Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.
Prices here are about 35% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Short visits need no visa for most ASEAN citizens, and for many other nationalities as well. The Immigration Department site covers what applies to your passport, along with the online arrival declaration where one is required.
Brunei is a sultanate run along conservative Islamic lines, and Sharia law applies. Alcohol is not sold, though non-Muslims may carry in a modest allowance for private use, provided it is declared. Visitors should dress modestly and cover up inside mosques. Use the right hand, and point with the thumb rather than the index finger. Expect to show respect for the Sultan and for Islam. Friday prayers shut shops and offices. In daylight during Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public are off limits.
Police 993. Ambulance 991. Fire 995.
Brunei's official tourism site includes a reminder in its travel checklist to pack a UK-standard socket adapter for electronic devices. The checklist does not give the mains voltage or frequency.
Canadian advice says Brunei's Sharia penal code applies whatever a visitor's religion or nationality. Alcohol cannot be bought, though UK advice says non-Muslims aged seventeen and over may import a limited amount, declared on arrival and drunk in private. Eating, drinking and smoking in public during Ramadan daylight hours is illegal. Possessing pornographic material is illegal, and sexual acts between people of the same sex are criminalised.
Metered taxis can usually be found at hotels, shopping centres and the airport in Brunei, says Canadian advice, and a hotel can book one or provide a driver's phone number. Some drivers are open to negotiating the fare, and water taxi fares to and from Kampong Ayer can be negotiated too.
local government
Helps with: Brunei's tourism department, under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Contact it for tourism information. It lists a phone, an email and office hours Monday to Thursday and Saturday.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Brunei or planning a trip there.
Phone: (673) 238 2822
Email: info@tourism.gov.bn
Address: Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Jalan Dewan Majlis, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3913
local government
Helps with: Reaches the police in Brunei. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 993
local government
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Brunei. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 991
local government
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Brunei. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 995
Bandar Seri BegawanThe Royal Regalia Museum, the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque and the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque are what the capital is known for.Photo: Pangalau, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kampong Ayer (Water Village)Built on stilts above the Brunei River and reached by water taxi, this large village holds a cultural gallery along with mosques and homes.Photo: the Tourism Development Department of Brunei, CC BY 4.0
Temburong (Ulu Temburong National Park)The district's protected rainforest offers a canopy walkway, longboat rides on the river and guided jungle tours.Photo: Pangalau, CC BY-SA 4.0
JerudongWest of the capital along the coast, this area has Jerudong Park, beaches and food stalls that open in the evening.Photo: Pangalau, CC BY-SA 4.0
Belait District (Kuala Belait)The region is Brunei's oil-town area; around Labi are waterfalls, hot springs, longhouses and river trips.Photo: IQRemix from Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
religious
Visitors can enter the palace during the three days that follow Eid.
culture
A royal procession and celebrations are held in the capital.