Macao
Last checked:
- Capital
- Macao (Special Administrative Region of China)
- Currency
- MOP · Macanese pataca
- Languages
- Cantonese, Portuguese, Mandarin
- Plugs
- Type G · 220 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Ruins of St. Paul's · Macao Peninsula
Facade of a 17th-century church, the symbol of Macao's UNESCO-listed historic centre.
- Senado Square (Largo do Senado) · Macao Peninsula
Portuguese-style wave-patterned square surrounded by colonial buildings.
- Macau Tower · Macao Peninsula
Observation deck, skywalk and one of the world's highest commercial bungy jumps.
- Cotai Strip casino resorts · Cotai
Huge integrated resorts such as The Venetian with shows and shopping; free shuttle buses link them.
- Coloane Village and Taipa Village · Coloane / Taipa
Quieter streets, Portuguese-Macanese food and the famous egg tarts.
Getting around
Buses
Free casino shuttle buses
Most big hotels and casinos run free shuttles to the ferry terminals, border gates and airport, often every 5-10 minutes. Anyone can ride.
Public transport
Public buses (Macau Pass / MPay)
Flat fare MOP 6, halved to MOP 3 with a Macau Pass card or MPay, with free transfers. Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay QR are also accepted.
Trains
Macao Light Rail (LRT)
Serves Taipa, Cotai and the airport, with a link to the peninsula; MOP 6-12 per trip (varies).
Taxi
Taxis
Metered black and yellow cabs; MOP 21 flag fall. Taxis are scarce at peak times. Uber and DiDi do not operate and unlicensed rides are illegal for both driver and passenger. The MaasPlus radio taxi app only accepts Macao, Hong Kong or mainland phone numbers.
Money and cash
Currency: MOP · Macanese pataca
Hong Kong dollars are accepted almost everywhere at 1:1, though change is often given in patacas, which are hard to exchange outside Macao, so spend them before you leave. Cards work in hotels, casinos and malls; Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay and the local MPay/Macau Pass are accepted in most shops and on buses. Keep cash for taxis and small eateries.
Tipping
Tipping is not a strong custom in Macao. Many hotel and casino restaurants add a service charge (commonly around 10%, varies), and beyond that small tips are optional. In casinos, players often tip dealers after a win.
| Restaurants | If a service charge is on the bill, no extra tip is needed. In local cafes and noodle shops, no tip. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Not expected. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Not expected; rounding up is fine. |
| Hotels | Small tips for porters in big resorts are common but optional (varies). |
| Tours and guides | A small tip for a guide is appreciated (varies). |
| Food delivery | Not expected. |
Service charge: what’s true
Hotel and many sit-down restaurants add a service charge, usually listed separately on the bill (amount varies, often around 10%). There is no clear public rule that it must go to staff; treat it as the restaurant's charge, not a guaranteed tip. Hotel bills may also include a government tourism tax.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Tip pressure is rare. In casinos, dealers and staff may hint for a tip after a win; this is your choice.
Useful phrases
- 埋單 (maai daan) The bill, please.
- 唔該 (m̀h gōi) Thank you / excuse me.
- 可唔可以用港幣？ (hó m̀h hó yíh yuhng góng baih?) Can I pay in Hong Kong dollars?
Etiquette
- You must be 21 or older to enter casino gaming floors; carry ID.
- Smoking is banned in most indoor public places and on gaming floors outside designated areas.
- Do not photograph inside casinos; security will stop you.
- Dress respectfully in temples and churches.
- Queue for buses and taxis; expect crowds at St. Paul's and Senado Square on weekends and holidays.
- Hand over money and cards with both hands as a courtesy.
Scams and how to handle them
Taxi overcharging and refusal
Where: Ferry terminals, border gates, Cotai casinos
How it works: Drivers refuse short trips, ask for a flat fare instead of the meter or take long routes. Official data shows dozens of overcharging and over a hundred refusal cases per year.
How to avoid it: Insist on the meter, note the taxi number and report misconduct to the police taxi hotline +853 2837 4214. Use free casino shuttles where possible.
Illegal private car hire
Where: Ferry terminals, casinos, border gate
How it works: Touts offer rides in private cars at high prices; passengers can also be fined because unlicensed rides are illegal.
How to avoid it: Use only licensed taxis, buses or hotel shuttles. Report unlicensed taxis to the Transport Bureau +853 8866 6363.
Illegal money changers and loan sharks
Where: Around casinos
How it works: People offer to change money or lend gambling funds; this is illegal and linked to fraud, counterfeit notes and debt threats (varies).
How to avoid it: Exchange money only at banks, licensed exchange counters or casino cages, and never borrow from individuals.
Pickpocketing in crowds and casinos
Where: Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square, casino floors late at night
How it works: Thieves target phones, wallets and chips in crowded spots or when you are distracted at tables.
How to avoid it: Keep valuables zipped and in front of you; watch your chips and bag.
Vice touts
Where: Older casino districts on the peninsula
How it works: Touts offer 'massage' or companionship that leads to inflated bills or theft.
How to avoid it: Ignore touts and stay in well-known venues.
Safety
- Crime levels are low; pickpocketing and petty theft happen in crowds and casinos.
- Using Uber-style unlicensed rides is illegal and can lead to fines for passengers too.
- Typhoon season runs roughly May to November; follow official warnings, as ferries and bridges may close.
- Drug penalties are severe, including prison for possession.
- Do not photograph military installations; national security laws are broad.
- Spend leftover patacas before leaving, since they are hard to exchange elsewhere.
How widely English is spoken
Most front-line tourism and casino staff speak English. Taxi drivers rarely do; have your destination written in Chinese. Portuguese is official but little spoken.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Macao, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Macau
- Macao Government Tourism Office: Emergency numbers
- Macao Government Tourism Office: Travel tips
- Macao News: Why doesn't Macao have Uber or Didi?
- Macao News: Macao's taxi problem
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.