It happened again. I arrived in a country with no idea how to get around.
“Does Uber work in Brunei?” I wondered to myself.
Upon firing up the app, the answer was clear. No, there is no Uber in Brunei – and frustratingly, Grab doesn’t work either!
Thankfully, some kind locals put me onto the only Uber alternative in Brunei; Dart. This saved me a lot of headaches during my visit to the country!
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Uber Alternatives in Brunei Darussalam
Dart 🚗
Launched in 2017, Dart is the only ride-hailing app available in Brunei. It’s a homegrown Bruneian company that offers various transport and logistic services in the Sultanate.
While the app’s user interface isn’t as slick as Uber or Grab – it occasionally crashes and gets a bit buggy – Dart works most of the time with no issue. Just be careful when selecting your pick-up and drop-off points. You move the map, not the arrow, which left me very confused on more than one occasion when my drop-off destination wasn’t quite where I thought I’d selected!
Payments for the ride can be made in cash, using the Brunei dollar, or credits. To use the cashless feature, you need to top up your Dart account using a credit or debit card and then select which payment method you’re using when booking your ride. Cash is easier for most visitors to Brunei because the credits are non-refundable, so if you don’t use them, you lose them. Just be aware, that even though the cash option looks like it’s automatically selected, it isn’t. You still need to open the payment method drop-down and select cash.
“In my experience, Dart rides in Bandar Seri Begawan start at $5BND ($3.50USD) and increase depending on the distance and time travelled. For short journeys within the city, you’ll rarely spend more than $7-8BND ($5-6USD) but expect this to be higher if you’re travelling outside BSB.”
Tim Ashdown, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
Dart can be used to travel from Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Begawan to the city, but only from the designated ride-hailing area – ask someone for directions if you can’t find it. It’s a short walk from the arrivals exit.
As well as on-demand rides, Dart allows you to book future trips too. This is a relief when you need to get somewhere early in the morning!
Dart offers several services:
- Dart Car – Regular cars that can take up to four passengers
- Dart XL – Vehicles capable of carrying up to six passengers
- Dart Around – Book vehicles and drivers by the hour. This allows for unlimited stops. Must be booked at least 30 minutes in advance.
Dart Shuttle 🚐
Dart Shuttle is an innovative ride-sharing app that utilises minibuses. It’s essentially an on-demand bus service visiting set drop-off points in set zones. Rides within the same zone cost just $1BND ($0.75USD), while rides into a different zone cost $2BND ($1.50USD). Journeys are generally longer than in your own dedicated Dart car because other passengers are being picked up and dropped off too. But Dart Shuttle is a great choice for those on a budget. To use Dart Shuttle, you need to download and sign up for the Dart Shuttle app. It’s not in the regular Dart app.
Is Dart in Brunei Safe?
Yes, Dart in Brunei is safe to use. All Dart drivers must have a regular driving license and a class 12 taxicab license. They’re required to partake in Dart training, which covers rules, regulations and customer service, as well as the topics for the class 12 permit exam.
Dart includes a built-in rating system for both drivers and passengers. These are monitored by Dart themselves, so they can ensure rides and drivers are as safe as possible.
All Dart cars have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and window breaker.
Is Dart in Brunei Reliable?
Yes, Dart in Brunei is reliable. While it can sometimes take a while to get a ride, it’s still much more effective than trying to hail a taxi on the street. When drivers accept the ride, they tend to arrive promptly and, in my experience, are always very friendly – often happy to give out tips for how to enjoy your time in Brunei!
Traditional Taxis 🚕
Due to high vehicle ownership, traditional taxis are few and far between in Brunei. And of those that do operate, they tend to work with Dart because it’s easier than driving the streets looking for passengers.
If you get in a taxi booked through Dart, you’ll pay the fixed Dart fare. However, if you do manage to hail a cab on the street, they are metered, so prices are non-negotiable. They start at $3.50BND ($2.50USD) for the first minute or kilometre (whichever is first) then go up in $0.20BND ($0.15USD) increments for every 15 seconds or 250 metres driven. There are also area surcharges and a 50% price increase for rides between 18:00-06:00.
Rent a Car 🚙
Car rental in Brunei is an option if you want to explore under your own steam. It will give you extra freedom and allow you to travel further afield without needing to worry about a getting return ride.
Prices for a hire car in Brunei range from around $60-100BND ($45-75USD) per day. Thanks to Brunei’s massive oil industry and resulting government subsidies, fuel is super cheap. Regular petrol is less than $0.50BND ($0.35USD) per litre!
Driving standards in Brunei are very high compared to other parts of Southeast Asia and while there are a lot of cars per population, the roads always feel empty – making for a great driving experience!
Is There Uber Eats in Brunei? 🥡
There is no Uber Eats in Brunei. However, there are several Uber Eats alternatives in the country. Here are some of the most popular:
Uber in Brunei FAQs
Is there Grab in Brunei?
No, Grab does not operate in Brunei. The only ride-hailing app in Brunei is Dart.
Are taxis expensive in Brunei?
Taxi service in Brunei is more expensive than in other parts of Southeast Asia but it won’t break the bank. All taxis are metered with set rates.
Do Dart drivers in Brunei speak English?
English is commonly spoken in Brunei. As such most Dart and Taxi drivers have at least a decent grasp of the language.
A Round-Up of Uber Alternatives in Brunei
Uber doesn’t operate in Brunei and neither do any of the popular Southeast Asian ride-hailing apps. The only option for travellers wanting to book via a taxi app in Brunei is Dart. This Bruneian company has a monopoly on ride-sharing in the country but prices are reasonable and in my experience, the drivers are friendly and reliable.
Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
