The 8 Best Day Trips from Hong Kong: Tested + Ranked

The Best Day Trips from Hong Kong 2026: 8 Tested Itineraries

Best day trips from Hong Kong: Macau’s Portuguese heritage + Shenzhen (mainland China) shopping + Lantau Island Big Buddha + Lamma Island seafood + Cheung Chau beaches.

Quick Summary

Best day trips from Hong Kong: Macau’s Portuguese heritage + Shenzhen (mainland China) shopping + Lantau Island Big Buddha + Lamma Island seafood + Cheung Chau beaches.

Top 8 Day Trips from Hong Kong

1Macau

Distance: 1 hr ferryDuration: Full day

Portuguese colonial heritage + Venetian + Ruins of St. Paul + egg tarts + casinos.

How to get there: TurboJet ferry from Sheung Wan, 55 min, HKD 175 RT. Passport required.

2Lantau Island + Big Buddha

Distance: 40 minDuration: Full day

Tian Tan Buddha (34m bronze) + Po Lin Monastery + Ngong Ping Cable Car + Tai O fishing village.

How to get there: MTR to Tung Chung, then 25-min Ngong Ping Cable Car. HKD 235 cable car.

3Shenzhen (mainland China)

Distance: 45 minDuration: Full day

Cross to mainland China — Window of the World + Splendid China + tech district + cheap massages.

How to get there: MTR East Rail to Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau. Chinese visa required (or 144-hr transit visa).

4Lamma Island

Distance: 25 min ferryDuration: Half day

Quiet car-free island — Sok Kwu Wan seafood village + family-friendly hikes + Yung Shue Wan vibe.

How to get there: Ferry from Central Pier 4, 25 min, HKD 25 RT.

5Cheung Chau Island

Distance: 35 min ferryDuration: Half day

Dumbbell-shaped island + Bun Festival (May) + Cheung Po Tsai cave + beach + seafood.

How to get there: Ferry from Central Pier 5, 35 min, HKD 30 RT.

6Sai Kung + Hong Kong Geopark

Distance: 45 minDuration: Full day

UNESCO Geopark hexagonal columns + Sai Kung seafood + Tai Long Wan beach hikes.

How to get there: MTR to Choi Hung, then bus 92 or minibus 1A.

7Tai O Fishing Village

Distance: 1 hr 30Duration: Half day

Stilt houses + pink dolphin spotting + dried seafood markets + old-world Hong Kong.

How to get there: MTR to Tung Chung + bus 11 to Tai O.

8Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village

Distance: 30 minDuration: Half day

Pick fresh seafood + walk it to cooking restaurant + waterfront sunset views.

How to get there: MTR to Yau Tong, then 10-min walk.

Planning more of Hong Kong? See our 3-day Hong Kong itinerary, Hong Kong travel guide, the destinations index, or our Ultimate Bucket List.

Hong Kong Day Trips FAQ

What is the best day trip from Hong Kong?

Macau (1 hr ferry) for Portuguese colonial heritage + Venetian + egg tarts. Or Lantau Island for Big Buddha + Po Lin Monastery (no passport needed).

Do you need a visa to visit Macau from Hong Kong?

Most nationalities — no visa required for both Macau + Hong Kong (separate immigration). Just bring passport.

Can you visit mainland China from Hong Kong?

Yes — Shenzhen via MTR (45 min). Requires Chinese visa OR 144-hour transit visa if continuing to a third country.

Is Lantau Island worth a day trip?

Absolutely — Big Buddha + Ngong Ping Cable Car + Tai O fishing village + Disneyland all on Lantau. Full-day adventure.