How To Go from Brunei to Miri, Malaysia [2019 Update]

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Getting from Brunei to Miri is easy.  The simplest way to travel is on a direct bus that you can pre book, either at an agent or online. (the prices are the same either way).  To book your direct bus from Brunei to Miri and also from Miri to Brunei – book your seats here now with Easybook.

If you’re looking at all the options of how to go from Brunei to Miri, then there are also a series of public buses that you can take, that also include walking across the border.  You could fly (but that means going back via Kota Kinabalu and it takes a long time).

This guide to getting there focuses on catching the ONLY direct bus from Brunei to Miri which is run by PHLS.  It’s a very easy trip.

Brunei to Miri on the Bus

There’s one bus company that provides a through service from Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB), Brunei to Miri, Malaysia and that’s PHLS Express.  Bus tickets to travel from Brunei to Malaysia cost B$20 (thats the equivalent of SGD$20) per person. There are two buses a day.

Brunei to Miri Bus Schedule

There are two direct buses a day from Brunei to Miri, they leave the waterfront in Bandar Seri Begawan at 0700 and 1300.   You will need to check in and board 30 minutes prior to that.

Don’t forget to book your Miri accommodation

Booking.com

Buying Tickets for Brunei to Miri Bus

You can buy tickets onboard the bus (way too scary for me, when we have a flight to catch in Miri).  You can easily and safely book online and confirm your seats NOW (be sure to search for “Waterfront Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Darussalam, Brunei” as your leaving point.)

PHLS Brunei Agent

Alternatively you can visit a PHLS Brunei agent. You’ll pay the same price whether you book with easybook or whether you buy in person at an agent or on the bus.  The agent in BSB is BorneoTravelGuide.com.  Their location is noted on the map below.

Price of Ticket for Bus from Brunei to Miri

Tickets cost B$20/SGD$20 regardless of where you buy them from.   You can pay in Brunei or Singapore dollars, they’re the same value.  Save anxiety, and book your bus ticket from Brunei to Miri now!  (Don’t forget to search for “Waterfront Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Darussalam, Brunei” as your leaving point.)

We booked our tickets at Borneo TravelGuide.com and paid in cash.  It’s now, however possible to book this bus (and others) online with Easybook across South East Asia.  There is no fee for using a credit card.  You can also book ferries from Kota Kinabalu to some of the islands off the coast there.

We had travelled to Brunei from Labuan – you can find out how we did that in our post on Labuan to Brunei. 

Where to Catch the Brunei to Miri Transport

The PHLS buses (including those to Kota Kinabalu) do NOT leave from the main Brunei bus station, also called the Jalon Cator bus station. Instead they leave from a layby on the Waterfront.

Those are the buses to Miri

Map of Where to Catch the Bus Brunei to Miri

If you’re looking for a google maps reference, then its just along from the intersection of Jalan Macarthur (the waterfront road name) and Jalan Kianggaesh.

It is REALLY easy to spot them, this area is not built up and there aren’t huge numbers of buses around.

How Long does the Bus from Brunei to Miri Take?

This trip takes around 3 hours, including the border crossing.  It’s a really simple way to get from Brunei to Miri!

Bandar Seri Begawan to Miri & Kuala Belait to Miri Bus.

There’s a short stop at Seria (we arrived at 14:35 and departed at 15:07, although it was scheduled to leave at 15:00).  There are toilets (not pleasant) and several stores here to spend your last Brunei Dollars in.  The prices are the same as they are in BSB. The second stop is at Kuala Belait, where we pulled into the small bus station.  PHLS Express also provides a service from Kuala Belait to Miri and from Miri to Kuala Belait.  Here, we picked up a single passenger and departed two minutes later. We now have 7 people on the bus, so I shouldn’t have worried about it being full!

The final stop was at the border itself, but that’s only for immigration. We arrived at the Brunei border at 16:00. In the no mans land between the two borders we saw the returning Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan bus.

What’s the Procedure at the Border Crossing?

Passport details were taken of all passengers upon the sale of the ticket and also again on boarding the bus.  When we arrived at Malaysian immigration, our attendant leapt off and disappeared with the details (not the passports, we kept those). The bus drove and stopped outside Brunei Immigration, we filed off the bus and stood in a line.   (Our bus with it’s seven passengers were the only customers immigration had).  We were duly stamped out of the country. We jumped back on the bus and drove to Malaysian Immigration. Same procedure, off the bus, into the line, this time our passport was stamped by a dude wearing a heavy metal T Shirt.  It was quite the most laidback immigration procedure I’ve ever been through.

You can read more about entry requirements to Malaysia here.

Still inside the building, there were two “Health Screening” booths, where we were questioned separately. When the first question is “When did you leave the UK?” you know it’s going to be a longer than normal interrogation. It didn’t last too long however, the screeners were mainly interested if we’d been in Korea because of the MERS outbreak (yes).  When? (October 2014) and then they were no longer interested as we hadn’t been to Africa, so we were free to board the bus again.

The whole two country immigration procedure, including driving between them took no longer than 30 minutes.  It would have been longer if there were more folks on the bus.

Where do the Buses stop at in Miri

There are three stops in Miri – the Tudan Bus Terminal, the Pujut Corner Express bus Terminal and e-Mart. Our bus went straight to the final stop, Pujut Corner Express Bus Terminal, arriving at 1700. Although we drove past the Tudan Bus Terminal, it was in the middle of nowhere and we didn’t stop.

Pujut Corner to Miri Centre

At Pujut Corner there were no buses to Miri centre available (and it didn’t look like there would be).  A swarm of taxi drivers made it clear that we weren’t going to be stuck. We went with Mr Then who took us to Miri centre for 18 RM in a short 20 minutes.  During this time he convinced us that he was the man to take us to the airport the next morning for 25 RM.

Where to Stay in Bandar Seri Begawan

We recommend the following places to stay in BSB.

1. The Brunei Hotel – a little luxury for less. > check prices and availability now
   • 10 minute walk from the Royal Regalia Museum
   • Air conditioning, TV and Tea and Coffee in rooms
   • Laptop sized safe in room
   • Airport Shuttle
   • Free Wifi
   • Toiletries included
   • Breakfast available
2. Qing yun resthouse Bandar Singles, twins and queens > Check availability and prices here.
   • Air conditioning
   • TV in Room
   • En suite bathrooms
   • Free WifiClose to the bus station and shopping centre
3. Joy Rest House – Great location> Find a bed and book it now! 
   • Great ratings for location
   • Air conditioning
   • Free Wifi
   • Breakfast included

Or search for other properties in Bandar Seri Begawan

Booking.com

Where to Stay in Miri

Miri is a pretty compact area.  If you’re simply staying here as a staging point to get elsewhere, then the best place to base yourself is either near the central market or near the waterfront.  These are the places where you’ll easily find somewhere to eat.  We ate at the central market in most places in Malaysia and it was great for cheap, filling food.

Miri Accommodation Map

We recommend the following three places to stay in Miri.

1. Luxury on the Waterfront at the Pullman Miri Waterfront.  > check prices and availability now
   • Infinity pool & fitness centre
   • Ensuite bathrooms with FULL facilities
   • Air conditioning
   • Airport Shuttle
   • Spa
   • Multiple dining options in the resort
2. Simple double or twin rooms with private bathrooms at the 101 motel > Check availability and prices here.
   • Air conditioning
   • Luggage storage
   • En suite bathrooms
   • Free wifi throughout
   • Close to the bus station and central market
3. The Next Room Home Stay – Get a dorm bed or a private room here at good rates.  >Find a bed and book it now! 
   • Great ratings for location
   • Dorms and room are air conditioned
   • Bathrooms are shared
   • There’s a library, shared kitchen and lounge
   • Flat screen TV in the lounge
   • 24 hour desk & luggage storage available

Or search for other properties in Miri here:

Booking.com

Catching the Miri to Brunei Bus

You’ll need to get a taxi to the Pujut corner station.  This is one of the Miri Bus Terminals, make sure you get to Pujut Corner.  Arrange a taxi with your accommodation beforehand. Book your tickets for the bus beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Miri to Brunei Bus Schedule

The PHLS Express bus leaves Miri at 0800 and 1545.    The travel time for the Miri to Brunei Bus(Bandar Seri Begawan) is around 3 hours.

Is the Direct Bus from Brunei to Miri worth it?

You might be able to take local buses and make connections a little cheaper, but this was an easy way to cross another border.  It’s not a particularly exciting or interesting route and you won’t save much money by taking multiple local buses.  So, when it comes to transport from Brunei to Miri or Miro to Brunei by bus – its a resounding YES for the direct bus!  It’s such an easy trip.

Let us know if you’ve done this trip and how it was for you!

Our next stop after Miri, was Mulu National Park, which is incredible > read all about Mulu National Park.