South-Eastern Asia · UN member
Brunei: Travel Guide & Requirements
Nation of Brunei, Abode of Peace · Nation of Brunei, Abode Damai
Brunei is a country in South-Eastern Asia with its capital in Bandar Seri Begawan. It has a population of 466,330 (#173 in the world) and covers 5,765 km². The official language is Malay. The currency is the Brunei dollar (BND, $).
Where is Brunei? Map of Brunei
Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia.
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Coordinates
- 4.5° N, 114.6667° E
- Neighbours
- 1 — see list
- Coastline
- 161 km
- Brunei
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Brunei showing Bandar Seri Begawan (capital) and the largest cities: Kuala Belait.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Brunei
- Passport
The UK government says that to enter Brunei your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 59 need no visa, 5 get a visa on arrival, 133 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Brunei entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
Brunei's Foreign Ministry lists a copy of a confirmed return flight ticket and a copy of accommodation in Brunei among the documents required for a visa application.
- Proof of funds
No official requirement.
- Travel insurance
Canada's travel advice says that when entering Brunei you must be able to show sufficient proof of medical insurance to customs officials, covering the entire length of your stay, and that without proof of insurance you…
- Vaccinations
WHO's country list gives Brunei's requirement as proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and for travellers who have transit…
- Arrival card
The UK government says you must submit an e-arrival declaration form to enter Brunei, before you travel, as it may be requested at check-in, and that you do not need to complete it if you are not passing through immigra…
- Customs allowance
The US Department of State gives 15,000 Brunei dollars (approx.
- Travel advice
Safe to visit — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Brunei
- Safety: Yes — Brunei is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Brunei Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: February to March — when daytime highs in Bandar Seri Begawan are around 28°C.
- Money: the Brunei dollar (BND) — 1 US dollar is about 1.2781 BND.
- Plugs: type G, 240 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 993, Ambulance 991, Fire 995.
- Language: Malay is official; English is also spoken.
- Driving: on the left — speed limits are 60 km/h in built-up areas.
- Time zone: UTC+8 in Bandar Seri Begawan.
- Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan. About 466,330 people live in Brunei.
- Outdoors: 1 national park.
Key facts
Brunei at a glance
Languages spoken: Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects
Geography & history
About Brunei
The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries, when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy subsequently brought on a period of decline. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries, and in 2017, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH's accession to the throne. Brunei has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world, thanks to extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.
Location
Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain
flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Highest point
Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, timber
Natural hazards
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
National symbols
royal parasol
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Brunei
The default speed limits in Brunei are 60 km/h in built-up areas. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 6060 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and cities
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1949 GenevaCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the leftOvertake on the right
- Road deaths (2021)3.6 per 100,000 peopleSafer than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Brunei safe to visit?
Yes — Brunei is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Brunei Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: Updated information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
Updated 19 Mar 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Brunei
The best time to visit Brunei is February to March, when daytime highs in Bandar Seri Begawan are around 28°C. May is the warmest month (29°C by day), February the coldest (25°C at night), and December the wettest with about 333 mm of rain.
- Jan28°C25°C
- Feb28°C25°C
- Mar28°C25°C
- Apr29°C26°C
- May29°C27°C
- Jun29°C27°C
- Jul29°C26°C
- Aug29°C26°C
- Sep29°C26°C
- Oct29°C26°C
- Nov29°C26°C
- Dec29°C26°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Brunei
Plugs & sockets
240 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Emergency numbers
Save the local numbers before you travel — 112 or 911 may not connect here. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
National parks
1 national park in Brunei
- 550 km² protected
- oldest from 1991
Largest: Ulu Temburong National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Brunei dollar exchange rates today
Brunei uses the Brunei dollar (BND, $). One US dollar buys 1.2781 BND; over the last 30 days the BND has lost 0.0% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in BND
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Brunei ranks
How Brunei compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Brunei
16 airports and airfields — 1 large, 0 medium and 1 small, plus 14 heliports. 1 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
Neighbouring countries
Brunei borders 1 country along 266 km of land borders. Coastline: 161 km.
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Bandar Seri Begawan (266,682)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation
Export partners
Australia 21%, Japan 17%, China 17%, Singapore 16%, Malaysia 6% (2023)
Top exports
refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, hydrocarbons, fertilizers (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Brunei
Next public holiday
Christmas Day — Friday, 25 December 2026. Then Christmas Day (26 Dec).
Bruneian passport
Ranked #49: 103 countries visa-free, 30 with visa on arrival, 10 with an eTA and 24 with an eVisa.
Bruneian passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Brunei's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Brunei
Dial +673 before the local number. Internet domain .bn.
Climate footprint
12.1 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 26.05 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Brunei: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Brunei
Brunei Lets Indian Passport Holders Stay Visa-Free for Three Days
Indian travellers can visit Brunei without a visa for stays of up to three days, according to a traveller's account of the country. Direct flights ru…
Andorra passport holders cleared for visa-free US business and tourist trips
The United States allows citizens of 42 countries, including Andorra, to visit for business or tourism without a visa under its Visa Waiver Programme…
Azerbaijani Passport Ranks 11th Among OPEC+ Countries
The Azerbaijani passport has been ranked 11th among 21 OPEC+ countries, providing holders access to numerous destinations without a visa.
Frequently asked questions about Brunei
What do I need to travel to Brunei?
How long must my passport be valid for Brunei?
Where is Brunei?
What is Brunei known for?
What is the capital of Brunei?
What language is spoken in Brunei?
What currency does Brunei use?
What is the calling code of Brunei?
Which countries border Brunei?
How strong is the Bruneian passport?
What is the speed limit in Brunei?
Is Brunei safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Brunei?
What plug type does Brunei use?
How many airports does Brunei have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.