BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 4 December 2009 : by P Harpin

Customer Rating : 3/5

Tiny airport but plenty of seats which are comfortable. 2 cafes and a variety of gift shops. Please note that as well as no alcohol you cannot purchase cigarettes at this airport. No problem taking 2 bottles of wine into country - you just need to fill in the orange forms in reception but beware - you really need to look for them.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 13 October 2009 : by Michael Fadjar

Customer Rating : 3/5

Had 2 quick transits at this airport (less than 30 minutes) on return flights between Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu. No problem with a bottle of Glennfiddich whisky that I did not even bother to take out of my hand carry when passing the No 1 gate security. I can see that it's a bit boring, but for a small airport that it is, I find service is not bad - I even feel that the place is a bit cozy for relaxing, but not for too long.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 6 October 2009 : by Jim Lewis

Customer Rating : 2/5

Transitted this airport twice - as we stepped into the terminal we had people all over us offering a free city tour. Once we said we would go them they wanted to charge $66 for the 'free" tour. Having working in airport security I was amazed at some of the goings ons there. People allowed to wear hats through the metal detector walk through. Children in Prams/ push chairs pushed through the detector, instead of the child being taken out and the chair put through the x ray. Airport was clean, free internet, large seating area, very limited shopping. Returning to this airport after Singapore Changi was a huge culture shock.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 1 October 2009 : by J Garner

Customer Rating : 1/5

I had a short holiday in KL and bought a duty free bottle for my return to Brisbane. While in transit in Brunei my bottle of alcohol was confiscated as I went through security even though it was completely sealed in the anti tamper proof packaging. I will not fly Royal Brunei again nor want to visit their country as they have no idea how to treat or respect people from other nations. To me it looked like they want to remove alcohol because they don't drink it. This is a major scam for booze to be sold on the black market most likely.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 29 September 2009 : by P Olliver

Customer Rating : 4/5

A nice little airport, clean and tidy, a coffee shop with free Wifi and 2 free internet booths if you buy a drink - turn left and up the stairs, there is an internet cafe, souvenir shop, duty free, snack shop, showers, another coffee shop round the corner, and is a free city tour to pass the time. If you enter Brunei its very quick, bring some Singapore cash or Brunei dollars to avoid money changing if you need a Visa, bus to city is $1 only, they're smaller purple busses, taxis outside but negotiate the price first. Be warned they will confiscate liquids if you are in transit, so don't buy duty free until you arrive at your destination unless you enter the country just fill out a customs form and bring it in. Also a smoking room, clean toilets and plenty of seats.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 16 May 2009 : by W Hughes

Customer Rating : 3/5

A warning for Australians arriving into Brunei: unlike almost all other nationalities, you will be charged B$20 for an arrival visa, and if you have no Brunei currency on you (as I didn't) the only option is to use a money changer at extremely poor exchange rates; the only ATM's are outside the security area. Apart from this, the airport is not bad; the Skylounge upstairs for business pax is quite pleasant (apart from being "dry" of course).

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 27 April 2009 : by A Woodgate

Customer Rating : 1/5

No words can describe the utter intransigence and lack of good will that this airport's personnel showed us. My wife and I were in transit (not even in the country) from Perth to Kota Kinabalu. We were asked to open our hand luggage after going through a scanner. Out came the duty free bag with our two bottles. But because someone at Perth had not sealed the bag properly all was lost (confiscated) by a very officious officer. She could see that it was duty free still with the seals and packing around them intact but chose not to and they were whisked away. Needless to say we will not be visiting Brunei for any holidays nor using Royal Brunei Airlines for any flights. Poor Airport good will, Poor representation of the country and a poor way to attract visitors. So make sure your duty free is properly sealed if travelling to or through this destination.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 19 January 2009 : by Paul Knight

Customer Rating : 3/5

It is not a large airport, so not very busy. In the Transit lounge it is quite spacious, with a couple of small shops selling things from sweets and chocolate, to magazines and even t- shirts, the place is airconditioned, there is an upper lounge area for business and first class called the sky lounge, a cafe called cafe on a mezzanine which overlooks the transit lounge - it also has free WI-FI, but there is also an internet cafe below which charges around $5 brunei dollars. There are sockets dotted around the lounge area, and these are three pin just like the UK, ideal to run the laptop. There is a money exchange in the main transit area, and to try and work out what the dollar is against products, a kit kat was $1.00. Two small lattes from the bean cafe came to roughly $9.50, not the cheapest but will not break the bank. The place is very clean and there are showers available for a cost (unknown). If you head out of the airport there is duty free shops, and if you are in transit for a few hours we were offered a free tour of the city, but was told the day visa would cost around $10.00. Be aware if you are staying in Brunei do not take more than two bottles of spirits duty free. as these will be confiscated.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT review : 30 October 2008 : by J Bennetto

Customer Rating : 2/5

Very boring air terminal. Food, retail shops are minimal. The place lacks character. Spending a couple of hours or more there is very testing, particularly in summer as the terminal appears to be lacking air conditioning

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Ken Chan

17 February 2008   Customer Rating :

BWN is not really the airport you should spend much time in. Not much to do there, shopping is not value for money, and there is little place for wandering around. If you are in transit more than 3 hours in Brunei, take a day trip instead, rather than sleeping in the airport.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by G Ryle

17 October 2007   Customer Rating :

Visited this airport on my journey from London to Perth. Its not that bad - there isn't much to do but the staff I encountered were friendly enough and the lounge was tidy and clean. You wont want to be there too long but its an airport - when do you ever want to be at one too long??

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Edmund Carew

9 August 2007   Customer Rating :

A dreary airport that is showing its 33 year old age. Even the tropical fish tank lacked the illustrated number of species. Upon transiting between SIN and SYD with a five and a half hour stopover, I paid $25 for an unexciting city tour. At 2000hrs, passengers were called to the departure lounge for the 2105 BI flight to SYD. After placing our handcarry through the X-Ray machine, transit passengers - about 15 to 20 - all had duty free liqour purchased at airports such as SIN and DXB confiscated. Many passengers repeatedly argued with the airport police and a so- called 'supervisor', to no avail. I spoke later with a senior staff member of Royal Brunei Airlines who claimed he had not heard of dutyfree liqour being confiscated, but agreed that it was exempt from the February 2007 introduction at many airports of a '100ml individual, one litre total' rule for handcarry liquids, aerosols and gels. No RBA staff member offered to assist at Brunei Airport. The airline has since informed me that it is receiving many complaints from passengers, and that those affected should write to it whereby claims will be forwarded to its Brunei head office for consideration for compensation. The arrogant Brunei Airport staff claimed that the liquor bottles would be broken : some wags interpreted this to mean the seals would be broken in private parties, or that the liqour would be resold on the black market. One English couple lost an expensive bottle of Scotch, and as usual, many passengers were purchasing liqour as gifts for relatives and friends, not for their personal consumption. Presumably this scam occurs with every flight that has transit passengers. It must net such officials a veritable mountain of spirits each year. Avoid this airport should you have purchased duty free liqour elsewhere. I did not observe whether cigarettes or perfumes were similarly confiscated.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by K Morris

23 July 2007   Customer Rating :

Boring, dull, lifeless, draining, miserable. A very below average airport. Has nothing to offer. Business class though clean and ok bathroom facilities is generally uncomfortable with hard seats, useless staff, horrible food and not somewhere you want to be stuck for very long. Safety and cleanliness ok but for luxury travellers you'll be bored as hell and will not be too impressed. Expect delays. With fair rating I am being generous.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Jenny Bentley

3 August 2006   Customer Rating : n/a

Used BSB airport twice during July: business lounge is nothing special although the staff are very helpful. Food is limited, as are shower and toilet facilities. There's the option of a transit tour if you have 6+ hours to spare, but be warned: city tour is of little interest: we "visited" the palace by parking across the road and seeing the dome among tree tops! Visiting the water village is much more interesting, but if you're an animal lover don't go: the caged cats and monkeys are a sorry sight.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Carl Townsend

21 June 2006

The airport is small and departure and arrivals are on the same level. Airport duty free has no alcohol it does have the best range of chocolate and at excellent prices. Only major hassle we had was that immigration open at scheduled times so had to wait for an hour till immigration opened before reaching departure area and transit in a hurry not recommend. The security sticker put on your bags are impossible to get off - a bit petty I know, but be warned.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Andreas Kasner

21 June 2006

The airport is small and user-friendly. It took us merely 20 minutes from docking at one of the (five) fingers, collecting our luggage, immigration, customs, search for an ATM (which are located at the departure level) up to leaving the airport. Drawback are the taxies - they deny the officially posted rates and charge about 30% more. Departure was also smooth, with the exception that they checked weight and size of all hand luggage which caused some kind of queue. Used BI's lounge, very comprehensive range of food and beverages and only 20 metres from the gates.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Mal Elbon

25 March 2006

Whilst some of what Ross said is true, I found it to be efficient and no undue "Rules and Regs" Staff seemed friendly and not overly officious. I have been many times and never found the type of religious discrimination Ross talks about. I have stayed overnight in the transit lounge and found it to be well priced for what you get (and whay you save going into town). As airports go it is a safe efficient small Airport.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Ross McKay

12 November 2005

The two food outlets are expensive and food choice is very poor. The smaller hole in the wall outlet has friendly staff but the other one has indifferent (at best) service and a miniscule range of food. If you are a Muslim then you will get free snacks at about 2pm however, there are no favours for other religions. The dayrooms cost about $50Aus for 8 hours and are rather prison-like but you can have a bath. You have to go through customs to access the ATM so if you have a layover make sure you bring in money. The duty-free is quite expensive. I would rate this airport as poor, albeit safe.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport review by Hugues Martel

17 November 2004

The airport is relatively small but modern. Facilities are good and the airport is clean. There are few duty free shops but the selection is limited as no alcohol is sold in Brunei. Overall a nice and user friendly airport.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport  by Peter Buick

2 August 2004

The airport is extremely small with virtually no facilities. There are about four small duty free shops, all with an extremely limited range of products - chocolate, perfume and cigarettes. Due to Brunei being an Islamic state, there is no alcohol for sale in any form, duty free or otherwise. There is also no viewing deck or outside access.

Bandar seri Begawan Airport  by Hiro Suda

30 July 2003

Very basic. The terminal is pretty old and there aren't many facilities to speak of. Few shops (only one in departure lounge, couple gift shops before immigration), restaurants. Though being a small airport one good thing is the time it takes to board from check-in. I arrived at the airport 30 min before the departure and had no problem to get on the plane - even for international flights!







 

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