How to Get Around Bahrain

Getting in. Bahrain International on Muharraq island is fifteen minutes from central Manama and is the hub for Gulf Air. The King Fahd Causeway connects to Saudi Arabia and is busy at weekends, with border formalities at the midpoint.

Taxis and apps. Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are the normal way to move around, and fares are modest by Gulf standards. There is no metro.

Buses run an extensive and very cheap network across the main island and Muharraq, air-conditioned and using a rechargeable card, though services are less frequent in the evening.

Driving. Hire cars are inexpensive and the island is small enough to see in a day, with good roads and clear bilingual signage. Traffic is heavy in Manama at rush hour, and driving standards are assertive. An international permit is generally required.

Walking is practical in Muharraq’s old town and in Manama’s souq in winter, and not at all between May and September.