Calling Miri: A Guide From Brunei's Perspective

Calling from Brunei to Miri, Malaysia, is easy. Simply dial the exit code for Brunei, which is 00, followed by the country code for Malaysia, 60, and then the number you wish to call. If you are calling a landline in Miri, you will also need to add the area code, which is 8. So, to call a Miri number from Brunei, you would dial 00-60-8-XXXXXXX.

How to get to the Brunei-Malaysia border from Brunei

The Brunei-Malaysia border is 28km from the centre of Miri, Malaysia. The border divides the territories of Brunei and Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It consists of a 528.45km land border and maritime borders stretching from the coastline of the two countries to the edge of the continental shelf in the South China Sea.

If you're travelling from Brunei to Miri, there is currently no direct bus service, so you'll need to take a combination of buses and taxis. Here's a summary of your journey:

• Take a Grab taxi from central Miri to the Malaysian border. This journey is about 28km and 40 minutes, and will cost around RM37.
• Pass through Malaysian immigration at the border.
• Walk to the Brunei side of the border—it's about a 1km distance.
• Pass through Brunei immigration.
• Take a taxi to Kuala Belait, where you can catch a bus to Seria. Kuala Belait is about 20km from the border and the taxi will cost around BND$20.
• From Kuala Belait, take a bus to Seria. Buses depart regularly until about 4pm and cost BND$1. The journey takes about half an hour.
• From Seria, take a minibus to Bandar Seri Begawan. This bus costs BND$6 and stops frequently along the 100km journey, so it can take several hours.

Remember that you'll need to carry your passport with you, and you may need a visa, depending on your country of origin. It's also a good idea to start your journey early, as some forms of transport are harder to find later in the day.

How to cross the border from Brunei to Miri

The distance from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan is about 158 kilometres, and the journey takes about 2.5 hours. This is dependent on traffic and road conditions, especially wait times at the border. The border to Brunei is only 28 kilometres from the centre of Miri.

By Taxi

The quickest and best option for travelling from Miri to Brunei is to take a private taxi. Regular taxis cannot take you across the border, but it is possible to organise a private transfer that will take you door-to-door.

By Bus and Taxi

There is no longer a bus service from Miri to Brunei, so you will need to take a combination of buses and taxis. This is the cheapest option.

First, take a taxi to the Malaysian border. They won't be able to take you across, but they can take you to the immigration point. This is about 28 kilometres and 40 minutes from the centre of Miri, and will cost around RM37.

Once you have passed through the Malaysian border, you will need to walk about a kilometre to the Brunei side of the border. There is no wifi, and Malaysian SIM cards don't work, so make sure you have any necessary documents with you.

After dealing with the Brunei border formalities, try to find a taxi to take you to Kuala Belait, where buses to Seria leave. This is about 20 kilometres away, and costs around BND$20. From Kuala Belait, take a bus to Seria. These buses depart regularly until about 4pm and cost BND$1.

From Seria bus station, take a minibus to Bandar Seri Begawan. This bus costs BND$6 and leaves hourly. It stops a lot over the 100-kilometre journey and can take several hours.

By Car

If you can find a rental company that will let you take their cars over the border, you can drive to Brunei. The border controls will let you through, but it is unlikely that the rental company will permit it. Check with the rental company and, if they agree, make sure you get it in writing and have all the necessary paperwork for the car with you.

By Plane

There are no direct flights from Miri airport to Brunei. You will need to fly via another destination, with the quickest options being via Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu. This makes the journey quite time-consuming, with connecting flight options starting at 5.5 hours.

Transport options from the border to Miri

Once you've crossed the border, there are a few options for getting to Miri. If you're lucky, you might be able to hitch a ride with a friendly local. Otherwise, you can try to get a taxi or Grab (Malaysia's version of Uber) to come and pick you up, or walk to the nearest toll booth and try to get a ride from there. If you have a Malaysian SIM card, you can also try to order a Grab once you're through the border.

Getting from Brunei to Miri by bus and taxi

If you want to take the bus from Brunei to Miri, be prepared for a convoluted route involving multiple buses and taxis. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Get from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Belait by minibus. The first bus goes at 6 am and then every hour. The bus costs 6 BND per person.
• From Kuala Belait, take the bus to Seria. The bus costs 1 BND per person.
• From Seria, take a taxi to the border. Ask at the barber shop if you can't find a taxi; the going rate is $20 BND.
• Walk across the border to the Malaysian side.
• After clearing Malaysian immigration, turn left at the big roundabout and head towards the toll booth, about 1 kilometre away. This is a good place to try to hail a ride or order a Grab.

Getting from Brunei to Miri by car

If you're travelling with a group, you can also consider hiring a car and driver to take you from Brunei to Miri. This option is more expensive but much more convenient and comfortable than the bus/taxi combo. Expect to pay around 35-120 BND per person for a shared ride, or 80-120 BND for a private transfer.

How to get from Brunei to Miri by plane

Flying is the fastest way to get from Brunei to Miri, but it is not the cheapest option. The distance between Miri and Brunei is 214 km, and the road distance is 157.4 km.

To get from Brunei to Miri by plane, you will need to take a flight from Brunei International Airport, which is about 10 kilometres from the city centre, to Miri Airport. There are no direct flights, so you will need to fly via another destination, with the quickest options being via Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu. Flight prices start at RM320, and the journey can take around 5.5 hours.

Alternatively, you can drive from Brunei to Miri Airport, which takes around 2 hours.

How to get from Brunei to Miri by bus

As of 2024, there is no direct bus service from Brunei to Miri. The PHLS bus from Brunei to Miri stopped operating during the pandemic and has not restarted. However, you can still travel between the two places by bus if you are willing to take a convoluted route that also involves walking and taking taxis.

Step-by-step guide to getting from Brunei to Miri by bus:

• Get from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Belait by bus: Take a minibus from the corner of Kianggeh Road and Jalan Pemancha (outside the Brunei Hotel) that heads to Seria. The first bus goes at 6 am, then there is one every hour. Buses from Bandar Seri Begawan to Seria cost 6 BND per person. From Seria, get on the bus to Kuala Belait, which costs 1 BND per person. Buses from Seria to Kuala Belait stop running at around 4 pm, so it is recommended to take the journey early in the day.
• Get from Kuala Belait to the border by taxi: From the bus stop in Kuala Belait, there is usually a taxi that goes to the border. Ask at the barber shop nearby if you cannot find a taxi; the going rate is 20 BND.
• Exit Brunei at the border: When you get to Customs and Immigration, you will need to queue with the cars. Make sure you have completed the necessary paperwork, such as the digital arrival card, before reaching the border.
• Walk across the border: Once you have exited Brunei, you will need to walk across no man's land to the Malaysian side of the border. It is recommended to start this journey early in the day, as it will be dark by the evening.
• Pass through Malaysian Immigration: After crossing the border, you will need to go through Malaysian Immigration. If you are unsure where to check in, someone will be able to direct you.
• Get from the border to Miri: After passing through Immigration, go left at the big roundabout. After about 1 kilometre, there is a toll booth where you may be able to find a ride. If you have a Malaysian SIM card, you may be able to order a Grab taxi from here. Alternatively, you can ask someone for a lift and offer them money for gas.

Alternative options for getting from Brunei to Miri:

• By plane: There are no direct flights from Brunei to Miri, but you can fly via Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu. This option is time-consuming, with connecting flight options starting at 5.5 hours.
• By car: It is possible to drive from Miri to Brunei, but you will likely need to drive the car back as rental companies usually do not allow cars to be taken over the border. The journey takes about 2.25 hours, depending on wait times at the border.
• By taxi: Regular taxis cannot take you across the border, but you can organise a private transfer that will take you door-to-door. This option is more expensive but much easier than the bus/taxi combination.

Frequently asked questions