Brunei to Labuan

We are going to Brunei early Feb. (Orchard Garden hotel). Planning a ferry trip to Labuan for the day and possibly doing a half day tour while there. Any feedback on the hotel, ....the Labuan trip, and even Bandar Seri bagawan would be greatly appreciated.

Brunei to Labuan

Orchid Garden quite a nice hotel. Bill Clinton stayed there...as per photos in foyer. Manager is an Aussie, so it has the best coffee in town (not much else to choose from). Day trip to Labuan can be quite interesting...but no need to stay there any longer.

Cheapest transport from airport to BSB

Could anyone give me some advise on the cheapest transport from and to the airport in BSB. We will be arriving around 5:30 in the evening on Thursday.

Cheapest transport from airport to BSB

BSB airport not set up well for transfers. Airport taxis can cost $20-$40 for relatively short trips. Bus stops are close by...but can be hard to find- but will take you in to town fofr $1 (not far). Where are you travelling to in BSB? If a hotel, get them to pick you up.

Where to book city tour and taxi cost from airport.

Hi All,

We are in arriving in Brunei on Sunday (from the UK) for 2 day / 3 night stopover at the Empire hotel before transferring to Kota Kinabalu. I have a couple of questions I hope some of you can answer for us.

1) We would like to do a tour of the city and water village. Would it be best to book this at the airport on arrival or does anyone have experience of booking such a tour at the Empire. How much should we expect to pay for two people?

2) How much should we expect to pay for taxi transfer from the airport to the Empire hotel?

3) Can anyone confirm that Singaporean dollars will be perfectly accepted by everyone (city shops, taxis, etc.) as for payment?

Thanks

Richard

Where to book city tour and taxi cost from airport.

Hi Richard

Last went to Brunei in October 2004, so I expect things may have changed.

We were collected from the airport by a shuttle bus provided by the Empire Hotel. I%26#39;m sure it should be included for you as well. Perhaps you should check it.

As for tours, we just used the hotels free shuttle bus again to drop us off in the city and right behind the mosque is the waterway with steps leading down to the water. We stood there for about a minute and dozens of boats came speeding towards us for our business. I%26#39;m afraid I can%26#39;t remember the price, but negotiate. I%26#39;m sure this is much cheaper than booking at the hotel. We ended up giving our man extra money in the end!!!

Can%26#39;t help you with the Singpore dollars, can%26#39;t remember.

Where to book city tour and taxi cost from airport.

You can use Singapore dollars in Brunei without any problems.

For a city tour, as you exit the airport terminal there is adesk om the left where I booked a 1/2 day city tour which visit the main mosque, the royal regalia, Kampong Air water village and general points of interest around Bandar Seri Begawan.

Sorry can%26#39;t remember the cost.

Thanks Bigw,

I%26#39;ll take a look when we get there.

Rich

Airport transfer for 8 people

We have 8 people needing to go from Brunei aiport to the Empire hotel-country club. What would be the cheapest way to go to and from the hotel. The hotel has quoted us 55.00 Brunei dollars each way. Does anyone know of a cheaper way?

Airport transfer for 8 people

Hi Suzyjoe,

I posted a similar query just after you.

We are actually flying out to Brunei tomorrow (only 12 hours to go!), and in the absence of any other info I was intending to just jump into a taxi at the airport after agreeing a price.

If you go to www.tourismbrunei.com/info/ground.html the stated taxi fare from the airport to the Empire is $25, and so I will insist on approx. this fare before setting off. I think the Empire%26#39;s price of $55 is a bit steep, considering you could just take two standard taxis for less.

We are traveling on to KK, and then touring round Sabah, and will be back in the UK towards the end of March. If you %26#39;re not traveling out for a few weeks I might be able to update you then (unless one of the local experts hasn%26#39;t beaten me to it!). I%26#39;ll check back on this thread when we get back.

Cheers

Rich

Airport transfer for 8 people

Thanks Rich, we are leaving Sydney in three weeks, on Thursday 22 March, will you be back before then? Thanks for your help.

Hi again,

We get back on early on Wed 21st, so it might be close call, especially with you over in Oz. I%26#39;ll try to post quickly when I get back, but I guess you%26#39;ll have probably made your decision by then regarding booking a taxi via the Empire.

One things sure though, either way we%26#39;ll be in for a treat stopping at the Empire; first stop, that lake sized swimming pool! (I guess I%26#39;m just experiencing a bit of holiday fever, having just made it through another damp grey winter in Manchester).

Cheers, Rich

Hi again suzy joe,

Currently in KK enjoying a the end of a fab holiday.

At Brunei airport there were no taxis; and taxis are very few and far between in general (therefore expensive). At tour stand outside the airport the price was $35, which was non negotiable. We waited for a taxi for a 5-10 minutes and in the end took the offer from the tour company.

Transfer from the Empire (which is amazing by the way!) back to the airport was also $35 by hotel saloon. This seems to be the price. If you fancy a tour of the city, book this at the airport, its $10 cheaper than booking at the Empire (with the same company).

I think that $50 is probably a good deal for you guys and you should take this one up.

I hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did and try the sea food buffet in the Atrium restaurant is its avialable.

Rich

Rizqun Hotel

Staying in Brune for just 2 nights in April. Want a really central hotel as I%26#39;ve read taxis and buses can be hard to find.

Very few reviews of Rizqun Hotel but those I%26#39;ve read say it%26#39;s more central then Centrepoint Hotel.

And does anyone know of a street map for the city which pinpoints locations for all hotels please?

I%26#39;ve managed to find 2 mini-maps, which only highlight the Sheraton and others. But I%26#39;ve been told Sheraton is a long way from centre of city.

THANKS.

Rizqun Hotel

MsHongKong ... Rizqun Hotel is just next second block to Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong commercial center. Same buidling owner, but Ridqun is newer.

Sheraton Utama is 1km walk to city center; but 5km to Gadong. So, it really depends where are the commercial areas U are referring ... city center (BSB), Gadong, Kiulap, Seri Complex, etc. each is roughly 3 - 5 km between each other.

Regret I do not know of a map existing for reference.

Probably U still need transport, private or taxi, to move around during the 3 days / 2 nights to fully experience your stay,

Brunei is fabulous !!

James

rosacea

10 hours stay in BSB

Hi, i will be travelling with my mother in september to perth, with transit in BSB. Is the bus service good in BSB? Is it easy to get a bus from town to the airport and around the famous mosques %26amp; water village?

Would it be cheaper to get a tour around? And would they transport us back to the airport thereafter?

Thank you.

10 hours stay in BSB

The bus sevice in BSB is basically useless.. However as you exit the terminal there is atour desk which will help you with short tours to and from the airport.

10 hours stay in BSB

may i know roughly how much is the tour cost? and do they have specific time for departure? tq

The local tour may not fit in neatly for your 10 hours ... as your connecting flight is likely early noon or at night. An alternative way is to have a friend who is willing to drive U around ... dropping U off for a few hours at your own leisure where U like. No place in BSB is more than 20 mins%26#39; drive from the airport.

Hi,

Don%26#39;t know about the buses or tours, but you could also try taking a taxi to the food market on Jalan Sungei Kianggeh. Not sure what it would cost. We went and had some local food there and you can catch a water taxi from the canal nearby to take you around the kampung. The taxi driver offered one hour %26#39;round and round%26#39; for $20 and we knocked him down to $10, so he took us for only 45mins. Was pretty interesting.

Its only a short walk through the city area to the Omar Ali Saffudien mosque which we were lucky enough to enter, and you can even walk over into a kampung from there. Our water taxi took us to another mosque too but we didn%26#39;t try to go in, just admired it from outside.

Hi there is a tour desk in the transit lounge. They will arrange a tour for you depending upon what time you arrive. There are quite a few trips to choose from depending upon your available time.

You will need to get a visa on arrival and this will cost around $5 Br. If you can carry this with you to expedite things, however you can change money in the transit lounge or it is most likely the immigration counter will allow you to go to the money changer nearby. Make sure you have spoken with the tourist counter first in the transit counter as they will assist also.

Keep in mind also that checkin upon return now takes a fair bit longer as they are checking all carry on bags for liquids greater than 100ml. Best to leave all these in your checked bagged as with all knives and sharp instruments, and water bottles etc.

Hope this helps a little.

Roger

I was in BSB in May 06 for about 12 hours. I found the bus service into town to be fine - had to wait maybe 20minutes for the bus. The bus stop is just a few minutes walk from the terminal. Once in town, I went to the main tourist office who arranged a tour. While at the tourist office there was another group who had a shorter stopover and the tourist office were able to arrange a shorter tour for them (dropping them back at the airport). I got the tour guide to drop me at a large shopping mall and then took a taxi back to the airport with no problem.

Once in town it is quite easy to walk around to see the mosque and get to the water village. There were plenty of people on the waterfront offering a tour of the water village. Though as i remember, the larger mosque is not in the centre as our tour guide drove us to the mosque and to outside the sultans residence.

weather

Hello eveyone Iam due to fly out next tuesday but checking the weather it seems to be thunderstorms , is it the usual downpour the brilliant sunshine or do I need to bring wet weather gear, can someone advise me please. Ta

weather

Hi,

The current weather is unpredictable. It can be very hot in one day followed by gloomy in late afternoon. Or it can be the other way round. i.e raining in the morning and hot in the afternoon. But be sure that the weather at night will be 80% raining currently.

weather

thenks for you remarks,it helps to know what to bring