Photo: 钉钉 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
Standing at the edge of Macau, you can see the skyline of Zhuhai just across a narrow stretch of water. Here the Mediterranean-style architecture of a former Portuguese colony meets the rapid modernization of a Chinese Special Economic Zone. While they are neighbors, the crossing involves two separate immigration procedures, so it helps to know which border crossing you will use.
Macau and Zhuhai are linked by several land checkpoints, and for most visitors the journey is a short walk, a light rail ride or a bridge crossing rather than a long ride. There is no ticket to buy for crossing on foot, but you must clear Macau exit and mainland China entry controls with your passport.
Macau to Zhuhai by the Border Gate (Gongbei)
The classic crossing is the Border Gate (Portas do Cerco) on the Macau side and the Gongbei Checkpoint in Zhuhai. Both open daily from 06:00 to 01:00.[1] You cross on foot: clear Macau exit control, walk through the checkpoint building and clear Chinese immigration on the other side. Gongbei is the busiest and most central crossing, so queues can be long at peak times.
Macau to Zhuhai via Hengqin
Hengqin Port is connected to Macau by the cross-border Lotus Bridge, and passengers only need to queue and have their documents examined once when crossing between Zhuhai and Macau.[2] You can also reach Hengqin by train: the Hengqin Line of the Macao Light Rapid Transit is 2.2 kilometers long with two stations, Lotus Station in Macau and Hengqin Station in Zhuhai, and connects directly to the Hengqin Port building.[3] Hengqin is on an island west of the Zhuhai city center, so from here you still need onward transport to Zhuhai's mainland districts.
Macau to Zhuhai via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
The Zhuhai-Macao Hall at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port is a third land checkpoint, alongside Hengqin Port and Qingmao Port, operating under the same Joint Inspection, One-Time Release immigration clearance mode.[4] It is mainly useful if you arrive from or continue to Hong Kong by the bridge.
Comparing Your Options
| Crossing | Macau Side | Zhuhai Side |
|---|---|---|
| Border Gate / Gongbei | Border Gate (Portas do Cerco), open 06:00 to 01:00[1] | Gongbei Checkpoint, open 06:00 to 01:00[1] |
| Hengqin Port | Lotus Station and Lotus Bridge[3] | Hengqin Port and Hengqin Station[3] |
| Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge | Zhuhai-Macao Hall at the bridge port[4] | Zhuhai Port (bridge) |
Tips for Traveling from Macau to Zhuhai
- Check Your Visa: Ordinary passport holders of a list of countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days (the United States was not on the list when we checked in 2026), and nationals of 57 countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy with an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and date.[5][6] Check the current rules and your nationality before you travel, because they change.
- Choose the Right Gate: The Border Gate is the most central crossing and can be crowded. Hengqin Port or the bridge port may be quieter, depending on where you are going in Zhuhai.
- Currency and Connectivity: Macau uses the Pataca (MOP), while Zhuhai uses the Chinese Yuan (CNY). Have a payment app such as Alipay or WeChat Pay ready, as mainland China is largely cashless.
- Peak Hours: Try to avoid crossing the border during morning and evening rush hours, when cross-border commuters create long queues at immigration.
- Luggage Handling: You will carry your own bags through the immigration building, so pack light.
Timetable
| Bus Zhuhai - Zhuhai $ 12.13 2h 35m – 2h 55m | |
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| Taxi Macau - Zhuhai $ 101.66 40m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Macau to Zhuhai, including current prices and schedules.
Crossing the Border Gate to Gongbei on foot costs nothing, because there is no ticket for the crossing itself. You only pay for local transport on either side.
The Border Gate to Gongbei is a short walk, and the Macau Light Rail Hengqin Line links Lotus Station and Hengqin Station directly. The actual time depends mostly on the immigration queue.
The crossing itself is short, but the immigration queue at peak times can take much longer than the walk. Allow extra time at rush hours.
Yes, because Macau is a Special Administrative Region and Zhuhai is in mainland China, you must pass through Macau exit control and Chinese entry immigration with your passport.
Use the Border Gate if you want the most central route to Gongbei, Hengqin Port if you are going to Hengqin Island, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port if you are traveling to or from Hong Kong.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Macao Government Tourism Office: Border Gate (Portas do Cerco). Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone Executive Committee: Border Crossing, Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] SASAC of the State Council: Macao Opens Hengqin Line on Its Light Rapid Transit System. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Macao SAR Government: Joint Inspection Automated Channels and One-stop Joint Services Lanes Add Three New Inspection Arrangements. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] National Immigration Administration of China: List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [6] National Immigration Administration of China: Visa-Free Transit Policies. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.