Transportation in Brunei

Getting to Brunei

By Air

Direct flights operate between Brunei and Australia and ten other Asian cities. A departure tax of Br $5 is levied on all flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu and Br $12 for destinations other than these. It is payable by cash at the check-in counter at the airport. Taxes are to be paid in Brunei dollars.

Brunei International Airport (BWN) is located at a distance of 6 miles (10 kilometres) from Bandar Seri Begawan. Taxis ply from the airport to the city and cost approximately Br $30. Taxis that are hired from the car park of the airport charge less than those hired inside the airport. Airport transfers after 10.00 pm attract an additional surcharge. A cheaper option is the comfortable minibus for which the fare is only Br $1.

For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend Brunei airport transfers by Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.

By Water

Water taxis and ships operate passenger cruise services between Labuan in Malaysia and Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB). There is also a regular passenger boat service between Muara port and Labuan, Menumbuk and Kota Kinabalu. Kuala Belait and Muara are the major commercial ports.

By Road

There are many roads from Sarawak to Brunei. Some of these are good but some others are unpaved.

Getting Around Brunei

It is possible to reach Malaysia (Sarawak) by road in a single day, provided the departure is early in the morning. Vehicles in Brunei drive on the left of the road. Tourists who want to explore the surrounding areas are advised to hire a car. Self drive as well as chauffeur driven cars are available in Brunei.

Boats

There is a regular fast boat service between Bandar Seri Begawan and Bangar, the main town of Temburong District. There are also ferry services from Bandar Seri Begawan to Menumbok and Kota Kinabalu of the Sabah state of Malaysia.  Labuan the duty free island which is under the Federal State of Malaysia, can be accessed through regular ferry services from Bandar Seri Begawan.

Water taxis are a popular mode of transport in Brunei and can be hired from the waterfront at Bandar Seri Begawan. Short hauls cost approximately Br $2 while the charge for a full day is approximately Br $20 or Br $25 per hour.

Car and Motorcycle

The easiest way to get around Brunei is by hiring a car. The drivers are relatively safe compared to their Southeast Asian counterparts. However, rental charges are high (Br $70 for one day) and it may not be easy to get used to driving on the left!

Hitchhiking is still a novelty in Brunei and therefore easier than elsewhere. However, cars rarely stop on main highways, and hitchhiking in any part of the world is never really safe. So it is best to use this option only if all else fails.

Bus

The bus network within Bandar Seri Begawan is reliable and economical. Tickets cost between Br $1 and Br $2. Buses operate only between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, after which you will have to use taxis, which are more expensive. Also, the bus network outside Bandar Seri Begawan is poor and it is better to hire a car.