Hong Kong Macau Itinerary: 8 Amazing Days Under $1,200 [2025]

We spent $1,200 exploring Hong Kong and Macau for 8 days — visiting Disneyland, riding the Peak Tram, watching the House of Dancing Water show, and taking the ferry between both cities. If you’re planning a Hong Kong Macau itinerary and wondering how much to budget or what to see, this complete day-by-day guide shares everything we learned, including money-saving tips that cut our costs by 40%.

When my friend and I decided to explore Asia in June 2025, we wanted the perfect combination of modern attractions, cultural experiences, and unforgettable adventures. Our Hong Kong Macau itinerary delivered all of this and more — from world-class theme parks to spiritual temples, from futuristic digital art to historic colonial architecture.

Quick 8-Day Hong Kong Macau Itinerary Overview

Total Budget: $1,200 per person (excluding international flights)

Day	Destination	Highlights	Daily Cost
1	Hong Kong	Arrival & settling in	$120
2	Hong Kong	Hong Kong Disneyland	$180
3	Hong Kong	Ocean Park	$160
4	Hong Kong	Ngong Ping 360 & Big Buddha	$110
5	Hong Kong/Macau	Ferry transfer & shows	$190
6	Macau	teamLab & Cotai Strip	$140
7	Hong Kong	Victoria Peak	$150
8	Hong Kong	Departure	$150

Day 1: Hong Kong Arrival – Setting the Stage ($120)

Image Alt Text: Hong Kong Macau itinerary day 1 showing Hong Kong International Airport arrival hall and city skyline

Our Hong Kong Macau itinerary began on June 25, 2025, when we landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 13:50. The airport’s efficiency impressed us immediately — immigration moved quickly, and English signage made navigation straightforward.

Getting to Your Hotel

We booked a private van transfer for $40 USD through our hotel, arriving at Harbour Plaza Metropolis in Hung Hom within 30 minutes. Budget travelers can take the Airport Express train to Hong Kong Station ($12 USD, 24 minutes) then transfer to MTR.

Essential Travel Gear: Before your trip, invest in a quality universal travel adapter (Type G for Hong Kong/Macau) and a reliable portable charger — you’ll need both daily for navigation and photos.

First Evening Exploration

After settling into our hotel around 15:00, we explored the Hung Hom neighborhood. This area isn’t touristy, giving us authentic Hong Kong vibes immediately. We grabbed dinner at a local Cantonese restaurant where dim sum, roasted duck, and wonton noodles cost just $20 USD for two people.

Photography Tip: We walked to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade to watch the Symphony of Lights show at 8:00 PM. A good camera phone tripod helped us capture steady nighttime skyline shots.

Cost Breakdown Day 1:

Airport transfer: $40
Hotel: $60
Dinner: $20
Total: $120

Day 2: Hong Kong Disneyland Magic ($180)

Image Alt Text: Hong Kong Macau itinerary Hong Kong Disneyland castle with fireworks and themed attractions

June 26 brought what would become a highlight of our Hong Kong Macau itinerary — a full day at Hong Kong Disneyland. This park offers unique attractions you won’t find at other Disney parks worldwide.

Getting to Disneyland

From Hung Hom, we took the MTR East Rail Line to Sunny Bay Station, then transferred to the Disneyland Resort Line. The dedicated Disney train with Mickey Mouse-shaped windows built our excitement even before reaching the park.

Money-Saving Tip: Purchase tickets online 2-3 weeks in advance for 10-15% savings. We paid $80 USD versus $95 USD at the gate.

Must-Do Attractions

Mystic Manor – This innovative haunted attraction uses trackless ride vehicles and exists only at Hong Kong Disneyland. The technology and storytelling are incredible.

Iron Man Experience – The world’s first Marvel-themed attraction in any Disney park. Flying alongside Iron Man defending Hong Kong made this extra special.

Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars – A thrilling roller coaster that goes backwards at points through Grizzly Gulch’s wilderness.

Park Survival Essentials

Pack a reusable water bottle (refill at fountains) and keep your valuables in a secure anti-theft crossbody bag. The crowds get intense, especially near parade times.

Evening Spectacular: We stayed until closing to witness “Momentous,” Hong Kong Disneyland’s nighttime show combining castle projections and fireworks. Absolutely magical!

Cost Breakdown Day 2:

Disneyland ticket: $80
Transportation: $3
Food in park: $37
Hotel: $60
Total: $180

Day 3: Ocean Park Thrills ($160)

Image Alt Text: Hong Kong Macau itinerary Ocean Park cable car over South China Sea with marine life exhibits

On June 27, we headed to Ocean Park Hong Kong. This marine-themed park combines thrilling rides with animal exhibits against stunning South China Sea views.

The Cable Car Experience

The 1.5-kilometer cable car ride provides panoramic views of the ocean, Aberdeen fishing village, and mountains. The two sections (Waterfront and Summit) connect via this scenic cable car and the Ocean Express funicular railway.

Top Attractions

Summit Area Thrills:

Hair Raiser – Floorless roller coaster over ocean views
The Dragon – Classic looping coaster
The Flash – Accelerates 0-60 km/h in 2 seconds

Waterfront Marine Life:

Grand Aquarium – 5,000+ fish representing 400 species
Giant Panda Adventure – Adorable pandas in naturalistic habitats
Pacific Pier – Playful sea lions and seals

Sun Protection: The park has minimal shade. We used SPF 50 sunscreen and wore wide-brim hats — absolute necessities in Hong Kong’s summer heat.

Sunset Magic

As afternoon turned evening, Ocean Park transformed. The setting sun over the South China Sea created photography opportunities we hadn’t anticipated. The viewing platform near Summit cable car station offers unobstructed sunset views.

Cost Breakdown Day 3:

Ocean Park ticket: $70
Transportation: $5
Food: $30
Hotel: $60
Total: $160

Day 4: Spiritual Journey – Ngong Ping 360 ($110)

Image Alt Text: Hong Kong Macau itinerary Ngong Ping 360 cable car and Tian Tan Buddha statue Lantau Island

June 28 brought complete change of pace. Our Lantau Island adventure featuring the Ngong Ping 360 cable car and Big Buddha became one of the most memorable days in our Hong Kong Macau itinerary.

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

This 25-minute journey covers 5.7 kilometers, ascending from sea level to 520 meters elevation. We chose the Crystal Cabin ($35 USD round trip) with glass floor panels for extra thrill.

Photography Essential: Bring a lens cleaning cloth — humidity can fog your camera lens, and cable car windows need wiping for clear shots.

Tian Tan Buddha

The magnificent 34-meter bronze Buddha dominates Ngong Ping plateau. We climbed 268 steps to the Buddha’s base, where panoramic views rewarded our effort.

Hiking Prep: Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The steps are well-maintained but numerous, and you’ll walk several kilometers throughout the day.

Po Lin Monastery

Adjacent to Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery has evolved into one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist sanctuaries. We explored ornate temple halls and enjoyed a simple vegetarian lunch at the monastery’s restaurant ($8 USD).

Tai O Fishing Village

We took bus #21 ($3 USD) to Tai O fishing village, known as “Hong Kong’s Venice.” Traditional stilt houses and preserved fishing culture offer glimpses into old Hong Kong. Small boat tours ($5 USD) let you spot Chinese white dolphins.

Cost Breakdown Day 4:

Ngong Ping 360 Crystal Cabin: $35
Buddha museum: $5
Lunch: $8
Tai O boat tour: $5
Transportation: $10
Dinner: $22
Hotel: $60
Total: $110

Day 5: Ferry to Macau – Gateway to Portuguese Heritage ($190)

Image Alt Text: Hong Kong Macau itinerary TurboJET ferry crossing Pearl River Delta between cities

June 29 marked the midpoint of our Hong Kong Macau itinerary as we transitioned from Hong Kong to Macau. This day demonstrated how seamlessly these destinations connect.

Hong Kong to Macau Ferry

We checked out from Harbour Plaza Metropolis at 11:00 and took a private van to Hong Kong Shun Tak Ferry Terminal ($25 USD). Our 13:30 TurboJET ferry departed promptly.

Critical Tip: Immigration required us to show our original Hong Kong arrival boarding passes. Keep your boarding passes throughout your Hong Kong stay! Store them in a secure travel document organizer.

Ferry Options:

Economy Class: $35 USD (what we chose)
Super Class: $60 USD (premium seating, snacks)
Premier Grand: $80 USD (luxury seats, lounge access)

The one-hour catamaran journey was smooth. Onboard WiFi, duty-free shopping, and refreshments made the trip comfortable.

Arrival in Macau

We arrived at Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal at 14:30. Most major Macau hotels provide free shuttle buses from the terminal — a significant money-saver. We took The Parisian Macau shuttle.

The Parisian Macau

Checking into The Parisian Macau felt like entering a Parisian dream. The hotel’s half-scale Eiffel Tower (37 stories tall!) dominates Cotai Strip.

Accommodation: $80 USD per night for mid-range room with French-themed décor and luxury amenities.

Macau Tower

Despite arriving in afternoon, we visited Macau Tower (338 meters tall). The observation deck ($12 USD) provides 360-degree views of Macau, Zhuhai, and on clear days, Hong Kong in the distance.

Photography Gear: Bring your camera zoom lens or smartphone with good zoom — the views span dozens of kilometers, and you’ll want to capture distant landmarks.

House of Dancing Water Show

The evening’s highlight was the spectacular House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams. This $250 million production combines acrobatics, aerial stunts, and aquatic choreography in a theater holding 3.7 million gallons of water.

Seating: We chose Gallery seats ($80 USD) with perfect views of the entire production. Performers dove from 20+ meters, motorcycles raced across water, and the stage transformed seamlessly.

Booking Tip: Purchase tickets online 2-4 weeks in advance for 10-15% discounts. Weekend shows sell out faster.

Cost Breakdown Day 5:

Ferry Hong Kong-Macau: $35
Macau Tower: $12
House of Dancing Water: $80
Meals: $43
Hotel Macau: $80
Total: $190

Day 6: Digital Art & Cotai Strip ($140)

Image Alt Text: Hong Kong Macau itinerary teamLab SuperNature Macau immersive digital art colorful installations

June 30 was dedicated to teamLab SuperNature Macau, an immersive digital art museum at The Venetian Macao. This 5,000-square-meter space showcases where art and technology merge.

teamLab SuperNature Experience

TeamLab creates “body immersive” art where visitors become part of the artwork. Your movements influence digital displays, creating personalized experiences.

Ticket: $25 USD (book online for discounts) Time Needed: 2-3 hours minimum

Main Installations

Athletics Forest – Three-dimensional interactive space combining physical activity with digital art. We climbed, jumped, and navigated through installations that responded to our movements.

Flower Garden – Digital flowers bloomed and withered based on our interaction. Standing still caused flowers to grow around us; rapid movement made them scatter.

Weightless Forest – Mirrors and LED lights creating infinite space illusion. Most photographed area in teamLab.

Photography Essential: Your smartphone works great here, but bring a portable phone tripod for steady low-light shots. The dark environments require longer exposures.

The Venetian Macau

After teamLab, we explored The Venetian — the world’s largest casino resort by floor area.

Grand Canal Shoppes – Indoor Venice recreation with canals, gondola rides ($18 USD), painted ceiling sky, and street performers. Even non-shoppers appreciate the architecture.

Macanese Cuisine

Dinner featured authentic Macanese food — Portuguese-Chinese fusion found nowhere else on earth.

Must-Try Dishes:

African Chicken – Coconut, peanut, chili spices
Minchi – Minced meat with potatoes and fried egg
Portuguese Egg Tarts – From Lord Stow’s Bakery ($2 USD each)

Food Cost: $30 USD feast for two at mid-range restaurant.

Travel Journal: We documented our food adventures in a waterproof travel journal with pockets for receipts and ticket stubs — perfect for preserving memories.

Cost Breakdown Day 6:

teamLab ticket: $25
Venetian gondola: $18
Macanese dinner: $30
Snacks/shopping: $32
Hotel: $80
Total: $140

Day 7: Return to Hong Kong & Victoria Peak ($150)

Image Alt Text: Hong Kong Macau itinerary Victoria Peak tram ascending Hong Kong Island with skyline views

On July 1, we returned to Hong Kong via 12:30 ferry ($35 USD), arriving at 13:30. We checked back into Harbour Plaza Metropolis for our final night.

The Peak Tram Experience

The afternoon’s highlight was riding the historic Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s most famous viewpoint. This funicular railway has operated since 1888.

Getting There: MTR to Central Station, then 10-minute walk to Garden Road tram terminal.

Ticket: Sky Pass (round-trip tram + Sky Terrace) $16 USD online.

The tram ride itself is an attraction. As it climbs at dramatic angles, buildings appear to lean at impossible angles — an optical illusion from the steep gradient.

Victoria Peak – Sky Terrace 428

At 428 meters above sea level, this viewing platform offers Hong Kong’s most spectacular panoramic views:

North: Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour
East: Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers
South: Aberdeen and South China Sea
West: Lantau Island

Photography Paradise: We arrived at 4:00 PM for afternoon light, stayed for sunset (6:30 PM), then witnessed the blue hour (7:00 PM) when the illuminated skyline appeared against purple sky.

Camera Essentials: A DSLR camera or smartphone gimbal helps capture stable nighttime shots. Hong Kong’s skyline deserves quality photos!

Symphony of Lights

At 8:00 PM, we watched Symphony of Lights from The Peak’s elevation. This 13-minute multimedia show synchronizes lights and lasers across Hong Kong’s skyline — free nightly spectacular.

Final Hong Kong Dinner

We wanted authentic Cantonese cuisine for our last meal. A local restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui served clay pot rice, typhoon shelter crab, and wonton noodle soup for $35 USD for two people.

Foodie Gear: Bring reusable chopsticks and a collapsible food container — many restaurants provide huge portions worth saving for later.

Cost Breakdown Day 7:

Ferry return: $35
Peak Tram Sky Pass: $16
Snacks: $12
Transportation: $5
Dinner: $35
Hotel: $60
Total: $150

Day 8: Departure & Final Reflections ($150)

July 2 arrived too quickly. We checked out at 11:00 after a final hotel breakfast and took a private van to Hong Kong International Airport ($40 USD) for our 15:40 flight.

Airport Shopping

With 3+ hours before departure, we explored HKIA’s extensive duty-free shops. We bought Hong Kong egg tarts, wife cakes, and cosmetics as last-minute souvenirs.

Luggage Management: A lightweight luggage scale helped us avoid overweight baggage fees. We also used packing cubes to organize souvenirs and dirty clothes separately.

Cost Breakdown Day 8:

Airport transfer: $40
Shopping: $90
Meals: $20
Total: $150

Complete Budget Summary

8-Day Hong Kong Macau Itinerary Total: $1,200 per person

This includes:

Accommodation: $540 (7 nights)
Attractions: $432 (theme parks, shows, viewpoints)
Transportation: $228 (ferries, MTR, transfers)
Food: $280 (mix of restaurants and street food)
Shopping: $120

Budget Variations:

Budget: $800-900 (hostels, street food, fewer attractions)
Mid-Range: $1,200 (our approach)
Luxury: $2,500+ (5-star hotels, VIP experiences)

Essential Packing List for Hong Kong Macau Itinerary

Technology:

Clothing:

Travel Gear:

Health & Comfort:

Transportation Tips

Hong Kong:

Purchase an Octopus Card immediately at the airport ($12 USD). This smart card works on:

All MTR trains
Buses and ferries
Convenience stores
Some restaurants

MTR Mobile App: Download for real-time route planning and service updates.

Between Hong Kong and Macau:

TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet operate frequent ferries (every 15-30 minutes):

Journey time: 1 hour
Cost: $35-60 USD
Book online for discounts

Macau:

Most major hotels provide free shuttle buses from ferry terminals and airport. This saves significant transportation costs throughout your Macau stay.

Money-Saving Tips

Book attractions online 2-3 weeks ahead for 10-15% discounts
Eat at food courts and local restaurants instead of tourist areas
Use hotel shuttles in Macau instead of taxis
Travel during shoulder season (March-May, September-November)
Fill reusable water bottles — tap water is safe in Hong Kong
Choose free activities: Symphony of Lights, temple visits, hiking trails
Buy snacks at 7-Eleven instead of theme parks
Share meals — portions are generous in both destinations

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 8 days enough for Hong Kong and Macau?

Yes! Our Hong Kong Macau itinerary allocated 5 days to Hong Kong and 2.5 days to Macau with comfortable pacing. You can experience all major attractions without feeling rushed.

Q: Do I need separate visas?

Hong Kong and Macau maintain separate immigration. Most nationalities receive visa-free entry (90 days Hong Kong, 30 days Macau). Check official websites for your specific passport requirements.

Q: What currency should I use?

Hong Kong uses Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), Macau uses Macanese Pataca (MOP). However, HKD is accepted in Macau at roughly 1:1 rate. Credit cards work at most places.

Q: Is English widely spoken?

English is widely spoken in Hong Kong, especially in tourist areas. Macau has less English proficiency, though major resorts have English-speaking staff. Translation apps help bridge gaps.

Q: Are these destinations safe?

Extremely safe! Both rank among Asia’s safest destinations with low crime rates, efficient police, and tourist-friendly infrastructure. Perfect for families and solo travelers.

Q: How do I get between Hong Kong and Macau?

Ferry is most popular (1 hour, $35-60 USD, frequent departures). You can also fly (30 minutes but more expensive) or use Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge bus (40 minutes).

Conclusion: Your Perfect Hong Kong Macau Adventure Awaits

Our 8-day Hong Kong Macau itinerary exceeded every expectation. These destinations combine incredible variety — theme parks, spiritual sites, digital art, colonial architecture, natural beauty, and spectacular shows — all within convenient travel distance.

What makes this Hong Kong Macau itinerary work:

Variety – No repetitive days
Accessibility – Tourist-friendly infrastructure
Value – Excellent experiences at $1,200 per person
Safety – Perfect for all traveler types
Convenience – Just 1-hour ferry between cities

Whether you’re drawn by theme park excitement, cultural exploration, culinary adventures, or spectacular entertainment, a Hong Kong Macau itinerary delivers unforgettable memories.

Start planning your adventure today! Book flights, research hotels, and prepare for experiences that will exceed your expectations just as they exceeded ours.

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Safe travels! 🇭🇰🇲🇴✈️

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