A Backpacker’s Guide to Kuching

The capital of Sarawak, Kuching, Malaysia, is a great place to stay during your vacation to Sarawak. There are loads of interesting places, attractions, and things to see and do in the city and most of the places are only an hour away.

Kuching offers a glimpse of what the typical, gracious, and laid back cities are in Malaysia and is labelled as one of the most “liveable” cities in Malaysia. The city is clean, attractive, modern, and filled with Kuching cafes and restaurants. Here are some things you need to know for your vacation to Kuching, Malaysia. 

Getting to the city 

Sarawak’s central air transport hub is the Kuching international airport. Kuching airport is only about ten kilometres away from Kuching, Malaysia. The Kuching airport has regular connections to Johor Bahru, KLM Macau, Singapore, Bangalore, and many other major cities. Here are some ways to get to Kuching from Kuching airport. 

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Airport Transfer

This is the easiest way to get to the hotel. All you need to do is book for an airport transfer and you will be able to travel in style to your hotel. 

Car

Kuching airport is only 15 minutes away from the city and hiring a car is another convenient way to get to the hotel. It is also a great way to explore the city later on. 

Bus

Public Kuching buses operate between the city centre and airport. However, Kuching buses in this route are not very frequent due to lack of customers. 

Taxi

Taxis can be taken from the arrival hall. There are ways to get fixed-price coupons once you reach Kuching airport. 

The best neighborhoods to stay in Kuching

Petra Jaya

A great place to discover plant life and the nature of Kuching, this neighbour is a great place to stay if you are visiting for the first time. One of the main attractions you must visit here is the Fort Margherita and the Cat museum which are free for every visitor. This is a very nice budget-friendly neighborhood.

The best BnB here is the Reuben’s BnB that is only a few minutes away from the waterfront. This is a nice affordable option in the heart of the local culture. The best hostel in the area is the 8@Kaijoo Guest House and the best budget hotel is the Merdeka Guest House. 

Kuching City Centre

The best thing about staying here is that the center offers so many shopping opportunities. You could easily access many attractions from the city center. It is a multicultural hub where you can find yourself going between luxury and budget-friendly Indonesian, Chinese, and Malaysian restaurants one after the other. The vibrant nature of the place is excellent and using a Kuching map, you can access everything. Large hotels and homestay Kuching will help you get the best access to the city. 

The best homestay Kuching is the Sunset Homestay Kuching, offering beautiful and homely rooms that are perfect for backpackers. The budget room along with homestay Kuching are a great option. Harbour View Hotel is a great budget hotel in the city center.  

If you are planning to visit Kuching, try to make it during the Harvest festival of Gawai Dayak and experience the richness of culture and tradition with the local people.

Jalan Song Thian Cheok

One of the coolest things about this place is that the place offers some of the best local and budget-friendly cuisines. This is also the right place to be in if you are looking for amazing nightlife. The street is always alive with budget-friendly and rich restaurants, bars, and Kuching cafes. There are also important temples and monuments accessible for free, and despite the varied nightlife, it is one of the safest areas. 

Borneo SeaHare Guesthouse is a very popular hostel chosen by backpackers in this neighbourhood. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, then consider the 360 Xpress City Centre.

Damai Beach

Damai Beach is the best place for families to stay and is a great area to discover the rural and local culture of Sarawak. With great views of the mountains and sea, it is the best place to unwind and relax for free. This is one of the best options to escape the city and switch into the typical holiday sea-side mode. The Sarawak Orchid Garden, with free entry, is a wonderful attraction. 

A very nice option for families and backpackers looking for a cheap option is the BB Bunkers. Another unique budget hotel is the Permai Rainforest Resort.

Padungan

If you are looking for a budget-friendly neighborhood, then this one is worth considering. The coolest thing about this area is that Padungan offers the best tastes of Chinese cuisine at cheap prices. It is the main hub for Chinese population and is the cheapest area close to the city. There are many free attractions like the Cat Monument, the Padungan Roundabout Cat Statue, etc that can be accessed from this neighborhood. 

Meritin Hotel is a great option for people looking for less expensive places. For backpackers, the best hostel in the neighbourhood is the Check In Lodge. 

Kuching, Malaysia is an amazing and vibrant city that is definitely worth spending a few days in. Explore the city in the best way possible with redBus! The convenient platform allows you to book any type of accommodation, from large hotels to homestay Kuching, and travel bookings including flights and buses. With redBus, you will have a stress-free time planning your vacation and enjoying this wonderful city.