Skip to content

Travel guides

Kuching travel guide

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, in the west of Malaysian Borneo, built along the Sarawak River where the Brooke family's White Rajahs once ruled. The south bank holds the waterfront, Main Bazaar and Padungan's Chinatown; the north bank has the Astana and Malay kampungs. Bako National Park, Semenggoh's orangutans and the Santubong peninsula are all day trips.

By Hotel Unfiltered · Copy reviewed

Getting there and choosing your base

  • Kuching International Airport (KCH): About 8 km south of the centre, with frequent flights from Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities plus a few international routes. Sarawak runs its own immigration controls, so check what entry stamp or permit applies to you even if you arrive from Peninsular Malaysia. The taxi into town can be slow when school traffic peaks.
  • Kuching Sentral: The long-distance bus terminal lies south of the city, near the airport, serving Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Pontianak in Indonesia. A hotel nearby only makes sense for a late arrival or very early bus.
  • Pending Express Boat Jetty: The daily express boat to Sibu leaves from this jetty east of the centre, with the departure time shifting with the tides. Padungan hotels are the closest central option for an early start.

Areas to consider

Waterfront and Main Bazaar

Suits first-time visitors wanting the riverside promenade, museums and old trading streets within a short walk. Some hotels on this stretch charge extra for river-facing rooms, so confirm the view is included in the rate you book.

Padungan

Suits food lovers and those after nightlife, with Chinatown shophouses, the cat statues and most of the city's larger hotels. Bars and clubs keep parts of the area busy late, so ask for a high floor or a room away from the street.

Santubong and Damai

Suits beach-resort stays on the peninsula about 30 km north, close to the Sarawak Cultural Village and Mount Santubong hikes. Getting into Kuching takes time and buses are limited, so check whether the resort runs a shuttle and when it returns.

Near Kuching Sentral and the airport

Suits one-night transits between flights and long-distance buses heading into Sarawak or Indonesia. There is little within walking distance, so look at what food is available nearby or on site before booking.

When to go

Kuching has no real dry season; November to February is the wettest stretch and July and August the least rainy, though haze from land fires can drift over in drier spells. Gawai, the Dayak harvest festival starting on the evening of 31 May, and Chinese New Year bring big local celebrations, and rooms near Santubong fill fast when the Rainforest World Music Festival is on.

Before choosing a room

  • The city has no obvious left-luggage service, so confirm that your hotel will hold bags after check-out if your flight leaves late in the day.
  • Serviced apartments in the centre are common; check whether there is a staffed front desk and daily cleaning or only a key handover.
  • For festival dates, book Santubong rooms as soon as tickets are announced and read the cancellation terms, as nearby beds go quickly.

Sources and planning resources

Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.

Find a stay in Kuching

Set your dates and compare the room offers available for your trip.

Explore hotels

More guides for Malaysia

All Malaysia guides →