Miri is the second-largest city in Sarawak and the birthplace of Malaysia's oil industry. Set on the coast in the north of the state, a short drive from the Brunei border, it is a relaxed, green city with seaside parks, coral reefs offshore and some of Borneo's most famous caves and rainforests within reach. Many people also pass through on their way to Gunung Mulu National Park or the Kelabit Highlands. Whether you are visiting family, travelling for work in the energy sector or planning an adventure, you can compare flights to Miri from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and elsewhere on Traveloka.

About Miri Airport

Miri Airport, code MYY, is one of the busiest airports in Sarawak. Besides jet services to major Malaysian cities, it is the hub for rural air services that link the interior and northern coast, flying small aircraft to places such as Mulu, Bario, Marudi, Limbang and Lawas that are hard or slow to reach by road.

Location

The airport lies on the southern side of the city, an easy drive from the centre. Lambir Hills, Niah and Bintulu are also to the south, so a road trip can start straight from the terminal.

Terminals

Miri Airport operates from a single terminal that handles both the jet flights and the smaller rural services. Check-in, food outlets and car hire counters are within a short walk of each other. Because some rural flights use small planes with strict baggage limits, check your allowance carefully if you are continuing to Mulu or Bario.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis wait outside the arrival hall, and ride-hailing apps are widely used in Miri. Car rental desks are available too, which is a good choice if you plan to visit the national parks along the coast. Public transport is thin, so a car is the most reliable way to get around.

Direct and connecting flights to Miri

Direct flights to Miri run from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, and there have also been services from Johor Bahru and other Malaysian cities. From Singapore, travellers often connect through Kuala Lumpur or Kuching, or look for a direct option when one is on sale. In your Traveloka results, choose Direct under the Transit filter to see non-stop flights only.

If you are heading beyond Miri to Mulu or Bario, book your onward rural flight with enough time for your first flight to arrive. Keeping both flights on the same day works well when the connection is comfortable. Another option is to spend a night in Miri, which gives you a buffer if the first leg runs late.

When to fly to Miri

Miri is warm and humid all year. The north-east monsoon brings heavier rain and rougher seas from around November to February, while the months that follow are usually drier and better for diving the reefs offshore. Rain in the rainforest parks is common in every season, so pack a light raincoat whatever the month.

Flights to Miri are in high demand around the Gawai Dayak harvest festival at the start of June, as well as Malaysian school holidays, Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Christmas, when many Sarawakians return home. If your dates are flexible, the monthly fare chart on this page shows how prices to Miri usually move, and a Price Alert tells you when your fare changes.

Popular places in and around Miri

Canada Hill and the Grand Old Lady

The first oil well in Malaysia was drilled on this hill overlooking the city. The original derrick, nicknamed the Grand Old Lady, still stands beside the Petroleum Museum, and the hilltop gives lovely views over Miri and the sea at sunset.

Niah National Park

The vast Great Cave at Niah is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, where traces of early human settlement were found. A boardwalk through the forest leads to the cave mouth and to the Painted Cave with its ancient rock art.

Lambir Hills National Park

Just south of the city, Lambir Hills has forest trails, waterfalls and natural pools for a cool swim. It is one of the most biologically diverse forests in the region and makes an easy day trip.

Gunung Mulu National Park

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for Deer Cave, Clearwater Cave, the razor-sharp Pinnacles and the evening flight of bats. Miri is the main jumping-off point, with small aircraft making the trip into the park.

Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park

Offshore reefs close to the city offer diving and snorkelling among hard and soft corals, turtles and reef fish. Local dive centres arrange boat trips when the sea is calm.

Where to stay in Miri

The city centre, around the old town and the Tamu Muhibbah market, is compact and full of cafés, food courts and shops, making it a handy base for first-time visitors. The coastal stretch towards Luak Bay and Tanjung Lobang has seaside esplanades, sunset views and a quieter atmosphere.

Further from the centre, the Pujut and Permyjaya areas have newer shopping and dining options and are popular with families and visitors on longer stays. If you are only overnighting before a flight to Mulu, stay somewhere with an easy road to the airport.

Food to try in Miri

Sarawak laksa

Rice vermicelli in a spiced coconut and sambal broth, topped with prawns, shredded chicken, omelette strips and lime, is Sarawak's favourite breakfast. Miri coffee shops serve it from early morning.

Kolo mee

Springy egg noodles tossed in shallot oil and topped with char siu and minced pork make a quick, satisfying meal. Ask for the red version if you want a splash of char siu sauce.

Umai

A Melanau speciality, umai is raw fish cured in lime juice with shallots, chilli and ginger. It is light, sour and refreshing, and often eaten with sago pearls on the side.

Midin

This crunchy jungle fern, stir-fried with garlic or belacan, is a Sarawak vegetable you will not find in many places outside Borneo. Look for it at the Tamu Muhibbah market or on the menu at local restaurants.

Ayam pansuh

Chicken cooked with herbs inside a bamboo tube over an open fire is a traditional Iban dish, especially popular around Gawai.

Northern Sarawak makes a rewarding trip. Search flights to Miri on Traveloka, compare direct routes and times, and book with Easy Reschedule in case your plans shift. Pay with a local method you already use, and reach our customer service at any hour.