Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Brunei

Direct flight routes to Brunei

Non-stop flights from Australasia to Brunei are limited but available from select cities.

• Melbourne (MEL) to Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) – Royal Brunei Airlines – 7h 10m


• Perth (PER) to Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) – Royal Brunei Airlines – 6h 35m


• Darwin (DRW) to Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) – Royal Brunei Airlines – 4h 45m

Layover/stopover options

Singapore (SIN) serves as the primary hub with Singapore Airlines and multiple daily connections. Average connection time is 2-3 hours, featuring excellent terminal facilities and free city tours for longer layovers.

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) offers connections via Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. Typical layover times range 3-4 hours, with KLIA Ekspres train providing quick access to city center during longer stops.

Jakarta (CGK) connects via Garuda Indonesia with average layover times of 3-5 hours. Terminal 3 offers superior facilities for international transfers.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Connection flights through Southeast Asian hubs often cost 20-40% less than direct options.

Tips and recommendations

• Book Royal Brunei direct flights 3-4 months ahead for best rates, especially during Australian school holidays.


• Singapore layovers under 24 hours don’t require a visa for most nationalities.


• Consider morning departures from Australia for better connection options in hub airports.


• Mixed-carrier itineraries through Singapore or KL often offer lower fares but require separate check-ins.


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer the lowest fares on all route options.

• Royal Brunei Airlines’ direct flights from Melbourne operate 4 times weekly on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, featuring superior cabin pressure and humidity levels that reduce jet lag. Economy seats offer a generous 32-inch pitch and 17.2-inch width, while fares typically run 15-20% below competitors connecting through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
• Consider flying Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur from Sydney, Brisbane, or Auckland, with short 2-hour connections to Bandar Seri Begawan. Their A330-300s to KUL feature recently upgraded economy seats with 32-inch pitch, and total journey prices often match direct flights while offering more scheduling flexibility.
• Singapore Airlines provides premium connection options through Changi, with their widebody aircraft featuring industry-leading economy comfort on routes from six Australasian cities. While typically 10-15% pricier than other options, their extensive schedule allows for convenient connections and the option to add a Singapore stopover.
• Scoot’s budget service via Singapore offers the lowest total fares from Perth and Gold Coast, despite requiring separate tickets to Brunei on either Royal Brunei or Singapore Airlines. For maximum savings, book 3-4 months ahead when Scoot regularly runs 50% off sales.
• From Auckland or Christchurch, combine Air New Zealand to Singapore with a Royal Brunei connection for competitive fares and superior service quality. This routing often prices 5-10% below Malaysia Airlines options while offering better seat comfort and entertainment systems.

1. Overlooking transit visa requirements in Singapore or Malaysia Many travelers forget that reaching Brunei often requires transit through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, where visa requirements may apply even for short layovers.
2. Booking during monsoon season Flying between November and February can lead to flight delays or cancellations due to heavy rainfall and reduced visibility in Brunei International Airport.
3. Ignoring Royal Brunei Airlines’ direct routes Travelers often book more expensive multi-stop flights with other carriers instead of utilizing Royal Brunei Airlines’ direct services from Melbourne to Bandar Seri Begawan.
4. Late arrival at Brunei International Airport Passengers frequently underestimate the strict security measures and immigration procedures at Brunei’s airport, which requires arriving at least 3 hours before international flights.
5. Booking weekend flights Flying on Fridays or Saturdays typically costs more and faces higher occupancy due to Gulf-bound connecting passengers transiting through Brunei.

Royal Brunei Airlines

Best for: Most direct connections from Australasia to Brunei with flights from 5 departure cities (Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, and Darwin).

The national carrier of Brunei offers the most comprehensive network to Bandar Seri Begawan from the region. Main hubs include Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Their modern fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners provides good seat comfort with 32-inch pitch in Economy. Passengers praise their genuine Bruneian hospitality and halal-certified meals. Average passenger rating is 4.1/5, with particularly high scores for cleanliness and service.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior service quality and comfort with convenient one-stop connections through Singapore from 7 Australasian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland, Christchurch).

While requiring a stopover in Singapore, the airline compensates with exceptional service quality. Economy Class features ergonomic seats with 32-inch pitch and acclaimed inflight entertainment. The airline serves restaurant-quality meals and maintains a consistent 4.5/5 passenger rating. Connection times in Singapore are efficiently scheduled.

Malaysia Airlines

Best for: Quick and efficient connections through Kuala Lumpur from 6 departure points (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Auckland).

Operating regular flights to Brunei via their Kuala Lumpur hub, Malaysia Airlines offers competitive fares and good connection times. Economy Class provides 32-inch seat pitch and traditional Malaysian hospitality. Their satay service is particularly popular, and they maintain a solid 4.0/5 passenger rating. Most connections have total journey times under 12 hours.

Qantas

Best for: Reliable service from 3 major hubs (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) with codeshare connections through Singapore or Manila.

While not operating direct flights to Brunei, Qantas offers codeshare services with partner airlines through Singapore or Manila. Economy passengers enjoy 32-inch seat pitch and high-quality Australian wines. Their frequent flyer program is particularly rewarding for these routes. Passenger ratings average 4.2/5, with high marks for punctuality and cabin crew service.

Smart routing through APAC hubs

Travelers from Australia and New Zealand can significantly reduce costs to Brunei by leveraging regional Asian carriers instead of booking direct flights. This strategy often yields savings of 20-40% compared to traditional routes.

Key money-saving tactics

1. Multi-carrier combinations: Book separate tickets with budget airlines like AirAsia through Kuala Lumpur or Scoot through Singapore to reach Brunei
2. Flexible hub options: Consider layovers in Manila with Cebu Pacific or Bangkok with Thai AirAsia for better rates
3. Split-ticket approach: Book first leg to Singapore or KL with Jetstar or AirAsia, then connect to Royal Brunei Airlines or AirAsia for final leg

Important considerations

While this approach saves money, travelers need to allow sufficient connection time between flights when booking separate tickets. Baggage must be collected and rechecked at hub airports. Consider overnight stays in hub cities if significant savings are available on next-day connections.

Book these routes 3-4 months ahead for optimal pricing, particularly during peak seasons when regional carriers increase rates.