Macao’s international airport (MIA) has 26 airlines offering flights to 40 different cities in the rest of China and around the world. But it still doesn’t offer direct flights to many popular mainland Chinese destinations such as Changsha, Harbin, or Kunming. Getting to some of those places requires time-consuming layovers and it’s often more expensive than departing from a mainland airport.
That means it’s worth getting to know the airport in our neighbouring city. Zhuhai Jinwan Airport offers no international flights but it currently has 35 carriers operating services to 78 domestic destinations. It’s also super easy to get to from Macao.
[See more: Here’s how to get to some of the Greater Bay Area cities from Macao]
Planning a business or leisure trip to the mainland? It might make more sense to take off from Zhuhai. Read on to find out more about the different ways to get to Zhuhai airport from Macao.
Take the Zhuhai airport shuttle bus
The most direct way from Macao to Zhuhai Jinwan Airport is to take the Zhuhai Airport Express shuttle, which departs from Hotel Beverly Plaza and makes stops at the Venetian and Hengqin Port before proceeding to the airport. The whole journey can last anywhere between 1.5 to 2 hours.
There are six shuttles scheduled each day. Buses from Hotel Beverly Plaza leave at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm. They depart from the Venetian’s East Wing at 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
On reaching the Macao side of the Hengqin Port checkpoint, you are required to disembark with your luggage and cross on foot, before hopping back on the shuttle at South Gate 2. The shuttle will only wait for 20 minutes for passengers to complete formalities, so don’t dally.
Ticket prices are the same regardless of whether you are departing from Hotel Beverly Plaza or the Venetian. A single one-way adult ticket is priced at 80 yuan, while a children’s ticket costs 40 yuan. Purchase the tickets onsite or through the Zhuhai Airport Express (珠海机场快线) WeChat app.
[See more: The Venetian Macao is offering limited check-in services for Hong Kong and Zhuhai airports]
You can also make your own way to Hengqin Port and hop on an airport shuttle from there. These depart from the South Gate at 15 minute intervals between 10:15 am and 6:45 pm, with tickets costing just 20 yuan for the 25-minute ride.
Buses also depart from the Border Gate and Qingmao Port. After crossing either one of these checkpoints, head over to Exit A of Zhuhai Railway Station. You’ll find a bus terminus and a ticket stand identifiable by the blue Chinese characters on its glass windows, and the Chinese characters for Zhuhai Airport Express (珠海机场快线) printed vertically to the right of its entrance.
Adult and concession tickets cost 35 yuan and 15 yuan respectively. Around 70 buses are scheduled every day between 5 am to 11 pm at intervals of 15 minutes. The journey time can vary considerably depending on the time of departure and traffic conditions, but 50 minutes is typical.
Ride the Intercity Railway
This is a quick and comfortable way to get to the airport, taking around 40 minutes. After crossing into the Zhuhai side of the Border Gate or the Qingmao checkpoint, make your way to Zhuhai Railway Station.
If you didn’t buy your ticket online beforehand using the official 12306 app or Trip.com, you can buy one at the ticket purchase area, with prices from 26 yuan. The train will make two stops, one in Hengqin Station and another in Zhuhai Changlong Station before reaching the Zhuhai Airport terminus.
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You can also get the train from Hengqin Port. Once you’re in the arrivals hall of the mainland side of the Hengqin checkpoint, follow the bilingual signs and head down to the train station on level B2. The journey takes around 13 to 28 minutes, with the fare costing between 9 to 17 yuan. Trains operate roughly every 10 to 15 minutes from 6:15 am to 9:23 pm.
Take a public bus
If you’ve got time on your hands, or are being seriously frugal, then this is the option for you. The number 207 bus from Gongbei Port Bus Terminus (Gongbei Kou’an Zongzhan) costs just one yuan – but the journey can take over two hours to complete as there are a whopping 45 stops en route.
[See more: How to get the bus from Macao to Hong Kong Airport (and vice versa)]
To get the bus, first cross the border from Macao to Zhuhai via the Border Gate, which is the closest checkpoint. Afterwards, walk roughly 7 to 10 minutes to the bus station, located to the far right as you exit the Border Gate. From there wait for the 207, which operates between 6 am to 10 pm, with services scheduled every 7 to 15 minutes.
Take a taxi or hail a ride on Didi
Another viable option is to catch a taxi or Didi from the Border Gate or the Qingmao Port. Taxis will cost about 100 yuan for the 35 to 40-minute journey. Hailing a ride on the Didi app is slightly cheaper, at 60 to 80 yuan and there’s a designated pickup point on level B2 of underpass entrance no. 1, near exit A of Zhuhai Railway Station.
If you are entering Zhuhai via the Border Gate, the easiest way to hail a taxi is to make your way down the escalator to the main lobby of the underground Port Plaza. From there, follow the bilingual English-Chinese signs to the taxi stand located on level B2.
If you’re crossing into Zhuhai through the Qingmao Port, go to underpass entrance no. 2, which is located outside of Zhuhai Railway Station, past Exit B and the convenience store. Proceed down the entrance and follow the bilingual English-Chinese signs to the taxi stand.
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Be prepared to wait around 30 to 60 minutes at taxi stands during the busy periods. You could try your luck hailing a cab on the streets nearby, but at peak hours many drivers will refuse to accept a fare to the airport, and many will ask for your destination before letting you board.
You can also go by taxi or Didi from Hengqin Port. Follow the bilingual signs in the arrival area on the mainland side of the crossing for the taxi waiting area. Alternatively, head outside of the port and try your luck hailing a taxi on the main road facing the West Square. A taxi will cost around 74 yuan for the trip.
If you’re using Didi, pickup areas are located at the South or North concourse on level 2. You could also set your pickup point on the main road of the West Square. The fare will be between 40 and 70 yuan.
