Comparison · Hong Kong vs Macau · China
Hong Kong vs Macau
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Hong Kong for Victoria Harbour skyline and Dim sum; choose Macau for Ruins of St. Paul's and Portuguese egg tarts. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 64 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 64 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Hong Kong
- October–December
- Best time for Macau
- October–December
Side by side
| Hong Kong | Macau | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | China |
| Known for | Victoria Harbour skyline, Dim sum and Star Ferry | Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts and Casinos |
| Best time to visit | October–December | October–December |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $160–$300 | $150–$300 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 18°C (64°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 13 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 3 |
| Beaches | Repulse Bay | Hác Sá Beach |
| Airports | HKG | MFM, HKG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hong Kong for…
Victoria Harbour skyline and Dim sum. Hong Kong wraps one of the world's densest skylines around Victoria Harbour, with Hong Kong Island's Central and Wan Chai facing Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui across a ten-minute Star Ferry crossing. Behind the towers, about three-quarters of the territory is…
Choose Macau for…
Ruins of St. Paul's and Portuguese egg tarts. Macau packs four centuries of Portuguese and Chinese history into a peninsula and two linked islands about an hour by ferry from Hong Kong. The UNESCO-listed Historic Centre runs from the A-Ma Temple through Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul's, all…
Top sights compared
| # | Hong Kong | Macau |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram | Ruins of St. Paul's |
| 2 | Star Ferry | Senado Square |
| 3 | Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars | Monte Fort and Macau Museum |
| 4 | Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery | A-Ma Temple |
| 5 | Hollywood Road and Man Mo Temple | Macau Tower |
Food compared
| Hong Kong | Macau |
|---|---|
| Dim sum | Portuguese-style egg tart |
| Roast goose and char siu | Pork chop bun |
| Wonton noodles | African chicken |
| Egg tart | Minchi |
Which is cheaper?
Hong Kong and Macau cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $160–$300 in Hong Kong and $150–$300 in Macau (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Macau on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hong Kong and Macau are about 64 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Hong Kong and 3 in Macau.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hong Kong or Macau cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $160–$300 in Hong Kong and $150–$300 in Macau (estimates).
+Is Hong Kong or Macau better for a first trip?
Pick Hong Kong for Victoria Harbour skyline and Dim sum, or Macau for Ruins of St. Paul's and Portuguese egg tarts.
+How far is Hong Kong from Macau?
About 64 km in a straight line.