Introduction
A cashed-up anachronism with oil to burn. This tiny oil-rich Islamic sultanate on the northwest coast of Borneo is known chiefly for the astounding wealth of its sultan, its tax-free, subsidised society, and the fact that (statistically at least) its population enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes on earth.
Destination Facts
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Sultan and Prime Minister: Sir Hassanal Bolkiah
Government: constitutional sultanate
Time zone: GMT +8
Area: 5765
Population: 322000
Languages: 65% Muslim, 15% Buddhist, 10% Christian
Currency: Brunei Dollar (B$)
Country Dialing Code: 673
Getting There
Weather's not much of a consideration when heading for Brunei - whenever you go it's bound to be warm and wet. September to January is the official wet season, when things are even warmer and wetter. Things tend to close down during Ramadan, when all Muslims must fast between dawn and dusk for a month, so it's worth checking if your visit will fall in this period.
Getting there and away
Most visitors fly into and out of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei has direct air connections to around 30 destinations, including regional Asian capitals and a number of Australian cities. Because of the difference in exchange rates, it can be 40% cheaper to fly to Brunei from Malaysia than vice versa if you buy your ticket locally. Airport departure tax is 3.00 to Malaysia and Singapore and 7.50 to all other destinations.There are express boats from BSB to Lawas and Limbang in Sarawak, and to the duty-free island of Labuan, off Sabah, where you can connect with boats to Kota Kinabalu. The main overland route from Sarawak is via bus from Miri, but it's also possible (although fairly expensive) to travel overland between Limbang or Lawas and Bangar, in the Temburong district of Brunei.
Getting around
Transport around Brunei is by bus, hire car or taxi. The public bus system is cheap and reliable but only in and around the capital. If you want to explore the hinterland you'll probably need to hire a car, though there is a fast, regular boat service from BSB to Bangar.
Visa:
Citizens of most countries (including Belgium, Canada, Japan and Sweden) can stay 14 days without a visa; certain nationalities, including British, Dutch, Irish, Malaysian, German, New Zealand and Singaporean citizens, can stay 30 days without a visa. US citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Australian citizens can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival at BSB airport.
Weather
Brunei doesn't have marked wet and dry seasons. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, but is heaviest between September and January. Average annual rainfall is about 3295mm. Temperatures are consistently between 24° C (75° F) and 31° C (88° F). Average humidity is 79%, making it a pretty warm and sticky place.
A cashed-up anachronism with oil to burn. This tiny oil-rich Islamic sultanate on the northwest coast of Borneo is known chiefly for the astounding wealth of its sultan, its tax-free, subsidised society, and the fact that (statistically at least) its population enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes on earth.
Destination Facts
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Sultan and Prime Minister: Sir Hassanal Bolkiah
Government: constitutional sultanate
Time zone: GMT +8
Area: 5765
Population: 322000
Languages: 65% Muslim, 15% Buddhist, 10% Christian
Currency: Brunei Dollar (B$)
Country Dialing Code: 673
Getting There
Weather's not much of a consideration when heading for Brunei - whenever you go it's bound to be warm and wet. September to January is the official wet season, when things are even warmer and wetter. Things tend to close down during Ramadan, when all Muslims must fast between dawn and dusk for a month, so it's worth checking if your visit will fall in this period.
Getting there and away
Most visitors fly into and out of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei has direct air connections to around 30 destinations, including regional Asian capitals and a number of Australian cities. Because of the difference in exchange rates, it can be 40% cheaper to fly to Brunei from Malaysia than vice versa if you buy your ticket locally. Airport departure tax is 3.00 to Malaysia and Singapore and 7.50 to all other destinations.There are express boats from BSB to Lawas and Limbang in Sarawak, and to the duty-free island of Labuan, off Sabah, where you can connect with boats to Kota Kinabalu. The main overland route from Sarawak is via bus from Miri, but it's also possible (although fairly expensive) to travel overland between Limbang or Lawas and Bangar, in the Temburong district of Brunei.
Getting around
Transport around Brunei is by bus, hire car or taxi. The public bus system is cheap and reliable but only in and around the capital. If you want to explore the hinterland you'll probably need to hire a car, though there is a fast, regular boat service from BSB to Bangar.
Visa:
Citizens of most countries (including Belgium, Canada, Japan and Sweden) can stay 14 days without a visa; certain nationalities, including British, Dutch, Irish, Malaysian, German, New Zealand and Singaporean citizens, can stay 30 days without a visa. US citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Australian citizens can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival at BSB airport.
Weather
Brunei doesn't have marked wet and dry seasons. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, but is heaviest between September and January. Average annual rainfall is about 3295mm. Temperatures are consistently between 24° C (75° F) and 31° C (88° F). Average humidity is 79%, making it a pretty warm and sticky place.
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