Brunei International Airport sits 11 kilometers from Bandar Seri Begawan. The terminal handles direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and several Chinese cities through Royal Brunei Airlines and regional carriers. Immigration processes typically clear within 20 to 40 minutes outside peak arrival windows. The airport operates a single passenger terminal opened in phases between 2013 and 2014.
Citizens of most Western countries, ASEAN member states, and several Asian nations receive visa exemption for stays between 14 and 90 days depending on nationality. United States passport holders receive 90 days, United Kingdom holders receive 90 days, Singapore and Malaysia passport holders receive 30 days. Official visa policies change periodically. The Immigration and National Registration Department of Brunei Darussalam publishes current requirements at www.immigration.gov.bn.
Taxis from the airport to central Bandar Seri Begawan operate on fixed fares of 25 Brunei dollars during daytime hours and 30 Brunei dollars after 21:00. Private ride services function intermittently. The airport has no rail connection. Rental car counters from local and regional agencies operate in the arrivals hall. Driving occurs on the left side with right-hand-drive vehicles following British colonial road standards.
The land crossing at Sungai Tujoh connects Brunei-Muara District with Sarawak, Malaysia. Travelers driving between the Temburong District exclave and the main territory cross Malaysian territory twice, passing through Tedungan and Kuala Lurah checkpoints. These crossings process pedestrians, private vehicles, and buses. Immigration posts open approximately 06:00 to 21:00 daily, with extended hours on high-volume days. Confirm current operating hours before travel as schedules adjust for holidays and maintenance.
No commercial ferry services connect Brunei to external countries. Speedboats operated by private companies run between Bandar Seri Begawan and Lawas, Sarawak, with journey times around 90 minutes. Services operate irregularly based on demand and weather. The Brunei Bay water route serves primarily local traffic between mainland districts and Temburong.
Brunei uses the Brunei dollar, currency code BND, divided into 100 sen. The Brunei dollar holds a currency interchangeability agreement with the Singapore dollar established in 1967, maintaining a fixed one-to-one exchange rate. Singapore dollars circulate freely as legal tender throughout Brunei and vice versa. Banks and merchants accept both currencies without conversion fees or discrimination. Malaysian ringgit receives informal acceptance in some border businesses but at variable exchange rates.
The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam, not a central bank, oversees currency issuance through coordination with the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board. Polymer notes exist in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 Brunei dollars. Coins circulate in 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 sen denominations. The 1 dollar coin exists but appears less frequently.
ATMs from Baiduri Bank, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, and Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei distribute cash in Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Seria, and Tutong. Machines dispense Brunei dollars in 50 and 100 dollar notes predominantly. International cards on Visa, Mastercard, and Cirrus networks function at most machines. Withdrawal limits typically range from 1,000 to 2,000 Brunei dollars per transaction. Some machines in rural areas and Temburong District experience periodic cash shortages or connectivity issues.
Credit cards receive acceptance at hotels serving international visitors, larger restaurants, and shopping centers in Bandar Seri Begawan. Smaller restaurants, street food vendors, and transportation services operate cash-only. Visa and Mastercard work more reliably than American Express or other networks. Contactless payment adoption remains limited compared to neighboring Singapore.
Money changers operate near the airport, in Bandar Seri Begawan commercial areas, and at land border crossings. They exchange major currencies including US dollars, euros, British pounds, and regional currencies. Rates vary between operators. Banks provide currency exchange during business hours, approximately 09:00 to 15:00 Monday through Friday, 09:00 to 11:00 Saturday. Banks close on Fridays from 11:30 to 14:00 for Friday prayers.
Tipping practices do not exist as cultural norms in Brunei. Service charges appear automatically on bills at hotels and some restaurants, typically 10 percent. Adding additional gratuity may confuse staff or be declined. Taxi drivers expect the metered or agreed fare without supplement.