How To Go To Kuching?

Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is primarily accessible by air and overland routes. The main gateway is Kuching International Airport (KCH), which receives direct flights from major Malaysian cities including Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu, as well as international destinations like Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok.

For domestic travelers, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly, and MYAirline operate regular services from KLIA and KLIA2. Flight time from Kuala Lumpur is approximately 2.5 hours.

Overland options include:

• Long-distance express buses connect Kuching with other towns and cities within Sarawak, such as Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri. However, there are no direct bus services from Peninsular Malaysia due to the separation by the South China Sea.
• Self-driving is possible within Borneo via the Pan Borneo Highway, which links Kuching to other Sarawak towns and further east to Sabah and Brunei. It is not possible to drive directly from Peninsular Malaysia.
• Riverboats and coastal ferries operate in certain parts of Sarawak, but long-distance travel to Kuching is usually done by road rather than ferry. From Sibu and other towns, express buses are the most common option.

Once in Kuching, the airport is 11km from the city center, accessible via:

• Airport shuttle buses (30-45 minutes)
• Taxis and e-hailing services like Grab (20-30 minutes)
• Car rental services available at the terminal

The city center, especially the historic waterfront area, is compact and walkable. Many hotels in the central area are within walking distance, though travelers staying in the suburbs will need transport.