Exploring Brunei: A Guide From Miri To Its Neighbor

Getting from Miri, Malaysia to Brunei is not as easy as it once was. The direct bus service that used to run between the two has not resumed since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are still several ways to make the journey.

The quickest and best option is to take a private taxi. This will cost around B$35 per person.

The cheapest option is to take a combination of buses and taxis. First, take a Grab taxi to the Malaysian border. After passing through Malaysian customs, you will need to walk to the Bruneian border. Here, you may be able to find a taxi to take you to Kuala Belait, from where you can take a bus to Seria, and then another to Bandar Seri Begawan.

If you are happy to hire a car, you can also drive from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan. The journey is only around 158 kilometres and takes about 2.25 hours, depending on traffic and wait times at the border.

Finally, you can fly from Miri to Brunei, although there are no direct flights, so you will need to connect via another city, such as Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu.

Travel by plane

Flying is the fastest way to get from Miri to Brunei, taking approximately 1 hour 43 minutes to 1 hour 52 minutes. The distance between Miri and Brunei is 127-157 miles.

There are no direct flights from Miri Airport to Brunei, so you will have to take a connecting flight. The quickest options are via Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu. Flight prices start at RM320.

Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia are the two main airlines that fly this route. Malaysia Airlines flies three times a day from Miri to Limbang, and AirAsia flies direct non-stop three times daily.

On arrival, Brunei International Airport is about 10 kilometres from the city centre. You can take a taxi to your accommodation.

Alternative options

If you are not in a hurry to get to Brunei, there are other ways to travel between the two places.

You can take a bus from Miri to Bintulu and then another bus from Sarawak to Bandar Seri Begawan. This is the cheapest option, costing around $6-10, but it will take a long time (approximately 10 hours 47 minutes).

You can also drive from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan. The driving distance is 157 km, and it will take approximately 1 hour 56 minutes.

Finally, you can take a combination of buses and taxis. This option will take several hours, and you may need to ask people for a ride along the way.

Travel by bus

As of 2024, there is no direct bus service from Miri to Brunei. The PHLS Express bus service that used to operate this route has not resumed since the pandemic. However, it is still possible to travel between the two places by bus, with a combination of buses and taxis. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Miri to Border

• Take a Grab taxi to the Malaysian border. It is about a 28-kilometre and 40-minute ride from the centre of Miri and costs around RM37.
• Pass through Malaysian immigration at the border.

Step 2: Border to Brunei Border

• Walk to the Brunei side of the border, about a 1-kilometre distance.
• Note that there is no wifi at the border, and Malaysian SIM cards do not work, so ensure you have any necessary documents with you.

Step 3: Brunei Border to Kuala Belait

Try to find a taxi at the Brunei border to take you to Kuala Belait. If there are no taxis available, walk or get a lift to the nearest town and use the Dart app (Brunei's version of Grab/Uber) to order a taxi to Kuala Belait. This is about a 20-kilometre ride and should cost around BND$20.

Step 4: Kuala Belait to Seria

From Kuala Belait, take a bus to Seria. These buses depart regularly until about 4 pm and cost BND$1. The journey takes about half an hour.

Step 5: Seria to Bandar Seri Begawan

From Seria bus station, take a minibus to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. These buses leave hourly and cost BND$6. This journey can take several hours as the bus makes many stops along the way.

Alternative Options

If you don't want to take the bus, there are a few other ways to travel from Miri to Brunei:

• By plane: There are no direct flights, but you can fly via Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu. The quickest flight options take around 5.5 hours, and prices start at RM320.
• By car: It is possible to drive from Miri to Brunei, but rental companies may not allow their cars to cross the border. If you can find a company that does, the drive takes about 2.25 hours, depending on border wait times.
• By private transfer: You can organise a private door-to-door transfer between Miri and Brunei. This is a more expensive but much easier option than the bus.

Travel by car

The distance from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, is about 158 kilometres, and the journey takes about 2.25 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions, especially wait times at the border. The border to Brunei is only 28 kilometres from the centre of Miri.

If you are driving a rental car, make sure that you have permission from the rental company to take the car across the border. You will also need to have the rental agreement and your car insurance copy with you.

You will need to have your passport with you when crossing the border, and you may need a visa, depending on your nationality. Check the visa requirements for your country before you travel.

When driving from Miri to the Sungai Tujuh checkpoint, you have two options. You can drive north to Lutong along the coastal road and, before reaching Kuala Baram, turn right, following the direction to Sungai Tujuh. Alternatively, you can reach the checkpoint via Tudan or Permyjaya. Follow the road signs to Sungai Tujuh checkpoint or Kuala Belait.

At the Sungai Tujuh checkpoint, you will need to pay B$3 at the Sungai Rasau Bridge toll and collect a receipt. Then, drive through the Malaysian customs checkpoint, staying in your car and producing your passport. After this, you will need to fill out a form for your car if you are bringing a Malaysian car into Brunei.

Next, drive through the Brunei Immigration checkpoint, staying in your car and producing your passport. Here, you will get an entry visa in your passport, allowing you to stay in Brunei for up to one month on a social visit pass.

Once you have passed through Brunei customs, you will come to another toll plaza where you will need to pay another B$3. There are no proper rest areas along the highway, but you can stop at roadside restaurants or shops in the villages for a break. Observe the speed limit as police patrol cars are common.

The whole journey should take around 2 hours, but it can take longer if there are long queues at the border. Friday and Sunday evenings are reportedly very busy, so it is recommended to travel early on a Saturday morning if possible.

Travel by taxi

Getting a Taxi from Miri to the Border

Use the Grab app to get a taxi to take you to the Malaysian border control point, which is about 28km from the centre of Miri. This will cost around RM37.

Crossing the Border on Foot

Once you've passed through Malaysian border control, you'll need to walk about 1km to the Brunei side of the border. This border crossing is designed for cars, so it can be awkward on foot, but it is possible.

Getting a Taxi from the Border to Bandar Seri Begawan

On the Brunei side of the border, you may be able to find a taxi to take you to Bandar Seri Begawan. If you have a Brunei sim card, you can try ordering a taxi using the Dart app (Brunei's version of Grab). The journey from the border to Kuala Belait, where you can get a bus to Seria, is about 20km and costs around BND$20.

Getting a Bus from Kuala Belait to Seria

From Kuala Belait, you can take a bus to Seria. These buses depart regularly until about 4pm and cost BND$1. The journey takes about half an hour.

Getting a Bus from Seria to Bandar Seri Begawan

From Seria bus station, there is a minibus to Bandar Seri Begawan. This bus leaves hourly and costs BND$6. The journey takes several hours, as the bus stops a lot over the 100km route.

Alternative Taxi Services

If you want a more straightforward journey, you can organise a private transfer that will take you door-to-door from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan. This is a much easier option than the bus and taxi combination.

Recommended Taxi Companies

• Mr Lai: WhatsApp +673 871 2009. A reader reported paying B $35 per person for a door-to-door transfer.
• FM Logistics & Transport Services: WhatsApp +60103773743 (Malaysia) / +6737336377 (Brunei). A reader reported paying B$40 for a shared taxi and B$120-180 for a private taxi.
• FindMe Logistics: WhatsApp +60103773743 or +6737336377. A reader reported paying B$40 per person for a semi-tour guide service.

Travel by tour

If you're not confident about driving across the border and exploring Brunei, you can always take a tour from Miri to Brunei. This way, you can explore Brunei in a day.

There are a few tour companies that offer day trips to Brunei from Miri. These tours typically include a visit to the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan, where you can see the Royal Regalia Museum, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and the Kampung Ayer water village. Some tours also include a stop at the Empire Country Club, which is known for its luxury.

The cost of a day tour from Miri to Brunei starts at around USD 125 per person. The journey from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan takes about 2.5 hours by car, and the tour typically lasts for 8 hours in total. Keep in mind that mosques are closed on Thursdays and Fridays for non-Muslim visitors, and photography is not allowed inside mosques and museums.

If you have more time, you can also opt for a multi-day tour package to Brunei from Miri, which will give you a more in-depth experience of the country. These tours typically include accommodation and transportation and last for 2 to 4 days. Prices for these tours start at around USD 450 per person.

Another option for a guided experience is to hire a private driver or charter a car. This can be more expensive, but it gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary and spend as much or as little time as you like in each place. Prices for a private transfer from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan start at around BND 35 per person for a shared car, and BND 80-120 for a private car.

Practical Information

• The border timings are from 6 am to 12 am.
• Fridays and Sunday evenings tend to be busy at the border, so it's best to avoid crossing during these times if possible.
• When crossing the border, you will need to have your passport ready, as well as a valid visa for Brunei if required.
• If you are driving a rental car, make sure to carry the rental agreement and car insurance copy with you.
• Malaysian SIM cards do not work in Brunei, so make sure you have any necessary documents downloaded or printed before you cross the border.

Frequently asked questions