Kuching Airport, officially Kuching International Airport (KCH), is the gateway to Sarawak on the island of Borneo. It lies about 11 km south of Kuching city centre and is run by Malaysia Airports, which also shortens its name to KIA. A single passenger terminal handles both domestic and international flights, so there is no terminal to choose and no transfer between buildings. Besides serving Kuching and the rest of Sarawak, the airport is also used by travellers heading on to Brunei.

The runway is long enough for wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747, and the airfield doubles as a Royal Malaysian Air Force base. Passengers only deal with the civil terminal. This guide covers the airlines you will find at Kuching Airport, the taxi and car rental options into the city, parking, the facilities inside the terminal and a few tips for your travel day.

Terminal and airlines at Kuching Airport

Kuching International Airport terminal

All domestic and international flights use the same building. Malaysian airlines fly the domestic routes, and there are also international flights to Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei and Jakarta in Indonesia. These passenger airlines fly from Kuching Airport:

• AirAsia
• AirAsia Indonesia
• AirBorneo
• Batik Air Malaysia
• Malaysia Airlines
• Royal Brunei Airlines
• Scoot

With only one terminal, what matters on the day is whether your flight is domestic or international, and which airline actually operates it. Both are printed on your e-ticket. On a codeshare booking, check in with the operating airline rather than the one that sold you the seat.

Getting to and from Kuching Airport

The city centre is only around 11 km away, so the road trip is short, although traffic and heavy rain can slow it down. Leave a margin when you head back for a flight. Fares are shown at the counter or by the rental company.

Coupon taxi

Kuching Airport runs a coupon taxi system. You buy the coupon at the counter on Level 1 of the terminal building, and the charge is fixed by destination, so you know the cost before you set off. It is the simplest way into town if you have bags or are arriving late.

Car rental

Several car rental companies operate at the airport. A hired car makes sense if you plan to explore Sarawak beyond the city, where public transport is thinner. Book ahead in busy periods and confirm where to collect the car.

Parking at Kuching Airport

Kuching Airport has an open-air public car park for drop-offs, pick-ups and longer stays. Charges depend on how long you park and are set by the airport, so check them on the day or on the Malaysia Airports website.

Facilities at Kuching International Airport

The terminal is spread over three levels. Here is what the airport lists, starting with what travellers ask about most.

Lounges

Private lounges are available, including the Travel Club Lounge on the airside of the domestic area. Entry depends on your ticket class, a lounge membership or a paid pass, so check what your booking includes.

Food and drink

Fast food, cafes and local food outlets are spread over Levels 1, 2 and 3, both before and after security. You can eat with the people seeing you off, or wait until you are through to the gate.

Shopping and duty free

There is a duty-free shop on Level 1, and a liquor and tobacco duty-free shop on Level 3. Convenience stores on Levels 1 and 3 cover snacks and travel basics.

Smoking area

Smoking is allowed only in the designated smoking zone. Follow the signs, as smoking elsewhere in the terminal is not permitted.

Prayer rooms

Muslim prayer rooms are found on all three levels, with separate rooms for men and women. On Level 3 there are rooms both in the public concourse and in the departure area.

Money, Wi-Fi and SIM cards

ATMs and a money changer are available, and there is a bank branch on Level 1. Wi-Fi is listed among the airport's facilities, and a SIM card kiosk lets you pick up a local number when you land.

Rest, charging and health

Charging stations are on Level 2 in the departure area and the holding lounge. Paid rest stations are on Levels 1 and 2, and there is a not-to-land (NTL) lounge for passengers in transit. A medical clinic and a pharmacy are also listed, with the pharmacy outlet on Level 1.

Families

Baby care rooms are on Level 1 in the public concourse and the international and domestic arrival areas, and at the departure gates on Level 2. For a very early flight, a hotel near the airport can make the morning easier.

Tips for departing and arriving at Kuching Airport

Go by your airline's check-in and bag-drop cut-off, which is shown on your booking. International passengers to Singapore, Brunei or Indonesia also need time for immigration before boarding.

Entry requirements, including any arrival card, are set by governments rather than the airport. Check the official guidance for your passport and destination before you fly. For the latest times on the day, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Kuching Airport

The fare cards on this page show fares from Kuching to popular destinations. Lower down, a flight schedule for Kuching Airport sets out the coming days' services by date, showing who flies each one and when it is due to leave and land. The tables show a selection of flights rather than every service, so use them to narrow your choice, then search your own dates.

Compare airlines and departure times for your route, set a Price Alert if you want to wait for a better fare, and your e-ticket will arrive by email and in the Traveloka app once you book. Popular routes from Kuching Airport include:

• Kuching to Kuala Lumpur flights
• Kuching to Kota Kinabalu flights
• Kuching to Penang flights
• Kuching to Johor Bahru flights
• Kuching to Miri flights
• Kuching to Sibu flights
• Kuching to Singapore flights
• Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan flights

Whether it is a trip home to Sarawak or your first look at Borneo, find your Kuching flight on Traveloka and book it in a few taps.