Question

Asked by Max from usa | Jun. 21, 2023 04:09

About:240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong

Visa-free transit in Guangdong // must pre-purchase onward ticket?

We fly into CAN from TPE and would like to go to Zhuhai and Macau. I originally thought we'd be able to simply walk across the border as we've done many times, but I am now seeing that we'd need an onward ticket and so a pre-purchased ferry would be the only option. And since our goal is to get to Macau, does that mean we would need to ferry over to Shenzhen or HK first and then ferry to Macau? There are no options to ferry to Macau from Zhuhai, Zhongshan or even Guangzhou.

Thanks!

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Answers (5)

Answered by Borut | Jun. 21, 2023 09:26

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Yes, you will absolutely need a pre-purchased ticket and such a ticket does not have an alternative. Also, you will have to print out the ticket and have it with you. Also, you will have to take exactly that ferry you have bought that pre-purchased ticket.

Unfortunately, you cannot just walk across the border because you have to prove that you will be really in a transit. This is easy for those taking flights, but for those exiting in other ways, a pre-purchased ticket is a must.

Since you will fly from Taipei to Guangzhou, you can exit to both Hong Kong or Macau by taking a ferry. You have a ferry from Nansha to Hong Kong, but not for Macau. The closest and also eligible port for a ferry to Macau is Shekou port in Shenzhen. You are definitely allowed to take a direct ferry from Shekou port to Macau. You do not have to travel via Hong Kong at all.

In my opinion, since Macau is your destination, the best option is to take exactly that direct ferry from Shekou port in Shenzhen to Macau.

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Answered by Max | Jun. 21, 2023 18:32

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Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Would a pre-purchased bus ticket work? The problem with Shekou in Shenzhen is that, well, it's in Shenzhen and we are trying to travel from Zhuhai that would require ferrying across to Shenzhen and then back to Macau. If this is the only option then it's the only option, but just trying to sort through every possibility, thanks.

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Answered by Borut | Jun. 22, 2023 01:36

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The main problem with bus option is in the fact that it does not, actually, cross the border or in other words, it cannot be considered as a through bus that really, physically connects the area of mainland China and the area of Macau. Those buses stop at Gongbei border crossing.

There are some really direct buses operating between resorts in Macau Cotai area toward Zhuhai airport and vice versa, but you cannot obtain a ticket in advance for this option, so this is not a way how you could enter Macau in eligible way.

In reality, the main problem is in the fact that the ferries between Zhuhai and Macau were discontinued because they were so practical for this purpose.

To conclude, you will really have to ferry from Zhuhai to Shekou and then from Shekou to Macau because this is the only way how you can have a ticket for Macau in your hands to fulfill the requirements asked by 144 hour visa free transit scheme.

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Answered by Max | Jun. 22, 2023 05:00

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Thanks again for your reply! So we did find a prepaid bus ticket available for purchase that goes from Zhongshan all the way to several drop-off points inside Macau. We have the advantage of having lots of family in the area who were able to tell us about this relatively new service. They also helped us to make the purchase, which is hard to do without Chinese payment accounts.

We will see what happens and I'll report back! The bus tickets have our names on them (but do not show our passport numbers, although we had to include them when purchasing)

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Answered by Borut | Jun. 22, 2023 15:50

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In any case, I can just congratulate you and I am glad you have found a solution. Please, just keep in mind that you will have to print out those tickets and have them with you.

You will be fine with this option, but I would be really happy if you could provide a feedback on this matter. Thank you and have a nice trip :)

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