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Money & currency

Money in Brunei

Updated 2026-09-19

Money & Currency
B$

Brunei Dollar (BND)

Currency code: BND

Practical Money Tips

Brunei Dollar at Par with the Singapore Dollar

Brunei's currency is the Brunei dollar (BND, B$). Under a Currency Interchangeability Agreement with Singapore that dates from 1967, the Brunei and Singapore dollars are exchanged at par, which is why Singapore notes are accepted at face value across Brunei and change may come back in either currency — travellers arriving from Singapore can simply keep spending what is in their wallet. Malaysian ringgit and other regional currencies are not widely accepted, so change them before arrival. US dollars, euros and pounds can be exchanged at banks such as BIBD (Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam), Baiduri Bank and Standard Chartered in Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB), and at licensed money changers.

ATMs in the Capital, Fewer in Belait and Temburong

BIBD, Baiduri Bank and Standard Chartered have ATMs in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan and the Gadong commercial district, and international Visa and Mastercard cards work reliably in them; BIBD machines are the most widely spread. Outside the capital — in Seria and Kuala Belait, and in Temburong district around Ulu Temburong National Park — ATMs are sparse. Withdraw enough Brunei dollars in BSB before heading out of town.

Cards in the Capital, Cash at the Stalls

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and larger supermarkets in Bandar Seri Begawan, and contactless card payments work at modern terminals. Phone wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay work at some of those terminals but not all, so do not rely on them alone. Food stalls (gerai), village markets, kampong-style eateries and the water taxis across the river are usually cash-only, so always carry some Brunei dollars for local food and transport.

Cheap to Eat, Costlier to Sleep and Drive

Despite the country's oil wealth, eating in Brunei is inexpensive: a meal at a food stall or night market costs a fraction of a restaurant meal, and the everyday rice parcel, nasi katok, is famously cheap. What adds up is accommodation, car hire and guided trips such as a day or a night in Ulu Temburong, so budget for those first. Prices move, so check current rates when you book rather than relying on older figures.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

What currency is used in Brunei?

The Brunei dollar (BND, B$), which is exchanged at par with the Singapore dollar under a Currency Interchangeability Agreement between the two countries, so Singapore notes are accepted at face value across Brunei. US dollars, euros and pounds can be changed at banks such as BIBD or Baiduri Bank in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Can I pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or contactless in Brunei?

Contactless Visa and Mastercard work at modern terminals in hotels, larger malls and many restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan, and phone wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay work at some of them, but acceptance is not universal. Food stalls, village eateries and rural shops are typically cash-only.

Can I use Singapore dollars in Brunei?

Yes. Singapore dollars are accepted at face value across Brunei, because the two currencies are exchanged at par under a long-standing Currency Interchangeability Agreement. If you are coming from Singapore you can spend Singapore dollars directly without changing them, and change may be given in either currency.

Is Brunei an expensive destination?

Less than its wealth suggests. Food stalls (gerai), markets and night markets sell rice and noodle dishes cheaply, and eating out at that level costs little. The bigger costs are accommodation, car hire and guided trips such as Ulu Temburong, so those are the lines to budget for first — check current prices when you book.

Are there ATMs near Ulu Temburong National Park?

No. Temburong district has very limited banking, so withdraw enough Brunei dollars (or bring Singapore dollars) in Bandar Seri Begawan before heading across the bay. Trips to the park are usually sold as packages covering the transfers, the longboat and the guide, but carry cash for tips and incidental spending.

Is tipping expected in Brunei?

Tipping is not a strong cultural expectation in Brunei. Hotel restaurants often add a service charge to the bill already. For exceptional service at a restaurant, or for a guide who made the day, rounding up or leaving a small tip is appreciated but never required.

What is the best way to exchange currency in Brunei?

Banks such as BIBD (Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam) and Baiduri Bank in Bandar Seri Begawan offer competitive rates, and licensed money changers around the Yayasan complex and the Gadong area can also give good rates for major currencies. Avoid airport counters for large amounts. Singapore dollars need no exchange at all — they are spent at par.

Entry rules, visa types and practical notes live on the Brunei overview.

This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.