Asia's casino capital is cheaper than it looks.
Most people know Macau from headlines about casinos the size of small towns. What fewer realise is that beneath the neon, it's a UNESCO World Heritage city with cobblestone squares, Portuguese egg tarts, and meals that cost less than a Pret sandwich. And for £332 return from London Gatwick, it's within reach this autumn.
The deal
- From: London Gatwick
- To: Macau
- Airline: China Eastern and others
- Stops: 1 to 2 stops
- Price: £332 to £399 return
- When: October/November 2026
Example dates:
27/10/2026 – 23/11/2026
30/10/2026 – 10/11/2026
02/11/2026 – 19/11/2026
04/11/2026 – 19/11/2026
09/11/2026 – 18/11/2026
11/11/2026 – 25/11/2026
How far does your money go?
Macau is cheaper than you'd expect from a place synonymous with billion-pound casinos. A full meal at a local restaurant runs around £4. A Portuguese egg tart, the city's most famous snack, costs about 50p. Even a Starbucks latte is £3.80, cheaper than most London high streets. The resorts are lavish, but the streets are very affordable.
The weather
October brings warm, sunny days with highs of 29°C and low humidity as the monsoon clears. By November, temperatures ease to a comfortable 24°C, ideal for walking the heritage districts without breaking a sweat. Expect only 6 to 8 rainy days across either month.
Where to stay
From cobblestone charm to Cotai Strip spectacle, Macau covers every budget.
Hotel Central · 9.5/10 · From £83/night Right in the historic heart of the city, well-located for walking the UNESCO sites and catching the free casino shuttle buses.
Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau · 9.1/10 · From £87/night A low-rise colonial-style resort with a heated outdoor pool and spa, a rare breathing space in a city of mega-towers.
Conrad Macao · 9.4/10 · From £105/night Inside The Londoner Macao on the Cotai Strip, with four restaurants, a spa, and rooms with pool or city views. The name feels apt for a London traveller.
What to do
Macau mixes Portuguese colonial history with the world's biggest casino industry. The result is unlike anywhere else.
Ruins of St Paul: The iconic 17th-century cathedral facade is Macau's defining image. The surrounding old town is entirely walkable and free.
Macau Tower skywalk or bungee: At 233 metres, this is the world's highest commercial bungee jump. The skywalk alone is enough to make your legs go.
Coloane Village: The quieter southern island where Macau's best egg tarts come from, alongside African chicken and tiled café terraces that look distinctly Lisbon-ish.
The Venetian Macao: The world's largest casino by floor space. You don't need to gamble to enjoy it. The sheer scale of the place is worth a few hours of wandering.
Where to go from here
Macau sits at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta, one of Asia's most connected corners.
Hong Kong: 1 hour by high-speed ferry, or 40 minutes across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. A completely different city worth a few extra days.
Zhuhai: 10 minutes by ferry across the border into mainland China. Known for its seafood markets and quieter pace.
Guangzhou: China's third-largest city, accessible by train from Zhuhai. A full-on Chinese metropolis with some of the country's best dim sum.
Shenzhen: Tech capital of China, about 90 minutes by ferry. Worth a day if you're curious about modern China at its most relentless.
Autumn is Macau's best season, and £332 won't be the price for long. Check dates and lock one in.
Get every flight deal we find, on your favourite app.
Pick how you want to hear from us — or all three. Free, no spam.
