Besides the Obvious

Getting to Bahrain can be a very nice experience and a totally different way of having fun from Saudi Arabia. But it can be stressful if you don’t have the correct information about how to cross the border. Bahrain is a welcoming country for tourists. And despite it being a bit difficult to verify the information about how to get in Bahrain we can assure you it will be easy. In this article we will guide you about how to get in Bahrain to guarantee the best experience for you. 

What do I need first to get in Bahrain?

The first thing you need to get in Bahrain is to check what kind of visa you are eligible for. Only trust official information on that. The decision regarding entry into Bahrain lies with the Bahraini authorities. It is necessary to obtain an entry visa for the country. Bahrain grants visas for tourism purposes for a duration of two weeks, which can be extended for an additional two weeks. The country is small and two weeks will be enough for tourist purposes. 

There are other visa types which you can check on the official Bahrain visa website. 

You can also organize the visa through travel agencies in your home country or hotels in Bahrain, typically by paying a fee and committing to stay at the hotel. Short-term visas for Bahrain are obtainable at Manama Airport upon payment of the fee in Bahraini dinars. Please note that as of 2024, payment is exclusively available via credit card at the passport control points.

Ways to get in Bahrain

Bahrain could be reachable by land, air or sea. Nevertheless, at the moment you can only arrive in the country by land from Saudi Arabia and flying from all over the world. The bad relationship of Bahrain with the United Arab Emirates and the diplomatic crisis of Qatar have suspended the possibility of traveling to the country by ferry. The project of a causeway from Qatar to Bahrain has been postponed as well.

The land border crossing in Bahrain is via Saudi arabia. That means that you may need a Saudi Arabian visa if you are not a Saudi national to get into that country. 

The driving distances in Saudi Arabia and the summer heat can advise against driving to Bahrain. If you decide to do that anyhow, you can drive across the King Fahd Causeway, a bridge connecting Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia to Bahrain. Ensure you have all necessary travel documents, including a valid passport, visa if required, and car insurance. You’ll also need to pay toll fees at the causeway. 

There are bus services that operate between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as well. These buses usually depart from cities like Al Khobar and Dammam in Saudi Arabia and arrive at the main bus terminal in Manama, Bahrain. Even from Dubai, there are services.

Flying to Bahrain is the easiest way of getting in the country. Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is the main airport serving the country. Many international airlines operate flights to and from this airport. You can book a flight from major cities worldwide to Bahrain.

Crossing the border

Car

If the car is your property make sure to bring all your papers with you. Insurance included. You can as well rent a car from Saudi Arabia and ask if you can cross the car to Bahrain. An insurance is needed for Bahrain territory so it is better to ask if the car has it already. 

You will be driving across the King Fahd Causeway but before you need to pay a fee for using the road. After crossing the causeway you will get off Saudi Arabia and get in Bahrain. You will cross some gates where you will be asked about how many people will use the car, including the immigration control for the persons and the vehicle. If you don’t have insurance you could get it at the border as well as the visa on arrival. Nevertheless, in case of land border crossings, it is better to have all this paperwork solved upfront.  

Bus

A direct connection exists between Dammam and Bahrain facilitated by SAPTCO, which offers a bus service departing from Dammam twice daily and reaching Manama – Lulu Centre in Bahrain. The bus journey lasts approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes, offering a convenient and direct transportation option between these two cities. The Al Awal Express provides bus transportation between Bahrain and Dubai, with an approximate travel time of 8 hours. The bus fare is quite reasonable. Departing from the Bahrain Bus Station, it arrives at the Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai. 

When you cross a border by bus you don’t need to take care about the immigration paperwork of the vehicle but you will need to pass the passport and visa control. Since buses can’t wait forever, it is very wise to apply upfront to an on-line visa. Visa on-arrival could take from some minutes to more than half an hour depending on many factors. 

Plane 

Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is ready to welcome international tourists with a very efficient immigration system. At your arrival you don’t need to fill any form. Go through the immigration control and pay your visa on arrival just at the counter with the same officer who stamps your passport to get in Bahrain. This is definitely the way we recommend crossing the country for any kind of traveler. 

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