Brunei or Malaysia: Should You Include Brunei in a Trip to Borneo?
When planning a trip to Borneo, most itineraries naturally revolve around Malaysia, between Sabah and Sarawak.
Orangutans in Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River, Mount Kinabalu, the Mulu caves, Kuching: the stops add up quickly.
Then, on the map, you notice a tiny country wedged between the Malaysian territories: Brunei.
Is it really worth making time for?
For us, yes, but mainly if your trip is long enough.
To go further, also read Is Brunei Worth Visiting? Our View After Traveling There, Can You Visit Brunei Without a Car? How to Get Around and Plan Your Stay and Which Borneo Itinerary Should You Choose Based on the Length of Your Trip?.
Why Include Brunei in a Trip to Borneo?
Because it brings something very different.
After the jungles, national parks and wildlife of Sabah and Sarawak, Bandar Seri Begawan introduces a much more cultural dimension: grand mosques, Islamic architecture, Kampong Ayer, markets and a particularly calm pace of daily life.
It is not necessarily the most spectacular stop of the trip. More than anything, it is the one that creates the strongest contrast.
To check the different ways of entering the country by air, road or boat, you can also visit the official Brunei Tourism website.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Brunei?
We would not sacrifice a week in Sabah to see Brunei.
But 2 to 3 days work very well as part of a longer itinerary.
Our own guide includes a condensed 3-day route, as well as itineraries of up to 9 days for travelers who want to explore more of the country.
In three days, you can already discover Bandar Seri Begawan, Kampong Ayer and the main mosques.
If you have more time, Ulu Temburong is the most interesting extension if you want to bring nature back into the trip.
Is It Easy to Add Brunei From Malaysia?
Yes, and that is precisely what makes the detour worthwhile.
Brunei has several land border crossings with Sarawak, as well as access points from the east toward Sabah. There are also sea connections with Labuan. Brunei Tourism itself presents travel by land or sea as a natural option for travelers exploring Borneo.
What If Your Trip to Borneo Is Short?
In that case, we would choose Malaysia.
On a 10-day trip, our Borneo itinerary deliberately stays focused on Sabah: Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Semporna and the main wildlife and nature experiences.
With 20 days, Brunei makes much more sense, as you can start combining Sabah, Sarawak and a short break in the sultanate.
In other words, do not add Brunei just to tick another country off the list.
Our View: Yes, We Would Include Brunei in a Trip to Borneo, but Only If Time Allows
With less than two weeks, we would prioritize Sabah and Sarawak.
From 2 to 3 weeks, however, spending a few days in Brunei adds a genuine change of pace: a different country, a different rhythm and a different culture, without completely disrupting the itinerary.
That is exactly how we see it: a short detour within a wider Borneo trip, not a stop that needs to be forced into the route at all costs.
Planning Your Trip?
Our TAMAP Brunei Guide brings together our itineraries, the routes we actually traveled, access information, prices, practical difficulties and the key details you need to organize your stay without wasting time once you are there.