Day Trip from Hong Kong: The Ultimate Guide to Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Macau

Traveling to Macau as a day trip from Hong Kong is pretty common for tourists due to its accessibility, as well as the fact that there are so many things to do in Macau that you can explore in a day. 

While the autonomous region of China is best known as the Asian Las Vegas because of the numerous casinos around the island, there are many fun things to do in Macau if you plan to visit from Hong Kong in a day. 

So, is Macau worth visiting? While it's not exactly a budget-friendly travel destination, you can still explore Macau in a day without breaking the bank. If you're traveling to Hong Kong, I'd suggest checking out some transport options from Hong Kong to Macau to arrange the day trip based on your budget and availability. From bus, ferries, to even hiring a private transfer if you have some extra budget!

Not sure what to do in Macau when your budget is tight? Winnie from MillionDollarWinnie will share some local tips about the best things to do in Macau on a budget!

Top 3 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Macau

Macau or Macao is Asia’s Las Vegas with its countless casinos, headliner acts and pay per view sporting events. So you’d think spending just $10 USD in this awesome city would be a challenge, but you’ll be surprised as to what you can get with so little.

Before it was the entertainment getaway in Asia, it was a Portuguese colony where Portuguese culture mixed with Chinese culture to produce the unique Macanese culture you can find in the old parts of Macau today.

It's pretty easy to explore Macau in a day, as you can download an audio guide for a self-guided tour in Macau if you don't fancy joining Macau sightseeing tour with a group. Alternatively, you can also book this hop-on hop-off open bus tour to get around Macau in a day!

Here are 3 best things to do in Macau that you won’t regret to explore when planning a day trip from Hong Kong!

Macao casino
Source: Pxhere.

Indulge in Macau street food

Macau has a famous snack street, where you can eat from the beginning of the street, all the way to the bottom and not even pay a single penny. Why? Because they’re all samples for you to enjoy.

Taste the famous almond cookies, peanut candy, Chinese style pork jerky and many more. If you feel like eating more and taking some home, then why not buy some because your $10 USD won’t restrict you to anything here.

Another street close by will also have a lot of street food for a quick lunch. Don’t miss out on the Portuguese egg tarts and the black pepper pork buns.

Try the traditional Macau-styled Portuguese Food

$10 USD gives you $80 MOP and that’s actually a lot if you stay away from the restaurants near the casinos.

Head over to the old parts of Macau and find yourself among the cafes and Portuguese restaurants. Enjoy this distinct fusion of Macau history on your plate by going local and eating cheap.

Portuguese chicken rice is a classic that many nearby neighbors from Hong Kong enjoy a lot. But you should also try some of the many cured meat and chicken dishes as well.

A view of Macau from the top.
Source: Pxhere.com

Take your chance at a Macau casino

You can’t go to Macau without entering a casino, at least once. You won’t be going to the high stakes table, but you can actually have a great time with as little as $10 USD in some casinos. One the bigger casinos that are more friendly to casual players is the Venetian.

Play the roulette table, blackjack and have a field day at the slot machines. You never know, you might turn $10 into $100!


Contributor: Winnie from MillionDollarWinnie

Winnie MD is a location independent entrepreneur based in Hong Kong. She’s been semi-nomadic since birth, spreading her childhood over 6 locations. Now as an adult, she’s taken her wanderlust to the next level and documents her pursuit of the ideal lifestyle on her blog. The blog covers all areas vital to her lifestyle design, Travel, Self-help, Finance, and Retirement.


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