How to travel by bus from Zhuhai to Hong Kong International Airport

An engineering marvel that extends 55 kilometres, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge opened to great fanfare in late 2018. It’s perhaps the most visible example of the growing infrastructure network that is making it easier for Greater Bay Area residents to access  Hong Kong International Airport  (HKIA) – and take advantage of  Cathay Pacific’s service to destinations around the world. Adventurous Zhuhai locals are among the beneficiaries since the city’s airport only services domestic destinations.

On a clear day, it almost feels as if you could reach out across the Pearl River estuary from Zhuhai and touch Hong Kong. To make the crossing, you can take a bus along the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge and transfer to another at the Hong Kong end. Read on for my first-person account of the experience. 

How to travel by bus to HKIA

I’ve traversed the US$19 billion bridge that links Hong Kong with Zhuhai and Macao several times and never cease to be amazed. It’s a feat of engineering – three bridges, four islands and an undersea tunnel, all joined up – as well as a work of art and a sightseeing trip all rolled into one.

The bus journey begins at Zhuhai Port, a gargantuan steel-and-glass complex within sight of Macao’s skyscrapers. Once through Security and Immigration (photography expressly prohibited), an escalator leads to ground level. Ticket vending machines only accept WeChat and Alipay, so I bought mine from the main desk. You can pick up a boarding pass at the HKIA Check-in Service counter, but they do not accept luggage. I bypassed the Duty Free shop but did fill up my water bottle at the free dispenser.

The exits for the shuttle bus are clearly marked, and it takes just a couple of minutes to walk (under a canopy cover) to the bus. Both double and single-deckers ply this route: there’s plenty of room for luggage to be stowed in the bottom belly, and the seats are perfectly comfortable given that it’s a 50-minute journey.

Staff members patrol the bus before departure, admonishing laggards who’ve failed to fasten their seat belts. It’s worth getting on board early to find a seat with a good view – the final stretch of the bus ride passes right alongside HKIA’s apron, and I enjoyed watching aircraft taking off and landing.

When the bus arrives at Hong Kong Port, it’s a matter of minutes to go through immigration. The final hop is easy: board the B4 double-decker bus for the 10-minute ride to the passenger terminal. Trolleys are lined up on the pavement, and it is only a short walk to the check-in counters and Security.