NEW
Brunei: A Hidden Gem
DURATION
4-5 Days Trip
TRIP TYPE
Land
Boat
ATTRACTIONS
TYPE
Nature
Architecture
Rivers
LOCATIONS
Palace
River
OVERVIEW
VLOGS
Budget
| EXPENSE TYPE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | Most hotels cost less than 60 USD per night. There are also options for below 30 USD. The higher range is at around 300 USD per night. |
| FOOD | Budget meals cost around 3 USD and mid to higher end meals cost between 15 to 30 USD per person. |
| TAXI | The most convenient way to explore Brunei is by taxi. It starts at 3.5 BND (around 2.5 USD) in the first kilometer or minute with 0.20 BND added after every 15 seconds or 250 meters, whichever comes first. NOTE: There is a 50% added metered fare between 6pm to 6am. There is also an area surcharge including: – To/From Brunei International Airport 3.00 BND (2.3 USD) – From one district to another, including to Muara in the Brunei-Muara District 8.00 BND (6 USD) |
| DAR | You can also use Dart, which is like Grab or Uber. It’s more or less the same priced as regular taxis. You can check the approximate fare here: https://www.dartbrunei.com/taxitariff |
| PUBLIC BUS | it iss the cheapest way to get around town, with an average fare of 1 BND (0.7 USD) per ride! It serves six lines, which are distinctive thanks to the bright colors of the buses. The Eastern Line, which is the royal blue bus, and the Northern Line, marked as the green bus, pass through the international airport. NOTE: the service runs from 6am until eight in the evening. |
| WATER TRANSPORT | Also known as the “water taxi”. Brunei is home to a sprawling water village called Kampong Ayer, and with that comes water taxis, which are a form of speed boat, ready to transport travelers along the main attractions in the capital. Rides usually cost between BND2 – 5 (1.5-3.7 USD), but can be negotiated upon, especially more easily if you have a local with you. |
Best Time To Visit
Best time to travel is when there is no public holidays or festivals, unless that’s your purpose.
Here is the list of public holidays and festival dates as per the Wikipedia updates.
Travel Itinerary
It’s also small enough to cover most of the attractions in as little as 3-4 days.
DAY 1: Arrival
- Arrive at Brunei International Airport
- Check-in at hotel
- Q-Lap Mall
- Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
DAY 2: Around Bandar Seri Begawan
- Royal Regalia Museum
- Kampong Ayer Water Village
- Gadong (shopping & dining area)
- Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
DAY 3: Ulu Temburong
- Ulu Temburong (with Trandie)
- Canopy Walk
- The Empire Brunei hotel
DAY 4: Departure
- Tasek Lama Recreational Park
- Brunei International Airport
Download These Apps
| APP NAME | PURPOSE | PRICING |
|---|---|---|
| Maps.me | Map | Free |
| Dart | Taxi | Free |
| TransportBN | Public Bus | Free |
What To Pack?
Break down into categories:
Travel basics
Bag
Sandals
Shirts
Long pants
Hat(s)
Sun glasses
Gear
Camera
Tripod
Electronics
Phone
Laptop
Charger
Camping
Sleeping bag
Tent
More Details
Break down into categories:
Language: Brunei Malay
Brunei has multiple languages spoken and written, including:
Standard Malay
The official language of Brunei, written in the Latin alphabet (Rumi) and the Arabic alphabet (Jawi).
Brunei Malay
The most widely spoken language in Brunei, spoken by about two-thirds of the population. It’s a dialect of Malay that’s different from Standard Malay.
English
A widely used language in Brunei, especially in business and as the language of instruction in schools. The Brunei Constitution requires that all official documents be provided in English.
Chinese
Spoken by the Chinese minority in Brunei.
Arabic
The religious language of Muslims, taught in schools and higher learning institutions.
Jawi
A modified Arabic script used to write the Malay language. The Sultan of Brunei has proposed a new Jawi studies center.
Minority languages
These include Tutong, Kedayan, Belait, Murut, and Dusun. These languages are threatened by the two dominant languages of Brunei.
Currency: Brunei Dollar
Brunei Dollar ~ 0.75 USD
Plug Type: Type G Plugs
Here is an example of type-G plug:
Festivals & Public Holidays
Here is the list of public holidays – so make sure to avoid them as the shops maybe closed or there will be too much crowd.
Here is the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Brunei
AUTHOR
We are Alissa and Jay