The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is set to experience a surge in cross-border tourism with the launch of HK Express’s expanded Intermodal Pass service. Starting on 28 November 2025, passengers from Macao can easily travel to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) via a seamless land-sea coach service. This move aims to simplify the travel experience, linking Macao to a range of international destinations and creating a powerful boost for tourism in both regions.

This new service, which opened for booking on 4 November 2025, allows travellers to board a cross-border coach at Macao, taking them over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and directly into the airport. With a swift journey of only 45 minutes, passengers will bypass the typical delays of immigration and customs checks, making the trip smoother and more efficient than ever before.

Strategic Move for Tourism

For tourism, this represents a significant milestone in cross-border mobility. The enhanced connectivity strengthens Macao’s position as a major hub for international tourists while enabling easier access to destinations beyond Hong Kong. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene beaches of Phu Quoc, travellers can now connect with numerous exciting destinations via HK Express.

By linking Macao to Hong Kong’s aviation network, the expansion positions HKIA as a key gateway for tourists from Macao, offering wider travel choices and stimulating outbound tourism. According to the Chief Commercial Officer of HK Express, KK Ong, this expansion fits perfectly into Hong Kong’s broader travel and tourism strategy, which promotes the region’s development as a “Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong” initiative, aimed at making Hong Kong a greater regional gateway.

This service expansion also taps into the strengths of Macao’s tourism infrastructure, with the Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Ltd and HK Airport Direct ensuring a seamless travel experience between land, sea, and air. With the goal of improving regional mobility and enhancing the travel experience, the collaboration exemplifies the growing integration of transportation services across the GBA.

Key Features and Benefits for Travellers

Passengers using the Intermodal Pass will be able to avoid extra baggage fees on the coach portion of their journey, and should they miss a connection, the system automatically rebooks them onto the next available service. Moreover, travellers will not have to pay Hong Kong’s Air Passenger Departure Tax for the coach segment, making the service more cost-effective.

This intermodal system streamlines the travel process, enabling tourists to check in once for both the coach ride and the flight. The integration of land and sea transport also enhances the convenience for those travelling between Macao and Hong Kong. By linking the SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach service, passengers can easily transition from one mode of transport to the next without the hassle of separate immigration or customs procedures.

With access to HK Express’s flight network, passengers will be able to explore destinations like Tokyo, Seoul, and Phu Quoc, making it easier for travellers from Macao to explore the world while also boosting tourism to Hong Kong and beyond.

Broader Regional Impact

The expansion of HK Express’s Intermodal Pass to Macao will have a far-reaching impact on tourism and connectivity across the GBA. The service now covers six major cities in the region: Macao, Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and Dongguan. This integration of transportation options is a huge step forward in strengthening the GBA’s tourism network and will likely encourage further travel across the region.

For tourism stakeholders, this means greater access to international markets, as tourists from Macao can now reach Hong Kong and, from there, a wider range of international flights. The ease of cross-border travel not only improves accessibility but also promotes the GBA as an attractive destination for global travellers. This development is likely to increase both inbound and outbound tourism, benefitting the entire region.

HK Express’s role in facilitating this travel transformation cannot be understated. By tapping into Macao’s population and its growing tourism demand, the airline enhances its competitive edge while helping position Hong Kong as a central hub for the region’s visitors.

What Does This Mean for Tourism

The convenience brought by this new service promises to increase the flow of tourists between Macao, Hong Kong, and destinations across Asia. For Macao, a well-established tourist destination, this new service provides easier access to flights from Hong Kong, which could increase tourist traffic and enrich visitors’ experiences by offering more destination choices.

For Hong Kong, the expansion is a powerful tool for attracting tourists who may have otherwise overlooked the city as a transit point. The new service enhances Hong Kong’s position as a travel hub, especially for tourists coming from Macao, who can now access international flights with greater ease.

The inclusion of flexible features like automatic rebooking and the avoidance of additional taxes further enhance the appeal of this service, making it an attractive option for both leisure and business travellers. Additionally, tourists from Macao can enjoy the seamless connection without the burden of multiple check-ins, baggage handling, and time-consuming customs checks.

What to Watch: Future Considerations

While this move is a promising development, the true success of the service will depend on factors such as the cost-effectiveness, schedule coordination between coaches and flights, and the overall demand from Macao’s travellers. The article did not specify the coach timetable or the exact fare structure, which are key factors in how the service will be received.

In the broader tourism landscape, this initiative could serve as a model for other regions looking to enhance connectivity and ease of travel. The integration of transport modes could become a game-changer for tourism, not just in the GBA, but across global travel hubs.