Is Brunei Really an Expensive Destination?
Brunei is one of the wealthiest countries in Southeast Asia. Enormous palaces, monumental mosques, oil wealth and five-star hotels easily create the impression of a destination reserved for big budgets.
Yet traveling in Brunei is not necessarily expensive.
During our stay, we found cheap local food and plenty of free sights. The main expenses are certain activities, accommodation and transportation outside Bandar Seri Begawan.
To decide whether the country deserves a place in your itinerary, also read Is Brunei Worth Visiting? Our View After Traveling There. And before you go, our article Brunei: Rules, Alcohol, Dress Code & Things to Know Before You Go covers the main things you need to know.
How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Brunei?
In Bandar Seri Begawan, we found accommodation for around €18 to €19 at the budget end, while a comfortable room was more likely to cost around €30 to €40.
In Muara, our homestay cost around €14, while at the opposite extreme, a night at the famous The Empire Brunei could reach around €280 for two people.
So Brunei can move very quickly from backpacker prices to luxury.
But luxury is a choice, not a requirement.
Is Food Expensive in Brunei?
Not particularly.
In our on-the-ground budget, we allowed around €3 to €5 per meal per person, combining local restaurants with a few more Western-style options.
By eating at food courts, markets or small local restaurants, it is entirely possible to spend less.
Gadong Night Market, for example, is a great place to eat in a very local atmosphere without turning dinner into a major expense.
That is actually one of Brunei’s distinctive features: the country’s wealth does not automatically translate into high everyday prices.
Many Attractions Are Free
That also helps keep the budget under control.
Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Muara Beach, Serasa Beach, Silver Jubilee Park and several public spaces around Bandar Seri Begawan can all be visited for free.
In the capital, much of the experience simply involves walking between mosques, the Waterfront, markets and Kampong Ayer.
You can therefore fill an entire day without constantly paying entrance fees.
What About Transportation?
This is the other expense to watch.
Within Bandar Seri Begawan, walking and using Dart, the local ride-hailing app, help keep costs low.
As soon as you want to explore the beaches, Jerudong or Kuala Belait, a car becomes much more practical. Our rental cost around €33 per day, plus roughly €5 for fuel.
For a couple or family, that cost is relatively easy to split.
For a solo traveler, it is more noticeable.
So it is not really the cost of fuel but the possible need to rent a car that can change the overall budget.
To organize your transportation, read Can You Visit Brunei Without a Car? How to Get Around and Plan Your Stay.
What Daily Budget Should You Expect?
For a backpacker, our estimate comes to around €74 to €83 per day per person on the full itineraries, including activities and transportation.
For a couple, we estimate around €133 to €148 per day for two.
For a family, around €242 to €270 per day for four people.
These figures include major activities and should therefore be distinguished from the basic day-to-day cost of living.
So, Is Brunei an Expensive Destination?
Not really.
Sleeping, eating and sightseeing in Bandar Seri Begawan can remain very affordable.
What pushes the budget higher is mainly Ulu Temburong, car rental and possibly a few high-end experiences such as The Empire.
It is therefore a destination where you can fairly easily choose where to spend more.
Our view: Brunei may look like a luxury destination, but everyday travel there does not have to be expensive. You can sleep and eat at reasonable prices, then decide for yourself which experiences are worth spending more on.
For official practical information, also see Brunei Tourism – Useful Tips.
Planning Your Trip?
Our TAMAP Brunei Guide brings together our itineraries, the routes we actually traveled, access information, prices, difficulties and practical advice to help you organize your stay without wasting time once you arrive.