Getting There

Brunei International Airport is served by Royal Brunei Airlines. It is easily accessible from international routes, with flights from 26 cities including Abu Dhabi, Balikpapan, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Calcutta, Darwin, Denpasar, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kucing, Labuan, London, Manila, Miri, Osaka, Perth, Singapore, Surabaya and Taipei.

Bandar Seri Begawan is also served by Thai Airways International, Malaysia Airlines, Philippines Airlines, and Singapore Airlines.
By road, visitors can enter the country from Miri, Sarawak. Alternately, one can enter by express boat from Sarawak or by ferry from Labuan Island, Malaysia.

Time
Brunei is eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.

Duty-Free Allowance
Arriving passengers over 17 years of age are allowed 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250grams of tobacco. 60ml of perfume and 250ml of toilet water are also permitted to be brought in. Non-Muslims over 17 years of age may bring in not more than 2 bottles of liquor and 12 cans of beer (personal consumption only). The passengers must declare these upon arrival. Failure to declare to customs is an offence punishable under Customs Act.

Travel Documents
The government of Brunei Darussalm requires visitors to be in possession of a valid passport

Visas
German, Malaysian, Singaporean, British Nationals with the right of abode in the United Kingdom and New Zealand nationals are exempted from visas for visits of up to 30 days. Nationals from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Oman, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, The Republic of Maldives, The Philippines and The Principality of Liechtenstein are exempted from visas for 14 days visits. American passport holders may enter for three months without visa. Whereas nationals of Australia are issued visas on arrival at the Brunei International Airport for visits not exceeding 14 days.

All other nationals entering Brunei Darussalam must have visas obtainable from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic missions abroad, which are normally issued for a two weeks stay but can be renewed in Brunei. Visitors must have onward tickets and sufficient funds to support themselves while in the country. Please contact the nearest Brunei Embassy or consulate for more information.

Airport Tax
Air passengers going to Malaysia and Singapore pay a departure tax of B$5.00. Ticket holders to all other destinations pay a tax of B$12.00.

Airport Check-In Times
Please arrive in good time at the airport terminal as this will ensure that your flight operates on schedule. Check local road conditions to avoid possible delay. To enable preflight formalities to be concluded, have your baggage screened and check-in at Brunei International Airport at least 11/2 hours before scheduled departure.

Reconfirmation of Bookings
You are required to contact the airline reservation office or its appointed agent for reconfirmation of your outward or return flight at least 72 hours before its scheduled departure time. Failure to do so may result in your reservation being cancelled

Car Rental & Taxis
The airport is about 11 kilometers from the capital. Taxis and car rentals are available here. Alternatively, your hotel front desk should be able to advise you.

Currency
The Brunei dollar is on par with the Singapore dollar and is freely interchangeable. There is no restriction on import or export of money. Banks, hotels and major department stores can cash traveller's cheques.

Credit Cards
Hotels, department stores and other major establishments generally accept all internationally known credit cards

Health
Brunei Darussalam's healthcare system ranks among the best in Asia. Doctors provide private medical services for a nominal charge. The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital in the Capital is equipped with modern medical facilities. There are a number of state health clinics and hospitals

Clothing
Temperatures in Brunei range from 26 to 35 degrees Celsius, so loose-weave (cotton, not wool) fabrics in light colors are recommended. Women are asked to dress modestly, in deference to local custom.

Utilities
Power supply is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles. The PAL and NTSC systems are used by local television. Tap water is generally safe to drink although some take the precaution of boiling it.

Hotels
Accommodation in the capital ranges from international standard to middle range hotel. Service apartments are also available at reasonable rates

Common Courtesies
Tourists are required to observe the local dress code and should understand that revealing clothes are considered to be immodest and therefore socially unacceptable.

Bruneians shake hands by lightly touching the hands and then bringing the hand to the chest. It is customary not to shake hands with members of the opposite sex. You should not point with your finger, instead used the thumb of your right hand with the four fingers folded beneath it.

When visiting a mosque, you should always remove your shoes first and you should not pass in front of a person in prayer or touch the Qur'an. Women should cover their heads and not have their knees or arms exposed.

Gifts and particularly food should only be passed with the right hand, although it is acceptable to use the left hand under the right wrist fir support.

It is polite to accept even just a little food and drink when offered. When refusing anything offered, it is polite to touch the plate lightly with the right hand.

During the Islamic fasting month, Ramadhan, Muslims do not take food from sunrise to sundown. It will be inconsiderate to eat and drink in their presence during this period.

Business Hours
Government offices are open from 7:45am to 12:15pm and from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. They are close on Fridays and Sundays. Private offices are generally open from 8:00am to 5:00pm on week-days and from 8:00am to 12:00pm on Saturdays. Most shopping centers are open daily from 10:00am to 9:30pm. Shortened government office hours operate during the fasting month.

Drug Abuse
The trafficking and illegal importation of controlled drugs are very serious offences in Brunei Darussalam. The penalty for such offences is death.

Emergency Services
Police 993
Fire Brigade 995
Ambulance 991