Air Travel: Borneo

Major Airports & Airlines

Malaysian Airports

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) in Sabah and Kuching International Airport (KCH) in Sarawak are the main international gateways.

Other Airports

Miri Airport (MYY).
Sandakan Airport (SDK).
Tawau Airport (TWU).

Airlines & Routes

Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Batik Air Malaysia are the main carriers for Malaysian Borneo. Royal Brunei Airlines for Brunei.

Connections

Frequent connections from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Singapore (SIN).
Royal Brunei Airlines connects from major Asian hubs and London.
Indonesian airlines connect Kalimantan from Jakarta (CGK) and Surabaya (SUB).

Airport Facilities

Major airports offer duty-free shops, food and beverage outlets, currency exchange counters, ATMs, car rental services, and taxi stands.

Taxi Transfers

Taxis are available from airports, offering fixed fares or metered services. A straightforward option.

Ride-Sharing

Ride-sharing apps like Grab in Malaysia and Gojek/Grab in Indonesia are convenient for airport transfers.

Direct Flights & Seasonality

Limited Direct Flights

Direct flights from outside Asia are limited.
Most international travelers fly into major Asian hubs.
Royal Brunei Airlines provides one of the few direct links from London.
Explore Dollar Flight Club for flight deals.

Price Fluctuations

Flight prices generally increase during peak dry season (May-September).
Higher prices during major holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Chinese New Year, Christmas) and school breaks.
Booking flights in advance is recommended to secure better rates.
Compare prices on Skyscanner.

Indonesian & Brunei Airports

Kalimantan Airports

Supadio International Airport (PNK) in Pontianak, Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport (BPN) in Balikpapan.

More Kalimantan Airports

Syamsudin Noor International Airport (BDJ) in Banjarmasin, Juwata International Airport (TRK) in Tarakan.

Brunei International Airport

Brunei International Airport (BWN) in Bandar Seri Begawan is the sole international airport for Brunei.

Land Transportation

Border Crossings

Land transportation connects regions within Borneo and facilitates cross-border travel between the three countries.

Malaysia-Indonesia & Malaysia-Brunei

Malaysia-Indonesia: Tebedu crossing in Sarawak to Entikong in West Kalimantan.
Visas and immigration procedures apply; crossings can be lengthy.
Malaysia-Brunei: Multiple land crossings, like Miri to Brunei or Limbang to Brunei.

Buses & Self-Driving

An extensive bus network operates in Malaysian Borneo, connecting major cities. Train services are very limited, mainly tourist excursions.

Considerations

In Kalimantan, bus services connect major cities, but journeys can be very long.
Self-driving: Driving is on the left side of the road in all countries.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended or required.

Road Conditions

Roads and services vary greatly by nation and area. Be aware of varying conditions.

Regional Variances

Malaysian Borneo: Main roads are generally well-maintained. Rural roads can be winding.
Indonesian Kalimantan: Road infrastructure is developing but can be poor outside major cities.
Roads are often unpaved or prone to flooding, making journeys very slow.

Driving Safety

Watch for potholes, wildlife crossing roads, and aggressive driving.

Hazards & Tips

Night driving can be hazardous due to poor lighting and obstacles.
Petrol stations are readily available in towns and along main roads.
Compare car rental offers on DiscoverCars.com.

Special Land Transportation

Train services are very limited; Sabah has a historical line, mostly tourist.
Long-distance bus companies like Biaramas Express operate in Sarawak.
Motorcycle/scooter rentals are available for short distances, not long-distance.

Angkot (shared minivans) and Ojek (motorcycle taxis) are common in Kalimantan.
Helmets are mandatory for motorcycle riders.
Bicycle sharing is limited; guesthouses may offer rentals.

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry Services & Cruise Ports

Sea and river transportation methods access specific regions of Borneo, sometimes necessarily.

Options for Sea Travel

Ferries connect Labuan Island to mainland Sabah and Brunei.
Pelni (state-owned ferry) connects Kalimantan with other Indonesian islands.
Larger cruise ships occasionally include Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Bandar Seri Begawan.

River Transportation

River travel is important for accessing interior regions of Borneo, specifically in Sarawak (Rejang River) and Kalimantan (Mahakam River).

Accessing Interior Regions

Longboats and express boats are common for reaching remote villages.
River arteries access national parks that lack road access.
Standard immigration checks apply at seaports; have documents ready.

Seaport Immigration

Standard immigration checks apply at seaports, similar to those conducted at airports. Passport and visa documents should be ready.

Taxi Connections

Seaports and ferry terminals usually have local taxi connections available to take you to nearby towns or your accommodation.

Bus Connections

Public bus connections from seaports may be available, though they are less common than taxis. Verify local options upon arrival.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Taxes

Consider exit fees, airport procedures, and available facilities for your departure.

Fee Inclusion

Malaysia: No specific exit tax; charges usually in ticket price.
Indonesia: Airport departure tax for international flights is typically in ticket price.
Brunei: Departure tax also included in the air ticket price.

Departure Procedures

Plan your arrival at the airport to allow sufficient time for all procedures.

Timing & Efficiency

For international flights, arrive 2-3 hours before departure.
For domestic flights, 1-2 hours is usually sufficient.
Allow ample time for check-in, security screening, and immigration.

Airport Facilities for Departing Travelers

Dining & Shopping

Airports and major stations offer restaurants, shops, and duty-free outlets (at international airports).

Lounges

Lounges are available at international airports for a more comfortable wait before your flight.

General Services

Restrooms, charging stations, and information counters are standard.

Smooth Departure Tips

Double-check your flight status and terminal information before heading to the airport. Ensure you have all necessary documents.

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