Last update: 20 Oct 2026
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Brunei Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Brunei – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
240 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G
Type G:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Brunei Dollar (BND) £1 ≈ BND 1.71 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are increasingly accepted, particularly in urban areas. Credit cards and digital payment systems are becoming more common.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Brunei, though small tips for exceptional service may be appreciated in restaurants and hotels. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | The sale of alcohol and drinking in public are banned in Brunei. Non-Muslim visitors may bring in a limited amount of alcohol for private consumption, which must be declared on arrival. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in many public indoor areas, including restaurants, shopping centres, and public transport. |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Varies) |
A major celebration, with crowded festivities and events |
|---|---|
| National Day (23 Feb) |
Celebrated with national pride and gatherings |
| Christmas (25 Dec) |
A quieter holiday for visitors |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 993 (Police), 991 (Ambulance), 995 (Fire) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | |
| Other: | Brunei is a small, peaceful country known for its wealth, green spaces, and Islamic culture. Visitors should respect local customs and traditions. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Brunei, Brunei
Heaviest rain October to January; February to April is the driest stretch, though rain is possible year-round
Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset, Hari Raya Aidilfitri follows with closures and celebrations
Sultan's Birthday celebrations around 15 July, with parades and illuminations in Bandar Seri Begawan
Don't miss
- 🕌 Admire the golden domes of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
- 🚤 Cruise through the floating village of Kampong Ayer
- 🌿 Walk the lush rainforest trails in Ulu Temburong National Park
- 🏰 Explore the grand halls of Istana Nurul Iman, the royal palace
- 🏺 Visit the Brunei Museum to learn about the sultanate’s heritage
- 🛍️ Shop for local crafts and snacks at Gadong Night Market
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Brunei?
Brunei suits travellers who want culture and rainforest without crowds. The two landmark mosques in Bandar Seri Begawan, with their gilded domes and tall minarets, are the main sights and several are open to respectful visitors outside prayer times. Nearby, Kampong Ayer is a large water village of houses on stilts and small boats serve it from the riverfront. Museums in the capital cover royal history and local culture. The rainforest is the other draw. Ulu Temburong National Park in the Temburong district protects lowland Bornean rainforest and is reached by boat or by the long bridge that links the district. Police advise against hiking alone, so go with a recognised guide and stay on the trails. Elsewhere, there are long beaches along the coast around Tutong and Belait and the oil town of Seria shows the industry behind the country's wealth. Brunei is also a quiet stop between Sarawak and Sabah. Open-air markets sell Malay food at low prices and evenings are calm. Alcohol isn't sold, there is little nightlife and shops close for prayers on Fridays, so adjust your expectations. Two or three days cover the main sights. A night in Temburong gives time for the forest. The weather is hot and humid all year with rain most months.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Sultan's Birthday Celebrations
-
Brunei National Day
-
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
-
Hari Raya Aidiladha
-
Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day
-
Islamic New Year
-
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
-
Brunei December Festival
-
Brunei Regatta
-
Brunei Food Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Complete the e-arrival declaration and the health form before you land.
- Dress modestly and skip shorts and sleeveless tops in government buildings or when visiting a mosque.
- Plan around Friday prayers because many shops and restaurants close between 12:00 – 14:00 on that day.
- Go to Ulu Temburong with a recognised guide and stay on the trail because hiking alone isn't advised.
How to travel to Brunei
Most visitors arrive by air at Brunei International Airport (BWN), about a 15-minute drive from Bandar Seri Begawan. Royal Brunei Airlines is the national carrier and flies to destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australia. AirAsia flies from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, Singapore Airlines from Singapore and Cebu Pacific from Manila. By land, there are four road entry points from Malaysia. Sungai Tujoh near Miri in Sarawak is the most convenient. Kuala Lurah is a short drive from Limbang in Sarawak and Labu and Ujong Jalan in Temburong suit travellers coming from Sabah. Border posts aren't open 24 hours, so check hours ahead. The Serasa ferry terminal in Kuala Belait receives ferries from Labuan. Visitors on a British passport can stay up to 90 days without a visa and other nationalities should check the rules before they go. Passports must be valid for six months after arrival. Fill in the e-arrival declaration and the Health Declaration Form before or on arrival.
Access summary
- Bandar Seri Begawan: Fly to Brunei International Airport (BWN) from regional hubs.
- From Malaysia/Singapore: short flights on Royal Brunei, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines.
- Royal Brunei Airlines hub at BWN; independent, not in major alliances.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Brunei
Most visitors stay in or near Bandar Seri Begawan, which has the widest choice of hotels and puts the mosques, the water village, the museums and the airport within easy reach. Options run from simple budget hotels and guesthouses to large upscale hotels and resorts, mostly on or near the river and the main roads. Outside the capital the choice is smaller. Along the coast near Tutong there are beach resorts and in Belait the town of Seria has business hotels. The Temburong district has a few lodges near the national park. Staying one night there makes the forest trip more relaxing than a rushed day tour. Some lodges inside the rainforest are basic and fill up at weekends, so book ahead. Brunei is calm and prices are moderate compared with Singapore. Rooms are alcohol free and many hotels have a prayer direction marked in the room. Ask whether breakfast is included and how far the property is from the riverfront, since distances in the capital can be longer on foot than they look.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Brunei
Brunei is small and split in two by Malaysian territory, with Bandar Seri Begawan in the larger part. The sights in the capital are close together. A car is the easiest way to cover the rest of the country.
Car:
A UK licence is valid for up to 90 days and other visitors should check the rules for their own licence. Driving standards are loose, so expect ignored red lights, unused seatbelts and animals on the road. Foreign-registered vehicles can buy fuel only at designated stations and usually pay in cash.
Taxis and walking:
In Bandar Seri Begawan, the main mosques, the riverfront and the museums are close enough for short taxi rides or a walk in the cooler hours. Taxis are few, so ask your hotel to arrange one.
Buses:
Buses link the capital with the main towns, though routes are limited and schedules are loose, so they suit travellers with time to spare.
Boats:
Small boats serve Kampong Ayer and river cruises start from the waterfront. Check that there are enough life jackets and keep your hands inside the boat because of crocodiles. For Ulu Temburong most visitors book a guided tour, which handles the boat and the trail.
Food in Brunei
Malay cuisine is the base of local food and open-air markets are where it tastes best. Soto, noodle dishes and grilled fish with rice are common. The night markets in Bandar Seri Begawan are the best place for cheap meals and snacks, with seafood and curry stalls that fill up in the evening.
Ambuyat:
Ambuyat is the national dish, a sticky starch made from the sago palm that you twirl on a two-pronged bamboo fork and dip in a sour sauce with side dishes.
Nasi katok and kuih:
Nasi katok is a cheap rice plate with fried chicken and sambal. Sweet cakes called kuih are sold at markets and tea stalls.
Alcohol and tobacco sales are illegal in Brunei. Non-Muslim visitors aged 17 and over may bring in a limited amount of alcohol, which must be declared and drunk in private. During Ramadan it's illegal to eat or drink in public during fasting hours, so many cafes close by day. Shops and restaurants also close from 12:00 – 14:00 on Fridays for prayers.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Brunei are around 53% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to BND) is 2% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Brunei has low crime and is calm, though petty theft and burglaries occur. Laws are strict on drugs, alcohol, dress and public behaviour and some penalties include caning. Saltwater crocodiles and snakes live in the wild, so heed warning signs and avoid the water's edge.
Health & Medical
Healthcare is generally good, with a main hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan and a private medical centre at Jerudong. Serious cases may go to Singapore. Dengue occurs and haze can affect air between July and October. Insurance with evacuation cover is advised.
Accessibility
Accessibility is mixed. Major hotels and malls have lifts and ramps but pavements are often uneven or missing. Kampong Ayer has stairs and wooden walkways and boats need a step down. Rainforest trails are rough. A private car helps.
Tap water
Most tap water meets World Health Organization standards, but some embassies still advise drinking only boiled or bottled water. Bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere. If you have a sensitive stomach, stick with bottled water and be careful with ice from unknown sources.
Packing recommendations for Brunei
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
☂️
Folding umbrella
🪰
Insect repellent
🧼
Hand sanitiser
🧕
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees
covering shoulders and knees
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
Type G
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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