Bahrain International Airport is the Kingdom of Bahrain's sole international airport and the hub for Gulf Air, the national carrier. Located on Muharraq Island, it sits approximately 7 km northeast of Manama's city center, connected to the capital by a causeway.
It ranks among the Gulf's most modern airports following its new terminal's opening in 2021, with annual capacity up to 14 million passengers.
How to get to Bahrain International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to BAH
Parking near Bahrain International Airport
The official Car Park A is located directly in front of the terminal (a few minutes on foot).
First 15 minutes free; then hourly rate in tiers, 1 BHD/hour up to 2 hours, rising to a ceiling of 10 BHD/24 hours (promotion at 5 BHD/day on some periods). For long-term stays, fixed rate of 3 BHD/day.
How to get to Manama from BAH
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Bahrain International Airport
Major international car rental companies (Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt) have desks in the arrivals area.
Bring your licence, passport and credit card registered to the driver for the security deposit; visitors can generally drive with their national licence (if in Latin characters) for a short stay, but for longer rentals an International Driving Permit (IDP) is also recommended. Driving is on the right, as in Italy.
Hotels near Bahrain International Airport
Manama Downtown and Bahrain Bay
About 10-15 minutes by car from the terminal, 7-11 km depending on the exact spot; Bahrain Bay is an artificial island linked to downtown by a raised road.
Best for: Business trips and anyone who wants the souq, the National Museum and the waterfront a short taxi ride away.
- Quick access to the airport without crossing the city's most congested areas
- Close to the historic souq, the National Museum and the Avenues Mall
- Around the hotels in Bahrain Bay there are only other towers: evenings depend on taxis
- Traffic towards downtown gets noticeably worse at rush hour
Recommended hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay A 68-storey tower on its own artificial island linked to downtown by a raised road, 10-15 minutes from the airport; five restaurants, including two by Wolfgang Puck, and a spa of over 3,000 sqm. View availability
- Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour Opened in 2024 in the SAYACORP tower of the Financial Harbour, all 98 units are suites with a kitchen; a rooftop infinity pool and Bahrain's first SUSHISAMBA, 15 minutes from the airport. View availability
- Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Linked to the Bahrain World Trade Center and Moda Mall, in the diplomatic area a short walk from the souq and the National Museum; 15 minutes from the airport. View availability
Amwaj Islands and Diyar Al Muharraq
About 4.5 km from the terminal, a few minutes by car while staying on Muharraq island; reaching downtown Manama then takes another 20-25 minutes.
Best for: Anyone who wants a private beach and relaxation without leaving the airport's island.
- The area closest to the terminal among those with a private beach
- Lagoons, a marina and beaches designed for families, away from Manama's traffic
- Isolated from city life: a taxi is always needed for the souq or Juffair
- Little choice of restaurants outside the hotels themselves
Recommended hotels
- Address Beach Resort Bahrain 117 rooms in the Marassi Al Bahrain complex, on the north-west coast of Diyar Al Muharraq, a few minutes from the airport; private beach and kids' club designed for families. View availability
- Ramada Hotel and Suites Amwaj Islands 160 rooms and one-to-three-bedroom apartments steps from the Amwaj lagoon and marina; the property describes its own location as close to the international airport. View availability
Seef
About 15-20 minutes by car from the terminal, 11-15 km.
Best for: Anyone who wants large malls directly connected to the hotel, with one private-beach option.
- The Westin and Le Méridien are linked by a covered walkway to City Centre Bahrain, over 340 shops
- The Ritz-Carlton has a 600-metre private beach and its own lagoon
- A district built for cars and malls, little to do on foot outside them
- Further from the historic souq than Bahrain Bay
Recommended hotels
- The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain 20 acres of private beach and its own lagoon on the Seef coast, with sea-facing villas and a 37-berth marina; 11 km from the airport. View availability
- The Westin City Centre Bahrain 200 rooms linked by an internal walkway to City Centre Bahrain; the Heavenly Spa has 10 treatment rooms and one of the country's largest hammams. View availability
- Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain Attached to the same City Centre Bahrain as the Westin, with which it shares the infinity pool, spa and gym as a twin hotel. View availability
- ibis Seef Manama A budget option in Sanabis, a 5-minute walk from Dana Mall; outdoor pool and gym. Reviews praise location and staff but report occasional poor cleanliness in the rooms. View availability
Juffair
About 15-20 minutes by car from the airport.
Best for: Anyone who wants the evening scene of restaurants and bars in the district most popular with expats.
- The district with Manama's highest density of restaurants and evening venues
- Residence-style hotels with in-room kitchens, handy for longer stays
- Busy streets, less polished for tourists than Seef or Bahrain Bay
- No sea view at all
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, renovated in 2021, is a single building on multiple levels with international and regional flights. From check-in to gate you generally walk 10-15 minutes.
Security checks can get longer during peak hours related to Gulf Air flights to Europe and Asia: for international flights it is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours in advance.
Map of Bahrain International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do you need a visa to enter Bahrain?
Most Western nationalities get a visa on arrival at the airport or an e-visa online in advance, valid from one week to two months. Some nationalities (Iran, North Korea, others) must apply beforehand at an embassy: always check the updated list on the official portal.
Q. Can you drink alcohol in Bahrain?
Yes, unlike other Gulf countries: alcohol is allowed in hotels and licensed venues, but not in ordinary shops or in public outside these settings.
Q. Is it worth renting a car at the airport to see the country?
Bahrain is small (the entire archipelago can be crossed in under an hour by car): renting is convenient for independently reaching sites like Bahrain Fort or the Tree of Life, but Manama's traffic during rush hour can be heavy.
Q. Is it possible to reach Saudi Arabia from Bahrain airport?
Yes, via the King Fahd Causeway (about 25 km south of the airport), the bridge connecting the two nations: it's a common route for those visiting both countries in a single trip, but it requires a separate visa for Saudi Arabia.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
