Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
taxis and jeeps connect both the main cities and secondary towns. Getting from KK to any
towns north, all the way to Kudat, and southwest to the Brunei border, is easily done by
share taxi or jeep. The same applies if travelling from Sandakan to any towns south to
Tawau. Just keep in mind it's always hard to find any kind of public transport after 5pm.
The southern road that connects Tawau to Sapulot is not entirely paved yet, nor is it ser-
viced by public transport, but you can arrange private transport down this way, and occa-
sional (very occasional) minibuses ply the route. Getting to very remote villages by public
transport is tougher - in these situations you need to hope share taxis and jeeps have
enough passengers. These vehicles typically leave very early in the morning.
Sarawak
Frequent buses run by a clutch of companies ply the Pan Borneo Hwy from Kuching to
Miri, stopping along the way in Sibu and Bintulu, near Niah National Park, and at Lambir
Hills National Park. From Miri, several buses a day head via Brunei to Sabah.
Long-haul buses link Sarawak's coastal cities, including Kuching, with Pontianak (West
Kalimantan) via the Tebedu-Entikong border crossing.
Bus service from Kuching to destinations in Western Sarawak is very limited or non-
existent, except to Lundu, Kubah National Park, Matang Wildlife Centre, Bako Bazaar
(near Bako National Park) and Semenggoh Nature Reserve. For some destinations, the
only transport options are hiring a car or taxi, or joining a tour group.
Brunei
Only one company, known as Jesselton Express (for services heading from BSB towards
KK) and PHLS (for services from BSB towards Miri), is allowed to pick up and drop off
passengers inside the sultanate. Two buses a day run from BSB southwest to Miri (via
Seria and Kuala Belait) and northeast to KK (via Limbang, Lawas and various destina-
tions in Sabah).
Kalimantan
Buses and Kijang (4WD minivans that ply intercity routes) are a mixed affair, ranging
from comfy to purgatorial. The same can also be said of Kalimantan's highways and
minor roads, which vary from silk-smooth asphalt to muddy, potholed pumpkin soup dur-
ing the wet season, when you may have to disembark and push. VIP-style buses with air-
con operate between Balikpapan and Samarinda, and from Samarinda to Banjarmasin and
Bontang. The rest of the country involves patchy roads, inhumanly quick drivers and, of-
