Below is some of the details on crossing the boarder to Miri.
There are a 2 land border crossings from Brunei to Malaysia; one at Kuala Lura and the other west of Kuala Belait, en route to Miri. Border crossings can be a confusing process, although one that gets simpler the more you do it. Basically remember that as you cross a border you need to export / import your vehicle aswell as getting a 'chop' or stamp on each passport for the passengers in that vehicle. Thus you will need:
There are a 2 land border crossings from Brunei to Malaysia; one at Kuala Lura and the other west of Kuala Belait, en route to Miri. Border crossings can be a confusing process, although one that gets simpler the more you do it. Basically remember that as you cross a border you need to export / import your vehicle aswell as getting a 'chop' or stamp on each passport for the passengers in that vehicle. Thus you will need:
- The Blue Card ownership document for your vehicle.
- Your insurance certificate.
- A vehicle export document (issued at border)
- An immigration form for each person (issued at border)
- If you're using a hire car you need written permission to take it across the boarder from the hire company.
You will be given by customs at the border a vehicle export document that allows you to export your car to Malaysia. This will be valid for 3 months and allows multiple trips across that border.
As a rough guide of driving times (much higher on school holidays):
KB - Miri (Sarawak) - 1 to 2 hours
KB- Limbang (Sarawak) - 2/3 hour
KB - Bangar (Temburong) -2.5/3.5 hour
KB - KK (by road) - 7/8 hours
You can take your car to Kota Kinabalu using the new daily Muara-Menumbok ferry service.
Tickets should be bought in advance and can only be purchased at their ticket counter at the Muara Ferry Terminal . Full cost for 1 car is B$70 each way. However deals can be found in the low season for 1 car, 1 driver and 1 passenger for B$49 return. None of these prices include various taxes and fees – detailed later. More details can be found at www.pkljaya.com
Brunei-KK:
Check-in is at 9:30am and the ferry sets sail at 10am. The crossing time is 2½ hours and you can count on driving away from Menumbok by 1pm after arrival admin (ie customs and immigration)
Departure tax is B$2 per traveller and B$3 per vehicle. There is a landing fee in Menumbok of RM7 per car or RM8 per 4WD/SUV. The journey from Menumbok to KK takes 2 to 2½ hours and is well signposted. The route follows the A7 via Kuala Penyu towards Beaufort before turning left onto the A2 all the way to KK.
KK-Brunei:
Aim to leave KK not too much after midday. Ensure that you leave on the A2 towards KK airport. Remain on this road heading towards Papar and look for a right turn (signposted towards the Menumbok car ferry) a few km short of Beaufort. Check in opens at 2pm but you should get away with arriving at 2:30pm. The ferry leaves at 3pm and arrives at Muara at 5:30pm. Departure tax from Menumbok is RM5 per traveller and RM7 per car (RM8 for SUV/4WD)
Car Ferry Facilities:
The ferry has an air-conditioned cabin with mini-cafe selling drinks, noodles, snacks. There is also a film showing (ranging from local Malay films to mainstream Western films). Passengers can also sit outside during the journey.
The ferry passes by Kuraman Island and Labuan – quite a scenic route.
Toilets not luxury put perfectly useable and toilet paper is provided!
Misc:
On the Brunei side, immigration and customs is ‘drive-through’. On the Malaysian side, you have to get out and go through the terminal. Also passengers have to get out of the vehicle whilst the driver, drives the car on and off the ferry.