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Brunei travel guide
Golden mosques, water villages and untouched rainforest.
Brunei is a small, peaceful sultanate on the island of Borneo, known for its grand mosques and calm pace of life. Visitors explore the stilt village of Kampong Ayer and the protected rainforest of Temburong.
Travel tools
Getting there
Brunei International Airport near Bandar Seri Begawan has flights across Southeast Asia and beyond. Land borders and ferries connect Brunei with Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia.
Best time to visit: Feb–Apr – slightly drier, though it is warm all year.
Tougher months: October-January can be very wet, with heavy downpours, though travel is still possible.
Weather by month in Bandar Seri Begawan
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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Kuching. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 64 of 198 other passports can enter Brunei without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 134 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Brunei (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-05-14). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Brunei travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Brunei are based around Bandar Seri Begawan, Kampong Ayer or Ulu Temburong National Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$40–60 for a backpacker and US$100–180 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Brunei page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: G. Voltage: 240 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +673.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Bandar Seri Begawan (Capital · mosques & museums): A relaxed capital of golden domes, museums and riverside markets.
- Kampong Ayer (Brunei River · water village): A centuries-old village on stilts that still houses thousands of residents.
- Ulu Temburong National Park (Temburong · rainforest): Pristine jungle reached by boat, with a dramatic canopy walk and river swimming.
- Tasek Lama Recreational Park (Capital · forest park): Easy jungle trails and a waterfall right in the city.
- Seria (Belait · oil town): See the Billionth Barrel Monument celebrating Brunei's oil heritage.
- Labi and Belait forests (West · countryside): Quiet longhouses and forest reserves give a glimpse of rural Brunei.
- Muara and Serasa beaches (Northeast coast · beaches): Laid-back beaches popular with local families at weekends.
Things to do
- Visit the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Admire the golden dome reflected in a lagoon, best at sunset when the lights come on.
- Take a water taxi to Kampong Ayer. Explore the world's largest stilt village, with homes, schools and mosques linked by boardwalks.
- Trek Ulu Temburong National Park. Ride a longboat upriver and climb a canopy walkway high above untouched rainforest.
- Spot proboscis monkeys. Take an evening boat along the Brunei River to see big-nosed monkeys in the mangroves.
- Tour the Royal Regalia Museum. See the golden chariot and ceremonial treasures of the sultanate.
- Eat at Gadong Night Market. Graze on satay, grilled fish and ambuyat, Brunei's sticky sago dish.
- See Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. Gaze at the country's largest mosque with its 29 golden domes.
- Walk the Tasek Lama trails. Hike to a waterfall in a forest park right on the edge of the capital.
Source: full Brunei guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Ambuyat – sticky sago starch eaten with sour dips
- Nasi katok – simple rice with fried chicken and sambal
- Kelupis – sticky rice wrapped in leaves
- Satay – grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce
Source: RoamSun Brunei guide
Money and safety
Currency: Brunei dollar (BND). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not expected; a service charge is often included.
Emergency numbers: 993 police · 995 fire · 991 ambulance.
- The Brunei dollar is pegged one-to-one with the Singapore dollar, and both are accepted.
- Cards are accepted in malls and hotels, but carry cash for markets and water taxis.
- Brunei has very low crime rates and is safe to explore day or night.
- Laws are strict and based partly on Sharia; respect dress codes and avoid public displays of affection.
Source: RoamSun Brunei facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Brunei?
Feb–Apr – slightly drier, though it is warm all year. Hot and humid all year, with frequent rain showers.
What time zone is Brunei in?
Brunei uses Asia/Kuching.
Do I need a visa for Brunei?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 64 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 134 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Brunei use?
Brunei uses plug type G at 240 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Brunei?
The international calling code for Brunei is +673.
Do you tip in Brunei?
Not expected; a service charge is often included.
What is the emergency number in Brunei?
993 police · 995 fire · 991 ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Brunei?
Traffic drives on the left.