Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Macau or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
Taxis in Macao aren’t modern in the sense of card acceptance. They all wanted cash when I visited, and when I mentioned card, they waved me off. Hong Kong dollars are fine, but local patacas are better for smaller fares. Don’t rely on an app like you might in other parts of Asia-it won’t process the payment digitally. It’s pretty straightforward once you know: have cash ready, agree on the route if you can, and you’ll be fine.
When I was in Macao, I had to use cash every time for taxis. Drivers didn’t take cards, and they weren’t interested in using apps for payment either. Some hotels can arrange cars you pay by card, but that’s more like a private hire service. For regular taxis, it’s strictly cash. One tip: carry smaller notes because drivers don’t always have change, especially for bigger bills. Also, both Macanese pataca and Hong Kong dollars are accepted, so either currency works.
Honestly, Macau taxis run on cash. It surprised me because Macau feels modern with casinos and resorts, but taxi payment hasn’t caught up. None of the drivers I met had a card reader. Even if you try apps, you’ll still hand over cash at the end. Hong Kong dollars were accepted just as easily as patacas, so I kept both on me. Don’t expect to ride cashless in taxis here-carry notes and coins for smooth travel.
Macau taxis are almost entirely cash-based. I didn’t find any drivers who accepted cards, and when I asked, they just shook their heads. Apps aren’t reliable either-the taxi apps sometimes show bookings, but you still pay in cash when you arrive. The good news is fares aren’t very high, so carrying some patacas or even Hong Kong dollars works fine. Don’t expect card machines inside cabs like in Hong Kong. If you want hassle-free rides, cash is the way to go.