World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
Following the military action in Iraq, there is an increased risk of terrorism in Bahrain. The situation should be monitored closely. For further advice, visitors should contact the relevant local government travel advice department.

Air
The national carrier serving Bahrain is Gulf Air (GF). Other airlines serving Bahrain include Air India, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Turkish Airlines and Yemenia Yemen Airways.

Approximate flight times
From Bahrain to London is approximately seven hours 15 minutes, to Los Angeles is 18 hours 15 minutes and to New York is 13 hours 30 minutes.

International airports
Bahrain International (BAH) (Muharraq) (website: www.bahrainairport.com) is 6.5km (4 miles) northeast of Manama. Bus and taxi services run across the causeway to the main island (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, duty free shops, first aid, bars, snack bars, restaurants, nursery, prayer room, tourist information, post office, car hire (Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz) and car parking.

Departure tax
BD3 (approximately US$8). Children under two years of age and transit passengers not leaving the airport are exempt.

Sea
There are three main ports of entry for dhows and other seafaring craft at Mina Salman, Mina Manama and Mina Muharraq. These ports offer a quick and efficient entry into the country from all parts of the world. Passenger ferries operate between Iran and Bahrain (travel time – 16 hours). A port tax of BD3 may be payable.

Road
A car drive to Dhahran (Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) takes approximately one hour 30 minutes from Bahrain using the King Fahad Causeway. A toll fee of approximately BD2 is payable by persons driving out of Bahrain. Normal Saudi Arabian visa regulations apply.