First Day Abroad

Getting from the airport to the city in Bahrain

Part of the Bahrain arrival guide.

This information may change. Always check the official source.Last verified: August 2026 by

Which airport are you landing at?1

Pick yours for the routes into town, what they cost, and the trap particular to that airport.

From Bahrain International into Manama

Fifteen minutes from the terminal to the city, on an island where nothing is far.

The airport
  • Bahrain International (BAH) is on Muharraq island, about 7 km from central Manama - 15 minutes, and the terminal was rebuilt in 2021 and is genuinely pleasant.
  • Visas on arrival are issued here for eligible nationalities, at desks before immigration.
  • Have the fee ready; card is accepted but the queue moves faster if you are prepared.
Into town
  • Use established taxi services - that is the FCDO's phrasing and it means the official rank or an app, not someone offering a lift in the hall.
  • Careem and Uber both operate in Bahrain and are the normal way to move around.
  • Airport taxis are metered. Insist on the meter or agree the price before setting off.
  • There is no airport rail. The bus exists but is not a sensible first move with luggage.
The causeway
  • Buses run from the airport to the King Fahd Causeway and on to Saudi Arabia. Remember it is a full border in both directions.
Scale
  • Bahrain is about 50 km end to end. Nothing is more than 45 minutes away, including the Formula One circuit at Sakhir and the Bahrain Fort.
  • This makes a single base sensible, which is not true of most Gulf countries.
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Sources (2)

What this guide was checked against. Rules and prices change — follow the official link before you rely on a detail.