Kuching Transportation

It's pretty similar to Harbour Cruise, but it's a smaller boat imported from US. If you want to have a lil bit of privacy, and not having too many people on board at the same time. Then this will be the best choice.

This cruise will also be divided to two cruises a day - Morning Cruise and Sunset Cruise. And both cruises last approximately 2 hours and you'll have a close-up view of fascinating sights and life on and around the river. The Morning Cruise will starts at 9:00pm and the Sunset Cruise will be at 5:00pm. The fare for an adult is RM40 per person whereas the children will be RM20 per person. They also offer special rates for groups and private charters.

I left Kuching on an express boat to Sibu. First you have to get to the Express ferry terminal which is located at Pending, about 6-7km from the city centre. We decided to take a taxi there which cost RM20. Boats leave at 8.30am and the trip takes about 5 hours. You'll pass by some heavy industry along the Sarawak River before you head across the South China sea to the mouth of the Rejang River. On the way up the Rejang you'll pass lots of logging ports and saw mills plus see piles of logs along the banks and barges pulling piles of them along the river. The boat cost me RM45 in March 2009.

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In order to get to Bako National Park from Kuching, you first need to take Petra Jaya bus No.6 from the open air market along Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang in Kuching to Bako Bazaar in Kampung Bako. The bus ride takes about 45 minutes and costs RM2. You then have to pay the RM10 park entrance fee before you get on a boat that takes you to the park HQ. The boat costs about RM10 each but our boat ran aground on the way due to low tide and so we had to paddle knee deep in water on the mud flats maybe 200m to the shoreline and then walk a kilometre to the park HQ! Remember the last bus back to Kuching is at 5pm.

It's possible to cross the river using ferry sampans called tambang in order to visit Fort Margherita. They about RM0.50-RM1 depending, really on either how much they ask or what loose change you have on you at the time.

The Sampan has walls and a pitched roof and is a cheap, quick and easy way to cross the River in Kuching. We used it a few times.
You clamber onto the boat, and if a Westerner, probably sit on the plank seat, fairly hunched, as these boats are made for smaller Asian people.

Sometimes, the small boat engine is used, then it is switched off, and the boatman will propel the boat in the right direction (and with the help of the current) to the landing jetty on the other side.
On reaching the other side, deposit the fare ($1 in our case) in a dish before alighting on the Bank.

Bako National Park can be reached by many different ways of transport.

1 ......... You can go there on a tour, these are reasonably priced and are fully inclusive, so you just sit back and relax... there is trekking included..... and enjoy your day at the Park.

2........ Catch Petra Jaya Bus No. 6 from the bus terminal at Kg Masjid in Kuching. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

3.......Take a Taxi, this is the most expensive way.

All of these take you to the Pier at Bako village, where the National Parks Boat Ticketing Counter is...... this is where you pay the Park Entrance fee, and then board a Boat which will take you to the park

You can charter your own boat. They hold 6 people, so it is cheaper for you to have it full!
Remember to arrange a pick up time with the Boatman for your return trip back to Bako Village.

On arrival at Kuching airport we went to the Tourist Information to enquire about taxi to the city. They sold us a taxi voucher, I think around RM30 and then took us to a taxi. We thought the driver looked puzzled but he said nothing.

On our departure our hotel called a taxi, the fare was RM 8 cheaper.

Recommend you bypass the airport info centre and go direct to taxi stand outside the airport arrival hall.

We have flown Jetstar 5 or 6 times now and always had a good flight, discount fares and I would not have any worries flying with them on any flight up to 10 hours. On intenational flights we pay the $60 per seat to obtain emergency exit seats which have additional leg room.

In 2008 we flew Perth to London, a 20 hour flight with a full sevice Asian airline on a full price economy ticket. Jetstar exit seats provide significantly more leg room, however the seats are rigid.

Our Jetstar flight Singapore to Kuching return for 2 persons was Sg$159 inclusive of all taxes and charges. We did not need exit seats for this flight.

Our Perth/ Singapore flight (5 hours) was Au $159 including taxes per person one way. We paid $60 additional for Emergency Exit Seats. Should you require a meal you must purchase on board.