South East Asian Trips

By Air

There are two main ways of getting to Brunei - by air and by sea. By air, you can reach the country on direct flights from major Asian and Australian cities. Flying to Brunei from Malaysia is one of the most convenient options. The international airport is at Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital.

By Sea

Alternatively, you can make the trip by sea: there are regular express boats which connect Bandar Seri Begawan to Limbang and Lawas (both in Sarawak, in Malaysia) and to the island of Labuan, off Sabah.

Getting Around

Within cities like Bandar Seri Begawan and Temburong, taxis, buses and hired cars are available as transport; Temburong, in fact, only has taxis. For long-distance travel, however, there aren't too many options: you can either go by boat - there are ferries between Bangar and Bandar Seri Begawan or you can go by bus. Be warned, though: buses are fairly unreliable and infrequent, and there are no timetables or bus schedules.

Tourist Offices

The Ministry of Industries and Primary Resources, Jalan Mentein Besar in Bandar Seri Bagawan also functions as the office of tourism and will answer all queries on the subject.
They can be contacted at the following address:
The Ministry of Industries and Primary Resources, Jalan Mentein Besar Bandar Seri Bagawan BB3910, Brueni Darussalam

When to Go

Brunei is hot and humid throughout the year. However, it tends to get worse between September and January, so you're best off travelling to the country between February and October- that's the time the weather is likely to be slightly more bearable. Before going, check that your trip doesn't fall during the Islamic period of fasting (Ramadan), when you might find life coming more or less to a standstill throughout the country.

Where do I Stay

The country's accommodation facilities largely cater to the well-heeled and you'll find some very posh upmarket hotels in Brunei. There are very few choices for the budget traveller when it comes to accommodation in Brunei. But both mid-range and economy options are few and far between. If you're on a limited budget, the wisest thing to do would be to locate a suitable place and reserve a room well in advance: listings of accommodation along with tariffs can be picked up from tourist offices and travel agents within Brunei.

What to bring

Brunei is pretty well-equipped to handle virtually anything a tourist might need, from sunscreen to umbrellas and toiletries to camera film, so you needn't really worry while packing your bags. You should be able to track almost anything you require in the department stores of Bandar Seri Begawan and other large towns.

There are, however, some things you shouldn't bring- the strictly Islamic country that it is, Brunei and its people don't look favourably on scanty clothing: so leave your shorts, miniskirts and tank tops home. Remember, though, to bring along a pair of easy-to-slip-on shoes or sandals: you'll be required to take off your footwear at every mosque you visit.