Malaysian Borneo is only a two-hour, super cheap flight from Bali or the Malaysian mainland. It’s rural, wild and full of adventure and best of all – you’re almost guaranteed to see an orang-utan. Although Borneo is much more expensive than other places in South East Asia such as Thailand, budget adventures in Cambodia and Laos, it’s still very cheap. I only spent an average of $35 USD per day (including my activities)! If you are already going to Bali or Malaysia, you might as well pop on over to amazing Borneo. Here’s 8 tips to help make your trip to Borneo a lot cheaper.
1. Fly from Denpasar in Bali or Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia with Air Asia
Both of these airports I managed to find flights for around $25-$50 USD with Air Asia. For a 2 hour flight you don’t need luxury so just go for the cheapest. If you’re flexible with your dates it’s easy to find flights as cheap as $18USD. You can fly to Both Kuching or Kota Kinabalu (KK) for these prices. Keep updated on specials by signing up to their email list. For cheap flights within Borneo fly with MASwings.
2. Either stay in Borneo for a long time or pre-book everything
This is going to be the best way for you to save money. I would recommend staying a long time and only pre-booking things that are really needed like diving in Sipadang. I just turned up to most of my activities and that meant I didn’t have to pay ridiculous prices for tours booked online. If you’re short on time check out my article on which popular activities are needed to be booked with a guide.
3. Drink alcohol at the Underground Supermarket Bars
These hidden treasures are the Holy Grail of drinking in Borneo. Due to Malaysian Borneo being a predominantly Muslim country you’ll often find these illegitimate bars disguised as supermarkets or restaurants. They don’t hide the alcohol though so you’ll know it’s a bar because there will be happy Borneans sitting outside drinking canned beer. Tip: if you go to the Karaoke bars or bar/restaurants you are going to start spending A LOT more money.
4. Eat at delicious Chinese takeaway restaurants
Oh wow. The food in this country is so amazing! Because a quarter of the Malaysian population is of Chinese descent there are A LOT of Chinese restaurants in Borneo. Next to every restaurant declaring “no pork!” there will be a Chinese Porkeria. It’s awesome, and cheap and delicious. And while you’re there have a Teh Tarik (pulled tea) yum! Just a quick FYI: generally the food markets aren’t any cheaper than the restaurants in Borneo but they’re full of colour and have delicious new foods like this grilled stingray (my new favourite dish)!
5. CouchSurf
I am a huge fan of CouchSurfing. Not only do you get to meet awesome friendly locals but you also get a nights’ accommodation for FREE. I found the Borneans to be some of the friendliest and outrageously helpful people I’ve met on my travels. Most Malaysians in general speak really good English and all of them are constantly trying to improve so that’s another win-win. As always with CouchSurfing make sure your host has a decent amount of positive recommendations, which won’t be hard to find with these amazing people.
6. It is not necessary to do any of the all-inclusive tours with Guides
A lot of people (myself included) thinking of going to Borneo are under the impression that, due to how remote the island is, the only way to be able to get around and see Borneo is to do a tour. I even had a friend who did only tours from bottom to top. Despite the lack of information on the subject I decided to just turn up and see if it was achievable. I was met with a long week of frustration trying to organise my time there until I met with an actual tour guide who explained to me exactly what you could do with and without a tour. My article: ‘Activities in Borneo’ explains everything you need to know about the popular tours.
7. Always book buses directly at the bus terminal
If you book at a tour agency or hotel you might end up paying twice as much for the same bus. Though you may not get on a bus immediately after you arrive at the terminal, you will save a lot of money by just going to the bus terminal and buying there. Local buses are the same; just turn up to the depot and you will soon be on a super cheap and fun Malaysian bus adventure.
8. Take the pre-organised Malaria Tablets
Yes Borneo is a malaria area. Be ready and start taking malaria tablets before you get there. There are two types of Malaria tablets. One you need to start taking two weeks before arrival in infected area (these ones are much cheaper) and the ones that start working straight away. I made the mistake of buying the latter, costing me RM200 for a packet of 12 (trust me, that’s expensive).
Info
Country: Borneo, Malaysia
Language: Malaysian
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
$1 USD = 3.27RM
I was there: August 2013
I loved experiencing Borneo and great suggestions on how to do Borneo on the cheap!
I wish I could visit Borneo, it sounds lovely. Thanks so much for sharing, this is the first time I’ve hear of CouchSurfing. I’ve lived in the country too long I’m afraid. I need to get out and travel more.
Terri Ramsey Beavers recently posted…Touring Georgia with my Stylish new Lunch Tote
CouchSurfing is such a great way to travel! Meet locals with local knowledge and all that 😀 Thanks for the comment
It is nice to know that there are tablets that you can take to avoid malaria. I’d love to travel their, looks so beautiful.
Chubskulit Rose recently posted…Ahoy Matey, Here Comes the Pirate
Seems like these are efficient ways to go there and enjoy the trip though.. I don’t think I am that gutsy to actually go there.
Aisha Kristine Chong recently posted…Paris, London and NYC: Men’s Top Fashion Trends from All Over the Globe
This is my kind of post I would love to travel but the cost makes me have second thoughts all the time.
Kita recently posted…Have you ever fallen for a scam?
absolutly very usefull post.i am thnking to go there and i was wondering how much it will cost.after this post i guess i can make it n my budget.
I hope yo get there Brook, ’cause Orang-Utans!
This looks like an amazing place to vacation! I love tropical locations and this one looks amazing!
Vera Sweeney recently posted…Daily Diary: Scratch Cake And Natalie’s First Attempt
I would absolutely love to visit Borneo one day, it’s like a paradise on Earth. I’m quite thrifty so I loved this post, ways to save money when traveling are always a thumbs up with me!
I think it would be a great experience for me to travel to Borneo. If I do, I’ll definitely be taking your advice.
Liz Mays recently posted…It’s All About Fizz and Flavor!
Those are great tips to save money. Tours are very expensive. It is better to connect with locals that can guide you
Dogvills recently posted…Pitbull Puppy Training Tips – The Extra Stubborn Puppy
Wow! Great travel tips and it looks very beautiful. It’s good to know about the malaria tablets.
Heather recently posted…The Best Photos From The Last Two Weeks on #WordlessWednesday
Pre-booking does minimize expenses and headaches. I also do a lot of group versus private tours.
Reginia Cordell recently posted…Herathera Island Resort, Maldives
I agree with the Malaysian people being some of the most friendly people. When we were there I had a taxi driver invite us home for Ramadan to meet his wife and kids and grandparents and uncles and cousins…Thanks for the tips about tours, too. We tend not to use them, but have found that it is sometimes really useful to pick the brain of someone who does it for a living.
Michelle H recently posted…Finally a Car Decal For Me (and You)!
Seems like these are efficient ways to go there and enjoy the trip! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren recently posted…Eat: Bite Sized Caesar Salad
I haven’t been to Borneo but I want to visit it someday. Thanks for these tips.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted…Chipotle Garlic Shrimp Po’ Boy
I have heard Borneo is a great country to visit and can be done on the cheap. And I have seen those Asia Air tickets and they are sooooo enticing. The beaches look amazing.
I have been to Malaysia, but I haven’t been to Borneo. Darn! Wish I had gone! Thanks for sharing your travel tips!
Cara (@StylishGeek) recently posted…A Wild Flower Arrangement
How beautiful! I actually never heard of Borneo, but I’ll definitely have to add it to my list. I love that it’s very cheap to travel there, too!
HilLesha recently posted…Endless Outdoor Adventures in Gulf County, Florida
Wow, that looks like an awesome trip. I love how affordable that is. I wish we had some where close that was that affordable.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom recently posted…Join the #DoMore Twitter Party & You Could Win $100 in Prizes from Purina!
I’m going to Borneo for just over two weeks on Tuesday! I can’t wait. Thanks for your tips on busses and how to go on the cheap! I will try to couchsurf and do you have any other bus tips like cities that are along the route from Sarawak to Sabah?
Sasha @doyoueventourist recently posted…Natural Mosquito Repellent Essential Oils
Hi Sasha,
I didn’t do the bus between the two. I caught a plane because I was short on times. MASWings are quite cheap 🙂 Have SOOOO much fun! I really loved Borneo!
i always love Borneo
Hi all!
The 2019 prices for Borneo are ridiculous!
QUESTION:
(1) How to get hike Mt. Kinabalu for super cheap?
(2) How to get out to Layang-Layang for cheap?
(3) Can you recommend any good beaches for shore diving? I’m a freediver.
For Indo and Malaysia, I prefer not to make it up as I go because the locals from these countries are advantageous greedy captialists… well, most of them. That’s why I have been inspired to give free tours in Thailand when I’m not teaching English.
** ~$400 for hiking up a mountain with required guide (Mt. Kintabalu)
** ~$1000+ for accomodations and diving in Layang-Layang
I’ve been backpacking SE Asia for 7 years and Indo + Malaysia have been the most expensive. Borneo has taken price gouging to a new level that even Singapore can’t touch.