Brunei Travel Guide

The small sultanate of Brunei may not be a must-see destination, but I recommend spending a few days there if you’re planning to visit the island of Borneo. In fact, if you’re traveling overland, it’s almost a necessary stop when moving between the two parts of Malaysian Borneo.

The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, boasts some truly impressive mosques and a handful of other notable sights where you can explore the history of this small country—one that many people don’t even realize exists. The cost of living is relatively high, especially when it comes to accommodation, but a short stay shouldn’t put too much strain on your budget.

This guide offers plenty of useful tips and information to help you plan your trip more effectively.

Quick menu

Mosque Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin.

When to visit Brunei

The best time to visit Brunei is during the dry season, which lasts from March to October. During this period, the climate is more pleasant, with less rainfall and lower humidity. Temperatures are also relatively mild, typically ranging from 23°C to 31°C.

Brunei’s seasons can be divided as follows:

Dry Season (March to October): The ideal time to visit, with comfortable weather and minimal rainfall.

Transitional Season (November to February): Generally decent weather, though occasional rain is more likely.

Rainy Season (December to March): The wettest time of the year, marked by frequent showers and high humidity.

Kampong Ayer.

Documents and vaccinations to enter Brunei

Most passport holders with a residual validity of at least six months receive a free 90-day tourist visa. However, it is necessary to fill out an online form to obtain the so-called “E-arrival Card.“

Brunei does not require mandatory vaccinations, but Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are always recommended.

Mosque Al-Muhtadee Billah.

What to do and see in Brunei

In this guide, prices are often given in the local currency. Brunei’s official currency is the Brunei dollar, abbreviated as BND. At the time of writing, the exchange rate is approximately €1 = 1.42 BND. For the most up-to-date rate, I recommend checking this website.

It’s also worth noting that the Brunei dollar is pegged to the Singapore dollar at a 1:1 rate. While it didn’t happen to me personally, it’s not uncommon for change to be given in Singapore dollars, which are generally accepted throughout the country.

Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, is a fairly compact city that can be easily explored on foot.

Mosques

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Google Maps) is the city’s main mosque and an impressive sight, especially in the evening when it’s beautifully illuminated.

The mosque is open to visitors during specific time slots:

Sunday to Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Closed on Fridays.

I recommend confirming the opening hours once you’re on site, as they may vary. Admission is free, but unfortunately, non-Muslims are only allowed to enter a small area near the entrance, from where you can get a glimpse of the interior.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.

Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque (Google Maps) is just as impressive—if not more so—than the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. I visited on a Thursday, when entry wasn’t allowed, so I can’t say how much of the interior is accessible to non-Muslims.

The mosque is open to visitors during the following hours:

Sundays: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Saturdays to Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Closed on Thursdays and Fridays.

The two mosques mentioned above are by far the most impressive in the country. However, Ash Shaliheen Mosque (Google Maps) is also often recommended. I haven’t personally visited it, so I can’t say whether it’s worth the stop. If you pass through the airport, you can also check out the Brunei International Airport Mosque Google Maps).

When visiting mosques, it’s important to dress respectfully:

Men should wear long pants.
Women should cover all skin and avoid tight clothing.
Shoes must be removed before entering.

Please also respect the privacy of worshippers and avoid photographing people without their consent.

Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.

Kampong Ayer

Kampong Ayer (Google Maps) is the largest stilt settlement in the world, with a history stretching back over a thousand years. Chinese records from the 10th century AD and European accounts from the early 16th century attest to its long-standing presence and significance. Nicknames like the “Venice of the East” or “Floating City” highlight the village’s unique character and historical importance.

That said, don’t expect the architectural charm of Venice. While it lacks ornate beauty, Kampong Ayer is still well worth a visit for its cultural and historical value. Riverboats along the shore (Google Maps) usually charge just 1 BND to take you across to the village.

Once you arrive, I recommend starting your visit at the small visitor center and museum (Google Maps) —admission is free. From there, follow the walking path marked by white arrows on a black background, which leads through the wooden walkways of the village to the Al-Muhtadee Billah Mosque (Google Maps).

As you explore, you’ll enjoy great views of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge (Google Maps), the second-longest single-pylon cable-stayed bridge in the world, spanning a total of 622 meters.

If possible, visit early in the morning—the midday sun can be brutal.

A quick heads-up: a couple of boatmen offered me tours to see monkeys just outside town. Unless you’ve never seen monkeys before, I’d say it’s not really worth it.

Kampong Ayer.

Museums

Royal Regalia Museum (Google Maps) showcases the history and wealth of the monarchy. It houses a large collection of royal artifacts, including the regalia used during the coronation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, as well as gifts from foreign dignitaries, ceremonial objects and exhibits highlighting Brunei’s royal heritage and cultural traditions. All in all, I found the visit interesting and if nothing else it is a great way to escape the heat and humidity during the day. Admission costs 5 BND (cash only), if you have an internet connection you can scan the QRs for the audio guide. Open every day except Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

I have not been to other museums but I would point out: Malay Technology Museum (Google Maps), Brunei Maritime Museum (Google Maps), where there is also a small archaeological park nearby (Google Maps), and finally Brunei History Center (Google Maps).

Kampong Ayer.

Tasek Lama Recreational Park

Tasek Lama Recreational Park (Google Maps) is the city park that is a short walk from downtown. The locals love it but I honestly didn’t find anything exceptional about it. There is a small waterfall, a series of trails, and quite a few monkeys. That said, the park is well maintained, so if you want to spend a few hours surrounded by nature on the doorstep of the city, it’s not too bad.

Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your travel insurance through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend True Traveller. For everyone else, I recommend HeyMondo, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!

Tasek Lama Recreational Park.

Gadong Night Market

Gadong Night Market (Google Maps) is considered the most well-known night market in the city. If you’ve already experienced night markets elsewhere in Southeast Asia, you might not find it particularly unique—but it’s still a good spot to try some traditional local dishes, enjoy a budget-friendly dinner, and spend a couple of relaxed hours.

Next to it is the fish market (Google Maps), though its opening hours make it a bit tricky to combine with a visit to the night market.

If you’re looking for a more accessible local market to visit in the morning, I recommend Kianggeh Market (Google Maps). While you’re there, it’s worth stopping by the “Tokong China” Chinese temple right across the street (Google Maps).

Gadong Night Market.

Where to sleep in Bandar Seri Begawan?

I stayed at CoLiving Hostel Bandar, which was one of the cheapest options available. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the location was excellent. However, there’s only one bathroom, which can be a real inconvenience, especially when the hostel is full.

Come raggiungere Bandar Seri Begawan?

From Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Sipitang Express Bus operates routes to Brunei three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You can book tickets in advance at www.easybook.com. The same bus travels in the opposite direction on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

As for travel to and from Miri (Malaysia), there used to be direct buses before COVID-19, but at the time of my visit, those services hadn’t resumed. Here you’ll find an article that’s regularly updated with current travel options.

I ended up making the trip with Pauline, a lovely and friendly person who spoke excellent English. The journey far exceeded my expectations—it took about five hours, but we made stops for breakfast and lunch (she even paid!), visited a luxury hotel, and toured the area around the refineries.

Lastly, Bandar Seri Begawan Airport has connections to many destinations across Southeast Asia and beyond, making it a convenient entry or exit point for your trip.

Tokong Cina Temple.

Other destinations in the country

I decided to skip any activities outside the capital altogether. When it comes to similar experiences, Malaysia is simply more affordable—especially when it comes to visiting places like Ulu Temburong National Park.

A couple of German friends took the two-day tour and said it was quite enjoyable. However, as I mentioned, the rainforest across the border isn’t drastically different, and in Malaysia, you could visit Mulu National Park, which offers a wider range of activities for a better price.

Ulu Temburong National Park

At the hostel in Bandar Seri Begawan they offered a whole range of packages from a day tour for about 100-200 BND (depending on the number of participants) to 150 to 250 BND for the two-day tour with stay inside the park. You can find an excellent article about it here.

To conclude, there are a number of beaches north of the city that are not particularly impressive, but if you decide for example to rent a car and explore the country a bit further you might consider: Pantai Berakas (Google Maps), Pentai Jerudong (Google Maps), Pentai Meragang (Google Maps) and Pentai Muara (Google Maps).Someone recommended a dive center (Oceanic Quest Sdn Bhd), the period with the best visibility is from April to August.

Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.

Possible itineraries in Brunei

If like me you just visit the capital, a couple of days in Brunei is more than enough and I recommend following the itinerary below.

Two-day itinerary in Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan

Day 1:

Kampong Ayer in the morning, Royal Regalia Museum in the afternoon, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in the evening.

Day 2:

Kianggeh Market, Tokong China temple and Tasek Lama Recreational Park in the morning. Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in the afternoon and Gadong Night Market in the evening.

If you plan to visit Ulu Temburong Park as well, add one or two days depending on the tour you choose to take.

Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge.

How to get around Brunei

Fuel and private cars are very cheap in Brunei, which means there’s low demand for public transportation—so it’s not the most efficient way to get around. Surprisingly, ride-sharing apps like Grab and Gojek, which are hugely popular across the region, do not operate in Brunei at the time of writing this guide.

That said, urban transport in the capital isn’t too bad. The hostel where I stayed had a useful map with schedules and routes, which you can also find on this page.

As for taxis, the local alternative to Grab is an app called Dart.

Traveling to Brunei: Costs

Together with Singapore, Brunei is one of the most expensive countries in Southeast Asia. That said, it’s still relatively affordable, especially considering that most travelers only spend a few days here.

If, like me, you stick to visiting just the capital and don’t join any organized tours, a daily budget of €30–40 should be more than enough to cover accommodation, meals, transport, and some sightseeing.

Locali amichevoli al mercato del pesce.

Other Costs: ATM Withdrawals & SIM Cards

Let’s start with ATM withdrawals—these can easily cost you nothing if you’re using one of the best travel cards. Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) allows fee-free withdrawals, and I used their branch in the city center. As the largest bank in the country, they likely have ATMs and branches all over Brunei.

As for SIM cards, the two main providers are DST and Progresif. DST reportedly has better coverage outside the capital, while Progresif tends to offer cheaper plans. Since my stay was short, I didn’t purchase a SIM myself.

If your phone supports eSIM, services like Airalo and Ubigi can be very convenient, allowing you to get online right away without buying a physical SIM. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Data plans via eSIMs are often more expensive than local SIMs.
The network partner they use may not have the best coverage in the area.

In general, most travelers are probably better off getting a local SIM (or checking if a local provider offers eSIMs). That said, it really depends on the destination. For example, when I visited Japan, the plan from Ubigi was actually cheaper than any local SIM I could buy without showing proof of residency.

Tokong Cina temple.

Traveling to Brunei: Safety

Brunei boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the world, and violent crime is extremely rare. While it’s always important to use common sense, I doubt you’ll encounter any serious issues if you follow basic safety precautions.

However, it’s important to remember that Brunei is a very conservative country. Women should cover their legs and shoulders as a sign of respect for local customs and traditions.

Additionally, the sale of alcohol is prohibited in Brunei. Non-Muslim visitors can bring in limited quantities for personal use, but drinking alcohol in public is illegal. Muslims are not permitted to purchase or consume alcohol at all.

Are you planning a trip to Brunei? Check out these posts:

The best cards for traveling

What to bring on your trip

Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on Instagram!

For donations/pizzas and virtual beers 🙂

Did you like the post? Pin it!