Day trips · By ferry, bus, train or guided tour · Checked against operators’ own pages
Day Trips from Hong Kong: Five Worth the Journey, and How to Do Each
Find your Hong Kong experience
How to choose
Five trips leave Hong Kong by ferry, bus or train, each under an hour or so away. All five have real guided-tour inventory today, from a Macau heritage day to a Sai Kung Geopark boat trip.
Good to know
- Left out: Ngong Ping 360 and the Big Buddha are already the city guide’s own Lantau day. Guangzhou and cities beyond Shenzhen sit outside a comfortable day trip.
| Item | minutes |
|---|---|
| Shenzhen (MTR East Rail Line, Admiralty–Lo Wu) | 45 |
| Sai Kung (KMB 92, Diamond Hill–Sai Kung) | 50 |
| Tai O (New Lantao Bus 11, Tung Chung–Tai O) | 55 |
| Cheung Chau (Sun Ferry, ordinary, Central–Cheung Chau) | 58 |
| Macau (TurboJET, Sheung Wan–Outer Harbour) | 60 |
| Option | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| Macau · about 60 minutes by TurboJET ferry | A different place entirely: UNESCO heritage streets, casinos and its own currency and border. |
| Tai O · about 55 minutes by bus from Tung Chung | Stilt houses and pink-dolphin boat trips on Lantau’s quiet west coast. |
| Cheung Chau · about an hour by ferry from Central | Hong Kong’s easiest day trip: one ferry, a car-free island, nothing to book ahead. |
| Sai Kung · about 50 minutes by bus from Diamond Hill | Hong Kong’s own UNESCO Geopark: hexagonal rock columns reached by boat. |
| Shenzhen · about 45 minutes by train to the border | Mainland China: bring a passport and check visa rules before going. |
Cheung Chau, from HK$16.70
Cheung Chau is Hong Kong’s simplest day trip. One ferry from Central reaches a car-free island with a seafood pier, a hillside lookout and a paved coastal path.
See or book a Cheung Chau day tour
- Take a Sun Ferry from Central Pier 5: the ordinary ferry runs about 55-60 minutes, the fast ferry about 35-40 minutes.
- Walk from the pier past the seafood-restaurant strip to Pak Tai Temple, the island’s focal shrine.
- Follow the coastal path known locally as the Mini Great Wall, or climb to the hillside lookout.
- Return on any sailing; ferries run roughly every 20-50 minutes into the evening.
Good to know
- The Bun Festival lands on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, alongside Buddha’s Birthday. The 2026 date is 24 May, with a bun-tower race and parade.
| Item | HK$ per adult | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Ferry, Central–Cheung Chau, ordinary ferry, weekday adult fare | HK$16.70 | ≈ US$2 |
| Sun Ferry, Central–Cheung Chau, fast ferry, weekday adult fare | HK$32.90 | ≈ US$4 |
On your own
The default choice: one ferry, a small walkable island, nothing to arrange ahead.
With a guide
A guided day adds hotel pickup and a set route for a hands-off visit.
The ordinary ferry alone costs HK$16.70 one way; a guided day with hotel pickup is sold separately.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Macau, from HK$200
Macau is Hong Kong’s one real cross-border day trip that still feels like a different country. A former Portuguese colony, it keeps its own currency and casinos alongside a UNESCO-listed old town, a TurboJET ferry ride away.
- Take TurboJET from the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan; the crossing to Macau’s Outer Harbour or Taipa takes about 60 minutes.
- Clear Macau immigration on arrival; Macau keeps its own border control, so bring a passport or Hong Kong/Macau ID.
- Walk the Historic Centre of Macao: the Ruins of St Paul’s, Senado Square and the surrounding Portuguese-Chinese streets.
- Add a casino resort or Macau Tower if that suits the day, then catch a return sailing before the last departure.
Good to know
- Night sailings (18:30 onward) cost more than daytime crossings, so an earlier return can be the cheaper choice.
| Item | HK$ per adult | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| TurboJET, Sheung Wan–Macau, weekday economy fare | HK$194 | ≈ US$24 |
| TurboJET, Sheung Wan–Macau, weekend/holiday economy fare | HK$212 | ≈ US$26 |
On your own
Simple: one ferry each way and a walkable old town; just track your own return sailing time.
With a guide
A guided day adds hotel pickup, lunch and a fixed route through the heritage sights.
The TurboJET ferry alone costs HK$200 one way; a guided day with lunch and the heritage sights is sold separately.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Tai O, from HK$14
Tai O is Lantau’s own fishing village, reached on its own rather than folded into the Big Buddha loop the city guide already covers. Expect stilt houses over a tidal channel, salted-seafood stalls and boat trips out for the pink dolphin.
See or book a Lantau and Tai O day tour
- Ride the MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung station.
- Board New Lantao Bus route 11 at the Tung Chung bus terminus; the ride to Tai O takes about 55 minutes.
- Walk the stilt-house channel from Tai O market to Tai Chung Bridge, then take a boat from the pier for a chance at the pink dolphin.
- Browse the dried-seafood and shrimp-paste stalls before a return bus; services run into the evening.
Good to know
- The Chinese white dolphin is Critically Endangered, so a sighting on the boat trip is never guaranteed.
| Item | HK$ per adult | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| New Lantao Bus 11, Tung Chung–Tai O, weekday full fare | HK$14 | ≈ US$2 |
| New Lantao Bus 11, Tung Chung–Tai O, Sunday/holiday full fare | HK$23.30 | ≈ US$3 |
On your own
Workable: one bus each way from Tung Chung MTR, then everything in Tai O is on foot.
With a guide
A guided Lantau day bundles the cable car and Po Lin Monastery around the Tai O stop.
The bus alone costs HK$14 one way; a guided Lantau day with the cable car and monastery is sold separately.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Sai Kung, from HK$7.80
Sai Kung is the gateway to Hong Kong’s own UNESCO Global Geopark. Hexagonal volcanic rock columns sit out in the bay, reached by a short boat ride from the town’s own pier.
See or book a Sai Kung Geopark boat tour
- Ride the MTR Kwun Tong Line to Diamond Hill, then board KMB bus 92 at the station bus terminus.
- The ride to Sai Kung Bus Terminus takes about 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.
- Walk to Sai Kung Public Pier and book a kaito or geo-tour boat out to the Geopark’s hexagonal columns.
- Finish with the seafood stalls along the waterfront before the bus back.
Good to know
- Eligible seniors and persons with disabilities pay the Government’s $2 Scheme fare on this route instead of the standard adult fare.
| Item | HK$ per adult | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| KMB 92, Diamond Hill–Sai Kung, standard adult Octopus fare | HK$7.80 | ≈ US$1 |
| KMB 92, Diamond Hill–Sai Kung, Government $2 Scheme concessionary fare | HK$2 | ≈ US$0 |
On your own
Doable: one direct bus, then a kaito boat booked at the pier on the day.
With a guide
A booked Geopark boat tour secures a set route and a guide who narrates the geology.
The bus alone costs HK$7.80 one way; a guided Geopark boat tour is sold separately.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Shenzhen, about 45 minutes by train
Shenzhen is mainland China, a genuinely different country reached in one MTR ride. It is the one trip on this page where a passport, and often a visa, decides whether the day happens at all.
See or book a Shenzhen day tour
- Ride the MTR East Rail Line to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau station; at weekday peak, trains run about every 5.5 and 12 minutes respectively.
- Clear Hong Kong exit immigration, then Chinese entry immigration at the connected Luohu or Futian control point.
- Bring a passport that meets mainland China’s entry rules; check current visa requirements for your own nationality first.
- Plan the return crossing before the control point’s closing time.
Good to know
- Some nationalities can use a Shenzhen-only visa on arrival, good for 3 or 5 days. Others qualify visa-free, or need a visa arranged before travelling.
| Hong Kong side | Chinese control point | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lo Wu | MTR East Rail Line | Luohu | 6:30am–midnight |
| Lok Ma Chau | MTR East Rail Line | Futian | 6:30am–10:30pm |
On your own
Possible for travellers who qualify for visa-free or on-arrival entry; check your own passport’s rules first.
With a guide
A guided day handles the border crossing and sets a fixed itinerary for travellers who would rather not navigate it alone.
If you only do one
Cheung Chau, if there’s time for only one: a single ferry, a car-free island, and nothing to book ahead. For a genuinely different place instead of a different part of Hong Kong, pick Macau.
Good to know
- A guide is worth it for Macau, Tai O, Sai Kung or Shenzhen. One booking replaces a border crossing, a cable car or a boat trip arranged separately.
- Shenzhen needs the most planning of the five: check passport and visa rules first.
Attractions & day trips from Hong Kong
What it costs, and where to book
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation. Amounts over 20 are rounded up. Ticket prices are per person for the first reviewed ticket and change by date.
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Where a guided day tour earns its money, and where it does not
A guide earns its keep most clearly on Macau and Shenzhen, handling the cross-border crossing, and on Tai O or Sai Kung, bundling a cable car or boat trip into one booking. Cheung Chau’s single ferry is simple enough to skip a guide.
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Questions people ask
Do I need a visa to visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong?
It depends on your nationality. Some travellers can enter visa-free or apply for a Shenzhen-only visa on arrival at the border; others need a visa arranged before travelling, so check the current rules for your own passport first.
Should I take the ordinary or fast ferry to Cheung Chau?
The ordinary ferry is cheaper and runs about 55-60 minutes; the fast ferry costs more and takes about 35-40 minutes. Either lands at the same pier.
Can I see pink dolphins at Tai O?
A boat trip from the pier by Tai Chung Bridge goes looking for them. The Chinese white dolphin is Critically Endangered, so a sighting is never guaranteed.
Do I need to book the Sai Kung Geopark boat in advance?
Not strictly: kaito boats run from Sai Kung Public Pier on the day. A booked Geopark boat tour instead secures a fixed route and a guide who explains the geology.
When is the Cheung Chau Bun Festival?
It falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, alongside the Buddha’s Birthday holiday; the 2026 date is 24 May.
Is Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau better for reaching Shenzhen?
Lo Wu connects to Luohu and stays open later, to midnight; Lok Ma Chau connects to Futian and closes at 10:30pm. Pick based on where in Shenzhen you are headed and how late you plan to return.
Plan deeper in Hong Kong
Sources (18)
Every figure above was checked on the dates shown.
- TurboJET — Hong Kong (Sheung Wan)/Kowloon to Macau (Outer Harbour/Taipa) sailing schedule and fares — www2.turbojet.com.hk/travel-with-us-sea-ferry/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Historic Centre of Macao — whc.unesco.org/en/list/1110 (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours product detail, Hong Kong (the booking platform destination 35959), Macau product 7137P3 — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=35959&term=Macau%20day%20trip¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- hkbus.app — New Lantao Bus route 11 (Tung Chung Station–Tai O) fare table — hkbus.app/en/route/11-1-tung-chung-station-bus-terminus-tai-o (checked 2026-09-27)
- Next Stop Hong Kong — Guide to Tai O Fishing Village — www.nextstophongkong.com/tai-o-fishing-village/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours product detail, Hong Kong (the booking platform destination 35959), Tai O/Lantau product 463879P6 — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=35959&term=Tai%20O%20fishing%20village¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- Transport Department — Franchised and Licensed Ferry Service Details, Central-Cheung Chau route — www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/ferries/service_details/index.html (checked 2026-09-18)
- Time Out Hong Kong — “Your Handy Guide to the 2026 Cheung Chau Bun Festival” — www.timeout.com/hong-kong/news/your-handy-guide-to-the-2026-cheung-chau-bun-festival-050826 (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours product detail, Hong Kong (the booking platform destination 35959), Cheung Chau product 431044P5 — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=35959&term=Cheung%20Chau¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- hkbus.app — KMB route 92 (Diamond Hill Station–Sai Kung) fare table — hkbus.app/en/route/92-1-diamond-hill-station-sai-kung (checked 2026-09-18)
- KMB — Government’s $2 Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities — www.kmb.hk/storage/scheme_elderlydisabilities.html (checked 2026-09-27)
- Travel in Sai Kung — “Volcanic Hexagonal Columns of Sai Kung”, Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark — travelinsaikung.org.hk/en/geopark/volcanic-hexagonal-columns (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours product detail, Hong Kong (the booking platform destination 35959), Sai Kung product 473565P1 — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=35959&term=Sai%20Kung¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- MTR — East Rail Line, Cross Boundary Train Services — www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/to_from_lw_lmc.html (checked 2026-09-18)
- TravelChinaGuide — Hong Kong MTR East Rail Line: train frequency and journey time — www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/hongkong/transportation/mtr-rail.htm (checked 2026-09-27)
- National Immigration Administration of China — Entry-Exit and Stay (Residence) of Foreigners: Special Economic Zone tourist port visas — en.nia.gov.cn/n147423/n147478/n147715/c158232/content.html (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours product detail, Hong Kong (the booking platform destination 35959), Shenzhen product 417050P8 — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=35959&term=Shenzhen%20day%20trip¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours attractions, Hong Kong (the booking platform destination 35959) — mubboo.flights/api/tours/attractions?destinationId=35959&language=en (checked 2026-09-18)