Which Macau eSIM to pick in 2026: a separate plan or one combined with Hong Kong
Most visitors reach Macau from Hong Kong, so the choice is a separate Macau plan, a combined Hong Kong and Macau plan, or a wider Greater China one. This guide compares them by trip type.
תשובה מהירה
- For a day trip from Hong Kong, a single plan covering both Hong Kong and Macau is usually the easiest, since you do not switch eSIMs on the ferry or bridge.
- Macau's operators are CTM, 3 Macau and China Telecom (Macau). SmarTone has left the Macau mobile market, so older pages that still list SmarTone there are out of date.
- If the trip also continues to mainland China or Taiwan, look at a plan that covers every stop, such as the SIM2Fly China pack covering Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
Where this comparison comes from
This guide is based on each brand's published plans, policies and help pages as of October 2026, not on a test trip. It quotes no prices because they change weekly, so compare the current price for your dates.
This site also sells eSIMs. Our Macau plans use CTM or 3 depending on the plan, so check the plan page.
Macau networks
Mobile operators in Macau are CTM, 3 Macau and China Telecom (Macau). SmarTone announced on 21 August 2024 that it was leaving the Macau mobile market, giving up its 4G licence and not renewing its 3G one, and its users were moved to CTM.
All 3G service in Macau ended on 5 June 2025, and calling needs a VoLTE handset. A data-only eSIM uses 4G, so it is not affected.
Separate, combined with Hong Kong, or Greater China
| אפשרות | הכי מתאים עבור | יתרון | למה לשים לב |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separate Macau plan | Travellers who reach Macau directly, without passing through Hong Kong | The plan page names the CTM or 3 network | חבילות ל־If you go via Hong Kong, you switch eSIMs or buy two |
| Combined Hong Kong and Macau plan | A Hong Kong trip with a day or overnight crossing to Macau | One profile, nothing to change at the crossing | Confirm Macau is on the list, and do not rely on the plan name |
| Greater China plan | Trips that continue to Shenzhen, mainland China or Taiwan | One plan for every stop, for example SIM2Fly China, which includes China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau | SIM2Fly is a separate AIS number, needs Thai ID to register and must be used abroad within 60 days |
Crossing by ferry or bridge
Hong Kong and Macau run separate immigration, so you clear Hong Kong exit and Macau entry on the way over. Near a terminal or the bridge your phone may pick up the other side's signal, so check the carrier name in the status bar after you cross.
- Before boarding, switch data roaming on for the eSIM line
- If data does not come through after crossing, toggle airplane mode briefly or choose the network manually in settings
- Keep your Thai SIM in the phone for bank OTP texts
Day trip versus overnight
A same-day return from Hong Kong uses little data: maps, ferry tickets and photos. A combined Hong Kong plan keeps the setup simple. For one or two nights, read how the plan counts days and daily quota, including whether the crossing day counts as day one.
Brands that can cover Macau
| אפשרות | Plan model | כדאי לדעת |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Country, regional and global packages, mostly data only | Unlimited plans drop to 1 Mbps after 3GB a day |
| Holafly | Sold by days with unlimited data | Top-ups are gone, so a longer stay means buying a new plan |
| Nomad | GB packages, Unlimited plans and Day Plans | Starts on first connection, or activates automatically on day 60 after purchase |
| True GO Travel MyPlan | Pick countries, days and data, on a separate TrueMove H number | No calls or SMS included, and 128 Kbps after the quota |
| esimonline | Sold in baht, QR by email, no app | Data only with no number, self-service refund within 14 days if not installed |
Checklist before you cross to Macau
- Open the plan page and find Macau in the country list, rather than trusting the plan name
- Install the eSIM and switch on data roaming before leaving the hotel, not at the terminal
- Buy ferry or bus tickets and download an offline map of the old town in case signal dips in narrow lanes
- Check when the plan starts counting and how many days remain if you return to Hong Kong afterwards
Narrowing down between brands
When several brands cover Macau equally, decide on the terms that really differ: when the plan starts counting, whether you can top up or must buy again, the refund policy, and the language of support. A short trip with a flexible schedule benefits from a plan that starts counting on first connection.
Distances in Macau are short and the old town can be walked, so data use leans towards maps, chat apps and photo uploads. A large plan is not needed unless the trip continues elsewhere. If you stay several nights and share a hotspot with friends, pick a plan that states its hotspot terms clearly.
שאלות נפוצות
שאלות נפוצות
Do I need a separate eSIM for a one-day Macau trip?+
Not necessarily. If the plan you use in Hong Kong lists Macau in its country list, you can keep using it. If not, choose a plan that names both places before you fly.
Does SmarTone work in Macau?+
SmarTone has left the Macau mobile market and its users moved to CTM. If a plan still says it uses SmarTone in Macau, ask the seller before buying.
Does the 3G shutdown in Macau matter?+
3G ended on 5 June 2025. A phone that supports eSIM already uses 4G, while voice calls need a VoLTE handset.
How early can I buy and install the eSIM?+
It varies by brand. Nomad needs activation within 60 days, while SIM2Fly and GO Travel must be used abroad within 60 days of opening. Do not buy too far ahead, and read the terms of the plan you choose.
About the author
Porsch Kunnipat Siramanakul
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- Digital marketer
- Performance marketing and marketing planning
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