Buses, Taxis, Cabs, Limos, and Car Rentals
Buses
In Macau visitors will find an efficient bus service, not only in the city but also in the islands. Visitors can look for the destinations, itineraries and stops in the information panels located at every bus stop. All the buses have air conditioning. Between Macao and Taipa visitors can catch buses 11, 22, 28A, 30, 33, 34 and also the airport bus AP1. Buses 21, 21A, 25, 26, and 26A connect Macau, Taipa and Coloane.
There are other buses circulating around the Macao peninsula. For detailed information, please call (853) 2885 0060 / (853) 2827 1122 or visit the following websites:
- Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau, S.A.R.L
- TRANSMAC - Transportes Urbanos de Macau, S.A.R.L.
For journeys on Macao peninsula there is a flat fare at MOP$2.50. If you travel to Taipa, it costs MOP$3.30 and if your destination is Coloane village MOP$4.00. If you go to Hác-Sá, you will pay MOP$5.00.
For those wishing to go from Macau to the Airport or back, the special bus service AP1 costs MOP$3.30 per person.
Taxis
There are two kinds of taxis: the black with cream roof ones and the yellow ones. The flagfall charge is MOP$11.00 for the first 1500 meters. MOP$1.00 will be added for every 180 meters afterwards. Waiting on passengers’ request will be charged for MOP$1.00 for every 50 seconds. There is also radio-taxi-service - tel. (853) 2893 9939 or (853) 2851 9519.
There is a MOP$3.00 surcharge for each piece of luggage carried in the boot; MOP$5.00 surcharge for boarding taxi at the Macao Airport or journeys from Macau to Coloane; no surcharge from Macao to Taipa or from the islands to Macau, but between Taipa and Coloane, a MOP$2.00 surcharge applies.
Taxis fares start at 11 patacas. Largo Do Senado to the border is about 30. The longest possible taxi ride (from the border post at the extreme north of Macau to Coloane in the south) would be well under 200
In order to eliminate the language barrier between taxi drivers and passengers, the Macau Government Tourist Office has provided most taxis with a destination guide which includes the names of the most requested destinations in Chinese, Portuguese and English. When used together with a map, this guide will reduce many of the usual misunderstandings.
Here are the names of some places in English and Chinese:
A-Ma Temple - Ma Kok Miu
Civic & Municipal Affairs Bureau - Man Zheng Zhong Chu
Av Almeida Ribeiro - San Ma Lô
St. Paul’s Ruins - Tai Sam Pá
Lisboa Hotel - Pou Keng
Macau Ferry Terminal - Kong Ou Má Tau
Barrier Gate - Kwan Tchap
Guia Hill - Tchong San
Cultural Centre - Man Fá Tchong Sam
Airport - Kei Cheong
Car Rentals
If you like to go around by yourself with a map and Guide, you can hire a car. There are two companies operating in Macao:
Avis-Rent-a-Car (located in the car park of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel - Tel: (853) 2833 6789; 2870 1786 / Fax: (853) 2831 4112; information or reservations in Hong Kong - Tel: (852) 25766831) and Happy Mokes (office in Macao Ferry Terminal / Arrivals, room 1025 - Tel: (853) 2843 9393; 2872 6868; Fax: (853) 2872 6888.
If you wish to hire a car, you will have to provide your ID or passport, valid driving license (or international driving license for some countries), a credit card for deposit and be 21 years of age.
If you want to celebrate a special occasion in style and comfort, you can take a trip in a 9-seats, chauffeur-driven replica 1920s style English bus. They operate city tours (2 hours) at MOP$150 per person and MOP$80 per child, at 11:00 and 15:00, with a fixed itinerary. For a special tour the charge will be at MOP$300 per hour. For reservations, please call: (853) 2833 6789 or fax: (853) 2831 4112, or e-mail: avis@avis.com.mo
Source: Macao Government Tourist Office