Traveling to Brunei for the first time this 2024? Check out this BRUNEI TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG with DIY Itinerary, top things to do in Brunei, best tourist spots, budget, breakdown of expenses, hotel recommendations, travel tips, and more!
Brunei Darussalam may not be one of the top tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, but it has a "unique charm" that makes it worth visiting.
It actually took me three times to finally visit Brunei. The first 2 attempts were both failed and I'm not able to visit it. But finally, few months ago on my third try, we finally visited and explored Brunei Darussalam. The best thing about this travel, we scheduled it during the celebration of the End of Ramadan or Hari Raya - which is a huge celebration in a predominantly Muslim country such as Brunei.
WHERE IS BRUNEI?
Brunei is one of the countries that is very close to the Philippines. It is located on the island of Borneo near Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia. Bandar Seri Begawan is the country's capital and the primary gateway to the Sultanate of Brunei.
2024 BRUNEI TRAVEL GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIMERS (Things to Do, Tourist Spots, Itinerary and More!)
BRUNEI VISA REQUIREMENTS
Filipinos entering Brunei Darussalam do not need a visa when traveling to Brunei for tourism purposes. Philippine passport holders can stay up to 14 days visa-free. To avoid any inconvenience when clearing the immigration in Brunei, be sure to have a return or onward ticket and proof of hotel booking in case the immigration officer asks for it. Also, be sure to double check your tickets if it is within the 14 days visa-free period so you won't have any problems later on.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIP: Getting a travel insurance is highly-recommended when traveling abroad. Travel with confidence anytime, anywhere you go! Get a travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage for your peace of mind!
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED IN BRUNEI?
One of the major challenges we faced during our trip to Brunei is how to stay connected to the internet when going out of our hotel. Yes, our hotel offers free WiFi connection, but whenever we were outside, we don't have internet connection.
We asked some Filipinos working in Brunei and they told us that sim cards can only be purchased if you are living or working in Brunei. They said, you need to provide an identification card before you can buy one. Since we're tourists, it's not possible for us to buy a sim card. Public WiFi is also hard to find.
I guess, the best thing to do is to activate your local mobile phone's roaming service. We didn't try it, so I guess it depends on your local service provider if they have local mobile phone partners in Brunei. Better check it first with you mobile phone service provider before leaving the Philippines.
If you have an eSIM compatible and network-unlocked device, you may avail an Unlimited Data eSIMs for Brunei (QR delivered via email).
eSIM details
- Validity: 14-30 days
- Internet speed: 4G/3G/Unlimited data speed up to 128kbps
- Service type: Data only
- Coverage area: Brunei
- Data limit: Unlimited
- Hotspot Sharing: Yes
- Local telecom operator: UNN
WHERE TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY?
The currency used in Brunei is called Brunei Dollar (BND) which is around 38.68 PHP or 0.74 USD. If you're coming from Manila, and you're taking Cebu Pacific Air, your arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan Airport (BWN) will be around 11:05 PM. You can find a few money changers in the area before you reach the immigration. Don't miss it because money changers at the arrival hall of the airport are already closed by this time.
Another option is withdrawing money from the ATMs. You can find ATMs at the 2nd floor (departure area) of the airport. This is what we did during our entire stay in Brunei. We just withdraw from the ATMs so we could have local currency. To avoid any inconvenience, be sure to call your bank before leaving the Philippines to advise them that you will be withdrawing money from abroad. Sometimes, they might deactivate your card if they notice "unusual activity" on your account. So, it's better to advise them before your travel.
Depending on your bank, there's a service charge of around 180 pesos for every transaction.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?
The climate in Brunei is tropical with quite hot a high humidity - just like the Philippines. According to what I read, weather-wise, the best time to visit Brunei is between February and May, when the weather is dry and warm, but not too hot. Monsoon season where heavy rainfall can be expected is between October and February. The average temperature is usually between 24 degrees and 32 degrees. High season is said to be from June to September.
For me, June or around this time is the best time to visit Brunei. This is the time for the celebration of the End of Ramadhan or Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, but please take note that visiting during this time has its advantages and disadvantages.
For example, our first day in Brunei is exactly on the first day of the celebration of the End of Ramadhan. The problem is, stores and restaurants only start to open at lunch time or sometimes, some establishments will not open and will be closed for 3 consecutive days. That's also one of the challenges we encountered during our trip because we really had a hard time finding a place to eat in the morning. But the good thing about visiting during the celebration of Hari Raya is that the Palace (Istana Nurul Iman) where the royal family of Brunei lives is open for 3 days to welcome guests to the palace. You can go inside, eat at the feast prepared by the palace, and also meet and shake hands with the members of the royal family including Sultan Bolkiah. This is the main reason why we scheduled our trip to Brunei during the end of Ramadhan.
NOTE: The date of the celebration of the End of Ramadhan is based on the Islamic Calendar and it changes every year. Please check for the (estimated) dates of the celebretion before booking your flight if you want to experience Hari Raya in Brunei.
TRANSPORTATION IN BRUNEI
FROM BRUNEI AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER
The international airport in Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) is fairly close to the city center, only around 8 km away. If you arrive in Brunei during day time, there are public buses that take passengers from the airport to the city center. You can find these buses at the south end of the main terminal, at the Departures Hall. The bus service runs from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm only and bus fare is around $2 BND.
Since our arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan Airport is late at night, the public buses going to the city center are not available anymore. So, we asked around and met a local and he said that he has a car and he can bring us to our hotel. This "taxi" or a private car service is our only choice to go to our hotel. So, we agreed. The driver asked for $25 BND or around 967.00 pesos.
Another option is to ask your booked hotel if they have airport service. This way, you'll be sure that there will be someone or a car that will fetch you from the airport and bring you to your hotel
GOING AROUND THE CITY
In going to the different tourist spots and attractions in the city, you can take the public bus or the taxi. These "taxis" are actually private cars that your hotel can contact for you - and they are very expensive. I don't think they have meters because you have to agree with the fixed fare before getting into the car. So, I really do not advise taking the "taxi" if it's really not needed.
GrabCar and GrabTaxi are not operating in Brunei. They have a local version of it called Dart which is Brunei's first ride-booking service. You can download the app on Google Play or Apple App Store. I tried to download it, but I wasn't able to use it because I can't create an account or register to the app. I don't know why. Maybe because I don't have a local phone number? I really don't know. After several tries, I gave up and deleted the app. Hahaha!
The best transportation and inexpensive way of going around the city is to take the public buses. This is what we did in visiting the different spots and attractions in Brunei. Per ride only costs around $1-2 BND, regardless where you are getting off. Buses are usually marked with a number, a letter or combination of both. Each bus has its designated routes. There are bus route maps at the bus terminals. If you're not sure which bus to take, just ask the locals. They are nice and friendly.
Please take note the public bus service only runs from 06:00 am to 06:00 or 07:00 PM. Take this in consideration when planning your itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN BRUNEI?
For me the best place to stay in Brunei is in Bandar Seri Begawan. Most of the hotels are located in Gadong or Kianggeh areas. There are a wide array of hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan to choose from. During our trip, we stayed in a hotel in Gadong named Hotel Gina Suite.
We chose this hotel because it is less than a kilometer away from The Mall (the biggest mall in Brunei), The Mall Cineplex, about a kilometer away from/to Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and there are fast food and restaurants just 3-5 minutes walk from the hotel. If you want to go to the city center which is Bandar Seri Begawan or simple "Bandar," you just need to walk for about 5 minutes from the hotel to the bus stop at the main road and take bus 01 going to Bandar Seri Begawan bus terminal. Bus fare is 1 BND and travel time is around 10-15 minutes to Bandar Bus Station. You can book a room in this hotel via Agoda.
Hotel Gina Suite
Location: Unit 3, Simpang 27, Kompleks27, Kampung Pengkalan Gadong, Menglait Jalan Gadong Negara, Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
Book online: Check discounted room rates and availability
TOP-RATED HOTELS IN BRUNEI
Bandar Seri Begawan offers wide array of accommodation options. Check out the many top-rated hotels and resorts in Brunei ranging from cheap and budget-friendly hotels and hostels to luxurious 5-star quality hotels and resorts. Get as much as 40-50% discount on room rates when you book in advance online!
 | The Empire Hotel and Country ClubJerudong Negara BG 3122, Jerudong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei DarussalamCheck room rates and availability |
 | Radisson Hotel Brunei2203, Jalan Tasek, Kianggeh, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, BS8674Check room rates and availability |
 | The Rizqun International HotelAbdul Razak Complex,Gadong, Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei DarussalamCheck room rates and availability |
 | Mulia HotelKianggeh, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei DarussalamCheck room rates and availability |
 | Palm Garden HotelLot 45328, Simpang 88, Kampong Kiulap, Kianggeh, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei DarussalamCheck room rates and availability |
 | The Brunei HotelNo. 95, Jalan Pemancha , Kianggeh, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, BS8811Check room rates and availability |
TOP 15 THINGS TO DO, TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS IN BRUNEI (INCLUDING FREE ATTRACTIONS)
Traveling to Brunei on a holiday is fun and exciting. It's a tiny country but has a lot to offer to its visitors. Whether it's your first time to visit Brunei or going back for a revisit, let me share to you my Top 15 Things to Do in Brunei - specifically in Bandar Seri Begawan. I hope this will help you in planning your Brunei DIY Itinerary.
1. Visit Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
Address: Jalan Hassanal Bolkiah, Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday & Saturday - 08:00 AM – 12:00 NN / 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM / 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM
- Sunday - 10:45 AM - 12:00 NN / 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM / 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM
- Thursday & Friday - Closed
Notable for its 4 towering minarets and lavish interiors, Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is one of the first must-visit sites that we visited in Brunei. It was built in 1988 and completed in 1994 in celebration of the 25th year of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's reign. It is located in a huge complex with beautifully kept and well-manicured gardens. It also has a total of 29 golden domes which signifies as Sultan Bolkiah as the 29th sultan of Brunei. The mosque can accommodate 5,000 worshipers at a time, making it the largest mosque in Brunei. If you're visiting Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, be sure to wear proper clothing, and visit it during opening hours. Non-muslims can enter the mosque except during prayer times.
How to get there: Take bus 01 which stops at the bus stop near the mosque.
2. Explore the Historic Royal Regalia Museum
Address: Jalan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8611, Brunei
Opening Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday - 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
- Saturday - 09:45 AM – 05:00 PM
- Friday - 09:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Located in downtown Bandar Seri Begawan, the Royal Regalia Museum was officially opened on September 1992. The museum houses several collection of the regalia of the Sultan and the royalty, crowns embedded with jewels, artifacts used for royal ceremonies, as well as exhibits related to the commemorations of the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's rule of Brunei. When visiting the museum, be sure to visit it during opening hours. We were not able to get inside since our visit coincides with the Hari Raya public holidays.
How to get there: Take bus 01 and alight at Bandar Seri Begawan terminal. From the terminal, walk for about 8-10 minutes to the Royal Regalia Museum.
3. Visit Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Address: Jalan McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8711, Brunei
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday & Saturday - 08:00 AM – 12:00 NN / 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM / 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM
- Sunday - 10:45 AM - 12:00 NN / 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM / 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM
- Thursday & Friday - Closed
Located in downtown Bandar Seri Begawan, Masjid Omar Ali Saifudden is a major historical site, a place of worship, and a popular tourist attraction in Brunei. Built in 1958, it is named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei and father of HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Dominating Bandar Seri Begawan's skyline, it is a symbol of the Islamic faith in the country and was built on an artificial lagoon along the banks of the Brunei River. With its marble minarets and golden domes, it is considered as one of the most beautiful mosques in Asia Pacific.
Non-Muslims can enter the mosque, except during prayer time. When visiting the mosque, visitors are advised to adhere by the dress code when visiting places of worship. For men, it is important to wear long trousers or pants, short-sleeved shirts are okay. Women should cover their hair and arms, ankle-length skirts or pants are required.
How to get there: Take bus 01 and alight at Bandar Seri Begawan terminal. From the terminal, walk for about 5 minutes to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
√ For hassle-free tour, you may join a Brunei Half Day City Tour in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Tour stops and highlights include: Royal Regalia Exhibition Hall, Brunei Arts & Handicraft Centre, Jame Asr’ Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Istana Nurul Iman, Istana Darussalam, and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
4. Enjoy Bandar Seri Begawan Waterfront and Park
Address: Bandar Seri Begawan City Center near Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
This is a public park facing Brunei River and near Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. It is a popular place for locals who want to engage in physical activity, enjoy the sunset, or just to lounge and enjoy the view and the cool breeze coming from the river. From here, you can also see Kampung Ayer community on water or take a water taxi to visit the village.
5.Take a Motor Boat and Cruise along Brunei River
From the waterfront, you can rent a motorized boat that will let you explore Brunei river. The boat rental costs $20 BND (₱773.60 PHP / $14.80 USD) per boat for an hour of exploring which includes a visit to Kampong Ayer and to the mangroves where you could see Proboscis Monkeys.
Travel Tip: The boat can accommodate 4 to 6 persons, it's better if you have companions with you to share the cost.
√ For ease and convenience I highly recommend booking a Proboscis Monkey Encounter Tour! With a hassle-free and all-in tour, all you need to do is relax and enjoy the included hotel pick-up and drop-off service with a professional driver and guide. BOOK A TOUR HERE!
6. Visit Kampong Ayer
Known as "the largest water village in the world," Kampong Ayer is located opposite Bandar Seri Begawan. It is a huge community on water with an area of 10 square kilometers and an estimated population of 20,000 people. It is a fully-functional community composing of 42 villages with structures such as schools, shops, mosques, restaurants, police station, hospital, and more. Believed to have been inhabited for several centuries, Kampong Ayer is a unique national heritage of Brunei that is worth a visit.
Travel Tip: For ease and convenience, you may avail a Brunei Water Village Tour, and learn more about the culture and tourism of Brunei from your friendly tour guide..
How to get there: From the waterfront, take a water taxi that will bring you to Kampong Ayer. In our case, since we rented the boat, this is already included in the tour. But if you're just crossing the river going to the village, the fare is $1 BND on the public water taxi.
√ For a hassle-free experience, you may also book a Half Day City & Water Village Tour in Brunei, and learn more about its cultural history.
The tour package includes an English-speaking guide, round-trip transfers to and from your hotel, bottled drinking water, sightseeing boat tour, life jacket and light refreshment.
7. See the Proboscis Monkeys at the Mangroves along Brunei River
Brunei is home to a large population of Proboscis Monkeys. With our rented boat, the boatman brought us to the mangrove area for us to see these monkeys in the wild. Proboscis Monkeys (also known as Benkatan) are endemic to the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. They have long nose, protruding belly, and thick reddish-brown hair.
√ TRAVEL TIP: For ease and convenience I highly recommend booking a Proboscis Monkey Encounter Tour! With a hassle-free and all-in tour, all you need to do is relax and enjoy the included hotel pick-up and drop-off service with a professional driver and guide.
8. Visit Istana Nurul Iman Palace
Address: Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BA2112, Brunei
The Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of Brunei's royal family and the seat of government of Brunei. Completed in 1984 with a total cost of around US$ 1.4 billion, it is considered as the world's largest private residence in terms of floor area; thus, earning it the title of "world's largest residential palace." Interestingly, it was designed by Filipino architect and National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture awardee Leandro Locsin. On the other hand, the palace's interior was designed by Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International, who is known for his works which includes Dubai's Burj Al Arab.
Aside from being the residence of Sultan Hassnal Bolkiah and his family, the palace is also used for all the State functions of the government of Brunei. It is not open to the public but you can take photos from the outside. If you want to enter the palace, it is open to the public during the annual Islamic celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri or the festival at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
How to get there: From the bus terminal in Bandar Seri Begawan, take a bus with Jalan Istana route for $2 BND (₱77.36 PHP / $1.48 USD).
At the gates of Istana Nurul Iman
Outside the reception hall of Istana Nurul Iman
The very beautiful holding area inside the palace
9. Meet the Royal Family of Brunei during Hari Raya
The best time to visit Brunei is during the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This is the main reason why we planned our trip this time in Brunei. For 3 days during Hari Raya, the doors of the Royal Place is open to the public. People are given the chance to meet and shake hands with Sultan Hassnal Bolkiah and the members of the royal family to give their Hari Raya greetings. More to that, guests at the palace were also treated with a delicious meal, and were given a gift and a greeting card from the sultan.
READ MORE HERE: The Day I Met and Shook Hands with HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and His Royal Family
10. Wander, Eat and Shop at The Mall Gadong
Address: Jalan Gadong, Simpang 137, Bandar Seri Begawan BA1511, Brunei Darussalam
Opening Hours:
Friday - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturdau - Thursday - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
The biggest mall in Brunei, The Mall Gadong is a shopping and entertainment complex where many locals go to shop, buy groceries, eat, watch movies, and hang out.
How to get there: To get here, you can also take bus 01 which stops in front of The Mall Gadong.
11. Visit Teng Yun Temple
Address: Jalan Sungai Kianggeh, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8811, Brunei
Opening Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
Brunei as a predominantly Muslim country, seeing this Chinese Temple makes it a stand out from the rest of the mosques in Bandar Seri Begawan. Even though it's quite small, it is still worth checking out because is it the only Chinese temple in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.
How to get there: Take bus 01 and alight at Bandar Seri Begawan terminal. From the terminal, walk for about 5-7 minutes to the Teng Yun Temple.
12. Take a photo of Perpuspaan Main Gate 1968
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan near Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the Waterfront
This unique gate was built as a memorial to commemorate Sultan Hassnal Bolkiah's coronation day in August 1968. It was originally located at Kampong Sultan Lama before it was transferred to its current location near Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. In 2016, Perpuspaan Main Gate 1968 was gazetted under Brunei's Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act of 1967.
How to get there: Take bus 01 and alight at Bandar Seri Begawan bus terminal. From the terminal, walk for about 5 minutes towards Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. You can find Perpuspaan Main Gate 1968 near the waterfront and the mosque.
13. Have a Taste of the Local Dishes
When visiting Brunei, do not forget to try their local dishes. Skip the usual fast food chains, and go to the restaurants to try their local food. Brunei dishes are often spicy, and are commonly eaten with either rice or noodles. Must-try are Beef Rendang, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Goreng, Salted Prawns in Coconut and Curry, and Mee Goreng. Meals at the restaurants cost around $3 BND (₱116.04 PHP / $2.22 USD) to $7 BND (₱270.76 PHP / $5.18 USD).
14. Souvenir Shopping
It's hard to find souvenir shops in Brunei. I recommend that you go to The Mall Gadong. Outside the mall, there are a few souvenir shops where you could buy ref magnets, key chains, souvenir t-shirts, and other local products that makes a nice souvenir or pasalubong to your family and friends back home.
15. Enjoy the sunset
End the day with a beautiful sunset in Bandar Seri Begawan. The best spots to see the sunset are from the Bandar Seri Begawan Park and Waterfront, and from the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
There you have it! My 15 Top Best Things to do in Brunei Darussalam! Enjoy, have fun and discover the best of Brunei! Now, let's prepare our Brunei DIY itinerary.
√ For a hassle-free experience, I highly recommend booking these tours:
- Brunei Half Day City Tour in Bandar Seri Begawan
- Brunei Water Village Tour
- Proboscis Monkey Encounter Tour
- Half Day City & Water Village Tour
SAMPLE DIY BRUNEI ITINERARY 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS
For this 3D 2N DIY Brunei Itinerary, let's assume that you are a group of 2, you've pre-booked your accommodation for 2 nights at Hotel Gina Suite (see room rates) in Gadong, and your flight will be via Cebu Pacific Air arriving in Brunei at 11:05 PM. Exchange rate used: $1 BND = 38.68 PHP or 0.74 USD.
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BRUNEI
- 08:45 PM - Depart from Manila
- 11:05 PM - Estimated arrival in Brunei. Change money, clear immigration and customs.
- 11:40 PM - Take a taxi/private car to your hotel ($25 BND / 2 = 12.50 BND per person).
- 12:00 MN - Check-in at the hotel and sleep
Total Expenses: $12.50 BND or 483.50 PHP per person
DAY 2 - MEET THE ROYAL FAMILY + CITY TOUR PART 1
- 05:00 AM - Wake up. Prepare.
- 06:00 AM - Depart for Bandar. Take bus 01 to Bandar bus station ($1 BND).
- 06:20 AM - Arrive at Bandar bus station. Take bus "Jalan Istana" ($2 BND).
- 06:40 AM - Arrive at Istana Nurul Iman Palace.
- 07:00 AM - Line up to go inside the palace.
- Have breakfast inside the palace
- Meet and shake hands with the royal family
- 12:00 NN - Go out of the palace.
- 12:15 PM - Take a bus back to Bandar bus station ($2 BND).
- 12:35 PM - Have lunch at the city center ($7 BND).
- 01:30 PM - Visit Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
- 03:00 PM - Visit other spots in the city such as the park and waterfront, Perpuspaan Main Gate 1968 and Teng Yun Temple.
- 05:00 PM - Enjoy the sunset.
- 05:40 PM - Go to Bandar bus station and take bus 01 to your hotel ($1 BND).
- 06:10 PM - Back at the hotel.
- 07:00 PM - Dinner ($7 BND)
Total Expenses: $20 BND or 773.60 PHP per person
DAY 3 - CITY TOUR PART 2, SHOPPING AND DEPARTURE
- 07:00 AM - Prepare your bags for early check-out. Leave bags at the hotel.
- 08:00 AM - Take bus 01 to Bandar bus station ($1 BND).
- 08:20 AM - Arrive at the bus station, have breakfast nearby ($7 BND).
- 09:00 AM - Walk to the waterfront.
- 09:15 AM - Hire a boat to tour you along Brunei River. Visit Kampong Ayer, see Proboscis Monkeys and visit the Mangroves ($20 BND / 2 = 10 BND per person).
- 10:30 AM - Back at the waterfront. Walk to Royal Regalia Museum.
- 11:00 AM - Explore Royal Regalia Museum.
- 12:00 NN - Have lunch ($7 BND).
- 01:00 PM - Go to the bus station and take bus 01 and alight at Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque ($1 BND).
- 01:25 PM - Arrive at Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. Go inside and visit the mosque.
- 03:00 PM - Take bus 01 again and alight at The Mall Gadong ($1 BND).
- 03:15 PM - Arrive at The Mall Gadong. Explore, buy souvenirs and pasalubong.
- 05:30 PM - Take bus 01 to your hotel ($1 BND).
- 06:00 PM - Arrive at the hotel and pick-up your bags.
- 06:30 PM - Take a private car to the airport (ask the hotel to call a car for you) ($25 BND / 2 = 12.50 BND per person).
- 07:00 PM - Arrive at the airport and have dinner ($10 BND).
- 08:00 PM - Check-in for your flight.
- 11:25 PM - Depart Brunei.
Total Expenses: $50.50 BND or 1,953.34 PHP per person
Please note that this is not our exact itinerary, we actually spent 4 days and 3 nights in Brunei because we want to take it slow and just enjoy the place. After Brunei, our next destination was Kota Kinabalu where we spent a few more days and took the plane back to Manila.
ALSO READ: How to travel from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu?
If you're not visiting on the celebration of Hari Raya, a good alternative on Day 2 is a visit Ulu Temburong National Park. The above is just a sample itinerary that you may follow. You can adjust it depending on how many days you want, the places you want to visit, and the activities you want to do.
BRUNEI TRIP BUDGET AND EXPENSES
If you will follow the 3 days and 2 nights DIY Brunei Itinerary above, here is the breakdown of expenses. This assumes the following:
- You will be traveling in a group of 2 and will be sharing the expenses.
- You'll be arriving late, so you will be taking the private car from the airport to your hotel.
- Going back to the airport for your departure, you'll also be taking a private car service.
- You'll be staying at Gina Suite for PHP 1,850 per night x 2 nights = PHP 3,640 / 2 = PHP 1,850 per person. Check room rates and availability here.
BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
Exchange rate used: $1 BND = 38.68 PHP or 0.74 USD- Day 1 - ₱ 483.00
- Day 2 - ₱ 773.60
- Day 3 - ₱ 1,953.34
- Hotel - ₱ 1,850.00
TOTAL - ₱ 5,060.00 per person
CHEAP FLIGHTS TO BRUNEI
From Manila, Cebu Pacific Air and Royal Brunei Airlines have direct flights to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. Other airlines such as Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia also have flights from Manila to Brunei with transit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To search for cheap flights to Brunei, I highly recommend booking via Traveloka.com - one of Southeast Asia's leading travel booking sites. I've been using it in my travels for more than 2 years now and I can assure you that you'll always get the best deals, promos and discounts on flights!
Best of all, you could get more discounts by using their weekly promo codes. Always check the "On-Going Promos" tab on their website or in the app. Traveloka App is available to download for free on Android and iOS devices.
BRUNEI TRAVEL TIPS AND REMINDERS FOR FIRST-TIMERS
- Weather in Brunei is most of the time hot and humid. It is suggested that you wear light and breathable clothes, but not too revealing. Also, don't forget to bring light jacket, umbrella or raincoat for occasional rains.
- Bandar Seri Begawan is a very walkable city. If you chose to explore the city by foot, it is best to wear comfortable footwear or sandals that you can easily take off when entering the mosques.
- When visiting places of worship such as mosques, do not wear tank tops (or other sleeveless shirts), see-through shirts, or shorts. Before traveling to Brunei, be sure to pack your bags with clothes appropriate when visiting a mosque. For men, it is important to wear pants, short-sleeved shirts are okay. For women, you should cover your hair and arms, ankle-length skirts or pants are required. Always take off your shoes before entering a mosque.
- If you're visiting during Hari Raya and wants to meet the sultan, be sure to wear formal clothes.
- Drinking alcohol is prohibited in Brunei.
- Smoking is allowed, but in designated areas only. There is no allowance for bringing in cigarettes, each pack should be declared and taxed.
- The power plugs and sockets are of type G which has three rectangular blades in a triangular pattern and has an incorporated fuse. The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Don't forget to bring a Universal Adapter Plug so you could charge your gadgets. If you forgot to bring one, ask the reception of your hotel if you could borrow an adapter plug.
- Brunei is predominantly Muslim country. Do not bring any religious items and items (such as food or pornographic materials) that are prohibited in Islam.
ALSO READ: How to Get to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia from Brunei Darussalam?
BRUNEI VIDEO BLOG
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I hope this Brunei travel guide blog help you in planning an amazing and memorable Brunei Darussalam trip! Plan your trip now to Brunei Darussalam! Enjoy!!!
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