Bahrain: main airports
Bahrain has a single international airport: Bahrain International Airport in Manama, a Gulf Air hub and gateway to the entire archipelago, connected to the Saudi mainland by the King Fahd Causeway.
Bahrain: recommended activities
Bahrain: visa and entry requirements
Most nationalities (European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and many others) get a visa on arrival at the airport, valid from one week to two months depending on the type chosen, or an e-visa to apply for online in advance. Citizens of Iran, North Korea and some other countries must instead apply for a visa in advance at an embassy. The passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity. Always check the up-to-date list of eligible nationalities on the official portal before departure, as it can change.
Bahrain: safety
Bahrain is generally one of the safest countries in the Gulf for tourists, with very low common crime. The usual precautions are sufficient in most situations. As in other countries in the region, stricter local laws than elsewhere apply to alcohol (allowed only in licensed hotels/venues), public behaviour and drug use: possession of even small quantities of drugs is severely punished. Occasional socio-political tensions have occurred in the past in some outlying neighbourhoods of Manama: it is nonetheless rare for them to involve tourist areas.
Bahrain: health situation
No vaccination is mandatory for those arriving directly from Europe; a yellow fever certificate is instead required for those arriving from a country at risk of transmission. Manama's health facilities are of a good standard, with private hospitals used to international patients; travel insurance with medical coverage nonetheless remains good standard practice. Summer heat is extreme (often above 45°C with high humidity from June to September): hydration and caution with outdoor activities during the central hours are recommended.
Bahrain: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Bahraini dinar (BHD), pegged to the US dollar; international credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shopping malls, less so in traditional souqs where cash remains useful. Uber and Careem operate regularly in Manama. The main phone operators (Batelco, stc, Zain) sell prepaid tourist SIM cards, generally activatable in-store with a passport. For driving, visitors can generally use their national licence (if in Latin script) for a short period; for longer rentals an International Driving Permit (IDP) is also advisable.
