Travel Information for Kuching

PUBLIC SHUTTLE SERVICE KUCHING CITY to DAMAI BEACH and SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE (SCV) Charges : Adult Rm 10.00 each way Child Rm 5.00 each way (6-12 years old)
	Kuching to Damai & SCV		Damai & SCV to Kuching
	Depart From	Depart From	Depart From
	HOLIDAY INN, Kuching	CROWNE PLAZA, Kuching	SCV & HOLIDAY INN RESORT
1	7:30 am	7:35 am	9:10 am
2	9:00 am	9:05 am	11:15 am
3	10:15 am	10:20 am	1:15 pm
4	12:15 pm	12:20 pm	3:15 pm
5	2:15 pm	2:20 pm	5:15 pm
6	4:15 pm	4:20 pm	7:00 pm
7	6:15 pm	6:20 pm	9:00 pm
8	8:15 pm	8:20 pm
9	10:00 pm	10:05 pm
	* above table Yellow highlight suggested departure time for visiting Sarawak Cultural Village CULTURAL SHOW TIME : 1st Show 11:30 am 2nd Show 4:00 am

Air Asia This budget air line fly between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching. Like other budget airlines, prices vary depending on how far in advance you book. As a rough guide, one-way fares typically range between RM 80 and RM 200. Air Asia plans to add more international destinations from Kuching, starting with Macau, Jakarta and Singapore. AirAsia chief executive Datuk Tony Fernandes said the Kuching-Jakarta route was the first on its list of new destinations, to be followed by Kuching-Singapore. Air Asia office : Wisma Ho Ho Lim, Ground Floor, No. 291 Sub Lot 4,Jln Abell. Tel: 283222 Call Centre: 03-76512222. Online booking & enquiries: www.airasia.com. Check out www.airasia.com for the latest prices and any deals.
From KLIA to Kuching By Air Asia Book online via airasia.com
Class (Adult & Child)	One Way	Return
P Fare (Promotional fare)	RM69.99	RM139.98
L Fare	RM94.99	RM189.98
U Fare	RM129.99	RM259.98
T Fare	RM149.99	RM299.98
Q Fare	RM169.99	RM339.98
M Fare	RM179.99	RM359.98
K Fare	RM185.99	RM371.98
H Fare	RM195.99	RM391.98
Y Fare	RM199.99	RM399.98
Airport Tax	RM6.00	RM12.00
Administration Fee	RM5.00	RM10.00
Insurance Surcharge	RM5.00	RM10.00

Airport Information Telephone : 457373/454242.

From Kuala Lumpur to Kuching

There are a direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching
Malaysian Airlines System (MAS), the national carrier, flies daily from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching. More details on MAS daily flights schedule : to www.bookonline-malaysiaairlines.com.my.

Budget (non-frill) flight by Air Asia also flies daily to Kuching. More details: www.airasia.com.my.

Kuching to Sibu by Air
One-way air-fare is about RM80.00. The flight from Kuching to Sibu takes 40 minutes. MAS office can be contacted at the following:

MAS Kuching MAS Sibu
Tel: (082) 246622 Tel: (082) 326166 Fax: (082) 460681

The second airline is a budget (non-frill) flight by Air Asia that flies daily :www.airasia.com.my.

AIR - Malaysia: Regular MAS flights connect Kuching with Bintulu , Johor Baru , Kota Kinabalu , Kuala Lumpur Labuan , Miri , Penang and Sibu . MAS Rural Air Service flies Twin Otters from Kuching to Mukah , and from Sibu and Miri to a host of out-of-the-way destinations. Connections to other destinations are via Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, or Singapore. Malaysia's budget airline,

AIR - International: MAS operates Kuching-Singapore services (RM 286). MAS flies from Kuching to Pontianak (Indonesia) five times weekly, Kuching to Perth twice weekly and Kuching to Sydney twice weekly. Flights from Kuching to Guangzhou and Hong Kong are via Kota Kinabulu. Connections to other destinations are via Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, or Singapore.

Silk Air Operates four flights weekly from Singapore. Batavia Air operates daily flights to Jakarta via Pontianak.

Departure tax is RM 6 (domestic), RM 20 (Within ASEAN) and RM 45 (international). MAS also levy a RM 5 insurance charge and a fuel surcharge ofRM7 (domestic). Fuel surcharges for international flights vary, contact MAS for the latest fees. Air Asia levy a RM 15 fuel surcharge on the KL-Kuching sector. Fares quoted are one way.

Batavia Air. 1 Padungan Arcade, Jalan Song Thian Check. Tel: 244299 Fax: 240266.

Silk Air. 7th Floor, Gateway Kuching, Jalan Bukit Mata. Tel: 256772/256773 Fax: 239773 E-mail: slkkch@streamyx.com. Online booking & enquiries: www.silkair.com.

ROAD:

Malaysia and Brunei jointly built a Trans-Borneo Highway to facilitate travel between the two countries. This highway would link Kuching City to Brunei and Sabah.

The Trans-Borneo highway connects Kuching to all major cites in Sarawak and became the only highway road in Sarawak and this road is along the coast.

In the internal hinterlands of Sarawak and Sabah are just rivers and mud roads used by the loggers and oil palm planter. These mud road are often used by foreign naturalists and scientists as an easy access into the unexplored area to research for rear animal, plants and rear insects such as dragonflies.

Kuching to Sibu by road takes about 5 hours by car. Roads in and around Kuching are generally good.

From Kuching City to Tawau Town passing through Brunei using your own car.

Kuching to Kota Kinabalu by land is 1,290km across some of the most rugged terrain in East Malaysia.

Between the 2 States are mountain ranges, dozens of rivers and ten border crossings, a challenge deem virtually impossible just 5 years ago now became a popular sports of the 4X

Malaysia's undulating terrain and dense tropical forests make for an irresistible destination for four wheel drive enthusiasts. Many international 4x4 or off-road events are held annually in Malaysia, among them being the Borneo Safari and the Rainforest International Challenge of Malaysia, deemed one of the world's most competitive and challenging ^WD events.

With over half of the country still covered in tropical rainforests, Malaysia's natural landscape is the destination for the adventurer who wants to test his skill, endurance and machine.

BUS services in Kuching

For more information on getting around with long distance bus from Kuching please see : Kuching Bus Terminal

BUS SERVICES: Departure points depend on destination and company used. Sarawak Transport Company (STC) (Tel: 242967/ 451573/242579) serve the Kuching area and south-west Sarawak. Their green and yellow buses depart from Lebohjawa. Chin Uan Long's blue and white buses serve the city and its suburbs. Major bus stops at Jalan Mosque, the Post Office and Gambler Street. Petra Jaya City Bus (Tel: 429418) serve Bako and Buntal. Their white and yellow buses depart from the open air market near Electra House. Matang Transport Company's yellow and orange buses depart from outside the Saujana Car Park and go to Matang and Kubah. Bau Transport Company (Tel: 763160) buses depart from the same place for Bau Town.

Regional Express Bus Terminal on Jalan Penrissen. The Kuching Bus Terminal (outstation long distance buses) is located at Jalan Penrissen.

Backpacker often travel by public express bus from Kuching to Sibu and Sibu to Kuching.

More about Kuching Bus Terminal...

Sibu Bus Terminal (outstation bus to Sibu City) is located at Jalan Pahlawan. One can travel by this public express bus from Kuching to Sibu. The following bus schedules :

Daily Express Bus Schedule of Public express bus from Kuching to Sibu and Sibu to Kuching.

Bus schedules as following :

Departing Kuching daily at: 0630, 0830, 1230, 1630, 2045 hrs

Departing Sibu daily at: 0230, 0700, 1030, 1330, 2000, 2200 hrs

Express Bus station telephone contact number:

Kuching 082-461227, 084-332873
Sibu 082-456261, 084-327075, 084-334521

Biaramas Express - Bus services between Kuching, Sarikei, Bintangor, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Sungai Tujuh

Biaramas Express booking office (Tel: 082-429418) on Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang near Electra House.

Biaramas also have an office at the terminal (Tel: 456999, open from 6 am to 10 pm)

Their latest bus schedules often keep updated on www.biaramas.com.

Biaramas also has express bus to Brunei

Biaramas Express
http://www.biaramas.com/
Lot 465, 8th Mile, Jalan Kota Samarahan, 94300, Kuching, Sarawak
Tel: 082 61 0111, Fax: 082 61 0222

LOCAL BUS (SHORT DISTANCE BUS)

Kuching's hoteliers formed a free City Tram (just a bus) service that shuttles around major sights once every hour.

Ask for a City Tram sticker and route map from your hotel counter.

Other local buses are represented by color:

-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

LONG DISTANCE BUS

MTC Express (Miri Transport Company) http://www.mtcmiri.com/about.htm

In transportation industry since 1959 and has established reputations in Sarawak.

MTC Express was incorporated in 2002. Operation covered Miri, Bintulu, Sibu and Kuching. VIP Coach services are safe & comfortab

Departure from Kuching Station - MTC Express

depart KUCHING arrive SERIAN arrive SIBU arrive BINTULU arrive MIRI

0930 1100 1630 2030 2400

1630 1800 2330 0300 (+1) 0630 (+1)

2100 2230 0400 (+1) 0700 (+1) 1100 (+1)

Other long distance bus companies include Vital Focus Transportation (Tel: 453190 or 461277) which operates the PB Express, Suria Bus Express, Borneo Highway Express (tickets also available at Borneo Interland, 63 Main Bazaar, Tel: 413595), Kirata & Sapphire Pacific Express and Sri Merah Express bus services;

Syarikat Bus Baram (Tel: 576700); MTC Express (Tel: 463161); Sungei Merah (Tel: 571888); Borneo Express Bus (Tel: 452717); Lanang Express (Tel: 462887);

Buses to Sibu, Bintulu and Miri often involve a change of bus in Sarikei. Phone the bus companies for the latest timetables. The Visitor Information Centre has a display board with the latest bus schedules and prices.

There is not such tour bus like the KL Hop-On Hop-Off Double Decker city tour bus sight-seeing service in Kuching yet. Such tour bus service will be excellent way to see the many sites in Kuching and would be more popular and successful then the service in KL because Kuching's efficient traffic control does not has such jam and hazer like in KL

Bus to Kuching Airport. STC bus No. 12A. RM 1.00, 45 mins. Every 50 min. First bus (from Kuching) 6.30 am, last bus 7.00 pm. First bus (from Airport) 7.10 am, last bus 8 pm. Or Chin Lian Long bus No. 8A.

Bus to Bako National Park. Take the Petra Jaya City Bus no. 6 from to go to Kampung Bako Village. The bus parked at Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang next to the open air market/Electra House.

The journey is 45 minutes. The fare is RM1.50. The bus final stop at the jetty of Kampung Bako. Here is a registration counter for hiring the open top boat to the national park. This is a 30-minute scenic boat ride to the Park.

Book a return boat journey immediately after you arrive at the Park. Get enought 5 or 6 people who are leaving at the same time, so to split the boat fare

First bus from Kuching at 7.30 am, last bus 5.20 pm. Last regular bus back from Bako 5.50 pm.

White minibuses also go to Kampung Bako (RM 3). From 6 am to 5 pm and depart infront open air market. No fixed departure schedule - the minibuses leave when passenger seats are full.

Bau. STC bus No. 2 or 2C or Bau Transport Co. bus No. 3, RM 4.50, approx. 1 hour. Every 20 mins. First bus (from Kuching) 6 am, last bus 6 pm. Buses depart from near the Saujana car park

Belong. STC Bus No. EP10, RM 25. Buses at 8 am and 1.30 pm.

Buntal. Petrajaya bus No. 2D. RM 1.50,35 mins. First bus (from Kuching) 6.55 am. Last bus back from Buntal 6 pm.

Damai / Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV). A Kuching-Damai shuttle bus service departs regularly from outside the Holiday Inn Kuching with drop offs at the resort hotels and Sarawak Cultural Village. One way fare is RM 10 (adults), RM 5 (children), takes approx. 40 mins. First bus (from Kuching) 7.30 am, last bus 10 pm. Last bus back from Damai 9 pm. For the full timetable check with the bell counter at the Holiday Inn Kuching.

Fairy and Wind Caves (from Bau Bus Station). Bau Transport Co. Bus No. 3, RM 0.70, every 1/2 hour from 6.20 am to 6 pm.

Kubah. Matang Transport Co. Bus No. 11. RM 1.60. Approx. 50 minutes. Buses depart from near the Saujana car park. No fixed timetable. Ask to be dropped off at the Park HQ near the Matang Family Park (Stage 2). Note: buses do not go to the entrance of the Matang Wildlife Centre. Alternatively, take a white minibus (see Matang, below).

Lundu. (for Gunung Gading) STC bus No. EP07. RM 10 (a/c), approx. 2 hrs. Buses at 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Buses depart from the regional express bus terminal.

Matang Wildlife Centre. There is no regular bus service to the entrance of the Matang Wildlife Centre. Local mini buses will usually take passengers to the entrance of the centre. These white mini buses wait at the alleyway next to the shops in the Saujana car park complex. There is no fixed timetable, mini buses leave when there are enough passengers. Fare is RM 2.

Mukah. TransBomeo Resources at 7.30 am and 10 pm, RM 56. Biaramas at 9 pm and 10 pm, RM 55.

Penrissen Rd. Bus Terminal (for long-distance services). STC bus Nos. 3,3A, 9A, 9B and many more (ask at STC office on Leboh Jawa). RM 0.50. First bus (from Kuching) 6.30 am, last bus 9 pm. If you are catching an early bus you may have to take a taxi to the terminal (RM 10).

Bus to Brunei - Five daily bus services between Miri and Kuala Belait (2 hours), with onward connections to Bandar Sri Begawan. Alternately, a direct mini-bus service between Miri and Bandar Sri Begawan (4 hours) twice per day.

From Sarawak to Kalimantan of Indonesia

Bus to Indonesia - Two daily bus services between Kuching and Pontianak. Journey is 8-10 hours. Immigration point in Teledu. No buse services from Pontianak to Banjarmasin.

Kuching To Pontianak, Indonesia. RM 45.00, 8 hours. Buses depart from Kuching's Penrissen Road Terminal.

Biaramas/Tebakang Express (Tel: 456999) at 7.30 am.

SJS (Tel: 456999) at 8 am and 1.00 pm.

The up market SJS 'Super Executive' departs 11.00 am and costs RM 70. This bus has more leg room and meals are included.

Kirata Express departs 7.30 am

Sapphire Pacific at 11 am

Sri Merah Express at 7 am and 10 am - book through Vital Focus Transportation (Tel: 453190 or 461277) or Borneo Interland (63 Main Bazaar, Tel: 413595).

ATS (Tel: 457773) departs 7.30 am,

Eva Express (Tel: 576761) at 7 am (economy) and 11 am (super class, RM 70) and

Damri (Tel: 572098) at 8 am, 11.30 am and 1 pm.

Sarikei. RM 32. 5-6 hrs. Biaramas Express - departs 7.30 am, 9 am, 11.30 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm and 10 pm. Borneo Highway Express - departs 6.30 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 5 pm and 9 pm. PB Ekspres - departs 9.30 am, 2.45 pm, 4.30 pm and 9.45 pm. Suria Express departs 8 am, 12 noon, 6 pm and 9 pm. Syarikat Bus Baram departs 8.30 am and 8 pm. MTC Express departs 4.30 pm and 9 pm. Borneo Express departs 8.45 am and 2.45 pm. TransBorneo departs 7.30 am and 10 pm. Sungei Merah departs 9.30 am, 11.45 am, 9 pm and 9.45 pm. Eva Express departs 4 pm and 9 pm.

Sematan (via Lundu). STC bus No. EP07, RM 15. See Lundu for departure times.

Semenggoh. STC bus No. 6. RM 2, approx. every hour.

Serian. STC Express bus. No 3A. RM 6.60, approx. 1 hr. Every hour. First bus (from Kuching) 6.30 am, last bus 5.30 pm.

Sibu. RM 40. 7 hrs. See Sarikei for departures.

Sri Aman. STC Express bus No. EP09. RM 19, approx 3 hrs, departs 7.30 am, 9.45 am, 12 noon, 3.15 pm and 7.45 pm. Departs from regional express bus terminal.

EXPRESS BOATS From Kuching to Sibu :

There are two company servicing Express Boats from Kuching to Sibu daily. The boat ride takes about 4hours.

Those who want to take the fastboats to Sibu has the following choice :

1) Express Bahagia (Tel: 082-410076). 8:30 AM Rm40

2) Express Sejahtera (Sejahtera Pertama Tel: 082-256736 / 257637 / 413595 ) 9.15am, 12.45pm Rm40

Tickets are sold at the jetty in Pending. It's advisable to get there 30 mins before departure. CCL Bus Nos. 1A, 17 and 19 go to the express boat jetty (60 sen). Taxi fare is RM 10.

SAMPANS (known locally as Tambangs): To get across river take one of the small
ferries that connect the riverside kampungs to the town. Place the fare (30 cents)
on the seat as you leave. Hiring a sampan (RM 20-25 per hour) is a great way to see
the river and the waterfront villages. From the river you'll have great views of the
city, get in close to the villages and get some good photos of river life.

RIVER CRUISES: Aerotrain Charter (Tel: 248800,019-8478228 Fax: 244400) offer a selection of short river cruises plus buffet dinner cruises (3 days advance booking required).

KUCHING CITY TRAM The City Tram is an open-air sightseeing bus service
provided free of charge to visitors by the Sarawak Tourism Federation (Tel: 240620.
It follows a circular route starting at Khatulistiwa Restaurant on the Kuching
Waterfront at 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm daily, proceeding to Jalan Song Thian Cheok (+8 min), the Sarawak Museum (+16 min), Satok Market (+24 min), the Islamic Museum (+32 min), the Kuching Mosque (+40 min), the Court House (for Visitor Information Centre, Textile Museum & Sarawak Handicraft Centre, +48min) before returning to the starting point. A shorter night route also starts from Khatulistiwa at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm, proceeding to the Tourism Malaysia Office (+10 min), the Amphitheatre in Jalan Budaya (+20 min) and the Court House (+30 min). To use this service visitors will need a lapel sticker, which can be obtained from hotel reception counters.

TAXI SERVICE

Kuching Taxi Service 016-898 6299 Mr. Liew

TAXIS: Airport to town is RM 17.50 - buy a coupon at the taxi stand at the airport. Town to the airport is RM 15. Not all taxis use meters so agree the fare first before you enter.

Taxis can always be found outside the big hotels. But note that Kuching, unlike Kuala Lumpur or Singapore is almost impossible to hail a taxi by simply waiting at the street. The taxi here service via Radio Taxi service.

So when you need a taxi, call 343343/342255 or 348898 for 24-Hour Radio Taxi service (RM 1 surcharge). Short distances around town are RM 6-10.

Fix the fare before getting into taxi. Always try to have exact fare on ready hand. Avoid bigger note and got shortchanged.

CAR HIRE: This is a great way to explore in and around Kuching. A number of tour operators provide chauffeur-driven cars, vans or 4WD vehicles, but there are only a few fully-Hedged self-drive companies operating in Kuching. Be wary of unlicensed operators, as they will not be fully insured - look for the Hire & Drive Permit fixed to the windscreen. At peak periods it is advisable to book a car in advance.

Following company with Car Hiring service available :

Borneo Interiand, 63 Main Bazaar, Tel: 413595, 426328 (24 hrs), 012-8083309 Fax:41l6l9 E-mail: bitravel@myjaring.net Website: www.bitravel.com.my. Self-drive Proton cars & 8-seat Toyota vans, chauffeur driven Mercedes cars & 13-seat Inokom minibuses. Half-day rates available. Also at Merdeka Palace Hotel, Tel: 258000 Ext8018.

Cat City Holidays, Lot 2537, 1st Floor, Central Park Commercial Centre. Tel: 412500 (24 hrs 019-8865282) Fax: 413500 E-mail: catcity@streamyx.com Website: www.catcityholidays.com. Airport counter Tel/Fax: 452200. Self-drive Perodua & Proton cars, Toyota MPVs, plus chauffeured Mercedes limos, van and coaches.

Hertz Car Rental, Telang Usan Travel & Tours (Sales Agent), Jalan Ban Hock, PO Box 1579, 93732 Kuching. Tel: 236945/6 Fax: 236589 E-mail: kch@hertz.simenet.com. Full selection of vehicles.

Hornbill Car Rental, Lot 99, Jalan. Datuk Abang Abd Rahim Lorong 5B, Tel: 343469 Fax: 426692 E-mail: hbcrsb@streamyx.com. Proton Cars.

Pronto Car Rental, No. 98, 1st Floor, Jalan Padungan. Tel: 237889 (24 hrs 013-8116778) Fax: 236889 Website: www.prontocarrental.com. Perodua, Proton & Mercedes cars, vans and SUVs.

Mayflower Car Rental, 1st Floor, Wisma Bukit Mata Kuching, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Tel: 410110 (eves & weekends 019-8160553), Fax: 410115 E-mail: matkc@mayflower.com.my website: www.mayflower.com.my. Airport counter Tel: 575223. Perodua, Proton & Nissan cars, Toyota & Naza MPVs.

Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) - Lot 215, Jalan Song Thian Cheok. Tel: 246622/244144. Fax: 411767. Online booking & enquiries: www.malaysiaairlines.com.
From KLIA to - Kuching City By Malaysia Airlines
	One Way	Return
Y (Economy Fare)	RM262.00	RM524.00
YEE30 (Excursion Fare)	-	RM425.00
Child Fare	RM131.00	RM262.00
Airport Tax	RM6.00	RM12.00
War Tax	RM5.00	RM10.00
Security Tax	RM5.00	RM5.00