Brunei, a small yet wealthy sultanate on the island of Borneo, is known for its opulent mosques, lush rainforests, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring the golden domes of Bandar Seri Begawan, cruising through Kampong Ayer’s floating villages, or venturing into Ulu Temburong National Park, understanding how to access cash is essential. While cards are widely accepted in hotels and shopping centers, cash remains important for local markets and smaller businesses. This guide covers key details on cash and ATMs in Brunei, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a smooth and convenient visit.
Where to find ATMs in Brunei?
Urban Areas: In cities like Bandar Seri Begawan, ATMs are widely available, especially in commercial districts, shopping centers, and near bank branches. Major banks such as Baiduri Bank, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), and Standard Chartered Bank operate extensive ATM networks throughout the country.
Tourist Spots: Popular destinations like the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Kampong Ayer (Water Village), and the Royal Regalia Museum have ATMs in their vicinity, often within or near tourist facilities. Additionally, BIBD has an ATM located at the Brunei International Airport, providing convenience for travelers upon arrival.
Rural Areas: In smaller towns and rural regions, ATM availability can be limited. It’s advisable to carry sufficient cash when traveling outside major cities.
Best ATMs to use in Brunei for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Brunei are those owned by popular banks such as:
- BIBD
- TAIB
- Maybank
- Baiduri Bank
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Brunei.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Brunei, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in BND).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate which is usually higher than the card logo’s exchange rate and you have to pay extra for this service of the ATM.
- If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in BND’.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Brunei?
Yes, majority of the foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Brunei.ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus cards. However, some ATMs accept only Visa / Visa Plus and some accept only Mastercard / Cirrus. So carry options of both types of cards. Others like American Express, JCB, UnionPay, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
ATM operations
Opening hours: Most ATMs are open 24/7, though availability may depend on their location.
Identifying ATMs: ATMs in Brunei are usually found by a signage of word ATM’ or ATMs have only the name of bank.
Language options: ATMs typically present Malay and English as the primary languages. If you’re not familiar with these languages, using live translation via Google Translate’s camera function can be handy.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Brunei?
ATMs in Brunei usually dispense only the local currency Brunei Dollar (BND or B$).
ATM withdrawal limits in Brunei
ATMs in Brunei have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of B$ 2,000 (Brunei Dollar or BND). One bank allows withdrawal upto B$ 3,000 per transaction depending on ATM cash. ATMs typically have a daily withdrawal limit of B$ 4,000 per day.
ATM Fees in Brunei
There are some fee-free ATMs in Brunei. Bank ATMs in Brunei charge B$ 3 to B$ 5 (Brunei Dollar) as ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders and some bank ATMs do not charge any fees, so you have some fee-free options to withdraw cash in Brunei.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Brunei. These are:
1. ATM’s Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s forex fee (find out what they are before your travel).
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Brunei
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Brunei?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs here on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Brunei. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Brunei.
Safety at ATMs
Brunei is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, and ATMs are widely available in urban areas. However, there have been reports of ATM skimming incidents, where devices are used to capture card information illicitly. To minimize risks, it’s advisable to use ATMs located in well-lit, populated areas or within bank premises. Before using an ATM, inspect it for any unusual or non-standard appearances, such as loose or bulky card slots, which may indicate the presence of skimming devices. Be cautious of suspicious individuals or vehicles in the vicinity of the ATM. When entering your PIN, shield the keypad with your hand to prevent hidden cameras from capturing your input. If you notice any unusual objects or anything suspicious attached to ATMs, report the matter to the bank immediately.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Brunei takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Brunei?
Yes, its possible. There are some fee-free ATMs in Brunei. Bank ATMs charge B$ 3 to B$ 5 (Brunei Dollar) as ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders and some bank ATMs do not charge any fees.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs here.
Bitcoin ATMs
As of now, there are no known Bitcoin ATMs here.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Brunei
HSBC: No, not present here.
Standard Chartered: Yes, Standard Chartered has ATMs here.
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate ATMs here.
Barclays: No, Barclays does not have ATMs here.