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Travel Essentials › Brunei

Travel Essentials

Brunei: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Type G; 240 V, 50 Hz. Emergency: Police 993, Ambulance 991, Fire 995. Tipping: Not customary; hotels and upscale restaurants usually add a service charge. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.

Open The Brunei Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Type G; 240 V, 50 Hz

Emergency Numbers

Tipping

Not customary; hotels and upscale restaurants usually add a service charge.

Water And Health

Tap water

Drink bottled or treated water

Vaccines

Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid; hepatitis B and rabies for some travelers

Malaria

None

Apps To Download Before You Go

• BIBD NEXGEN / BIBD QuickPay: The biggest local bank's app and QR payment used at many shops and stalls.
• Dart: Brunei's own ride-hailing app, the easiest way to get around since taxis are scarce.
• WhatsApp: Used by nearly everyone for business and personal contact.
• DST / Imagine: Apps of the main mobile operators for prepaid SIM top-ups.
• GoMamam: Local food delivery app covering restaurants across Brunei-Muara.
• Grab: Grab's delivery service operates in Brunei alongside local apps.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Malay Muslims greet with "salam": a light, brief handshake, then the hand goes to the heart. Wait for a woman to offer her hand; a nod with a hand on your heart is polite. Use titles such as "Haji" or "Dato" with names.

Dress and public conduct. Brunei is an Islamic sultanate; dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) and avoid public displays of affection.

Alcohol. Alcohol is not sold in shops or restaurants; non-Muslim visitors may import a small personal duty-free allowance at the border.

Ramadan and Friday prayers. During Ramadan, avoid eating/drinking in public during fasting hours; many shops close midday Friday for prayers.

Safety And Scams

Brunei has very low crime and is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia to visit.

Tourist-targeted scams are rare. The main risk is overpaying for taxis at the airport; agree on a fare or use ride-hailing where available.

Limited public transport. There's no metered taxi meter culture; confirm the fare before the ride starts to avoid inflated prices.

Women travelers. Very safe; modest dress is expected and reduces unwanted attention.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Death penalty

Same-sex relations are illegal; Brunei's 2019 Syariah Penal Code prescribes death by stoning for gay sex, but the government has extended an official moratorium on carrying out that penalty since 2019. Enforcement is rare but LGBTQ+ travelers face real legal risk and should be very discreet.

What Things Cost

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

February to April is the driest stretch; Brunei is hot and humid year-round with heaviest rain October to January.

Phrases

Basic Malay phrases · Basic English phrases · Basic Iban phrases