A DRIVING GUIDES FROM KUCHING TO KOTA KINABALU VIA BRUNEI
Posted by Paul Sadai | Posted in Driving Guides | Posted on Saturday, January 30, 2010
From the first impression, driving from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu is quite a tiring, challenging and time consuming. That is true but for those who are used to it, like me, the driving experience is really exciting, thrilling and I am looking towards it almost every year. The journey really teaches me to be disciplined on the road. The first time I heard of it, I myself was filled with disbelief that someone could make it.
I tell you why driving to KK from Kuching is worth an experience for me:
- to try something you though is impossible.
- learn and see for yourselves the long houses along the way·
- to gain driving experience.·
- to save cost the journey by flight.
- to explore the journey experience via Brunei·
- to be able to go anyway in KK and its surrounding area.
- to explore beautiful National Park and Kundasang.
The petrol consumption for my Toyota Hilux 2.5 Turbo is roughly RM170 one way. Maybe flight does offer cheap fair but that needs early booking. The MAS ticket to Sabah from Kuching cost us more than RM3,000.00 for the whole family. My wife, who is a Sabahan has a free passage but we prefer driving because it give us freedom to move anyway in KK. We normally open our tickets for the following year back to Sabah. We use it for any occasions preferably for emergency causes.Of course, my first year experience from Kuching via Brunei to KK is a nightmare. Nothing happens actually but the feeling of uneasiness and scared to get out of the track is my number one fear. I would suggest you get some one to draw you a map of Brunei route and how to go about going through the Immigration Check Points. It would be better if you could follow someone who has the experience throughout the journey. Actually there is nothing to worry as long as you apply your driving courtesy on the road you will be saved. You may email me at paulsadai@gmail.com for helps.
The thing you need to do is make yourself a Brunei passport. It costs RM200 per person for 5 years. If you want a group passport, there must be 5 members at least and the cost is also RM200. International passport is also affordable nowadays. Then you have to prepare your car. Make sure that it is in the best condition by servicing it before you go. Actually any cars can do but I strongly feel that a four wheel drive has the advantages due to the condition of the road. That’s why I encourage my friends who have four wheel drives to try your driving across Borneo and even to the tip of Borneo, Tanjung Mengayau in Kudat. But if you guys ask me, I would strongly suggest you go to Kundasang and spend a few nights there. Of course you need a thorough preparation because the chalets need early booking as most of them are fully booked throughout the festive and school holidays.It is most advisable to drive in groups of two, three or more. I am willing to be your anchor whether from Kuching or when you are in KK. Never hesitate to give me a call. I am always there to serve you days and nights. Normally, I'm in KK during the school holidays.
So, this is most likely the journey tips from Kuching to KK via Brunei. We have to start as early as 5.30 am in the morning. If you drive at 90 km per hour you will arrive in Miri at around 5.00 pm. To be specific, you will reach Serian town in not more than half an hour. I would suggest you don’t have to take any breakfast but prepare some biscuits and plain water. This is to avoid you from shooting or peeing along the roadside. But don’t worry you still can stop at most of the small town like Lacau and Sri Aman. After that go straight to Jakar town. You may choose to have your breakfast there or go straight to Sarikei town. From there find your way to Sibu through RM5 toll Lanang Bridge. The journey is very short compare to Durin Bridge.To be continued...
The journey from Kuching to Miri is about 800 km +. The red line in the map below shows the road linking one town to another. It is advisable to spend your night in Miri.
SERIAN TOWN
The roundabout before Serian Town. Wash room is also available here.
The journey from Serian to Sri Aman will roughly one hour and a half. The road is just ok. The early you the better coz of less traffic at the time. The picture below is the restaurant at the junction of Sri Aman before you turn right to Betong and Sarikei upwards. Here you can go to the wash room. At one time from my previous experience, we have to stop a few times because we take a heavy breakfast at home. So, my advise to you is not to take anything but get somethings to eat on the road.
Sri Aman Rest Stop
The journey from Sri Aman to Jakar is very comfortable as the road is quite smooth compare to any parts of the road in the state. Below is a snap of Jakar Town. You should be reaching here at 9.30 am and stop for your breakfast or proceed to Sarikei. Actually. I don't like to have my breakfast there because the stalls or restaurant there is very dirty and unhygienic. The food is not nice...am referring to Jakar. Drive along to Lanang bridge. The toll is RM5 but the journey is shorter compare to Durin. Find your way through by asking someone after the bridge. I am sure you can make it to the junction leading you to Bintulu roadJakar Town
The journey to Bintulu is about two hours plus on an uneven road. Drive carefully and be patience at all time. Some parts of the roads are good. There shouldn't be a problem for a four wheel drive to get through the road. On reaching Bintulu-Miri junction, stop at the coffee shop for a light refreshment. Kuching Bintulu trips need one full tank. Fill in your petrol at Bintulu. After that proceed to Miri which is a 2 hours and 15 minutes drives along the coastal road road. Half way journey towards Miri the road is very bad. There are a lot of bumps and we cannot drive fast. There are many Hotels and Inns in Miri that offer reasobnable room rate. Normally, I prefer to take a cheap but safe place for the vehicles like Tropikal Inn. The rooms rate is from 55 to 75 ringgits.Miri City
In the view is Imperial Hotel and shopping mall at the heart of the city.
The next morning, I normally drive without taking my breaklfast. This is because I wanted to reach Limbang Town as soon as possible. If you started late, you will get stuck in Kuala Lurah because school holidays also started in Brunei at the same time as ours, so, most of them prefer to spend their holidays in Sabah preferrably in Kundasang, the salem cool country. That's why hotels in KK and else where are fully booked most of the time.
Inorder to cross over to Brunei, we have to driver along ASEAN Bridge. The toll is RM10. It is still under Malaysia.
ASEAN Bridge
This is the one kind of bridge which is high up above the land and river. The tallest in Borneo I guess.
After the toll plaza you will reach Sungai Tujuh checkpoint. The toll plaza cost RM10.
Sungai Tujuh Toll Plaza
This is sg tujuh check point and the other side of Brunei. You need to stamp your passport and declare your car by filling in a form at Brunei Custom check point. To beable to do that you have to get ready an insurance cover note or the car green card.
Sometimes when the timing isn't right we have to cop with long queues. That's why it is importance to plan your journey ahead. Go early...forget your breakfast...bring buns and water.
After that you will drive along Brunei road. You may choose to use the short cut Tutong road or the long journey through Jerudong Park. I prefer Tutong because I can save time and the route is very simple compare to that of Jerudong Park. Below is the Immigration at Kuala Lurah. This is the worse check point if you happen to arrive around noon because there are so many Bruneian going to and coming from Limbang. 
This is the view at Kuala lurah from Limbang side.Kuala Lurah
This is the Sarawak newest check point. So, far this is the best and coolest. You may stop at the 2 stars wash room.
The view of Sarawak Immigration Check point.
Limbang The Cowboy Town and very lively at night.Limbang is a also a place where you can shop liqours but very difficult to take it out through Brunei. They are as cheap as in Labuan.
Before this Temburong ferry we need to stamp passport at the newest Limbang immigration check point which is not far from here. This is another worse point whereby long queues await if we are not lucky enough.
Temburong
After that just drive straight and you will reach Labu the end of Brunei before entering Lawas.
The other side of Temburong, also in a queue. Sometimes, a forty minutes to one hour and a half
Next is the Puni immigration Check Point, Brunei side.
Next is the Puni immigration Check Point, Brunei side. PUNI CHECK POINT
After that just drive straight and you will reach Labu the end of Brunei before entering Lawas. LABU
Then, we will arrive at Sarawak Immigration check point which is also the newest. It is not in the blog. Below is the Trusan ferry. It is a RM10 ferry.
Then, we will arrive at Sarawak Immigration check point which is also the newest. It is not in the blog. Below is the Trusan ferry. It is a RM10 ferry.
TRUSAN FERRY
The bridge is almost 70% complete and is scheduled to complete by the end 2010.
The bridge is almost 70% complete and is scheduled to complete by the end 2010.TRUSAN BRIDGE
Trusan Bridge.
Happy Driving. Follow the same routes on your journey back to Kuching.
Trusan Bridge.
Drive straight until you reach Lawas. You don't have to stop there. Drive till you reach the Sarawak Sabah check point which is the last obstacle that we have to face. Of course it is very tiring and challenging but a thrill awaits us because you have manage to cover almost the whole par of Borneo. Drive straight to Sipitang Sabah, Western, Beaufort, Membakut, Bongawan, Papar and Kota Kinabalu. The distance is very short that is around 400km but it takes another two whole days.
SABAH SARAWAK CHECK POINT.
Happy Driving. Follow the same routes on your journey back to Kuching.Enjoy life!
Explore Borneo.
Nothing Is Impossible
When the love is at the edge of the reef, you better win it back and make it as romantic as your first romance...(Sadai -Friday is the night as suggested to all the turoi n kanang group)
This article is especially dedicated to all the 4x4 owners listed below :
- Mr Beken Jenet of Matang Jaya(Head of the Trans Borneo Expedition)
- Mr Simson Suimi of MJC
- Mr John Mansion of BDC
- Mr Jonathan really ak ok
- Mr Govinder D'Troi
- Mr Cosmas D'Troi
- Mr Geoffrey Sri Aman of Tabuan Jaya
- Mr Ang of Green Rd
- Mr Benedict Set of Matang Jaya
- Mr Murphy JR of Tawau/Quap
- Mr Laneng Yal of Lahad Datu/Rasau
- Mr Geoffrey S Sikajat
- Mr Ben James of Papar
- Mr Dennis Lajahim of Papar.
- Mr Henry James of Tawau
- Mr Ignatius Lajahim of Papar.
- Mr Jites Ringos of Padawan
- Mr Christopher of Limputong Papar
- Mr Ephraim Lajahim of Papar
- Mr Alexander Mandi of Serian
- Mr Henry Barry of Green Wood Park
- Mr Sanada of Tabuan Jaya
- Mr Micheal gumbek of Bau
- Mr Gabriel J Aton of Peraya
- Mr Mark Linton Aton of Miri
- Mr Gerald J Aton of Sandakan/Peraya
I can be reached at paulsadai@gmail.com
