Three light rapid transit lines serve residents and tourists in Macau now: Taipa Line, Seac Pai Van Line, and Hengqin Line, stretching 16.3 kilometers (10.1 miles) in total with 15 stations. They not only link traditional tourist areas in central Taipa like Rua do Cunha and casinos at Cotai Strip, but also lead to transportation junctions of the city including Macau International Airport, Taipa Ferry Terminal, and Hengqin Checkpoint, a gateway between Macau and Zhuhai in Chinese Mainland. Meanwhile, the light rapid transit system extends to Barra on Macao Peninsula and Seac Pai Van of Coloane.
Each light rail train accommodates 200 to 400 passengers with 2 - 4 carriages. It’s usually not busy on either working days or weekends; only during large-scale events such as concerts will the carriages be crowded. The announcements inside the train and on the platforms are made in Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese and English, offering convenience to international tourists.
Macao Light Rapid Transit also serves as a sightseeing tool: most sections are built on elevated bridges outdoor, and only a few sections of the whole route are underground; plus, large glass windows at the beginning and tail of the train allow passengers to appreciate the scenery to the fullest during the ride. For example, on Taipa Line, you can catch distant panoramic views of those famous casinos like Venetia, Parisian, Wynn Palace, and Galaxy, and appreciate the dazzling night scene of Cotai Strip.
3 Lines in Operation
Taipa Line
It’s the most frequently used line by tourists. The 12.5-km-long (7.8-mi) Taipa Line connects 12 stations in Taipa, including the popular resorts cluster and classic food attractions, and leads to Barra in Macao Peninsula where historical sites gather via a river-crossing tunnel. The train departs every 5 – 10.5 minutes and takes about 28 minutes to finish a one-way journey.
Route: Barra - Ocean - Jockey Club - Stadium - Pai Kok - Cotai West - Lotus - Union Hospital - East Asian Games - Cotai East - MUST - Airport - Taipa Ferry Terminal
Note: The light rail cannot reach core attractions on Macau Peninsula such as Ruins of St. Paul’s and Fisherman’s Wharf. Tourists need to transfer to a city bus after getting off the train at Barra station.
Hengqin Line
It is the best choice for travelers entering Macao from Zhuhai via Hengqin Port. Only 2 stations, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) apart, are set on the route. Passengers get on the light rail train at Hengqin station and reach Lotus in 2 minutes, where you can transfer to Taipa Line for popular destinations. The departing interval is 6 minutes.
Seac Pai Van Line
Starting in Seac Pai Wan, this line joins Taipa Line at Union Hospital. It stretches 1.6 km (1 mi) with only these 2 stations. The train departs at a 6-minute interval, and a one-way journey takes 2 minutes.
In addition, East Line is under construction, with 6 stations extending approximately 7.7 km (4.8 mi) from Taipa Ferry Terminal on Taipa Line to the northern part of Macau Peninsula.
Service Hours
Monday to Thursday: 06:30 - 23:15
Friday to Sunday & Public Holidays: 06:30 - 23:59
Ticket Fare
Macau light rail transit charges based on the number of stations covered by the journey: MOP 6 - 12 for a single trip.
Notes：
1. Passengers who take the light rail with a Macau Pass enjoy 50% off on ticket price.
2. Children under 1 meter (3.3 feet) ride for free.
3. Passengers need to complete a single journey by light rail within 60 minutes, counted from the moment you enter the gate till you exit; otherwise, you will be required to pay an additional one-way ticket.
How to Pay for the LRT
1. Buy a single-journey ticket at the service counter with MOP, HKD or RMB cash, credit card, Alipay or WeChat.
2. Or purchase a ticket from the self-service machine. To note that only MOP cash is accepted.
3. Or spend MOP 30 to get a Macau Pass from the LRT service center or vending machine, and tap to enter after recharging it. The pass can also be used to take the city bus and consume at some convenience stores, suitable for tourists staying in Macau for over 3 days. The card purchase fee of MOP 30 is non-refundable.
Note: Macao Light Rail is upgrading its ticket gates now. Soon, passengers can take the light rail with the transit code on Alipay or WeChat, just like in cities of Chinese mainland. However, they still do not support Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, etc.
Tips on Taking the LRT
1. Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the carriage and on the platform, which will incur a fine.
2. Carriages of the light rail train are not interconnected with each other. To fully admire the scenery, it’s recommended to use the first or last carriage.
3. Every carriage is equipped with racks for large-sized baggage.
