Kuching

Kuching is the main gateway to Sarawak on Borneo. It is a river city where you can eat well, walk old shophouse streets and reach orangutans on a day trip.

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Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, the Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, and sits on the Sarawak River in the southwest of the state. It is the main air and road gateway to Sarawak, and the flight from Kuala Lumpur takes about two hours. Start in the old town, where 19th-century Chinese shophouses line the waterfront and the Main Bazaar. Kuching is also a UNESCO Creative City for gastronomy, so food is a reason to come.

The Brooke family ruled from Kuching for more than a century, and their buildings, including the Astana and Fort Margherita, still stand by the river. Plan a few days, with one day trip to see orangutans at Semenggoh or walk the trails of Bako National Park. June to August are the driest months, while November to February brings the heaviest rain. Heat and humidity last all year, so schedule the afternoons for shade and indoor stops.

Kuching in five

Check which bus terminal your coach leaves fromKuching Sentral, opened in 2012 in the south of the city, is the main bus terminal for long-distance buses to Brunei, Sabah and West Kalimantan. Some companies still use the Old Kuching Bus Terminal, so confirm the stop before you travel.Getting around
Book a taxi by appA smartphone booking app that launched in 2014 covers taxis in Kuching. Standard taxis are red and yellow, while larger blue executive taxis are more comfortable and cost more.
Ride a tambang across the Sarawak RiverWooden tambang boats carry passengers across the Sarawak River near the city centre. It is a cheap, short crossing.
Go to Sim Kheng Hong Port for express boatsExpress boats to Sibu and Bintulu leave from Sim Kheng Hong Port, formerly Tanah Puteh Port, in the east of the city. It is a different area from the old town, so allow time for the trip there.
Plan for the wettest months, November to FebruaryThe wettest months run from November to February during the north-east monsoon. Roads can develop potholes at the end of the year, so allow extra time for taxis and buses.

Things to do in Kuching

See all attractions in Kuching

Museum · KuchingDBKU Cat Museum

Sight · KuchingThe Astana

Mosque · KuchingIndia Mosque Kuching

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to KuchingPut the places you like in Kuching on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Ringgit (MYR)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; MDAC arrival card needed before arrival Read more
Emergency: 999 police, fire and ambulance (112 also works)
Tipping: Not expected
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain31 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wet, monsoon
FebruaryRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Wettest, monsoon
MarchRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Showers easing
AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Bookaroo festival
MayRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Showers, humid
JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Driest, hot
JulyRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low23°Dry, hot
AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, hot
SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Warm, humid
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Bird migration
NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Monsoon, wet
DecemberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Wet, monsoon

Average daily high and low in Kuching, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Jun Rainforest World Music Festival · Jul Rainforest World Music Festival

Right now in Kuching

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 96%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Kuching

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today33°23°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°23°88%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
Thu31°23°98%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Fri32°23°86%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
Sat31°23°94%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
Sun31°23°92%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
Mon30°23°100%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 12:29 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR

Amount

Converted to

MYR · Malaysian Ringgit

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Kuching

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Jun–JulRainforest World Music FestivalKuching

Day trips by train

Santubong peninsulaabout 35 min by carBeaches, beach resorts and the fishing villages of Santubong and Buntal, with seafood restaurants.
Bako National Parkday trip, check boat timesA popular day trip for its wildlife and coastal trails, with a permit needed to enter.
Semenggoh Wildlife Centreday trip, check visiting timesAn orangutan rehabilitation programme and a major attraction for visitors.
Kuching Wetlands National Parkabout 30 km from the centreA wetland park for a quieter day outside town.

Before you go to Kuching

eSIM for KuchingOffline maps help on the boat and trailRead the guide

Travel insurance for BorneoCover for jungle trails and boat tripsRead the guide

Money and cards in KuchingCash for markets and small stallsRead the guide

Stays in the old townWaterfront and Main Bazaar baseRead the guide

Rules for Kuching, checked

Many nationalities enter Malaysia without a visa, but file the MDAC arrival card online before you fly and check entry rules with the Immigration Department.Source
Dress modestly and remove your shoes when you enter a mosque in Kuching, including the Indian Mosque on the waterfront.
Bako National Park requires a permit, so check the requirements with Sarawak Forestry before you book a boat or tour.
Malaysia has strict drug laws, and penalties for trafficking are harsh. Check your home government's travel advice before you go.

Plan around Kuching

All of Malaysia

Entry rules, regions and transport for a Malaysia trip

Read the guide Sarawak

The state Kuching is the capital of, and the gateway to Borneo

Read the guide Getting around

Buses, boats and taxis around Kuching and Sarawak

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules and the digital arrival card for Malaysia

Read the guide Where to stay

Old town, waterfront and Petra Jaya options

Read the guide Money and costs

Ringgit, cards and typical prices for a Kuching trip

Read the guide

Kuching FAQ

Is Kuching worth visiting?

Yes, for the riverside old town, the food and a base for wildlife trips in Borneo. Kuching is the main air and road gateway to Sarawak, so many trips start here.

How do you get to Kuching?

Fly into Kuching International Airport (KCH), about 20 minutes from the city centre. The flight from Kuala Lumpur takes about 2 hours. Long-distance buses to Brunei, Sabah and West Kalimantan leave from Kuching Sentral.

How many days do you need in Kuching?

Two to three days cover the old town, the waterfront and one wildlife day. Add a day for the Santubong beaches or Bako National Park.

When is the best time to visit Kuching?

June to August, the driest months. The wettest months run from November to February during the north-east monsoon, with heavy rain and humid days.

Can you see orangutans near Kuching?

Yes. Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, near Kuching, runs an orangutan rehabilitation programme and is a major visitor attraction. Check visiting times at the centre before you go.

Do you need a car in Kuching?

Not for the old town, which you can walk along the waterfront. Beaches and parks need a taxi or a tour, and metro bus timetables are hard to follow online.