City in Sarawak, Malaysia
Kuching for solo travelers
Is Kuching good for solo travel?
Relaxed riverside Borneo capital with great food, easy rainforest and cultural day trips, and low prices. Hot and wet, with a quiet nightlife and little public transport.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Dress modestly in longhouse and rural areas, use Grab at night and keep bags in front. |
How to meet people in Kuching
Hostels and guesthouses near the waterfront, group day trips to Bako and Semenggoh, food crawls and cultural village visits.
Good things to do alone
- See orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre in the morning
- Hike to a beach at Bako National Park
- Walk the Kuching Waterfront at dusk
- Eat Sarawak laksa at a kopitiam
- Visit the Sarawak Cultural Village
Where to stay in Kuching
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Waterfront and Main Bazaar | First-timers: river views, cafés, markets and guesthouses |
| Padungan | Cafés, bars and cheap local restaurants |
| Tabuan Jaya and Stutong | Quiet residential long stays near malls |
Solo travel across Malaysia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Penang | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kuala Lumpur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Malacca | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kota Kinabalu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cameron Highlands | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Perhentian Islands | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kuching | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Tioman | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sandakan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Taman Negara | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Langkawi | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ipoh | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Johor Bahru | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Redang | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Semporna | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Genting Highlands | 2/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Kuching good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Relaxed riverside Borneo capital with great food, easy rainforest and cultural day trips, and low prices.
How do you meet people in Kuching?
Hostels and guesthouses near the waterfront, group day trips to Bako and Semenggoh, food crawls and cultural village visits. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Kuching?
Widely spoken.
Is Kuching safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Dress modestly in longhouse and rural areas, use Grab at night and keep bags in front.
More about Kuching
Going to Kuching solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Kuching meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Sarawak Tourism Board
- Kuching International Airport (Malaysia Airports)
- Grab Malaysia
- Normah Medical Specialist Centre
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.