Language
Malay
The official language of Brunei is Malay (Bahasa Melayu), but due to its British colonial past, English is widely spoken and understood in urban areas, though sometimes with a thick accent.
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Asia · South-Eastern AsiaOutline guideCountry in Southeast Asia
Photo: Balou46, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Sultanate of Brunei is a small but — thanks to natural gas and petroleum resources — very rich country on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Although Brunei is not on most travellers' radar, it is a country of tranquil mosques, pristine jungles, and friendly inhabitants. Its full name is Negara Brunei Darussalam, with Darussalam appropriately meaning "Abode of Peace".
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Brunei.
Malay
The official language of Brunei is Malay (Bahasa Melayu), but due to its British colonial past, English is widely spoken and understood in urban areas, though sometimes with a thick accent.
The prepaid Hallo Kad, available from TelBru telephone offices (including one at the airport) and other outlets in denominations from $5-50 can be used at any phone in the country to make local and international calls.
Mobile networks
But drink water only if it's been boiled, or bottled water.
Eating out is generally safe because of good food safety standards. But drink water only if it's been boiled, or bottled water. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Dengue fever is a real risk. Malaria risk is low.
The Brunei Government is run as a Malay Islamic Monarchy (Melayu Islam Beraja) principle, which means that the Sultan of Brunei, apart from being one of the richest men in the world, effectively runs the country.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital, sometimes known as "Bandar" or "BSB" for short
gateway town to the unspoilt nature of Temburong
second largest city and border town on the way to Sarawak, Malaysia
a small port town
a small town, located on the banks of Tutong River
The most important and bustling district where the capital of the country, Bandar Seri Begawan, is located.
Lies under the coverage of the virgin forest, scattered small scale plantations.
Western-most district, also the centre of the country's petroleum industry.
Isolated eastern district, separated from the rest of country by the Malaysian district of Limbang, but now connected by a 30 km bridge across the sea
Public transport and paid services in Brunei.
By tour vans
Another alternative is hiring a tour van to drive you around Brunei, for example, for a whole day, or several hours. Try asking them from the ferry counters in Muara.
By boat
By bus
Around the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, there is a good-sized network of minibuses.
By car
There is one "motorway", from Bandar Seri Begawan along the coast. It is almost all dual carriageway from Muara to Kuala Belait and the toll bridge to Malaysia/Sarawak in the west.
By taxi
There are not many taxis in Brunei, because car ownership and usage are high.
By ride-hailing
The main ride-hailing app in Brunei is Dart. Well-known ride-hailing apps found elsewhere in Southeast Asia, such as Grab and Gojek, do not operate in Brunei.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Brunei.
Finding apps for Brunei…
Other ways to travel:By thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bandar Seri Begawan · International · BWN
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Bandar Seri Begawan
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° |
| Avg. low | 25° | 25° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 285 | 143 | 155 | 212 | 241 | 258 | 249 | 229 | 253 | 312 | 321 | 333 |
| Humidity | 85% | 86% | 84% | 82% | 82% | 82% | 81% | 81% | 82% | 84% | 84% | 84% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$120
Per person, per day
Luxury
$310
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $70 | $185 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Brunei. Brunei is generally a safe destination for travelers. Basic emergency medical care is available throughout Brunei. However, response times may be limited in rural areas. Review the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information. Review our travel guidance for Brunei to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Brunei.
ItinerariesA practical 3-day Brunei itinerary covering the gilded mosques of Bandar Seri Begawan, Kampong Ayer water village, and Ulu Temburong National Park.
6 min read
Culture & historyComprehensive guide to Bandar Seri Begawan covering Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Royal Regalia Museum, and water village tours.
6 min read
Travel tipsIs Brunei expensive for tourists? Discover real daily travel costs, Brunei Dollar currency peg, Dart ride-hailing fares, food prices, and hotel rates.
6 min read
Food & drinkMalaysia, Singapore and Brunei are former British colonies in Southeast Asia that are at the crossroads of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures, and topped off with British influences from the colonial era.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesTraveling in a day from Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state in Malaysia to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, or vice-versa, can be easily done by flying, driving, taking boats or by catching the bus.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe geographical and cultural diversity of Asia makes a great number of itineraries across Earth’s largest continent possible, from Marco Polo to the Karakoram Highway.
Wikivoyage
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