AIR TRAVEL
Brunei International Airport, located in Berakas, is a 15-minute drive from Bandar Seri Begawan. Check-in time is at least three (3) hours before scheduled departure. It is advisable to reconfirm your departure or return flight with the relevant airlines before the scheduled departure time. (Source: Ministry of Transport's website).
BANKS AND CURRENCY
There are a number of international banks operating in the country. Banks are generally open from 9am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays and 9am to 11am on Saturdays. Most banks are government-approved to handle traveller's cheques and currency exchange, and most banks offer ATMs on international networks. All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, China Union Pay) are widely accepted throughout the country.
BUSINESS HOURS
Government offices are open from 7.45am to 12.15pm and from 1.30 to 4.30pm and are closed on Fridays and Sundays. Private office usually operates from 8.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays and from 8.00am to 12pm on Saturdays. Most shopping malls are open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. All offices and business premises are closed on Fridays between noon to 2:00 pm for Friday prayers.
CAR RENTAL / TAXI / BOAT SERVICES
To rent a car with or without a chauffeur are available from the hotel reception. Metered taxis can also be arranged through the hotel's reception.
The Land Transport Department (LTD), Ministry of Infocommunications has introduced a call taxi service that will enable members of the public in the Brunei-Muara district to call and get access to a taxi, beginning on Tuesday, October 4, 2016. This service is a follow-up to the metered taxi system which was launched on September 23 and aims to facilitate the public to get a taxi from anywhere within the Brunei-Muara District. This service will be introduced on a temporary basis, while waiting for a permanent booking service of a similar nature or through mobile app technology introduce by interested parties. Members of the public can call +673 7181643 to book a taxi. The booking service will be operating daily including Fridays, Sundays and public holidays from 6.30am to 9pm.
The Public that requires taxi services beyond these hours may contact the taxi drivers directly which are listed online. A booking surcharge of $2 will be added to the metered taxi fare, as well as other surcharges, if any, in accordance with the rates that were determined and published by LTD. Taxi booking is also available through TransportBN mobile app for iOS and Android mobile Users.
Another option is via DART - Brunei's first taxi booking application. IOS and Android mobile users can download the DART Mobile Application.
Water taxi is the most common form of transportation in Kampong Ayer. The public may call a water taxi from the jetty at the Royal Wharf along the Brunei River.
A water taxi service to Temburong District is also available, operating from 7.45am to 4.00pm daily.
For sightseeing trip around Kampong Ayer, fares are negotiable. You may pay $ 20-25 per boat. (Source: Ministry of Transport and Information's website).
CLIMATE
Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate all year round, characterised by temperatures ranging from 24º to 35º Celsius, with high humidity and higher than average rainfall.
DRIVING PERMITS
Brunei Darussalam recognises international driving permits issued under the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic.
Bruneians drive on the left side of the road. Wearing seat belts for drivers and front passenger is compulsory.
ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
Voltage is 240V 50Hz.
British Standard three-pin plug, BS 1363 (Type G)
EMERGENCY SERVICE
Ambulance 991
Police 993
Fire & Rescue 995
Search & Rescue 998
Darussalam Hotline 123
The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS) is the main referral hospital based in the capital. The telephone number is +673 224 2424.
LANGUAGE
The official language of Brunei is Malay but English is widely spoken. If you require a translator for other languages, you may arrange with the tour operators or from respective embassies.
TELECOMMUNICATION
Brunei Darussalam IDD code is + (673).
There are three telecommunications companies in Brunei Darussalam namely Imagine previously known as Telbru, DST Communications and Progressif Cellular Sdn. Bhd that offer various telecommunications services.
For more info on the telecommunications services, you may access their respective websites:
Imagine - www.imagine.com.bn
DST Communication - www.dst-group.com
Progressif Cellular Sdn Bhd - www.progressifcellular.com.bn
Services for Imagine, DST Communications and Progressif Cellular Sdn.Bhd. is available at the arrival hall of the Brunei International Airport.
TIME ZONE
Brunei Darussalam is eight hours (+8) ahead of GMT and 16 hours (+16) ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.
SMOKING
Prohibition on imitation tobacco products.
In Brunei Darussalam, Section 6 of the Tobacco Order 2005 prohibits importation, sale or offer for sale, any confectionery or other food product, or any toy or other item, which is designed to resemble a tobacco product or sold in a package designed form to resemble packages typically associated with tobacco products.
These include vaporisers such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes), e-pipes, e-cigarettes and so on.
Any person who commits this offense is liable to a fine not exceeding $ 5,000 and in the case of a second or subsequent offense, to a fine not exceeding $ 10,000.
Prohibition on importation and sale of tobacco products
Section 3 (1) of the Tobacco Act 2005 prohibits importation, sale or offer for sale of tobacco products;
(a) any chewing tobacco; or
(b) Other tobacco products intended, labelled or described as suitable for smoking, chewing or any other oral use other than smoking such as shisha, snuff, snus, smokeless tobacco, gutkha, soluble tobacco and so on.
Section 3 (2) of the Tobacco Act 2005 prohibits import, sale or offer for sale of any cigarette containing -
(a) a yield of more than 1.3 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette; or
(b) a yield of more than 15.0 milligrams of tar (nicotine free smoke condensate) per cigarette.
Any person who contravenes subsection [1] or [2] is guilty of an offence and commits this offense liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $ 10,000, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding $ 20,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.
If you have any information on the import or sale of these products in Brunei Darussalam, you may report to:
Health Regulatory Services, Ministry of Health at 7192005 (hotline) or 2427095 during office hours (7: 45am -12: 15pm and 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Monday to Thursday, and Saturday) or email: health. enforcement@moh.gov.bn
Under Tobacco Order 2005 and its regulations: Prohibition of Smoking in Specified Places and Vehicle [Section 14 and Tobacco (Prohibition in certain places) Notification 2007] include:
