Macau is small, about 33 square kilometres, and most visitors arrive from Hong Kong for a day or a weekend: the historic centre around Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese and Macanese food, and the resorts of Cotai. For your phone, though, it is a destination of its own. Macau has its own networks, its own currency and its own rules, distinct from both Hong Kong and mainland China, and it is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area.
This guide covers the crossing from Hong Kong, how to pay once you arrive, and the numbers to save.
Key facts for Macau
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: CTM, China Telecom, Three (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 999, 110 or 112 for all emergency services
- Embassies: none in Macau; Portugal and a few other countries have consulates, and most countries assist from Hong Kong
Getting there from Hong Kong
Ferries sail from Hong Kong to the Outer Harbour and Taipa terminals, and shuttle buses cross the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge around the clock. Both routes pass through immigration on each side. Once you are in Macau, a plan for Hong Kong alone no longer works: an Asia plan covers both places on the same eSIM, or you can add a Macau plan for the day.
Getting around
Many hotels and casino resorts run complimentary shuttle buses from the ferry terminals and the Border Gate, and public buses reach most of the city. Coverage is strong across the peninsula, Taipa and Cotai, so maps, bus times and messages keep working as you move between the old town and the resorts.
Money: patacas and Hong Kong dollars
Macau's currency is the pataca. Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted, usually at par, but change often comes back in patacas, which you cannot spend in Hong Kong. Hotels, casinos and larger restaurants take cards; small eateries and bakeries often prefer cash.
Free Wi-Fi and the border with the mainland
The government's FreeWiFi.MO service offers free Wi-Fi in public places across Macau, a useful backup if your data runs low. Macau also borders the mainland city of Zhuhai, at the Border Gate and on Hengqin Island. Near the border your phone can pick up mainland Chinese networks, which a Macau plan does not cover. If you plan to cross, read our China guide first, because the rules for apps are different there.
Typhoons and black rain
From May to October, typhoon signals and rainstorm warnings can suspend ferries and flights and close shops and offices. When Signal No. 8 or a Black Rainstorm warning is raised, most businesses and transport stop. Follow the warnings of the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau and check with your ferry operator before setting off.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installs at home with a QR code, and its validity starts with the first connection in Macau. If Macau is a day trip from Hong Kong, an Asia plan saves you from switching between eSIMs. Your usual number keeps receiving texts and bank codes while the eSIM handles the data.
Macau prepaid SIMs have had to be registered under the user's real name since 2019.
Consular protection: who to call in Macau
- 999, 110 and 112 all reach the emergency services.
- The Macao Government Tourism Office runs a 24-hour hotline on +853 2833 3000.
- There are no embassies in Macau. Portugal and a few other countries have consulates there, and most countries help their citizens from their consulates in Hong Kong. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate able to help you in Macau, the embassy or consulate of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- Emergency phrases in Chinese are ready to show on screen in the app.
Questions travellers ask about Macau
Does my Hong Kong eSIM work in Macau?
Only if the plan includes Macau, as Asia plans do. A plan for Hong Kong alone does not.
Can I pay with Hong Kong dollars?
In most places, yes, but change often comes back in patacas, which are not accepted in Hong Kong.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Macau?
CTM, China Telecom or Three, depending on the plan, with 4G and 5G where available.
What happens when a typhoon signal is raised?
From Signal No. 8, ferries, flights and most businesses stop. Check the warnings and your ferry operator before setting off.
The short version
Choose a plan that covers Macau, or Asia if you are coming from Hong Kong, carry some cash for small eateries, save 999 and the tourist hotline, and check the typhoon signal before taking the ferry.
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