Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In Brunei, prices start at about B$80 a day. In Kalimantan - where available - they start
at about 1,500,000Rp per day.
With some Malaysian companies you can visit Brunei for no extra charge, while others
charge a fee of RM50 or RM100. Renting a car in one city and returning it in another can
be expensive - count on paying RM500 extra to pick up a vehicle in Miri and drop it off
in Kuching. Some insurance plans are only valid in a limited geographical area.
A valid overseas licence is needed to rent a car. An International Driving Permit (a
translation of your license and its provisions) is usually not required by local car-hire
companies, but it's recommended that you bring one. Minimum age limits (generally 23,
sometimes 21) often apply, and some companies won't rent to anyone over 60 or 65.
Taxi Hire
For travel to places within a 50km or 70km radius of where you're staying, hiring a taxi
on a per-trip, half-day or per-day basis is often a good option, especially for three or four
people. For day trips from public-transport-challenged Kuching, for instance, count on
paying about RM250 for an eight-hour excursion. When you factor in fuel, this often
works out only slightly more expensive than renting. Bonuses: you bear no liability in
case the car is damaged, and you've got the driver to take care of navigation and mechan-
ical problems - and to find places to eat.
In Kalimantan, the norm is to hire a Kijang (taxi), agreeing on remuneration for the
driver in addition to paying for fuel.
Hitching
Hitching is never entirely safe anywhere in the world, but it's certainly possible to hitch in
most parts of Borneo. It's usually relatively safe for male travellers, but we don't recom-
mend it for female travellers. Some drivers will expect a small 'tip' or assistance with pet-
rol costs for driving you. At the very least, if you stop for food, you should offer to pay for
their meal.
