Passengers can generally book ferry tickets anywhere from a few weeks up to several months in advance, depending primarily on the specific operator, the route distance, and seasonality. For major high-speed international cross-border routes, such as those connecting Hong Kong to Macau or mainland China, ticket sales typically open online roughly 30 days prior to departure, though special holiday schedules or major tourist periods may open earlier. For local commuter or outlying island ferries, advance booking is usually unnecessary since tickets or contactless payment tokens are handled directly on the day of travel.