How do I get home from Shenzhen to Macao after midnight?

Every night, Shenzhen undergoes a dramatic transformation from a tech and work hub into a glowing metropolis bustling with late night activities. The city’s vibrant nightlife is on full display across a range of venues, including Coco Park, Oil Club and award-winning establishments such as MO Bar Shenzhen and Obsidian Bar. 

For Macao residents, the best part is all of these nocturnal activities are only about one hour away by ferry, two or so hours by high-speed rail or car, and roughly three hours by bus. The only major problem is if you plan to make a late-night return journey to the SAR, as most public transport options don’t offer overnight services. 

For instance, the last Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port ferry from Shenzhen’s Shekou Port to Macao’s Taipa Ferry Terminal departs at 9 pm, as of writing. Meanwhile, the final direct high-speed rail from Shenzhen North Station to Zhuhai Station, where you can cross the border back to Macao, runs at 6:18 pm. 

If you can’t board the final bus, ferry or train back to Macao, don’t fret. There are still several transport options available that will get you back home. Read on for a quick rundown of  the transport methods, as well as a detailed description of each one. 

Quick breakdown of transport from Shenzhen to Macao: 

DiDi (fast, moderately priced and reliable)

DiDi is the most popular ride-hailing service in China and can be a lifesaver when late-night public transport options are unavailable. It offers 24-7 service and can be accessed via the standalone Didi app on iOS or Android, or as an integrated “mini app” within super apps such as Alipay or WeChat. 

Regardless of which version you use, the booking procedure for a Didi remains the same. Open the app, which will automatically detect your current location. Alternatively, key in your pickup position or drag the pointer to where you want to be picked up. 

Afterward, input your drop off point and pick the type of ridehailing service you would like. Keep in mind that DiDi vehicles cannot cross the border into Macao. This means you’ll need to input one of the land checkpoints connected to Macao as your destination. They include Gongbei Port, Qingmao Port and Hengqin Port.

Take note that Gongbei Port closes at 1 am, while Qingmao and Hengqin ports are open 24-hours. As well, the Qingmao Port is not open to foreign passport holders. 

Typical DiDi service choices include DiDi Express (DiDi Kuai Che) and DiDi intercity carpooling (Didi Chengji Shunfengche). DiDi Express is the faster and more expensive service, offering a standard ridehailing experience akin to an online taxi. 

[See more: A 24-hour travel guide to Shenzhen, the Greater Bay Area’s design city]

Meanwhile, DiDi carpooling is a slower, but much cheaper service that matches you with a driver or rider who is travelling in the same direction as you. It requires advanced booking. Depending on the time of day, it may not be able to provide you with immediate service.

For reference, a DiDi Express trip from Shenzhen’s Huaqiang Electronics World to the Qingmao Port costs between 300 to 399 yuan, as of 14 August 2026 (early morning). By contrast, a DiDi intercity carpooling ride is priced from around 142 yuan. A 114 yuan expressway and bridge toll is also added on top of the prices mentioned. Be aware that prices are liable to change due to dynamic pricing and the time of day. 

Taxi (fast, but expensive and not always available)

Taking a taxi from Shenzhen to Zhuhai is another option. The only caveat is that not many taxi drivers are willing to carry out such an intercity trip due to the significant amount of time it takes and the fact that they are unlikely to find a passenger for the return trip. For drivers that are willing to transport you, they will very likely request a set price or additional payments on top of the meter price to help make up for the additional cost. 

Keep in mind that taxis can only take you to the land checkpoint in Zhuhai, meaning you will still be required to physically cross to Macao on foot. Take note of the land checkpoint opening hours and restrictions mentioned in the DiDi section. 

Depending on which part of Shenzhen you depart from, you can expect to pay a minimum of around 540 yuan for a one-way trip to Zhuhai between 11:00 pm and 6 am, the following day. Much like DiDi, you can also expect to pay for any tolls that come with intercity travel. 

In practice, drivers may ask for additional payment outside of the metered fare to recoup the extra time and effort spent on an intercity trip. 

Chartered car (fast, expensive and reliable) 

Chartered cars are a comfortable and highly personalised way to travel back to Macao. The downside is they can be quite costly, requiring booking at least a day in advance. 

For non-Chinese speakers, you can find various cross-border chartered car services on Trip.com. For example, Zhuhai Sunny Tour (珠海阳光), which has a score of 4.9 out of 5, offers service from Shenzhen to Macao for around US$252, as of 14 August 2026. 

Alternatively, there is also DelightCar, a professional car service in Asia that operates across Asia. Based in Tianjin, the company serves as a platform that allows customers to book with local charter car service providers. Prices vary depending on the pickup point, number of people and pickup time. For a quote, visit DelightCar’s website. 

Do note that not all of these companies offer English-speaking customer service or English-speaking drivers. In some cases, you may have to use a translation app. Also be sure to confirm when booking whether or not the driver is transporting you directly to Macao or just the Zhuhai checkpoints.

As well, a late-night service surcharge also applies. For instance, Zhuhai Sunny Tour charges an overnight levy of 200 yuan when journeys take place between 12 am and 5 am.

Go to Hong Kong, then take the 24-hour HZMB bus to Macao (slow, but cheap and reliable)

If you want to return to Macao without putting a dent in your wallet, look no further than the “golden buses” –  cross-boundary shuttles that run between the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge’s (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and Macao/Zhuhai Ports. 

Service runs 24/7, with late night buses scheduled every 15 to 30 minutes between 12 am and 5:59 am. A one-way nighttime ticket from Hong Kong to Macao will cost you HK$70. 

The major disadvantage with this option is that it is time-consuming. To catch the HZMB shuttle, you must first cross the border from Shenzhen to Hong Kong. 

In theory, the best port to use is the Shenzhen Bay Port in Nanshan District, as this is geographically the closest land checkpoint to the HZMB Hong Kong Port. The only problem is the Shenzhen Bay Port closes at 12 am. As a result, your only recourse is to use the 24-hour Huanggang Port, which is currently in the process of a transition to a new venue that is widely expected to open as early as September 2026.  

 To make your way to the Huanggang Port, take a bus, metro or DiDi. Keep in mind that Shenzhen metro lines typically cease operation around 11:00 pm to 12 am. The same goes for buses, which normally end service between 9 pm and 12 am, depending on the route.

Once you cross the Huanggang Port to Hong Kong, you can make your way directly to the HZMB Hong Kong Port by taxi, Uber or bus.  

For those catching the bus, first take the late-night N44B green minibus from the Hong Kong side of the Huanggang Port to Tuen Mun Town Centre/Tuen Mun station. Afterward, walk to the Tuen Yan Street Tuen Mun stop to catch the NA36, which will directly take you to the HZMB Hong Kong Port (HZMB Passenger Clearance Building). Be mindful that the NA36 service to the port only runs hourly between 12:15 am to 3:15 am. 

Once you arrive at the HZMB Hong Kong Port, simply purchase your ticket using the vending machines or in person and cross the border to make your way to the golden bus.