Brunei Darussalam
Brunei is a small sultanate on Borneo's north coast, known for a gold-domed mosque, a stilt village on the Brunei River and rainforest a boat ride from the capital.
Brunei is a small sultanate on the north coast of Borneo, bordered on land by Malaysia's Sarawak state and facing the South China Sea. Its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, sits on the Brunei River, where the stilt village of Kampong Ayer stands over the water on wooden walkways. The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, with its gold dome reflected in a lagoon, is a major landmark. Oil and gas have long funded the state, and the official Malay Islamic Monarchy shapes daily life, so dress modestly at mosques.
Outside the capital, much of the country is rainforest. Ulu Temburong National Park, in Temburong district, is reached by boat from the capital and known for its canopy walkway and jungle trails. Two or three days covers the capital, the water village and a day in the forest, while a longer stay fits a wider Borneo trip. The climate is hot and humid all year, and rain can fall in any month, so keep a backup day for forest walks.
Five things to know before Brunei Darussalam
- Submit the E-Arrival declaration before you travel
Brunei asks for the E-Arrival declaration online before you travel, and airlines may ask for it at check-in. UK citizens can stay up to 90 days visa-free; check your own passport with Brunei immigration. Visas and entry
- Declare any alcohol you bring in
Alcohol is not sold anywhere in Brunei. Non-Muslim visitors may bring a small personal allowance, but it must be declared at customs on arrival and drunk in private.
- Dress modestly at mosques and in town
Cover shoulders and knees, and take shoes off at mosque doors. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times and on Friday around midday prayers.
- Carry Singapore dollars or Brunei dollars
The Brunei dollar trades at par with the Singapore dollar, and Singapore notes are accepted everywhere. Card use is common in malls and hotels but less so at markets. Money on the road
- Book Temburong as a day with a transfer
Ulu Temburong National Park is reached by road over the Temburong Bridge and then by longboat. Park visits run with licensed operators, so arrange it a day or two ahead.
Brunei Darussalam travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free stays, the E-Arrival Card and passport validity.
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, water taxis to Kampong Ayer and the road to Temburong.
Read the guideMoney and costsBrunei and Singapore dollars, cards and cash for markets.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for a short stop between Sabah and Sarawak.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for jungle trips and medical care in a small country.
Read the guide
Destinations in Brunei Darussalam
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- BND 25
- Food
- BND 15
- Transport
- BND 2
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- BND 60
- Food
- BND 30
- Transport
- BND 10
- Sights
- BND 5
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- BND 100
- Food
- BND 60
- Transport
- BND 30
- Sights
- BND 50
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 329 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°DrierFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°DrierMarchRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, showersAprilRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 222 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- MayRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, showersMayRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 311 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°ShowersJuneRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 274 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°DrierJulyRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 275 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°ShowersAugustRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°ShowersSeptemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 311 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°WetOctoberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 353 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°WettestNovemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 344 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetDecemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 392 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Bandar Seri Begawan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Brunei Darussalam
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Brunei Darussalam
04:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°25°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed32°24°61%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Thu32°24°78%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri32°23°89%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Sat31°23°94%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sun32°23°92%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Mon32°23°96%Monday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 12:27 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.278 BND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam FAQ
Do I need a visa for Brunei?
UK citizens can stay up to 90 days visa-free. Check the rule for other passports with Brunei immigration. Submit the E-Arrival declaration online before you travel.
Can you drink alcohol in Brunei?
Alcohol is not sold in Brunei. Non-Muslim visitors may bring a limited personal amount if they declare it at customs, and drink it privately, not in public.
How many days do I need in Brunei?
Two days covers the capital, the mosques and Kampong Ayer. Add a third for a day trip to Ulu Temburong National Park.
Can I travel overland to Brunei from Malaysia?
Yes. Roads link Brunei with Miri in Sarawak and with Sabah via Limbang, and ferries run from Labuan. Each crossing means leaving and re-entering Malaysia, so expect several passport stamps.
What happens in Brunei during Ramadan?
Eating and drinking in public during daylight is best avoided, and many restaurants change their hours. The dates move earlier each year, so check them before you book.