3. Mainland/Macao connection via the SkyPier Terminal Ferry Service

After following the sign towards Mainland/Macao for about 5-10 minutes, you’ll arrive at an open waiting area with couches. There’s also a dark blue sign labelling the area as “E2”, which is where the transfer desks are for both flights and ferries.

In this area, you’ll also see a green lightbox next to a row of transfer desks, labelled “SkyPier Terminal Ferry Service” in both English and Traditional Chinese.

The transfer desks next to the green panel are where you’ll line up to get your ferry tickets to Shekou. There’s a queue for Macao as well as one servicing ferries to the Chinese Mainland. For the correct queue, look for the sign labelled “Shenzhen Shekou” 深圳蛇口, and just join that line.

To expedite the process, make sure you have the following documents on hand: your travel documents, flight ticket and baggage tag (sometimes attached to your boarding pass). For your reference, the monitors above the desks will list the upcoming ferry routes and scheduled departure times.

When you get to the counter, the ferry operator will ask you where you’re going and how many pieces of checked baggage you have. One piece of baggage is free of charge – any more will incur an additional cost. Here, you’ll hand over your baggage tag so the airport staff can help transfer your bags directly to your destination.

If you bought a combined flight and ferry ticket, you don’t need to purchase another ticket here – the operator will simply print your ferry pass for you.

If you need to purchase a ferry ticket, the operator will let you know when the next available ferries to Shekou are, and if you’re happy to proceed they’ll confirm the ticket price with you. Cash, credit card and WeChat Pay are all accepted as payment methods, which will be made in HKD.

Once you have your ticket, the operator will tell you what time you should arrive at the departing gate in the SkyPier and point you in the right direction.

An important note (also outlined on signs throughout the queue): you can only do same-day transfers – that is, the same day listed on your flight ticket. This is to ensure that your bags can be smoothly transferred from the plane to the ferry and onwards to your destination.

You can check here for a full list of scheduled ferries and fares to Shekou beforehand. The last ferry departs at 9.15pm, meaning the latest you should arrive at the ferry transfer desk to hand over your baggage tag and purchase your ticket is 8.15pm.