Brunei travel guide
Brunei is a small sultanate on the north coast of Borneo, surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the South China Sea. It combines golden-domed mosques, the world's largest water village and large areas of untouched rainforest. It is quiet, orderly and conservative, and suits short stays focused on culture and nature.
Places worth the trip
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
A white marble mosque with a gold dome, built in 1958 beside a lagoon in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan, with a replica royal barge in the water. It is especially striking at dusk.
Kampong Ayer
A water village of houses, schools, mosques and shops on stilts over the Brunei River, connected by wooden walkways. Water taxis cross from the city centre, and a cultural gallery explains its history.
Ulu Temburong National Park
A protected area of primary rainforest in the eastern part of the country, reached by road or river and longboat. A canopy walkway rises above the treetops for views over the forest.
Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
The country's largest mosque, with 29 golden domes, built to mark the reign of the current sultan, and surrounded by gardens and fountains.
Royal Regalia Museum
A museum in the capital displaying the royal chariot used at the sultan's coronation, ceremonial objects and gifts from heads of state.
Mangrove river trips
Boat trips from the capital into the mangroves along the Brunei River offer good chances of seeing proboscis monkeys, with their long noses, at dusk.
Gadong night market
A busy evening market in the Gadong area, with stalls selling local food such as satay, grilled fish and sweets.
Interesting facts about Brunei
- Brunei is split into two separate parts by a strip of Malaysian territory; the Temburong Bridge, opened in 2020, now links them by road.
- The Istana Nurul Iman, the sultan's palace, is one of the largest residential palaces in the world.
- The sale of alcohol is prohibited in Brunei.
- The Brunei dollar is interchangeable at par with the Singapore dollar under a long-standing agreement.
- Kampong Ayer has been inhabited for centuries, and was described by members of Magellan's expedition who visited in 1521.
Best time to visit Brunei
Brunei has a hot, humid tropical climate year-round. The relatively drier months are from about February to April, while rainfall is heaviest from roughly October to January. During Ramadan, opening hours change and eating in public during daylight is not permitted. At Hari Raya Aidilfitri, at the end of Ramadan, the sultan's palace opens to the public for a few days.
Getting around
Public transport is limited: buses serve the capital and some routes beyond it, but they are infrequent and stop running early in the evening. Taxis are few, so most visitors use ride-hailing or hire a car; roads are good and traffic is light. Water taxis cross to Kampong Ayer. Temburong can be reached by the bridge or by speedboat and is usually visited on an organised trip.
Practical details
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Currency
- Brunei dollar (BND); Singapore dollars accepted at par
- Languages
- Malay
- Plug types
- G
- Voltage
- 240 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 993 police, 991 ambulance, 995 fire
- Driving side
- left
- Tipping
- Not expected. Some hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
Staying online in Brunei
Mobile coverage is good in Bandar Seri Begawan, the towns and along the main roads, with 4G widely available. Coverage becomes weak or absent deep in the rainforest of Temburong. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, malls and many cafés. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land so ride-hailing works from the airport.
Brunei eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Brunei, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Brunei, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Brunei, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Brunei, V2
Useful apps
- Dart: Brunei's own ride-hailing app, the main alternative to the country's small number of taxis.
- Google Maps: Driving directions and locations of mosques, museums and markets.
- Google Translate: Malay translation, though English is widely understood.
- XE Currency: Convert Brunei dollars and Singapore dollars.
Brunei travel FAQs
Two or three days covers the capital, Kampong Ayer and the mosques, and an extra day lets you visit Ulu Temburong National Park.
Yes. Modern phones work on Brunei's networks, with good coverage in populated areas. A travel eSIM gives you data from arrival, which is useful as ride-hailing is the main way to get around.
Brunei is a conservative Islamic country. Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees. Mosques provide robes for visitors, and shoes are removed before entering.
Yes. English is widely spoken, especially in the capital, in business and among younger people. Malay is the official language.