Why an eSIM is Recommended for Brunei
No Free EU Roaming
Unlike European countries, Brunei does not benefit from free EU roaming. Your home plan will be expensive: between $2 and $5 per MB depending on your carrier. For a one-week trip with moderate usage (browsing, social media), you can easily spend $50 to $100 on roaming.
Free WiFi vs eSIM
Free WiFi is available in hotels and cafes in Bandar Seri Begawan, but it has risks:
- Security: unsecured public networks, hacking risks
- Reliability: unstable connections, frequent dropouts
- Mobility: impossible to use while traveling (transport, excursions to rainforest)
- Coverage: WiFi absent in rainforest areas (Ulu Temburong) and remote regions
An eSIM offers secure and reliable connectivity in urban areas, though coverage may be limited in the rainforest and remote areas.
Network Coverage in Brunei
Brunei has good 4G coverage in urban areas but limited in rainforest thanks to two major carriers:
| Carrier |
Coverage |
5G |
Market Share |
Used by |
| DST |
90% (urban), limited (rainforest) |
In deployment |
55% (leader) |
Airalo, GoMoWorld |
| Progresif |
88% (urban), limited (rainforest) |
In deployment |
45% |
Holafly, Saily |
Coverage by destination
- Bandar Seri Begawan: excellent 4G coverage throughout the capital
- Kampong Ayer: good coverage in the water village
- Jerudong: good coverage in the park and beach area
- Seria: good coverage in the oil industry town
- Ulu Temburong: very limited coverage in the rainforest
- Temburong District: limited coverage, variable in remote areas
How to Install Your Brunei eSIM
- Purchase your plan (QR code received by email in 2 min)
- Install 24-48h before departure from your WiFi
- Activate upon arrival in Brunei (timer starts)
- Keep your home SIM for calls and texts
Compatibility: iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+, Xiaomi 12+, OnePlus 8+
Best Brunei eSIM 2026
<BlogSummaryTable
title="Top 5 Brunei eSIM 2026"
countryCode="BN"
countrySlug="brunei"
plans={[
{
rank: 1,
providerId: "airalo",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$6",
highlight: "Global leader + DST network",
promoCode: "ESIMP15",
},
{
rank: 2,
providerId: "gomoworld",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$5",
highlight: "Best value for money",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
{
rank: 3,
providerId: "holafly",
data: "Unlimited",
duration: "15 days",
price: "$47",
highlight: "Unlimited data + hotspot",
},
{
rank: 4,
providerId: "saily",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$6",
highlight: "NordVPN included",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
{
rank: 5,
providerId: "ubigi",
data: "5 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "~$10",
highlight: "Reliable DST network",
},
]}
/>
Why these providers?
- Airalo: global leader (8M+ users), DST network (leader 55%), code ESIMP15 (-15%)
- GoMoWorld: DST network, code ESIMP (-10%), best value for money
- Holafly: unlimited + hotspot, ideal for heavy users and families
- Saily: built-in NordVPN to secure public WiFi connections
- Ubigi: reliable DST network, good alternative
Conclusion
For all travelers to Brunei, an eSIM is essential as home roaming is very expensive ($2 to $5 per MB) and free WiFi is limited, especially in rainforest areas.
Best choice: GoMoWorld 3 GB at ~$5 with code ESIMP offers the best value for a typical trip.
For heavy users: Holafly unlimited eliminates any stress, even for streaming and hotspot.
⚠️ Note: Coverage is very limited in the rainforest (Ulu Temburong). Download offline maps and guides before visiting these areas.
Brunei eSIM FAQ
