Travelling to Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China on One Trip: 2026 Overview
As of November 2026, most international travelers can visit Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China in one trip by combining visa-free access with a mainland visa and crossing official borders.
This guide was reviewed and updated on November 2, 2026, by the travel experts at HXXC Travel, a Guangdong-based inbound tour operator with 12 years of experience arranging cross-border trips between Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China. It covers entry requirements, border crossing options, sample itineraries, and practical tips for first-time international travelers.
Key Facts at a Glance
- As of November 2026, 148 nationalities can visit Hong Kong visa-free for 7 to 180 days, depending on passport type.
- As of November 2026, 81 nationalities can visit Macao visa-free for up to 90 days.
- As of November 2026, 50 nationalities qualify for 30-day visa-free access to mainland China for tourism, business, or transit.
- The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) connects Hong Kong, Macao, and Zhuhai (mainland Guangdong) in a single transport link.
- All cross-border travel between the three regions requires a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity.
- Most major border crossings offer automated e-Channel services for eligible nationalities to reduce wait times.
Visa Requirements by Region
Each of the three destinations has separate immigration rules, even though Hong Kong and Macao are special administrative regions of China. As of November 2026, passport validity must be at least 6 months from your date of entry into each region, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel and sufficient funds for your stay.
Hong Kong Visa Rules
As of November 2026, passport holders from 148 countries and territories can enter Hong Kong visa-free for tourism, with stays ranging from 7 days (e.g., India, Indonesia) to 180 days (e.g., UK, Canada, Australia, EU member states). US passport holders receive 90 days of visa-free entry.
Travelers transiting Hong Kong to or from a third country (including mainland China or Macao) can stay visa-free for up to 7 days, even if their nationality does not qualify for standard visa-free entry, as long as they have a valid onward ticket and meet transit requirements.
Always confirm eligibility with the Hong Kong Immigration Department before travel.
Macao Visa Rules
As of November 2026, 81 nationalities can enter Macao visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. This includes all EU member states, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Some nationalities qualify for shorter stays of 30 or 14 days.
Transit through Macao to a third country allows visa-free stays of up to 7 days for most nationalities, provided they have a confirmed onward ticket and valid travel documents for their next destination.
Confirm entry requirements with the Macao Public Security Police Force Immigration Department before travel.
Mainland China Visa Rules
As of November 2026, 50 nationalities are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to mainland China for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. Eligible countries include the US, Canada, UK, all EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
Travelers not eligible for visa-free entry need to apply for a standard Chinese L (tourism) visa in advance from their local Chinese embassy or consulate. The standard single-entry L visa allows stays of up to 30 days, with 6-month or 1-year multiple-entry options available for eligible travelers.
Visa policies are subject to change. Verify the latest rules with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before booking your trip.
Border Crossing Options Between the Three Regions
All crossings between Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China require a valid passport and any necessary visas or entry permits. As of November 2026, most major crossings offer automated e-Channel services for eligible nationalities, which can cut wait times to 5 to 10 minutes during off-peak periods.
Hong Kong ↔ Mainland China
- Lo Wu Port: Rail-based crossing connecting Hong Kong’s Lo Wu MTR station to Shenzhen’s Luohu Station. Open 6:30am to midnight daily; busiest on weekends and public holidays.
- Lok Ma Chau Spur Line: Rail crossing connecting Hong Kong’s Lok Ma Chau MTR station to Shenzhen’s Futian Station. Open 6:30am to 10:30pm; less crowded than Lo Wu.
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Station: High-speed rail terminal with joint immigration checks for trains to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and other mainland cities. Open 6am to 11pm; immigrations for both regions are completed at the station.
- Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB): Shuttle bus service from Hong Kong Port to Zhuhai Port (mainland). Travel time is ~40 minutes, with 24/7 service as of November 2026.
Hong Kong ↔ Macao
- HZMB Golden Bus: Shuttle service between Hong Kong Port and Macao Port. Travel time is ~30 minutes, with 24/7 service as of November 2026. This is the fastest and cheapest option for most travelers.
- Ferry services: Operated by TurboJet and Cotai Water Jet, with routes between Hong Kong (Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong International Airport) and Macao (Outer Harbour, Taipa). Travel time is ~1 hour, with services running from early morning to late night.
Macao ↔ Mainland China
- Gongbei Port: The busiest land crossing, connecting Macao’s northern district to Zhuhai’s Gongbei area. Open 6am to 1am daily.
- Hengqin Port: Connects Macao’s Cotai area to Zhuhai’s Hengqin district. Open 24/7 as of November 2026; less crowded than Gongbei for travelers staying in Cotai.
- HZMB Macao Port: Shuttle bus to Zhuhai Port (mainland), with travel time of ~10 minutes plus immigration processing.
Sample Itinerary Structures for a Combined Trip
The best itinerary order depends on your visa type and departure city. For travelers with a single-entry mainland visa, it is most practical to visit Hong Kong and Macao first, then enter the mainland once before departing from a mainland airport. For eligible travellers using the 30-day mainland visa-free policy, you can enter and exit the mainland as needed, as long as each stay is under 30 days.
7-Day Greater Bay Area Short Trip
Ideal for first-time travelers who want to experience all three regions in a week:
- Days 1-2: Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport, explore Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
- Day 3: Take the HZMB shuttle to Macao, spend the day exploring historic sites and Cotai.
- Day 4: Cross from Macao to Zhuhai via Hengqin Port, then take high-speed rail to Guangzhou (~1 hour).
- Days 5-6: Explore Guangzhou’s cultural sites and food markets.
- Day 7: Depart from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, or return to Hong Kong via high-speed rail for your departure flight.
14-Day Extended Trip with Mainland Inland Destinations
For travelers with more time who want to venture beyond the Greater Bay Area:
- Days 1-3: Hong Kong, including day trips to Lantau Island or the New Territories.
- Days 4-5: Macao, with a mix of historic central districts and Cotai.
- Days 6-8: Guangzhou and nearby Foshan, known for Cantonese culture and martial arts heritage.
- Days 9-11: Fly from Guangzhou to Guilin (~1.5 hours) to see the Li River and karst mountains.
- Days 12-14: Depart from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, or fly back to Guangzhou/Hong Kong for your return flight.
HXXC Travel, based in Jiangmen, Guangdong, specializes in custom combined Hong Kong-Macao-mainland itineraries, and can arrange private transfers, border crossing assistance, and local guides for a seamless experience.
Tips for Smooth Cross-Border Travel
- Allow at least 30 to 60 minutes for border crossings during off-peak times. Peak periods (weekends, public holidays, Lunar New Year) can have wait times of 2 hours or more.
- Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, visa, and travel bookings separate from your original passport.
- Confirm whether your mainland visa is single or multiple entry before planning trips in and out of the mainland. A single-entry visa becomes invalid once you exit the mainland, even if the validity period has not expired.
- For travelers using the 30-day mainland visa-free policy, ensure your stay does not exceed 30 days — counted from 00:00 on the day after entry. Overstays can result in fines of 500 RMB per day (capped at 10,000 RMB) and future entry bans.
- Use a cross-region eSIM or roaming plan to access mobile data at all border crossings, as some ports require digital health or arrival form submissions via mobile apps.
- All entry rules, border hours, and fares are current as of November 2026. Always verify the latest policies with official immigration authorities 1 to 2 weeks before your trip, as rules can change with short notice.
FAQ
Can I visit Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China on a single visa?
No. Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China have separate immigration systems, so you need to meet the entry requirements for each region individually. For eligible nationalities, this can mean using visa-free access for Hong Kong and Macao, plus either a mainland visa or the 30-day mainland visa-free policy for the mainland portion.
Do I need a separate visa for Macao if I have a Hong Kong visa?
Yes. Macao has its own immigration rules, and a Hong Kong visa or visa-free entry does not grant access to Macao. Most nationalities eligible for Hong Kong visa-free entry are also eligible for Macao visa-free entry, but you should confirm eligibility with Macao immigration authorities before travel.
How long does it take to cross the border between Hong Kong and Macao?
As of November 2026, the HZMB shuttle bus takes about 30 minutes of travel time between Hong Kong and Macao ports, plus 15 to 30 minutes for immigration processing on both sides. Ferries take about 1 hour of travel time, plus similar immigration wait times. Total time ranges from 1 to 2 hours, depending on crowd levels.
Can I use the 30-day mainland China visa-free policy if I enter from Hong Kong or Macao?
Yes. As of November 2026, the 30-day mainland visa-free policy applies to entry via all official ports of entry, including land borders from Hong Kong and Macao, sea ports, and airports. You must still meet all eligibility requirements and have a passport from an eligible country.
What is the cheapest way to travel between Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China?
For budget travelers, the HZMB shuttle bus is the cheapest option between Hong Kong and Macao, and between Hong Kong/Macao and Zhuhai (mainland). As of November 2026, one-way fares are around 65 HKD for Hong Kong to Zhuhai, and 65 MOP for Macao to Hong Kong. High-speed rail between Zhuhai and Guangzhou starts at around 70 RMB for a second-class seat.
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