Ferries in China: how the main routes work, how to buy tickets and what to know before you board, from Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai to the Bohai Sea and Hainan.
Ferries in China fall into three broad groups: coastal and sea crossings, inland waterways such as the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers, and international links to nearby neighbors. Along the coast, fast catamarans and large roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels connect mainland ports with islands and with other coasts.
The Pearl River Delta has the densest network of fast ferries. TurboJET sails from Hong Kong to Zhuhai (Jiuzhou Port) in about 70 minutes, between Hong Kong and Macau in about 60 minutes, from Macau to Shekou in Shenzhen in about 60 minutes and from the Shenzhen Airport Terminal to Macau (Taipa) in about 75 to 80 minutes.[1] Further north, the Bohai Sea is crossed by ferries that carry vehicles and passengers: Bohai Ferry runs Dalian to Yantai, Lushun to Penglai, Lushun to Longkou and Dalian to Weihai, linking the Liaodong and Shandong peninsulas.[2] Across the Qiongzhou Strait, ferries link the mainland with Hainan's ports at Xinhaigang and Xiuying.[3]
On the fast ferries of the Pearl River Delta, seating is divided into classes. TurboJET sells Economy and Super Class seats, with Premier Grand Class and VIP cabins on some routes.[1] Fares are quoted in Hong Kong dollars: a Hong Kong to Zhuhai (Jiuzhou Port) ticket costs HK$200 in Economy and HK$300 in Super Class, and a Hong Kong to Macau weekday day sailing costs HK$194 in Economy and HK$406 in Super Class (2026 fares).[1]
Larger ships on longer routes, such as the Bohai Sea crossings between Dalian and Yantai, carry both vehicles and passengers.[2] The classes and cabins differ by ship and sailing, so check the operator's booking page for what each sailing offers.
Ticketing rules differ by route. On the fast ferries between Hong Kong, Macau, Zhuhai and Shenzhen, tickets can be bought online or at the terminal ticket offices and kiosks. Because these routes enter mainland China, buyers must show the original travel document at the ticket counter, or give their full name and document number when buying online and show the original document when collecting the ticket and checking in.[1] For the Qiongzhou Strait crossing to Hainan, tickets must be bought through the official apps and WeChat accounts, with a presale of 15 days that opens every day at 09:00. The ports have no ticket windows for cars, and if there is no ticket online, there is none on site.[3]
Book ahead in peak periods such as Golden Week, when the Qiongzhou Strait operator warns that popular sailings can sell out and offers a waitlist function for sold-out departures.[3] For a smoother experience, travelers can compare routes, check availability, and book their passage on GoAsia.cc, which helps bridge the gap between local systems and international users.
Boarding procedures depend on the route. At TurboJET's terminals there are ticket offices, self-service kiosks and luggage check-in counters, and passengers are advised to board at least 30 minutes before departure to allow time for document checks.[1] On larger Ro-Ro ships such as those on the Bohai Sea, vehicles and passengers share the vessel.[2]
Food options on board vary by route and ship, so it is wise to bring your own snacks and beverages if you have specific dietary preferences.
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.