even if one of those was a wheelchair. The transfer desk is within the airside part of the airport, if they would assist you to a flight transfer then I see no reason why they wouldn't help you get to the bus transfer (I walked past the ticket desk in the video on my way to a connecting flight at Hong Kong recently). The Bus to Macao is a regular high coach with a few steep steps up to the seats with luggage space underneath. I don't know about any accessible options because I didn't see anyone with mobility issues. I hope this helps and that you're able to have a wonderful trip Phil
There's a link in the description for the booking website, if you follow that and click "get tickets" then you can see from the booking page the frequency of the busses for the day your travelling. I just followed the route so I could give you a more useful response an on the 20th November the first bus is 7:30am and the last bus is 8:30pm. If you're coming in at midnight it's probably better to go through immigration, and then there might be a but from the Hong Kong side to Macao but I'd book a night at an airport hotel. Have a great trip, Phil
Thanks for your comment, UK citizens don't need a visa for HK or Macao, the airport direct bus takes out part of the hassle of getting to Macao, so the main benefit is that you don't need to enter HK to then leave HK to the enter Macao.
Thank you for a vcery insightful video Sir. I myself am planning a 3 day trip in Hong Kong from bangkok. I wanted to know if it was relatively easy to get into Macau and to Hong Kong Island. So you said getting to Macau was FREE from the airport. but what would the cost be normally to go and come back from Macau. Also how complex is it to get to hong kong island from the airport?
Thanks for your question, there's a link in the description, select "buy tickets" and then enter your details to "log in". You should be able to see the schedule and pricing for your dates. Getting to Hong Kong from the airport is trivial, take the Airport Express train from arrivals directly to Hong Kong station on Hong Kong Island, plenty of room for luggage. If you need onward travel from there you can take a taxi or use the underpass to get to Central and use public transport. But don't take a taxi from the airport, there really is no need. Let me know if there's anything else, Phil
If you're going into Hong Kong on your return from Macau then you would use the other bus service which terminates at the pier and you'd go through Hong Kong immigration into Hong Kong itself. I was flying out to Bangkok so I was able to use the but that was direct to Hong Kong International Airport.
Thanks for your question, the airport direct bus is for those who are either flying in and going to Macao or travelling from Macao and then taking an onward flight. If you're travelling from Macao and then going into Hong Kong there's a different service.
Hi! We're planning to take this free bus offer to Macau as well. But we have a hotel near the airport and we plan to leave our luggage at the hotel first since we're only doing a day trip in Macau. Can we come back to airport from our hotel to take advantage of this free bus offering? Thanks!
Thanks for your question, my bus was free from Hong Kong but I paid for the bus back to Hong Kong. I don't think you can take the bus I took if you've cleared immigration, or if you don't have a connecting flight outbound on the way back, but there are more shuttles from the Hong Kong side and I don't think they cost much (less than the airport direct). But I just did the airport direct both ways so I can't be 100% sure.
I've just had a look at the current schedule, they're currently on the half hour from 7.30am to 8.30pm. Go to www.macauhkairportbus.com/ and click "Get Tickets"
Hi... are you saying that if I show the boarding pass, they will pick my baggage and deliver me at the bus terminal at HK Airport which is going to Macau? Please clarify
Thanks for your question, it was the baggage receipts stuck on the boarding card that they needed, but yes I fave them my boarding card with the receipts stuck to it and then someone else got my bags and I was reunited with my bag at the sky pier. Hope this helps, but anything else please just ask
Thanks for your question and I appreciate your apprehension. I know that you don't need to clear immigration in HK to go to Macao because I did it. I report on my travels so this isn't a prank. When I went to Macao there was a promotion and so my transport there was free but the return was charged. I think the cost is.in the video but I can look it up for if needs be. If I can be of any further help please let me know Phil
@@mygreygapyear yes I checked if no promotion it would be hkd280 for one way trip from HK airport to Macau. I hope they have another promotion in October cos I'm going there during that month.
Yes, exactly, no immigration at Hong Kong, no need to take a shuttle bus from the airport to the bus station and then clear Macau immigration upon arrival at Macau.
@@mygreygapyear hi thanks for this video. I am a UK passport holder. was the immigration at the Macau entry for you simply a Visa on Arrival stamped into your passport ? Any entry fee to be paid ? Any paper or digital style arrival card needed ?
Thanks for your comment and your question. You don't have to come back the same way and the direct bus is only for passengers who are arriving or leaving directly, so I arrived in Hong Kong and was travelling directly to Macao, so I could use the direct bus. Similarly I was flying out of Hong Kong that day so I again could travel directly from Macao into Hong Kong airport and connect onto my flight. If I had been staying in a Hotel I would have had to use the "other" bus. Now you "can" use that other bus if you want to regardless of your flight plans, but you would pass into Hong Kong through passport control to then transfer to the airport to then go out through passport control again. I skipped those two passport checks. Any other queries, please do get in touch, Phil
I arrived by plane into HKIA and I didn't pass through Hong Kong immigration to get to Macau. There is a bus service from Hong Kong that is on the other side of immigration and a short bus ride from the airport.
We planned for HK and Macau sir. Actually, the PAR (Prearrival registeration required for entering HK ) was rejected for one of us. So we planned to go to macau which is visa free for us. But our Airlines denied boarding stating PAR requirement even we clearly explained about using HKIA as transit stop only. Thank you for providing confirmation sir.
@@jayb4955 You were denied boarding because your destination on the flight was HK? I wonder if you'd pre-booked the bus that would have been different?
Quick question sir if you don’t mind… So I’m approaching the magical heights of bronze status and it struck me, if I’m silver (my goal status) does my wife who has no ba status get access to the lounges if we book two tickets on the same booking ? Thanks in advance !
You know, that is a great idea, but it didn't occur to me to try. I suspect not, on the website (that I bought the return ticket on there was an option to get the free ticket, but only from Honk Kong to Macao.
Went to Macao in 1996 and then again in 2005 - didn't look like that on either occasion!!! And there was no causeway.... Think I need to go back! Another excuse to go to Hong Kong airport too!!!
Hahaha same same Zuhai when I worked in PRC in 92 ... Totally different except that I have been advised not to return as it would burst by bubble !!!
Thanks for your comment, Hong Kong airport is excellent, Macao has retained some it's old towns/areas the issue is how to get there, or more to the point, how to get back. Taxis are plentiful at the port and the hotels so you can get there, but finding a cab back is a lottery.
Very useful video! Visited Macao twice before the pandemic and used the ferries from the skypier so didn’t have to enter Hong Kong immigration. The ferries haven’t been restored to a frequent enough service, so to be able to do it by bus now without entering Hong Kong makes me much more likely to go back! Thank you for posting this 👍
You're very welcome, I did want to take a ferry but there weren't any on the days I was travelling, so that does sound like you're right that they haven't been restored and possibly being phased out.
What a brilliant tip! I went through HKG back in 2016 as part of my round-the-world (using all miles!) but didn't think to dip into Macau. I might do this bundle tour the next time I visit the area. POOOKE!!!
Thanks for your comment Red, Macau is an experience I had one day around the hotel, one day exploring the old towns on the southern island and then a day on the north island with the old forts and so on. Worth a trip.
What an informative video. Just in time for my trip next month. As a matter of fact Turbo Jet just cancelled their ferry for the date I was to travel from HKIA to Macau so this has saved me the trouble.
Glad the video was helpful, I couldn't find any good info on this and I'm glad my video is helping people 😊
Very cool! Thanks for the great info + video!
You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the Tip! I really appreciate the video. Very handy as I've been looking for the best way to get to Macau from HK Airport
Glad the video was useful and I hope you have an amazing trip.
Thank you
Just the video I needed as I am planning a trip to Macau via HK on Cathay Pacific
You're so very welcome, really glad it's helping people. I hope you have a great trip.
very helpful video, thanks for sharing!!
Glad it was helpful!
We stayed in the Conrad Macau for four nights back in 2017 ( it is the Far Easts equivalent to Vegas for gambling but that wasn't why we were there) and we wanted to do a day trip to Hong Kong. There was no link road/ bridge then, but there was a high speed hydrofoil jet boat. I presume it's still there andi think it was about an hour and not that expensive as I recall, but I'm thinking a lot quicker than a coach. I only mention it as it's another option, especially if time is important
Thanks for your comment, much appreciated. I wanted to take a ferry one way but there wasn't a ferry on either travel day. Perhaps if I was the other side of immigration it would have been different.
This is a very useful tip. It's almost 20 years since I was last in HK and Macau and I can't even remember how I got to Macau. I'd love to go back to that area although some people have said HK isn't what it used to be.
Thanks for your comment and support, Macao has become a bit of a gambling centre, although I enjoyed a couple of the more authentic old town type of areas.
@@mygreygapyear Macao was a gambling centre 20 years ago...a sort of HK Las Vegas :)
First of all thank you because my girlfriend has problems to go to Hong Kong since she should apply the visa for Hong Kong this video extremely helpful for people like me.
Thank you 3000❤
You're very welcome, I'm glad the video was helpful. I wasn't able to find any good information on how to get from Hong Kong to Macao before I flew and that was the main motivation on making the video, so if it helps one person then it is worth it.
@@mygreygapyear yes exactly.
I am going in late October looking forward for a super Macau 🇲🇴 my Venetian is waiting for me
@@Cin1Vie2Svi1Ma11 The Venetian, very nice. I stayed over the road in the Sheraton, have an amazing trip.
@@mygreygapyear thank you brother.
Hello, hope the trip went well. Did your girlfriend have to get a multi-entry visa for Hong Kong? I think I am of a similar situation. My girlfriend needs a Visa for HK but not for Macau, even if we were to transit using Phil's method.
What a handy video 🙏🏻
Thanks for your comment and support, much appreciated.
The bridge is right-hand drive because when China funded the bridge, they made sure the bridge itself becomes a sort of Chinese mainland territory (the bridge also connects to Chinese Zhuhai). Though it's weird that they still use left-hand drive Hong Kong and Macao buses to transport passengers.
Thanks for your comment, Hong Kong on the left not so weird due to the British Influence, but Macao is more so, and changing the side you drive on is near impossible in a modern world, I think it was Sweden that changed the side they drove on in the 60s and it was a huge undertaking even back then.
HKIA my favourite international airport. HK is the only country I am able to enter WITHOUT opening my passport...(UK passport)..
I agree, Hong Kong International is a wonderful airport with some wonderful lounges
Great video! is it necessary to book the hong kong to macau bus in advance or can they be purchased on arrival? if it needs to be booked in advance how do you calculate which bus time to book based on flight landing time?
I bought a ticket at the desk when I arrived in Hong Kong, there is a chance that the bus could be full but the busses I went on were less than half full.
Have a great trip,
Phil
HZMB is the abbreviation of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. In Cantonese you can say "Gong Zhu Oh Die Kiu" 🤪
"Gong Zhu Oh Die Kiu"; I love that
@mygreygapyear
Are these buses available even for flights that arrive hongkong after 11-12pm or midnight as well?
Thank for your question, you'll need to check on the website in the link for the availability on the day that you arrive but I recently checked for another viewer and the last bus was 8:30pm, so you would need to be on the ground by 7pm or 7.30pm
What a helpful video! Quick question though, you see I'm planning on landing in HK and immediatley going to Macau for a quick trip; but then returning to stay in HK for the rest of my trip. At the start you mentioned that going to Macau wouldn't require HK immigration but how would that work if I'm going to be returning to HK? Would I do immigration when I'm back from Macau? Please let me know, if you know. Again, great video! 😄
Thanks for your question, you can only use this service when you're flying in or out of Hong Kong Airport, so on your return you'd use a different bus service which would take you to the pier and that's where you'd go through immigration into Hong Kong.
You must spend a lot of time investigating the best way to do things on your travels. You set out with a great deal more certainty than I would. I did a day trip to Macoa a million years ago & there just the casino, not really my bag.
I love travel but it makes me anxious, especially travelling solo. Planning reduces my anxiety, so I do tend to do a lot of planning. I've got a video about non-gambling things in Macao, so look out for that 😊
Your video is very helpful but I have one additional complication. I am traveling with someone who will have a wheelchair that is checked in with the airline. So, when we exit the plane, we can have wheelchair service waiting for us but the question is if this service can take us all the way to the bus counter, then to the luggage pick up. If yes, it will work for us.
I want to be clear here that I don't know the answer to your question, but I can offer the following information:
My checked bags were collected, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't collect your checked items, even if one of those was a wheelchair.
The transfer desk is within the airside part of the airport, if they would assist you to a flight transfer then I see no reason why they wouldn't help you get to the bus transfer (I walked past the ticket desk in the video on my way to a connecting flight at Hong Kong recently).
The Bus to Macao is a regular high coach with a few steep steps up to the seats with luggage space underneath. I don't know about any accessible options because I didn't see anyone with mobility issues.
I hope this helps and that you're able to have a wonderful trip
Phil
We're going to have to get you organising a group trip Phil!! Are you able to come to the next Meet Up????
I have a few weeks of travel in my calendar between now and the end of the year, when is it?
@@mygreygapyear October 1st Belfast!
@@NatalieBudgets Oh I thought Belfast had gone, unfortunately I'm not back from visiting family in Australia on the first.
@@mygreygapyear October 22nd I believe for London!
Munich 6-8 December, is that any good, it was great to see you in Madrid, hopefully you can make Munich
Thank You ✈️
As always, you're very welcome Charlie 😊
Do you know the operating hours of the bus? I'm arriving at the airport midnight, I'm worried I won't be able to catch it.
There's a link in the description for the booking website, if you follow that and click "get tickets" then you can see from the booking page the frequency of the busses for the day your travelling. I just followed the route so I could give you a more useful response an on the 20th November the first bus is 7:30am and the last bus is 8:30pm. If you're coming in at midnight it's probably better to go through immigration, and then there might be a but from the Hong Kong side to Macao but I'd book a night at an airport hotel.
Have a great trip,
Phil
For US citizens arriving to HKG, don’t we need visa upon arrival to Macao? I think we are exempted?
Thanks for your comment, UK citizens don't need a visa for HK or Macao, the airport direct bus takes out part of the hassle of getting to Macao, so the main benefit is that you don't need to enter HK to then leave HK to the enter Macao.
Thank you for a vcery insightful video Sir. I myself am planning a 3 day trip in Hong Kong from bangkok. I wanted to know if it was relatively easy to get into Macau and to Hong Kong Island. So you said getting to Macau was FREE from the airport. but what would the cost be normally to go and come back from Macau. Also how complex is it to get to hong kong island from the airport?
Thanks for your question, there's a link in the description, select "buy tickets" and then enter your details to "log in". You should be able to see the schedule and pricing for your dates.
Getting to Hong Kong from the airport is trivial, take the Airport Express train from arrivals directly to Hong Kong station on Hong Kong Island, plenty of room for luggage. If you need onward travel from there you can take a taxi or use the underpass to get to Central and use public transport.
But don't take a taxi from the airport, there really is no need.
Let me know if there's anything else,
Phil
@@mygreygapyearthank you so much Phil. I will definitely incorporate your knowledge and experience into my planning.😇🙏
question pls.
what if you need to go to hk after few days in macau? no problem ?
If you're going into Hong Kong on your return from Macau then you would use the other bus service which terminates at the pier and you'd go through Hong Kong immigration into Hong Kong itself. I was flying out to Bangkok so I was able to use the but that was direct to Hong Kong International Airport.
This video is so informative. If Im going to Hong Kong after Macau. How do I clear immigration?
Thanks for your question, the airport direct bus is for those who are either flying in and going to Macao or travelling from Macao and then taking an onward flight. If you're travelling from Macao and then going into Hong Kong there's a different service.
Hi! We're planning to take this free bus offer to Macau as well. But we have a hotel near the airport and we plan to leave our luggage at the hotel first since we're only doing a day trip in Macau. Can we come back to airport from our hotel to take advantage of this free bus offering? Thanks!
Thanks for your question, my bus was free from Hong Kong but I paid for the bus back to Hong Kong. I don't think you can take the bus I took if you've cleared immigration, or if you don't have a connecting flight outbound on the way back, but there are more shuttles from the Hong Kong side and I don't think they cost much (less than the airport direct).
But I just did the airport direct both ways so I can't be 100% sure.
One more question. How many buses can skip the immigration in Hong Kong departing from Macau 🇲🇴?
I've just had a look at the current schedule, they're currently on the half hour from 7.30am to 8.30pm. Go to www.macauhkairportbus.com/ and click "Get Tickets"
@@mygreygapyear thank you so so so much
Hi... are you saying that if I show the boarding pass, they will pick my baggage and deliver me at the bus terminal at HK Airport which is going to Macau? Please clarify
Thanks for your question, it was the baggage receipts stuck on the boarding card that they needed, but yes I fave them my boarding card with the receipts stuck to it and then someone else got my bags and I was reunited with my bag at the sky pier. Hope this helps, but anything else please just ask
How do we know they provide free transportation directly from inside HK airport to Macao Port without going thru HK immigration in HK? Pls advise.
Thanks for your question and I appreciate your apprehension. I know that you don't need to clear immigration in HK to go to Macao because I did it. I report on my travels so this isn't a prank. When I went to Macao there was a promotion and so my transport there was free but the return was charged. I think the cost is.in the video but I can look it up for if needs be.
If I can be of any further help please let me know
Phil
@@mygreygapyear yes I checked if no promotion it would be hkd280 for one way trip from HK airport to Macau. I hope they have another promotion in October cos I'm going there during that month.
When you arrive at HKIA and took the bus to Macau, did you have to clear immigration at Macau?
Yes, exactly, no immigration at Hong Kong, no need to take a shuttle bus from the airport to the bus station and then clear Macau immigration upon arrival at Macau.
@@mygreygapyear hi thanks for this video. I am a UK passport holder. was the immigration at the Macau entry for you simply a Visa on Arrival stamped into your passport ? Any entry fee to be paid ? Any paper or digital style arrival card needed ?
so i get back to hk i have to use back the route back to hk airport?
Thanks for your comment and your question. You don't have to come back the same way and the direct bus is only for passengers who are arriving or leaving directly, so I arrived in Hong Kong and was travelling directly to Macao, so I could use the direct bus. Similarly I was flying out of Hong Kong that day so I again could travel directly from Macao into Hong Kong airport and connect onto my flight. If I had been staying in a Hotel I would have had to use the "other" bus.
Now you "can" use that other bus if you want to regardless of your flight plans, but you would pass into Hong Kong through passport control to then transfer to the airport to then go out through passport control again. I skipped those two passport checks.
Any other queries, please do get in touch,
Phil
Thanks
Hey, thank you so much, that really is very much appreciated. If you have any questions or queries do please let me know.
Sir, i have a doubt, do we need to go through HK Immigration to board bus to macau?
I arrived by plane into HKIA and I didn't pass through Hong Kong immigration to get to Macau. There is a bus service from Hong Kong that is on the other side of immigration and a short bus ride from the airport.
We planned for HK and Macau sir. Actually, the PAR (Prearrival registeration required for entering HK ) was rejected for one of us. So we planned to go to macau which is visa free for us. But our Airlines denied boarding stating PAR requirement even we clearly explained about using HKIA as transit stop only. Thank you for providing confirmation sir.
@@jayb4955 You were denied boarding because your destination on the flight was HK? I wonder if you'd pre-booked the bus that would have been different?
Quick question sir if you don’t mind…
So I’m approaching the magical heights of bronze status and it struck me, if I’m silver (my goal status) does my wife who has no ba status get access to the lounges if we book two tickets on the same booking ? Thanks in advance !
Thanks for your comment and question, yes she would, you're allowed to guest one person into business lounges as a Silver
@@mygreygapyear thank you sir, really appreciate your help.
Could you claim a refund for your Macau - HK bus fare?
You know, that is a great idea, but it didn't occur to me to try. I suspect not, on the website (that I bought the return ticket on there was an option to get the free ticket, but only from Honk Kong to Macao.
Very helpful but still seems a faff
After a long flight I can imagine that it could feel that way, but it felt reasonably streamlined for me.