Brunei Darussalam, despite having the most eccentric mosques and preserved rainforests, is among the least visited countries in Asia. Well, it’s not always a bad thing! Most travelers love this to avoid mass tourism and to savor the top tourist attractions in Brunei with tranquility.
Apart from that, Brunei isn’t the same as other Southeast Asian countries when it comes to litter management. Their government put a lot of effort to make the streets clean and always litter-free by implementing strict rules on disposal.
Visa Requirements to Brunei
More than 50 nationalities can enter Brunei without a visa for a period of 90, 30, and 14 days depending on their citizenship.
Visa-Exempt Countries
| Country | Maximum Days of Stay |
| All European Union Countries | 90 |
| Iceland | 90 |
| Liechtenstein | 90 |
| Norway | 90 |
| Switzerland | 90 |
| USA | 90 |
| Laos | 30 |
| Malaysia | 30 |
| New Zealand | 30 |
| Oman | 30 |
| Singapore | 30 |
| South Korea | 30 |
| Turkey | 30 |
| Ukraine | 30 |
| United Arab Emirates | 30 |
| Cambodia | 14 |
| Canada | 14 |
| Costa Rica | 14 |
| Hong Kong | 14 |
| Indonesia | 14 |
| Japan | 14 |
| Macau | 14 |
| Maldives | 14 |
| Myanmar | 14 |
| Peru | 14 |
| Philippines | 14 |
| Russia | 14 |
| Thailand | 14 |
| Vietnam | 14 |
Visa on Arrival
Citizens of Australia, Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan can enter Brunei with a visa on arrival.
Visa Fees for Brunei
The visa cost is BND20/USD15 for a single-entry visa and BND30/USD23 for a multiple-entry visa. To check more details about the application process per country, go to the official Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.mfa.gov.bn/Pages/Visa-Information.aspx
How to get to Brunei?
There are two options to get to Brunei Darussalam, by air, and by land from Miri (Sarawak) or Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) in Malaysia.
By Air: The national flag carrier of Brunei is Royal Brunei Airlines. It has direct flights from Bander Seri Begawan to Bali, Bangkok, Brisbane, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Nanning, Shanghai, Singapore, Surabaya, Taipei, Tokyo, Dubai, Jeddah, and London. You can check and book cheap flights to Brunei now.
By Land: The easiest and fastest way to travel by land from Malaysia is via Miri. There is a direct bus service from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan and vice-versa. The travel time is only 3 hours compared to the 7 hours travel time from Kota Kinabalu. You check the bus schedule here.
If you are in Sabah and wants to travel overland to Brunei, you can get on a bus or ferry from Kota Kinabalu to Bandar Seri Begawan. Check out the bus schedule from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei.
When is the best time to visit Brunei?
The best time to visit Brunei is between the months of January and May. This is when the weather is good – dry and warm, but not too hot to endure. It’s also a lean season so expect cheaper rates on tours and accommodation. The high season, on the other hand, is from June to September, and in December. This is where tourists usually go to Brunei so expects a surge in hotel room rates.
7 Top Tourist Attractions in Brunei
Less crowded and definitely clean? If you enjoy this kind of environment, then visiting these top tourist attractions in Brunei should be done this year!
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is one of the most popular Islamic mosques in the Asia Pacific, which the Muslim community consider as a major historical site and a place of worship.
Most tourists are impressed by its beautifully made Italian marble walls and floor; chandeliers crafted in England, and elegant carpets from Saudi Arabia. Imagine seeing the crafts of different countries in one place!
Kampong Ayer
Kampong Ayer, which means “water village”, consists of a cluster of villages built on the river. It was formerly the center of traditional industries like gold and silversmithing, weaving, and boat making. So as you come to Kampong Ayer, expect to see the place as a reflection of Brunei’s wonderful arts!
Brunei River & Proboscis Monkey
Most travel agencies in Brunei include roundtrip transportation to the famous Brunei River. It allows you to see exotic species like the Proboscis Monkeys in the mangrove forest, and pass by the water village to immerse with the locals!
Royal Regalia Museum
The Royal Regalia Museum houses the replicas of Sultan’s belongings. This includes His throne, gowns, crowns, and other weapons. You can also find crystal, ivory, jade, and silver gifts that is a clear sign of Sultan’s wealth.
Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
The Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is built in celebration of the 25th year of Sultan’s reign in 1992. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Brunei and the largest mosque in the country with terrazzo-tiled minarets in its surroundings. Apart from that, the complex has 29 golden domes that are lit up like a golden flame every night. Finally, its lavish exterior matches its interior with several woven rugs scattered in the praying hall.
Istana Nurul Iman
The Istana Nurul Iman was included in the Guinness Book of Records for being the largest living residence of a state head in the world. This palace houses the country’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. It is both a massive and luxurious royal palace that has golden domes and minarets scattered around the complex.
Ulu Temburong National Park
The government’s ‘no cut’ policy has made the Ulu Temburong National Park more beautiful. It is a 550 square km in east Brunei that is virgin and well-preserved rainforest. Although only 1% of the park is open to the public, it’s still enough to see more than 40 species of rare ants and butterflies; hornbills, Gibbons, and squirrels. Indeed, this one of the top tourist attractions in Brunei is a haven for both tourists and locals.
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