Macau
A Portuguese-Chinese port turned into the world's biggest casino town.
Slightly cheaper. The exchange rate moved +0.9%; local prices rose +1.6%.
- Lean
- $66
- Comfort
- $387
Ranked 100 of 123.
The short answerIn US dollars, as of November 12, 2026
Macau: 2.8% cheaper for US-dollar travelers than a year ago, after adjusting for inflation. A mid-range day costs about $153 per person, excluding international flights. The US State Department advisory is Level 3 (reconsider travel). It ranks 100 of 123 on the Trip Arbitrage Index, with a score of 50 out of 100.
What your money buys there
30 monthsThe dashed line is what a currency converter shows. The solid line is the same thing after prices in both countries are taken into account. When they part, the solid one is telling the truth.
How the score is built
- Dislocation ×0.36
- 62
- Price floor ×0.30
- 23
- Safety ×0.20
- 38
- Ease ×0.14
- 95
Real price drop vs last year and vs the five-year norm
How low the daily cost is in absolute terms
From the current travel advisory
How well set up the country is for visitors
The full reading
| Real change, 3 months | +0.4% | Is the move still going, or already reversing? |
|---|---|---|
| Real change, 12 months | +2.8% | The headline: what your money buys versus a year ago. |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +0.9% | What a currency converter would tell you. |
| Local inflation, 12 months | +1.6% | How much of that the destination's own prices took back. |
| Versus five-year average | +10.2% | Cheap or dear against its own recent history. |
| Advisory | Level 3 | Reconsider travel |
| Ease of travel | 4.8 / 5 | Effortless |
- The old town's churches and squares
- Egg tarts and Macanese cooking
- Luxury hotel rooms at midweek discounts
Weekend and holiday hotel rates double or more. Outside the historic center and the casinos there is not much to do.
The pataca is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar.
When to go
November is peak season- Janshoulder season
- Febshoulder season
- Marpeak season
- Aprpeak season
- Mayshoulder season
- Junoff season
- Juloff season
- Augoff season
- Sepoff season
- Octpeak season
- Novpeak season
- Decpeak season
Safety and ease
- US State Department
- Level 3: Reconsider travel · updated September 3, 2026
- Read the full advisory ↗
- Advisories are often regional. A country-wide level can hide both safe areas and no-go zones, and other governments may judge differently.
- Tourism infrastructure
- Effortless · 4.8 / 5
Cities in Macau
- Macau$153a day
Head to head
- Macau vs Japan$131a day there
- Macau vs South Korea$140a day there
- Macau vs Hong Kong$164a day there
Booking a trip: Macau
Partner links- FlightsKiwi.com ↗Compare fares across airlines, including the low-cost carriers that booking sites often leave out.
- Places to stayBooking.com ↗Hotels, guesthouses and apartments, most with free cancellation.
- Mobile dataAiralo ↗An eSIM you install before you land, usually far cheaper than roaming.
- Travel medical insuranceSafetyWing ↗Worth having here: serious care may mean evacuation to another country.
- Spending moneyWise ↗A multi-currency card that converts at the mid-market rate, the one this index uses.
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide ↗Day trips, guides and entry tickets, bookable ahead with free cancellation on most.
These go to outside companies we think are useful for this trip. Nothing here affects a score or a ranking. How we make money
Macau, in five questions
Answers are generated from the index reading of November 12, 2026, in US dollars. To cite: “Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026.”
- How much does it cost per day to travel in Macau?
- As of November 12, 2026, a day in Macau costs about $66 on a lean budget, $153 mid-range and $387 in comfort, per person, excluding international flights. These are modeled estimates, updated daily for local inflation and the exchange rate.
- Is Macau cheaper to visit than a year ago?
- Yes. Over the past 12 months the exchange rate moved +0.9% for US-dollar holders while prices in Macau rose +1.6%, a net real change of +2.8% in purchasing power. Against its own five-year average, Macau is 10.2% cheaper.
- Is Macau safe to travel to right now?
- The US State Department rates Macau at Level 3: Reconsider travel. Weekend and holiday hotel rates double or more. Outside the historic center and the casinos there is not much to do. Advisories are often regional and other governments may differ, so read the full advisory before booking.
- When is the cheapest time to visit Macau?
- The shoulder months, when the weather is workable and prices ease, are: January, February, May. The best conditions, and the highest prices, come in: October, November, December, March, April. Right now (November) is peak season.
- How easy is Macau to travel around?
- Macau scores 4.8 out of 5 for ease of travel (effortless), a measure of transport, lodging, payments, wayfinding and access to healthcare. A Portuguese-Chinese port turned into the world's biggest casino town.
Elsewhere in East Asia
Reading of November 12, 2026. In US dollars, Macau reads +2.8% over twelve months in real terms with a mid-range day near $153. Costs are modeled, not quoted: see the method.