Last checked: November 2026
The easiest way to get around Brunei is by car, taxi or ride-hailing, because public buses mostly serve the capital area and a few routes along the coast. There is no passenger railway. Water taxis cross the Brunei River to Kampong Ayer, and a road bridge now links the Temburong district to the rest of the country. Services run mainly in daytime, so plan evenings carefully.
What is the quickest way to get around Brunei?
Use a rental car or a pre-booked taxi if you want to cover several districts in one day. Use buses and your feet for the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan, and water taxis for Kampong Ayer. Brunei is small and its main roads are good, so most journeys between towns take under two hours.
Fastest, cheapest or most scenic?
- Fastest: a rental car or a taxi, especially for the coast and Temburong.
- Cheapest: the public bus, if you have time to spare.
- Most scenic: a water taxi along the Brunei River, or the drive over the Temburong Bridge.
- Easiest in the evening: a taxi or the Dart ride-hailing app.
Are there trains or domestic flights in Brunei?
No. Brunei has no passenger railway, and domestic flights aren’t needed because the main towns are linked by road. If you’re arriving by air, read our guide to flights to Brunei for airports and airport transfers.
How do public buses work?
The main bus terminal is in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan, on Jalan Cator, and most routes start and end there. Brunei Tourism says buses are the most budget-friendly option, with a fare of BND 1.00 per trip for adults and BND 0.50 for children and senior citizens. Route numbers and destinations appear on coloured signs in the terminal. Buses reach Muara and the main towns along the coast, but they aren’t the best choice if you’re in a hurry, and most services stop in the early evening.
How long do journeys between main places take?
These are rough times in normal traffic. Check bus times at the terminal on the day, because timetables change.
| Journey | By car or taxi | By bus |
|---|---|---|
| Bandar Seri Begawan to Muara | About 30 to 40 minutes | About 1 hour |
| Bandar Seri Begawan to Tutong | About 45 minutes | Direct service, about 1 hour |
| Bandar Seri Begawan to Seria | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Belait | About 1 hour 30 minutes | About 2 hours 10 minutes, changing at Seria |
| Bandar Seri Begawan to Miri, Malaysia | About 2 hours plus border checks | Check current services and border times |
Are taxis and ride-hailing worth using?
Taxis are comfortable but hard to flag down in Brunei. The main taxi rank is at the bus terminal in Bandar Seri Begawan, and Brunei Tourism lists the booking numbers +673 222 2214 and +673 222 6853. It says fares depend on distance, time and traffic, and can range from BND 5.00 to BND 50.00. The local ride-sharing app Dart offers different car types, with rates that vary by location. Ask your hotel to book a taxi in advance for early or late journeys.
Should you rent a car in Brunei?
A rental car is the most flexible way to reach the coast, the Tutong beaches and Temburong. Drive on the left. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says a valid UK licence is accepted for up to 90 days; if you hold another licence, ask the rental company and check the FCDO travel advice before you book.
Brunei Tourism says rental prices start from about BND 50.00 a day, depending on the car, and lists Avis, Hertz and L&W Car Rental. Road signs are clear, Waze and Google Maps work well, and parking is relatively cheap. Fill the tank in the capital or a coastal town before you head to Temburong.
How do you reach Temburong?
You can drive from Bandar Seri Begawan to Temburong over the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge, usually called the Temburong Bridge, without passing through Malaysian customs. It opened in March 2020. The old water-taxi trip across Brunei Bay took about 45 minutes. Inside Temburong, the last stretch to Ulu Temburong National Park is by river boat, and licensed tour operators usually include it. Our guide to the best places to visit in Brunei explains how to plan the park day.
How do water taxis and boats work?
Water taxis cross the Brunei River from riverside spots in the capital. Brunei Tourism gives a range of BND 1.00 to BND 5.00 per trip, depending on distance. Some boats also offer tours around Kampong Ayer and to the mangroves, where visitors can look for proboscis monkeys. Agree the price before you board and ask for a life jacket.
How do you travel between Brunei and Malaysia?
By road, the coastal highway runs through Tutong, Seria and Kuala Belait to the Sarawak border, and the road continues to Miri. Guidebooks list land crossings near Kuala Belait and near Limbang. By water, the Serasa Ferry Terminal near Muara has passenger and car ferries to Labuan in Malaysia. Buses to Muara leave from the main bus terminal in the capital.
Ferry timetables and fares change often, and sources disagree on journey times, so check the current schedule with the operator or the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam before you travel. Every crossing involves border checks. Carry your passport, any visa proof and your E-Arrival Card confirmation, and read our Brunei visa guide for tourists first. For a trip that adds Sarawak or Sabah, see our Brunei itineraries.
Common mistakes
- Waiting to flag a taxi in the street instead of booking one.
- Relying on buses late in the day.
- Treating a ferry timetable as fixed.
- Planning a boat from the capital to Temburong instead of using the bridge or a tour.
- Boarding a water taxi before agreeing the price.
- Forgetting your passport on a day trip across the border.
Quick checklist
- Choose your base, then decide whether you need a car.
- Save a taxi number and the Dart app.
- Carry small cash for buses and water taxis.
- Check your driving licence rules before you rent.
- Confirm ferry and bus times on the day.
- Match your plans to the weather using our best time to visit Brunei guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public transport good in Brunei?
Buses are cheap and cover the capital area and main coastal towns, but they’re slow and mostly run in daytime. Many visitors combine buses and walking in the city with a taxi or rental car for longer trips.
Can tourists drive in Brunei?
Yes. Drive on the left. The FCDO says a valid UK licence is accepted for up to 90 days. Other visitors should check the rule for their licence with the rental company before booking a car.
Is there a ride-hailing app in Brunei?
Brunei Tourism points visitors to Dart, a local ride-sharing app with different car types. Check whether other apps work on your dates before you rely on them, and keep a taxi number as a backup.
How do I get to Temburong?
Drive or take a taxi over the Temburong Bridge, which links Temburong to the rest of Brunei. For Ulu Temburong National Park, book a licensed tour, because the final stretch is by river boat.
Can I take a ferry from Brunei to Labuan?
Yes. Ferries to Labuan leave from the Serasa Ferry Terminal near Muara. Schedules and fares change, so confirm them with the operator, and carry your passport for border checks.