Getting Around Seria and Beyond: Navigating Brunei's Oil District

Seria stretches along Brunei's northwestern coastline like a team in formation—the industrial zone with its iconic nodding donkey oil pumps to the west, the commercial center in the middle, and residential areas extending eastward. Unlike Bandar Seri Begawan with its water taxis and public buses, Seria operates on a different playbook.

The town itself is compact enough that determined walkers could cover the main commercial district on foot, but Brunei's tropical heat makes this a challenging proposition. During my first visit with Mom and my grandson Tyler, we quickly abandoned our walking plans by mid-morning when temperatures soared above 90°F.

Most businesses and attractions cluster along Jalan Utara and Jalan Tengah, with the impressive Billionth Barrel Monument (marking Brunei's petroleum milestone) serving as the town's unofficial center point. Think of this monument as your home court—a reference point from which to plan your movements around town.

Let me be frank—Seria's taxi situation requires the strategic thinking of a championship game. There is no formal taxi stand, no ride-hailing app, and certainly no metered cabs cruising for fares. Instead, you'll need to rely on a loose network of private cars operating as taxis.

During my first family trip, this caused considerable confusion until a kind Shell employee explained the system. Your hotel is your best resource—the reception staff at the Swiss-Belhotel Seria keeps a list of reliable drivers they can call for guests. Store these numbers in your phone immediately upon arrival.

Expect to pay around 10-15 Brunei dollars for trips within Seria and negotiate fares for longer journeys in advance. When my mother wanted to visit the Tasek Merimbun Black Water Lake (about an hour away), we arranged for our driver to wait while we explored, bringing the full-day cost to 120 Brunei dollars—reasonable when split among three travelers.

One essential item I never travel without is my portable phone charger. With limited transportation options, your phone becomes your lifeline for contacting drivers, and Brunei's heat can drain your battery surprisingly quickly when using navigation apps.

If you're in Seria for more than a couple of days—particularly for business—renting a car transforms your experience from restrictive to liberating. During my return solo trip, I opted for a rental from Bandar Seri Begawan Airport and never regretted the decision.

Driving in Brunei follows British conventions (left side of the road), but traffic in Seria is minimal compared to the capital. Roads are well-maintained, signage is in both Malay and English, and fuel prices are remarkably affordable—a pleasant surprise in a country whose economy revolves around oil production.

For business travelers, I recommend the travel router which allowed me to maintain consistent internet access for navigation and work emails while on the road. Brunei's cellular coverage can be spotty outside urban centers, so having this backup was invaluable for coordinating meetings.

Most major rental agencies operate from the airport, with rates starting around 80 Brunei dollars per day for a compact car. I found having my own vehicle particularly valuable for reaching the magnificent Anduki Jubilee Recreation Park just outside town—a green oasis where I would decompress after meetings with a sunset walk among the carefully tended gardens.

Seria makes an excellent base for exploring Brunei's less-visited western region, and having transportation sorted opens up remarkable possibilities. During my week-long stay, I alternated business days with exploration days—a rhythm that felt like the perfect balance between work and discovery.

The Labi Road journey into Brunei's interior rainforest was a highlight, revealing pristine jungle, traditional longhouses, and the stunning Teraja Waterfall. The road is paved but remote, so I packed my insect repellent and quick-dry towel—both proved essential for comfortable exploration.

For coastal exploration, the beaches near Lumut (just 15 minutes from Seria) offer a tranquil escape. I spent one memorable afternoon watching local fishermen bring in their catch while reading Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea—a literary companion that felt perfectly matched to the setting.

The most ambitious day trip connects Seria to Brunei's Temburong District via a combination of driving and boat transfers. This journey requires advance planning but rewards with access to some of Borneo's most pristine rainforest. If attempting this as a day trip, I recommend the waterproof dry bag to protect cameras and documents during the boat segments.

Business brings most travelers to Seria, and effective transportation strategies can make the difference between a productive trip and a logistical headache. During my week here consulting with the local recreation department, I developed a system that served me well.

First, consider your accommodation's location carefully. The travel pillow proved invaluable during my early morning taxi rides to meetings across town. Unlike standard neck pillows, this one prevented my head from bobbing forward when I inevitably dozed off in the back seat.

For business travelers making multiple stops throughout the day, I recommend establishing a relationship with one driver for your entire stay. My driver, Hassan, became not just my transportation but my cultural interpreter, helping me understand local business customs that proved invaluable during negotiations.

Keep small Brunei dollar notes handy for taxis, as drivers rarely have change for larger bills. I use a travel wallet with separate compartments for different currencies—essential when my work takes me between Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore in the same week.

Finally, respect the local pace. Meetings in Seria rarely start exactly on time, and transportation follows this same relaxed rhythm. Build buffer time into your schedule, and you'll find yourself appreciating rather than fighting against the gentle flow that defines life in this fascinating oil town.