Brunei International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

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.

Downtown Bandar Seri Begawan

City centre · 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 in this area

Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam: In the heart of downtown, with the capital's main sights reachable in a 10-15 minute walk; an outdoor pool, wellness center and two restaurants.
Jubilee Hotel: A budget hotel less than a kilometer from the Royal Regalia Museum and the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque; a dated but functional property, convenient for those who want the historic center on foot.

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Gadong

Neighbourhood · 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 in this area

The Rizqun International Hotel: 168 rooms in the Abdul Razak Complex, connected to The Mall shopping center; a pool with a kids' area, 10 minutes from both the terminal and downtown.
The CentrePoint Hotel: 215 rooms in the same Abdul Razak Complex, a three-minute walk from The Mall and 17 from the Gadong Night Market; an outdoor pool and gym.

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Jerudong

Nearby town · 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 in this area

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.

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