The Pinay Solo Backpacker

I’ve been getting queries about crossing the border from this tiny yet wealthy country in Borneo.  Brunei is not usually included in the usual backpacker’s trail (just like my dear country the Philippines) but  it is undoubtedly as charming as the rest of  it’s neighboring countries in SouthEast Asia.

Brunei mosque photo

Crossing the border to Kota Kinabalu from Brunei and vice versa is the easiest border crossing I’ve ever experienced to date. Even going through the Brunei  & Labuan Immigration is easy because they’re used to Filipino workers crossing to and fro Kota Kinabalu and Brunei.  But you have to endure the long line so I suggest you get out of the ferry as soon as possible  and  hurry to get to the line first.  But no worries, the ferry won’t leave until everyone is done.

I’ve been asked a few time if the ferry is safe and convenient.  Yes, it is safe and although it’s not that big, there are enough sits to accommodate the passengers and there are hardworking ferry employees  roaming inside to assist the passengers with their luggage.  The ferry is air-conditioned and there’s  a small TV inside for entertainment and  cheap snacks being sold.

How to get to Muara Ferry Terminal from Bandar Seri Begawan?

Bandar , Brunei bus station photo

To get to Muara Ferry Terminal in Brunei, ride a Muara express bus  (bus with pink and silver stripes; bus fare B$2) from Bandar Seri Begawan bus station.  Bus to Muara leaves every 30 minutes and runs from 6:30 am to 7:00pm.  The bus dispatcher is a Filipino named kuya Raymond (or was it Richard?) , you can ask him for some Brunei travel tips like where to eat, where to stay, alternative bus routes, etc.  Too bad I only met him when I was on my way back to Kota Kinabalu , I would’ve saved more on my Brunei holiday trip.

Alternatively, if you have much money to spare, then you can also take a taxi from Bandar to Muara ferry terminal for around B$35.

Ferry to Labuan from Brunei

Take note that you have to change boats.  Ferry from Muara (Brunei) leave for Labuan (Malaysia)  and from Labuan you need to take another ferry to Kota Kinabalu.

Muara Ferry Terminal photo

I highly suggest you leave Bandar early, take the earliest bus so you’ll be in time for the 1st trip of the ferry to Labuan.

Bus and Ferry Schedules

Muara Bus Express to Ferry Terminal: 6:30 am, 11:30 pm and 2:15 pm

Muara (Brunei) ferry to Labuan : 8:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 4:00 pm

Labuan ferry to Kota Kinabalu : 8:30 pm, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm

Bus fare to ferry terminal is B$2.

Bus is the one with pink and silver stripes.

Bus operates until 7:00 pm however you will already miss the last trip of the ferry  to Labuan which is 4:00 pm.

If you miss the ferry from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu. You can stay overnight at Labuan, there’s a cheap dorm room called Papa Jacks for RM20 with A/C. Be wary though that Papa Jack is kinda nice to Caucasians only and is not too friendly with his fellow Asians. I misplaced his contact info and the dorms address but as soon as I find it,I’ll update this post.

Ferry Fare:

Brunei to Labuan B$17

Labuan to Kota Kinabalu is RM 35 for lower deck. RM39 for upper deck.  Ferry ride is 1 and 1/2 hour.  Upon arriving in Labuan, you will pass through immigration and customs.  Then buy a ticket to Kota Kinabalu. The ferry will stop at the Jesselton Ferry Terminal, walking distance to the backpacker’s hub in Kota Kinabalu.

Brunei to Kota Kinabalu via Bus

Alternatively, you can also take an Express Bus Service from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei to Kota Kinabalu. Bus leaves at 8:00 am and is stationed near the Chinese Temple.

Bus Route: BSB–> Limbang –> Lawas —> Kota Kinabalu

Bus station of bus from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu photo

Schedule of  Bus from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei to Kota Kinabalu

Bus Fare: Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) to Kota Kinabalu B$45

          Bandar Seri Begawan to Sipitang B$35
          Bandar Seri Begawan to Lawas B$25
          Bandar Seri Begawan to Limbang B$25

This is part of my Brunei series.

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