Kuching Transportation

Taxis are easily available for travel around Kuching. However, as meter system is not in practice its adviseable to agreed upon the fare with the driver before boarding the taxi. As an indication, travel between Kuching Airport to the city centre will normally cost approx RM20.00

A must try for visitors to Kuching!

Take the boat to cross Sarawak river for visit to the Astana, Orchird Garden and Fort Margaritha (or just for the fun of it). Its only cost RM0.30 per trip (slightly more at nite, RM1.00) and the boat ride is available from early morning till late nite, comes rain or shine.

Most of the attractions in Kuching are within walking distance. However, to go to other places around Kuching (eg Petra Jaya, Bako, Damai Beach, Sentubong etc) there's always the city bus to rely on. The buses connect Kuching with most places of interest in its surrounding.

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The cheapest way to travel to the Sarawak Cultural Village and Damai Beach is by Shuttle Bus. It takes approximately 40 minutes depending on time of day and traffic congestion.

Cost is RM 10 per adult, about Au $4 per adult one way.

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.

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.

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.

Kuching's hotels have banded together to offer a free City Tram service that shuttles around major sights once every hour. Ask for a City Tram sticker and route map from your hotel lobby.
There are the following options, walking, buses, taxi, and car rental. Taxi's don't seem to "drive around" . There is also the unfortunate situation where not all taxi's can go anywhere, a particular taxi only services some roads or parts of town. This makes it hard to just flag a taxi and expect to be taken where you want. Taxis are mostly unmetered, you agree on a price given the destination before getting in! Generally visitors find such unstructured arrangements . They are easily to be seen at all hotels , airport, and taxi station Kuching City. Buses are by far the best option, although most places are walking distance it is far too hot to do so. Most of the buses are not air conditioned so sit beside an open window. Ask for more info before using a bus as sometimes the drivers may seem reluctant to provide any assistance to those who don't know where to go. The fares are cheap though, the air-conditioned buses generally cost a bit more and seem to make up perhaps half the fleet.
TAXIS
Airport to town is RM 17.50 – buy a coupon at the taxi stand at the airport. Town to airport is RM 15. Short distances around town are RM 5-7.

-Green - Sarawak Transport Company (STC)

-Blue - Chin Liang Long Bus Company (CLL)

-Orange - Matang Transport Company (MTC)

-Brown/Red - Bau Bus Company

-White with Red, Yellow and Black stripes - Petra Jaya Bus Company

-Brown/Purple - Regas Transport Company