Brunei International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (BWN)

How to get to Brunei International Airport

Bandar Seri Begawan is approximately 11 km from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 15-20 minutes by taxi.

By Car

Those arriving by car (remembering that traffic drives on the left) reach the city center of Bandar Seri Begawan in approximately 15-20 minutes.

By Train

Brunei has no rail network.

By Bus

Some public bus lines connect the airport to the city center, with less frequent service compared to other regional capitals.

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Tips Remember that Brunei has alcohol restrictions: a small personal amount for private use must be declared upon entry, but public consumption is not permitted. Complete the E-Arrival Card online before departure to expedite entry.

Average travel time to BWN

TrainNot available

Shuttle bus15-20 minutes

Taxi / Private hire15-20 minutes

Parking near Brunei International Airport

Official parking is a short walk from the terminal.

It is not staffed but monitored; rates are generally affordable, consistent with regional standards.

How to get to Bandar Seri Begawan from BWN

By Train

Brunei has no railway network.

By Bus

Several public bus lines connect the airport to the city center, though with less frequent service.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area (often limited availability, so it may be convenient to arrange pickup from your hotel); purchase a fixed-rate voucher at the counter before departing the terminal—typically 25-35 BND (19-26 USD) to central Bandar Seri Begawan.

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Car rental at Brunei International Airport

It is possible to rent at the desks of major companies in the arrivals area.

Bring your licence, passport and credit card registered to the driver for the security deposit; your national licence (in Latin characters) is generally accepted for a short stay. You drive on the left, as in Malaysia and Singapore.

Hotels near Brunei International Airport

The airport is in Berakas, a few kilometers from downtown Bandar Seri Begawan: a taxi takes just 15-20 minutes to the heart of the capital, but Gadong, the shopping and evening street-food district, is often the closest of all, about 10 minutes away. Travelers stopping for just one night on their way to Borneo find it convenient to stay between these two areas, linked to each other by just a few minutes' drive. Those looking for a beach and resort, on the other hand, can head out to Jerudong, 20-25 minutes away, accepting a longer transfer.

City centre

Downtown Bandar Seri Begawan

About 4 km from the terminal, 15-20 minutes by taxi or with the Dart app; there is no public airport shuttle to downtown.

Best for: Travelers who want the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Kampong Ayer and the Royal Regalia Museum within walking distance.

Pros

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the Royal Regalia Museum reachable on foot from downtown hotels
The boat-tour departure point for Kampong Ayer, the water village, just a few steps away

Cons

Few restaurants open in the evening: for dinner people often head to Gadong
Taxis in Bandar Seri Begawan are few and not always easy to find on the street

Recommended hotels

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Neighbourhood

Gadong

About 5 km from the terminal, 10 minutes by car; closer to the airport than downtown.

Best for: Travelers who want the shopping and evening street-food district, closer to the terminal than the historic center.

Pros

The Gadong night market opens every evening with dozens of street-food stalls
The Mall and the Abdul Razak Complex shopping center just a few steps from the hotels

Cons

A district designed for cars and shopping malls, with few glimpses of the historic riverside
During rush hour, traffic on Jalan Gadong backs up

Recommended hotels

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Nearby town

Jerudong

About 22 km from the terminal, 20-25 minutes by car; no direct public bus connection, only taxis or a private shuttle.

Best for: Travelers looking for a private beach, golf course and resort-style relaxation, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.

Pros

The only resort in Brunei with a private beach, a championship golf course and several pools
180 hectares of gardens, far from the capital's traffic

Cons

Isolated: a car is needed for dinner anywhere other than the resort's own restaurants
The transfer from the airport is the longest among the areas of Bandar Seri Begawan

Recommended hotels

The Empire Brunei 522 rooms across 180 hectares of gardens and private beach in Jerudong, with a championship golf course, several outdoor pools and one indoor, four restaurants; built in 2000 as a residence commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport provides essential services consistent with its role as Royal Brunei Airlines' base and Brunei's primary air gateway.

Shopping & Duty Free

A duty-free area offers perfume and local products, including traditional textiles and glutinous rice desserts (kuih); spirits are not sold, consistent with local regulations.

Lounges & relaxation

A business lounge is available for Royal Brunei Airlines business passengers at business-class standard, with access typically through alliance status or day-pass. Hours generally follow the terminal's flight schedule.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal area. For a local SIM, DST and Progresif operators have a counter at the airport: convenient if you don't want to look for them in the city.

Families & Children

The terminal provides basic attention to families traveling with small children.

Terminal guide

The terminal is compact and easy to navigate. From check-in to gate you generally walk 10-15 minutes.

Customs and security checks are generally quick; for international flights it is still recommended to arrive at least 2-3 hours in advance.

Map of Brunei International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Do I need a visa for Brunei?

No, for over 90 nationalities including Western ones, for stays of 14-30 days depending on nationality. However, it is mandatory to complete the free E-Arrival Card online before arrival.

Q. Can you drink alcohol in Brunei?

No, public consumption is not allowed: you may bring a small quantity for private use, to be declared on entry, but it is not sold in shops or served in ordinary restaurants.

Q. Is the Singapore dollar accepted in Brunei?

Yes, the Brunei dollar is pegged at par to the Singapore dollar, and the latter circulates as an accepted parallel currency across most of the country, although it's still worth having Brunei dollars for everyday small purchases.

Q. What to see in Bandar Seri Begawan in a few hours?

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the floating village of Kampong Ayer, both just minutes from the centre: convenient even for those with a long layover before a Royal Brunei Airlines flight.