Is Brunei Expensive? [Brunei Travel Costs Explained]

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Is Brunei Expensive?

No, Brunei is not an expensive travel destination.

While Brunei certainly costs more than its Southeast Asian neighbors, it’s a cheaper destination to visit than the United States, Western Europe, Australia and East Asia (Japan and South Korea). According to multiple sources online, Brunei is about 50 to 100% more expensive than India (in general travel costs).

In this travel guide, we’ll cover the costs of traveling in Brunei.

We’ll also cover how bargaining and tipping work in the country, the cost of traveling Brunei vs. Malaysia and Singapore (its nearby neighbors), value of BND compared to other international currencies, plus the transportation and accommodation costs in Brunei.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

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Table of Contents

• How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Brunei?

• Bargaining And Tipping

• Cost Of Brunei vs. Malaysia And Singapore

• BND Currency Exchange Rates

• Transportation Costs In Brunei

• Accommodation Costs In Brunei

• Helpful Resources

• Conclusion

• Best Way To Find A Hotel In Brunei

• About The Author (Taz Zaidi)

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How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Brunei?

You can enjoy Brunei without spending much.

Due to its reputation as one of the world's richest countries, travelers often expect Brunei to be a very expensive destination. But the largest expense, by far, will likely be your flight to get here, as Brunei is a small country on the remote, jungle island of Borneo. Brunei’s most popular attractions are budget-friendly. The national mosques are free to enter, museums offer free admission and water taxi rides from Bandar Seri Begawan’s city center to Kampong Ayer (the world’s largest water village) only costs 1 BND.

Eating in Brunei can also be inexpensive. Many of the restaurants serve traditional Bruneian dishes for under 10 BND. You’ll find full meals at the Gadong Night Market for only a few BND. Gadong offers the best food selection in Brunei, even featuring the country’s many exotic, delicious fruits. For more on Bruneian cuisine, see our Brunei Food Guide.

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Bargaining And Tipping

Bargaining is a standard practice in the day markets.

Day markets are where local farmers sell produce and where vendors sell handicrafts and goods. Buying in quantity gets you the best price. But don’t bargain at Gadong Night Market, as many of the vendors have set prices listed beside their items. Here are day markets every traveler should visit:

• Kianggeh Market in Bandar Seri Begawan

• Kompleks Pasarneka dan Tamu in Tutong District

• Tudung Saji in Belait District

• Tamu Bangar in Temburong District

Tipping is not a standard cultural practice in Brunei, however restaurants focused on service and ambience may include 10% service charge to your bill. Of course, service industry workers appreciate tips. Remember, Brunei’s markets are cash-only!

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Cost of Brunei vs. Malaysia

Brunei is generally more expensive than neighboring Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which are both generally cheaper than the peninsular side of Malaysia. Bandar Seri Begawan is considered to be only a bit more expensive than Kuala Lumpur.

Cost of Brunei vs. Singapore

Singapore is considered more expensive than Brunei in most categories, including food, accommodation and transportation. However, Brunei and Singapore tend to be fairly comparative for total cost of living.

Brunei and Singapore have a bi-lateral agreement that ties their countries’ currencies together - meaning the Brunei dollars (BND) and Singapore dollars (SGD) are inter-changeable and can be spent in the other’s country (so you don’t need to exchange currency if you plan to visit both during a Southeast Asia trip).

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BND Exchange Rates

Brunei’s official currency is the Brunei dollar (BND). As of September 2024, the exchange rates of BND to other notable currencies include:

1 BND = 0.78 USD

1 BND = 0.58 GBP

1 BND = 0.70 EUR

1 BND = 1.13 AUD

1 BND = 65.09 INR

1 BND = 216.17 PKR

1 BND = 112.55 JPY

1 BND = 5.46 CNY

1 BND = 3.21 MYR

1 BND = 1 SGD

For up-to-date exchange rate info, use xe.com.

*Viator.com offers incredible, quality Brunei tours. To see the current top-rated tours in Brunei, click here.

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Transportation Costs In Brunei

Brunei has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world. Outside of central Bandar Seri Begawan and the Gadong region, Brunei is not particularly walkable. Petrol prices are low and most people live near the Pan-Borneo Highway, so car ownership is an easy decision for those who can afford it. These days, driving to Ulu Temburong National Park (Brunei’s “Green Jewel”) is quick thanks to the recently-built Temburong Bridge (the longest in Southeast Asia).

For budget-conscious travelers, taking public bus is a convenient and low cost option for getting around. For example, one-way trip from Brunei International Airport to Bandar Seri Begawan’s Main Station only costs 1 BND, compared to 20+ BND via taxi. Public bus is reliable for inter-district travel (bus connects BSB to Tutong District and Belait District).

A third transportation option is Dart, a ride-sharing application exclusive to Brunei. Dart works like Uber and Grab (neither of which are available in Brunei). If you plan to visit Brunei for more than two days, download the app! Dart often provides lower prices than taxis and you can find a driver within minutes. For the Dart app, click here.

A one-way water taxi ride from BSB’s city center jetty to Kampong Ayer costs 1 BND. To learn how to take a Brunei River mangrove tour, where you’ll spot proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and Istana Nurul Iman (world’s largest residential palace), click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hotel rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on hotels in Brunei (or in another destination), click here.

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Accommodation Costs In Brunei

Agoda.com is one of the best places to book hotels in Brunei (and Southeast Asia, in general). You’ll find a range of steeply-discounted hotel rooms, from budget to luxury. Hotel prices in Bandar Seri Begawan are comparable to mainland Southeast Asian cities, such as Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. To see Brunei’s top lodging options, click here.

Perhaps the most interesting/unique lodging option in Brunei is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend one or more nights in Kampong Ayer, called “Venice of the East” by Spanish explorers who were awe-inspired by the city on stilts. Another way to find accommodation in Brunei is via Airbnb, which provides options ranging from guesthouses to luxury hotels. For a breakdown of Bandar Seri Begawan’s neighborhoods and lodging options, click here.

If you want more luxury, consider Empire Brunei Hotel. This immaculate, impressively-designed country club is one of the world’s few “7-star” hotels. Prices for the Empire Brunei’s lowest-tier rooms aren’t as high as other hotels of similar ilk (globally). To see current room prices at the Empire Brunei, click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hotel rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on hotels in Brunei (or in another destination), click here.

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Helpful Resources

• For examples of typical food and transport costs, see the Brunei section on Global Price.

• For currency exchange rates, use xe.com.

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Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Despite being one of the world's richest countries, Brunei is an affordable travel destination - especially if you’re accustomed to costs in East Asia, Europe, Australia or North America. The flight to Brunei will likely be your biggest expense. After you arrive, most major attractions are low cost or free of charge, while food/drink and transport are affordable. To learn more about Brunei, explore our guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

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Here are some 5-star customer rated tours of Brunei, organized by Viator and run by locals!

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Best Way To Find A Hotel In Brunei

Agoda.com is well-known in Brunei (and Southeast Asia) for providing amazing deals on a wide range of accommodation options. You’ll find luxury or budget hotels, resorts, villas, hostels, apartments, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and unique/alternative types). Use the widget below or click here to search in Brunei.

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More Brunei Guides

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