Getting Around Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, sitting on the northeastern coast of Bahrain Island. It is a compact city on a small island, which shapes how visitors move around: most journeys are short, and the main practical choices are buses, taxis, ride-hailing and rental cars, with a fair amount of walking in the central areas. Note that Bahrain has no rail, metro or tram network, so ground transport is entirely road-based.
Buses and Public Transport
Bahrain Public Transport operates a network of bus routes across the city. The main bus station is Manama Terminal, which has connections from all over Bahrain and is the hub for longer journeys around the country. The operator's website is the place to go for schedules, route maps, fares and a route planner.
One route is particularly useful for visitors: route A1 links the airport and Manama, running every 20 minutes. Other airport routes include A2, which continues to Isa, and the circular lines 10 and 11, which stop at various points in Manama and Muharraq.
On fares and ticketing, here is what you need to know:
- A paper single ticket bought on the bus costs 300 fils.
- A "pay as you go" Go Card reduces the single-trip fare to 250 fils and offers a daily cap of 600 fils.
- The Go Card itself costs 500 fils and is sold at ticket machines, including at the airport. You can load credit onto it up to a maximum of BD 50, but note that loaded credit is not refundable.
- Transfers are not offered, so a fare is charged on each bus you board.
- There are no discounts for children, students or elderly people.
- Weekly passes (BD 3) and 28-day "monthly" passes (BD 12) are available, but only on a Personalised Go Card issued at bus terminal ticket offices, not on the anonymous card sold at ticket machines.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are expensive in Manama. Extra charges are added to fares starting from the airport (BD 2) and from any hotel (BD 1). Always insist that the meter is used, or you will, guaranteed, get ripped off. As a rough guide to budgeting, a ride from the airport to the central parts of the city will cost around BD 5–6, while a ride within Manama will typically run BD 3–5.
Renting a Car
Renting a car is far less costly than paying for taxis, so it can make sense if you plan to cover a lot of ground. Be aware that driving styles may differ from what you are used to at home. Manama is a small city on a small island, so you won't get lost for very long. It is worth buying a map, which should cost BD 0.50–1.00.
Walking
Because Manama is compact and sits on a small island, walking is a realistic option for getting between nearby points in the city, and it pairs naturally with the bus network for longer hops. Do bear in mind the desert climate, with extremely hot summers, mild winters and very low rainfall, and plan your walking accordingly.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is in the adjacent city of Muharraq, not in Manama itself. You have several options for the onward trip:
- Bus: City bus lines A1 (which continues to the University), A2 (which continues to Isa), and the circular lines 10 and 11 (which stop at various points in Manama and Muharraq) connect the airport to Manama bus terminal. Route A1 runs every 20 minutes. You can buy a Go Card at ticket machines at the airport.
- Taxi: Expect an airport surcharge of BD 2 on top of the metered fare, and a total of around BD 5–6 to the central parts of the city. Insist on the meter.
- Rental car: Available as an alternative, and generally cheaper than relying on taxis for your whole trip.
Whichever option you choose, all roads in Bahrain lead to Manama, so the city is straightforward to reach from the airport and from elsewhere in the country.