Brunei
Ulu Temburong's canopy walkway puts you above the rainforest rather than beneath it, and the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque anchors a capital with a stilt-house water village at its heart. Brunei is quiet, orderly and alcohol-free, which makes it an easy, unhurried add-on to a Borneo trip.
Overview
Brunei is a sliver of northern Borneo, split in two by Malaysian Sarawak, and roughly 70 per cent of it is still forested, partly because oil and gas wealth removed any need for large-scale logging. Most visitors give it three or four days. Bandar Seri Begawan, the low-rise capital on the Brunei River, covers the mosques, the Royal Regalia Museum and Kampong Ayer, the stilt village across the water. The second essential is Temburong, the eastern exclave, now reached by a 30-kilometre bridge across Brunei Bay, where longboats run upriver into the national park.
The pace is gentle, almost sleepy. There is no nightlife and no alcohol for sale, businesses pause for Friday prayers, and evenings revolve around night markets such as Gadong's, where satay and grilled fish cost a few dollars. Accommodation is limited and mid-priced, but food is cheap and the country feels orderly and unhurried. It suits curious travellers, families and anyone combining Sabah and Sarawak, and its wildlife surprises people: proboscis monkeys feed in mangroves a short boat ride from the capital.
Map of Brunei
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Ulu Temburong National Park
Reached by longboat up the Temburong River and visited with licensed operators, this protected rainforest is best at dawn: climb the steel towers of the canopy walkway for views over unbroken forest, then swim in the river.
- 2Culture
Kampong Ayer
Several thousand people still live in this stilt village on the Brunei River, linked by plank walkways, schools and mosques. Hop on a water taxi from the waterfront and start at the Cultural and Tourism Gallery.
- 3Sacred site
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Completed in 1958, the capital's landmark mosque rises from an artificial lagoon beside a replica royal barge, its gold dome floodlit at night. Non-Muslims may visit outside prayer times, with robes provided.
- 4Architecture
Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
Brunei's largest mosque, opened in 1994, has 29 golden domes commemorating the country's 29 sultans. Its gardens, minarets and tiled interior are at their most striking in the late-afternoon light.
- 5Wildlife
Brunei River mangroves
Late-afternoon boat trips from the capital's waterfront slip into the mangroves to find proboscis monkeys, Borneo's pot-bellied, long-nosed primates, along with macaques, monitor lizards and, with luck, estuarine crocodiles.
Biggest cities
Bandar Seri Begawan
A compact, low-key capital: two landmark mosques, the Royal Regalia Museum, water taxis to Kampong Ayer and Gadong's night market fill two days comfortably.
Kuala Belait
Brunei's westernmost town, built on oil money near the Sarawak border; quiet, with a riverside and beach, and mainly useful as a stop on the road to Miri.
Seria
Brunei's oil was first struck here in 1929; nodding-donkey pumps still work among the houses, and the Billionth Barrel Monument marks the field's milestone output.
Outside the capital's urban area Brunei's towns are small; figures are approximate urban-area estimates.
When to go to Brunei
Best time: Feb–Apr.
Average climate in Bandar Seri Begawan
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarHari Raya Aidilfitri
At the end of Ramadan the Sultan opens Istana Nurul Iman, the world's largest residential palace, to the public for three days of handshakes and festive food.
- FebNational Day
On 23 February the capital marks Brunei's independence with parades, choreographed displays and celebrations, and the districts hold their own events.
- JulSultan's Birthday
Around 15 July the country celebrates with processions, fireworks, trade fairs and festivities in every district, and the capital's waterfront is decorated for weeks.
How much does Brunei cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Ambuyat
Brunei's national dish: a gluey mass of sago starch twirled onto bamboo chandas and dipped in sour cacah sauce, eaten with grilled fish and vegetable sides.
Nasi katok
A cheap, filling parcel of rice, fried chicken and sambal, sold around the clock; the name comes from knocking on the seller's door.
Kelupis
Glutinous rice steamed in a tight leaf wrapping, often eaten with rendang or curry; a breakfast and festival favourite.
Getting around
Public transport is thin. Buses run from the central terminal in Bandar Seri Begawan to Gadong, Tutong and the Belait towns, but services stop early in the evening. Street taxis are scarce, so most visitors use Dart, the local ride-hailing app, or hire a car: roads are excellent and fuel is cheap. Water taxis zip across the river to Kampong Ayer, and the Temburong Bridge has turned the exclave into an easy drive.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G240V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +673
- Time zone
- UTC+8 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Not expected; upmarket hotels and restaurants usually add a 10 per cent service charge. Rounding up for drivers or guides is appreciated.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly, especially at mosques, where women should cover their hair. Point with your thumb rather than a finger, avoid public displays of affection and don't eat or drink in public during Ramadan.
- Main airports
- Brunei International Airport (BWN), Bandar Seri Begawan
Visas & entry for Brunei
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
British citizen passport holders may enter Brunei as visitors for up to 90 days without a visa. If you have another type of British nationality, check visa requirements with Brunei immigration authorities.
To stay longer or if you’re travelling for work, study, business travel or other reasons, you must meet the Brunei government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Brunei High Commission in the UK.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Very low risk of malaria
- There is very low risk of malaria in Brunei Darussalam: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Brunei
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day (observed) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day (observed) |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Isra' and Mi'raj (date may shift) |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Lunar New Year |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | First Day of Ramadan (date may shift) |
| Tue 23 Feb 2027 | National Day |
| Wed 24 Feb 2027 | Anniversary of the revelation of the Quran (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 12 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sat 13 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 31 May 2027 | Armed Forces Day |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (date may shift) |
| Mon 7 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Thu 15 Jul 2027 | Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's Birthday |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Malay
| English | Malay | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Apa khabar | AH-pah KAH-bar |
| Thank you | Terima kasih | t'REE-mah KAH-see |
| Please | Tolong | TOH-long |
| Excuse me | Maafkan saya | mah-AHF-kan SAH-yah |
| How much is this? | Berapa harganya? | b'RAH-pah har-GAH-nyah |
Know before you go
- Alcohol is not sold anywhere. Non-Muslim visitors may bring in a small personal allowance, which must be declared at customs and drunk privately.
- Many shops, cafés and offices close from about noon to 2pm on Fridays for prayers, so plan museum visits and meals around the gap.
- Singapore dollars are accepted at par alongside Brunei dollars; carry small notes for water taxis, night markets and roadside nasi katok stalls.
Brunei travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Brunei?
The best time to visit Brunei is generally Feb–Apr. Peak months are February, March and April. Average highs in Bandar Seri Begawan range from 30°C to 33°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Brunei cost per day?
Roughly £40 a day on a tight budget, £95 mid-range and £210+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Brunei?
Brunei dollar (BND).
What plug type does Brunei use?
Type G sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Brunei?
Traffic drives on the left in Brunei — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Brunei?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Brunei?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: British citizen passport holders may enter Brunei as visitors for up to 90 days without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Brunei before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/brunei/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Brunei?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
