Brunei Darussalam, the Abode of Peace, is a small but wealthy sultanate on the island of Borneo. This pristine nation offers a unique blend of opulent Islamic architecture, pristine rainforests, and traditional water villages alongside modern luxury.
- Public
- Purple bus network covers main areas but runs only 6:30am-6pm and is infrequent (30-60 min gaps). Not suitable for flexible sightseeing.
- Taxi
- Dart app is the best option — cheaper than taxis, English-speaking drivers, easily bookable. Street taxis are scarce.
- Rental
- Car rental is highly recommended for exploring beyond BSB. Brunei's roads are excellent, fuel is incredibly cheap, and rental cars provide access to all districts.
- Walking
- BSB city centre is walkable between key attractions. However, Brunei's tropical heat and humidity make walking in midday uncomfortable. Drive or take Dart for distances over 1km.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi - $25-30 BND (15 minutes)
- Taxi Info
- Metered taxis available curbside at arrivals. Fixed airport surcharge of $3 BND applies.
- Shuttle
- Dart app - $20-25 BND
- Shuttle Info
- Download Dart ride-hailing app before arrival for cheaper fares than street taxis.
- Bus
- Purple Line buses (23, 24, 34, 36, 38) - $1 BND (30 minutes)
- Bus Info
- Cheapest option runs to BSB city centre. Buses operate 6:30am-6pm only.
- Private
- $60-100 BND pre-booked
- Private Info
- Hotel shuttle or private transfer bookable through all major hotels. Include meet-and-greet service.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Purple bus network operates throughout Bandar Seri Begawan and surrounding areas. Fare: $1 BND per journey regardless of distance. Routes operate 6:30am-6pm. Main routes include 01 (circular city), 20 (Gadong), 23/24/34/38 (Airport). Buses are air-conditioned but infrequent (every 30-60 minutes).
Alternatives
Dart ride-hailing app, water taxi (for Kampong Ayer), metered taxis, car rental
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Metered taxis available. Base fare: $3.50 BND for first km/minute, then $0.20 BND per 250m or 15 seconds. Airport surcharge: $3 BND. Taxis are not abundant — best to use Dart app.
- Apps
- Dart
- App Names
- Dart
- Typical Fare
- $5-15 BND average city ride within BSB
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Limited intercity bus service. Main routes connect Bandar Seri Begawan to Seria ($5 BND, 2 hours), Kuala Belait ($6 BND, 2.5 hours), and Tutong ($3 BND, 45 minutes).
Shared
Shared taxis to Miri (Malaysia) from BSB terminal at $25-30 BND per person.
Flights
No domestic flights. Speedboat to Temburong District: $8 BND each way from Sungai Kianggeh jetty.
Private
Car hire from $50 BND/day. Private transfers to Miri available from $80-100 BND.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Brunei International Airport
From centre: 12 km from Bandar Seri Begawan
Options: Taxi - $25-30 BND (15 minutes); Dart app - $20-25 BND; Purple Line buses (23, 24, 34, 36, 38) - $1 BND (30 minutes); Hotel shuttle - varies by hotel; Car rental - available at airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Dart
Brunei's main ride-hailing app (similar to Grab). Available on iOS and Android. Best transport option for most visitors.
Google Maps
Works well for Brunei navigation. Shows bus routes and walking directions for BSB and surrounding areas.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Dart app before arriving in Brunei — it's the most practical transport option for tourists and often cheaper than taxis.
Rent a car for day trips to Tutong, Seria, and coastal areas — public transport to these areas is infrequent and inflexible.
Water taxis in Kampong Ayer charge $1 BND per person for a crossing; negotiate a rate for hourly village exploration (BND 20-30/hour).
The Purple bus BND 1 flat fare is excellent value for getting from airport to city centre if your accommodation is served.
Brunei's fuel is subsidized at around $0.31 BND/litre — one of the cheapest in the world. Car rental is extremely affordable to run.
Brunei drives on the left — same as UK, Australia, Malaysia. International Driving Permit required for car rental.