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Bandar seri Begawan Airport Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 9 May 2013 by M Knezovic (Malaysia) |
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Rating : 2/10 |  |
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This airport makes very little sense, and it would appear that some of its operational standards are in
violation of IATA codes. I can live with the tiny size (not unlike a small-town bus station) and near-total lack
of food outlets, entertainment or newsagents. But every time I'm leaving Brunei and trying to check in for a
flight, I am met with locked doors, and need to 'figure out' how to gain access to the check-in area.
Sometimes ground staff won't even let passengers into the building until the last minute. Once you are
allowed in, right away you will find yourself walking through a metal detector with your luggage trolley. On
my last trip, my flight to Brunei was delayed because "VIP movements" apparently necessitated the closure
of the entire airport terminal for several hours. For the return journey, my departure time coincided with
Friday prayers, which meant all shops were closed from 12pm to 2pm.
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 11 September 2012 by James Halley (Thailand) |
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Rating : 6/10 |  |
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Recommended |  |
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With only 55 minutes to connect in BWN, I wasn't sure what to expect as this is usually below the minimum
time for most carriers. I need not have worried as I haven't seen an airport this small in decades. Despite
most passengers being in transit as well, security was a breeze and I went straight to the gate as the
connecting flight was already boarding. From what I saw the airport didn't have a lot to offer but they say
that they are refurbishing at the moment (whatever that means?). Most of the pax seem to be flying to
Melbourne and with the savings made the lack of facilities at BWN didn't appear to be an issue for them.
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 17 July 2012 by S Fitzpatrick (Australia) |
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Rating : 6/10 | |
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We read the reviews and got some Brunei money before leaving but the small restaurant took credit card.
Yes it is small, the toilets are fair at best, but overall not too bad, and we had a 4 and 3 hour transits. The
restaurant provides free wifi, at end of the terminal which was slow but did work. A couple of duty free shops,
a couple of souvenir shops and about 3 food spots. Be warned about the tour touts if you are just transiting.
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 30 April 2012 by Scott Waterfall (Australia) |
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Rating : 8/10 |  |
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Good airport, but very small by international standard. Which is an advantage in that you don't have far to
walk. As there is no alcohol in Brunei, there is also no alcohol at the airport. There is no duty free that I can
see.
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 13 January 2012 by Pam Hallett (Australia) |
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Rating : 4/10 |  |
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Wish I had read this info prior to my two recent transit stops at Brunei. The facilities are very poor,
particularly the unclean toilets. I fail to understand how a wealthy country can possibly offer facilities such
as these to potential tourists. Such a shame Royal Brunei doesn't have an alternative airport facility, as I
would have flown with them again, but not while they are connected to this airport. I also had problems with
duty free goods I had purchased in Dubai. The security officials stated that Australia was very strict and I
would not be able to take the goods back home when I know I could take them in.
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 6 October 2011 by G Miller (Australia)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Travelled again with Royal Brunei (Brisbane-Brunei-Manila return) this month and found a vast improvement in this
airport. Both the male and female toilets were certainly a lot cleaner than the disgraceful condition that we found in
March. The general appearance is also improved.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 30 September 2011 by M Smith (New Zealand)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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This airport is small with limited facilities. The toilets are dirty and the shower facilities are bad. Airport staff were
unhelpful and only interested in selling you city tours which were expensive. The shops don't accept cards so it is
best to take currency that you can change at the airport exchange bureau albeit at an unfavourable rate. If you
are due to spend 11 hours in transit like myself, it would be best to book a transit hotel or at least take the 2 hour
city tour.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 20 September 2011 by G Miller (Australia)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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I travelled with my partner to Manila from Brisbane via Brunei last Feb/March. The airport was second rate for an
international stopover. The toilets in particular were a absolute disgrace. Mr R Seaman states that on his recent
visit, things were vastly improved and we look forward to that when we arrive there again this month.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 29 July 2011 by Ronald Seaman (Australia)
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |
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My wife and I have flown with Royal Brunei many times over the last 15 yrs, and transited at Bandar Seri Begawan
airport. The conditions and service at the airport have been pretty bad to awful over that time, disgraceful toilets
and attitude of staff left a lot to be desired. However the place has been revamped and on our visit there in Jul
what a change, clean toilets, helpful and caring staff, new seating, no fish tank, Royal Brunei should be
congratulated on the changes made.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 12 May 2011 by Graham Cox (UK)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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The transit lounge would be acceptable if it were nit for the dirty toilets. Go before you
land. The country is rich. can't they even afford a toilet cleaner. My card would not work in
the cafe. A Brunei citizen behind me simply paid for me. That is hospitality.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 20 April 2011 by S Darlow (Canada)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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Spent about 4 hours here on a stopover between MEL and BKK. Was less than pleased to be stuck
in a tiny international terminal with nothing open except for a coffee shop on the mezzanine
until about an hour before our flight. Our gate number was not posted until it was almost time
to board, even then it was still changed which provided a minor inconvenience. The only thing
that could compensate for our experience at BWN was the lovely experiences we had with Royal
Brunei Airlines, it's a shame such a great airline is hubbed out of such a shoddy airport.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 3 March 2011 by C Stride (Australia)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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I also had a very nice bottle of Polish vodka confiscated while in transit. They claimed that
Australian customs would not let me in with alcohol purchased overseas. I have since checked
with Australian customs and there is no problem with bringing alcohol in within the Australian
limit from anywhere in the world.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 26 October 2010 by S Ryan (Australia)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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Nothing to do here. A clean little airport except the toilets. I believe the airport is to be
revamped - given the wealth of the country its surprising it hasn't been done sooner! If there
for a long transit then head out of the airport for a look around, if there for a couple of
hours take a book.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 2 September 2010 by C Smith
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Spent 11 hours at the airport - en route to LHR from Auckland via Dubai and Brunei. The
airport is very small and basic (ladies toilets not the best - two normal loos and two holes
in the floor). There are free showers (can hire towels) but only have cold water! Shops
consist of couple of snack/food shops and couple of souvenir/jewellery shops - can look round
them in 15 mins. If you are there during the day - best idea is to book yourselves a city
tour with Royal Brunei Airlines desk - staff more helpful (able to pay on credit card via
their city office) better value than other desk in terminal building (more expensive and would
only take cash - no credit cards!) We spent 5 hours on city tour - fantastic! Shown around 2
museums, sultan's palace, mosque, houses on stilts, local market, local shopping precinct -
running commentary from a very bright, enthusiastic tour guide.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN AIRPORT customer review : 4 December 2009 : by P Harpin
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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