Known affectionately as the “City of a Hundred Islands,” Zhuhai has quietly evolved into one of the most rewarding weekend escapes just across the water. Between the relaxed coastal promenades of Lovers’ Road, massive family attractions like Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, and arguably some of the freshest seafood in the region, it’s a city that trades the frantic pace of Hong Kong for a distinctively laid-back, resort-town vibe. Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip or a long weekend, we are expanding our travel guides beyond the city to cover the wider Greater Bay Area (GBA)—and Zhuhai is the perfect first stop.
Located roughly 90 kilometers away, getting there is easier than ever. Depending on where you live in Hong Kong, your budget, and whether you are hauling kids and luggage, you have four main ways to cross the border: the iconic HZMB shuttle buses, direct cross-border coaches, scenic high-speed ferries, or connecting high-speed rail. Here is exactly how to choose the right route for your trip.
1. The HZMB Shuttle Bus (The “Golden Bus”)
The best option for budget travelers and those needing 24/7 flexibility.
If you want the cheapest route or plan to travel at odd hours, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Shuttle Bus—widely known as the “Golden Bus” due to its distinct double-decker paint job—is your best bet.
- How it Works: You first need to make your way to the HZMB Hong Kong Port (easily reachable via airport buses like the A11, A21, or the B4 from Tung Chung). After clearing Hong Kong immigration, you purchase a ticket, board the Golden Bus, and ride it across the bridge to the Zhuhai Port to clear mainland immigration.
- Duration: The bridge crossing itself takes just 40 minutes. Factoring in transit to the port and immigration, expect the total journey from the city center to take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Cost: Extremely affordable at HK$65 during the day (06:00–23:59) and HK$70 at night (00:00–05:59).
- Pros: It runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During peak daytime hours, buses depart every 5 to 15 minutes, meaning you rarely have to wait long.
- Cons: You are responsible for navigating public transport to and from the border ports. Disembarking with heavy luggage to clear immigration on both sides can be exhausting, especially with young children.
- Pro-Tip: Traveling with family? Children under 12 (or under 1.2 meters), seniors aged 65 and above, and travelers with disabilities are eligible for half-price concessionary tickets (HK$33 daytime / HK$35 nighttime).
2. Direct Cross-Border Coaches
The best option for point-to-point convenience.
If the thought of stringing together MTR rides, airport buses, and shuttle transfers sounds exhausting, a direct cross-border coach offers a much smoother ride. This is an excellent middle-ground option that balances cost with convenience, picking you up right in the heart of Hong Kong.
- How it Works: Several private bus operators run routes from major urban hubs in Hong Kong (including Prince Edward, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwun Tong, and Causeway Bay) directly to various drop-off points in Zhuhai via the HZMB.
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours total, depending on traffic in the city and your specific pickup location.
- Cost: Tickets generally range from HK$120 to HK$200 each way, depending on the operator and your boarding point.
- Pros: You get a guaranteed, comfortable seat straight from the city center, which means you avoid navigating crowded public transport hubs with your luggage.
- Cons: “Direct” doesn’t mean you skip border control. You will still need to physically disembark at the port with all your belongings, clear immigration, and re-board the bus on the other side.
- Pro-Tip: Book your tickets a day or two in advance through ticketing platforms or the operators’ WeChat mini-programs, as weekend morning departures frequently sell out.
3. The High-Speed Ferry
The best option for comfort and arriving right in the Zhuhai city center.
For a classic, scenic start to your weekend getaway, the high-speed ferry remains a favorite for many travelers. It skips the bridge traffic entirely and drops you off at Jiuzhou Port, which is exceptionally close to Zhuhai’s main downtown area and coastal attractions.
- How it Works: You can catch a ferry directly to Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port from either the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan) or the China Ferry Terminal (Tsim Sha Tsui).
- Duration: The sailing time is a breezy 70 to 90 minutes.
- Cost: Standard economy class tickets start at around HK$220 for adults, making it the priciest of the direct options.
- Pros: It offers a highly comfortable, spacious ride with great views of the harbor and the islands. Plus, arriving at Jiuzhou Port puts you just a short, inexpensive taxi ride away from the city’s best hotels and Lovers’ Road.
- Cons: It costs significantly more than the bus options, and the sailing schedule is much less frequent, with only a handful of departures spread throughout the day.
- Pro-Tip: While the ferry is generally quite stable, the journey can get a bit choppy during the summer typhoon season. If you are prone to seasickness and the weather looks rough, the HZMB bus routes will offer a smoother ride.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links (such as ferry tickets on Klook), HongKongDays may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
4. High-Speed Rail (Connecting Routes)
The alternative for train lovers or those connecting from other GBA cities.
While Hong Kong’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) network is fantastic for reaching major mainland cities, it is important to note that there is no direct high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Zhuhai. If you choose this method, you will have to make a transfer.
- How it Works: You have two main routing options.
- Via Shenzhen: Take a train from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Shenzhen North (Shenzhenbei), then transfer to a direct train to Zhuhai Station (located right at the Gongbei Port).
- Via Guangzhou: Take a train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou South (Guangzhounan), then transfer to an intercity train heading down to Zhuhai.
- Duration: Expect about 2 to 2.5 hours of actual travel time, though this heavily depends on your transfer layover times.
- Cost: Roughly HK150–HK250 in total, depending on which transfer route you take and your seat class.
- Pros: This is an excellent option if you are planning a multi-city GBA itinerary and want to stop in Shenzhen or Guangzhou for a night or two before heading to Zhuhai. The trains are spacious, modern, and very comfortable.
- Cons: If your sole destination is Zhuhai, the HSR route involves unnecessary transfers and navigating massive mainland railway stations. The HZMB bus or ferry is much more direct.
- Pro-Tip: Make sure to book your tickets on the official 12306 app or website, and leave at least 45 minutes for your station transfer to ensure you don’t miss your connection.
5. Private Cross-Border Private Transfers
The best option for families, small groups, and maximum door-to-door convenience.
For the ultimate hassle-free experience, pre-booking a private 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle (like a Toyota Alphard) provides complete door-to-door service. A professional driver will pick you up from your Hong Kong hotel lobby and take you across the HZMB directly to your destination in Zhuhai, such as the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom resorts.
- How it Works: You book a designated pickup time and communicate with the operator via WeChat or WhatsApp a day in advance. A driver picks you up and handles the route. Important border note: Due to current customs regulations, when traveling from Hong Kong to Zhuhai, passengers are required to briefly disembark with their luggage for security checks. However, on the return trip from Zhuhai to Hong Kong, you can stay comfortably inside the vehicle the entire time.
- Capacity: The standard vehicles safely accommodate up to 6 passengers and 4 standard-sized pieces of luggage.
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours from a Hong Kong city center hotel directly to your Zhuhai destination.
- Cost: Depending on the exact drop-off location, prices typically range between HK$730 to HK$1,150+ per vehicle. While it is a premium price, splitting the cost among a family of 5 or 6 makes the per-person rate highly competitive.
- Pros: Door-to-door service with zero transit transfers, guaranteed seating in a spacious vehicle, and a highly accommodating setup if you are traveling with young children, seniors, or heavy bags.
- Cons: The most expensive direct option for solo travelers or couples. You still have to carry your luggage through the Zhuhai immigration checkpoint on the outbound journey.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links (such as ferry tickets on Klook), HongKongDays may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The HongKongDays Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
With so many choices, picking the right transport comes down to your priorities for the weekend. Here is the quickest way to decide:
- Choose the HZMB Shuttle (Golden Bus) if: You are on a strict budget, traveling late at night, or don’t mind navigating local public transit to reach the border ports.
- Choose a Direct Coach if: You are traveling with luggage and want the convenience of sitting down in central Hong Kong and not worrying about transit until you hit the border checkpoints.
- Choose the High-Speed Ferry if: You want a relaxing, scenic journey that drops you squarely in the middle of Zhuhai’s tourist district, and you are willing to pay a premium for comfort.
- Choose the High-Speed Rail if: Zhuhai is just one stop on a larger Greater Bay Area tour that includes Shenzhen or Guangzhou.
- Choose the Private Transfer if: You are traveling with a group or small children, have multiple pieces of heavy luggage, and want the absolute easiest door-to-door journey without the hassle of transferring vehicles.
Essential Documents & Next Steps
Before you book any tickets, make sure your travel documents are sorted. Hong Kong permanent residents of Chinese nationality will need a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (widely known as a Home Return Permit). Non-Chinese permanent residents should ensure they have applied for the non-Chinese version of the permit, while expats and visitors will need a valid Chinese visa.
Now that you know how to get there, it’s time to start planning what to do. Stay tuned for our upcoming HongKongDays guides to Zhuhai, where we will be covering the best coastal cycling routes along Lovers’ Road, where to find the city’s famous oysters, and the top boutique hotels for a weekend staycation.
Have you crossed the bridge or taken the ferry to Zhuhai recently? Drop a comment below and let us know which route you prefer!