Bahrain International Airport
Also known as: Bahrain Airport, BAH Airport, Manama Airport, Muharraq Airport.
Private transfer from BAHSee pricesSee pricesAbout Bahrain International Airport
Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is the international airport of the Kingdom of Bahrain, on Muharraq Island just northeast of the capital, Manama. It is the hub of Gulf Air, the national airline, which links Bahrain with cities across the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent, Europe and Asia, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Cairo, Mumbai, Bangkok and Manila.
Other airlines fly here mainly from the Gulf, South Asia, Turkey and Africa, among them Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Saudia, flydubai, Air Arabia, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, IndiGo and Air India Express. All scheduled passenger flights use one Passenger Terminal, which opened in January 2021 and has 24 departure gates.
The airport is about 8 to 10 km from central Manama, linked by Airport Avenue and the Shaikh Isa Causeway, and the drive usually takes 15 to 25 minutes, longer at rush hours. From the airport, travelers head to the Diplomatic Area, Bab Al Bahrain and Manama Souq, Seef, Juffair and Adliya, to Muharraq town and the Amwaj Islands, or south to Sakhir and the Bahrain International Circuit.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Bahrain Airport Company
- Passengers per year
About 9.7 million in 2025
- Runways
Two parallel runways, 3,964 m and 2,530 m
- Main airline
Gulf Air (hub)
- Passenger Terminal
Opened on 28 January 2021
Arrival tips for Bahrain International Airport
After you leave the aircraft, follow the signs to immigration with your passport and any visa ready. Citizens of GCC countries do not need a visa; many other nationalities can apply for an eVisa before travel or get a visa on arrival, so check the rules for your passport first. Eligible e-passport holders, including GCC nationals and visitors on a multiple-entry visa after their first entry, can use the e-Gates.
Arrivals Duty Free is before customs. Collect your bags in the baggage reclaim hall, then take the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare or the Red Channel if you do. Carry prescription medicines in their original containers with the prescription.
The Arrivals Area has currency exchange, ATMs, telecom stores for local SIM cards, cafés and car rental desks. Taxis wait at the inner curb on the arrival level, app-based rides pick up at the Arrivals curbside next to Gate 1, and public buses leave from Exit 4. Bahrain is on Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3) all year, and the currency is the Bahraini dinar (BHD).
Ground transportation
Most travelers take a taxi, a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked transfer for the short drive into Manama, while the public bus suits light travelers.
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Book a transfer from BAHTaxi from Bahrain airport
Metered Bahrain Taxi and Arabian Taxi cars wait at the inner curb on the arrival level, 24 hours a day; follow the signs after baggage reclaim. The drive to central Manama usually takes 15 to 25 minutes.
Uber and Careem
Uber and Careem pick up at the Arrivals curbside next to Gate 1. You book and pay in the app, and waits can be longer late at night.
Public bus (A1, A2, 10 and 11)
Bahrain Public Transport Company buses leave from zone 4A outside Exit 4 on the arrival level. Route A2 is the quickest to Manama Bus Terminal, City Centre and Seef; A1 runs via Manama to Salmaniya and Isa Town. Buses are slower and less convenient with large bags.
Car rental
Car rental desks are in the Arrivals Hall. A rental car is a practical choice if you plan to drive around the island during your stay, for example to Sakhir or the Amwaj Islands.
Private transfer
Pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the Arrivals Area after customs and drive directly to hotels in Manama, Seef, Juffair, Muharraq and elsewhere in Bahrain. It suits families and groups with luggage.
Terminals
Passenger Terminal
Handles all scheduled passenger flights, arrivals and departures, with 24 departure gates. Gulf Air and all other passenger airlines use this terminal.
Airlines commonly assigned here: AJet, Air Arabia, Air India Express, Azerbaijan Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fly Jinnah, FlyArystan, flydubai, flynas, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, SalamAir, Saudia, Smartwings, SunExpress, Turkish Airlines
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Currency exchange
Currency exchange counters are in the Arrivals Area, after customs.
ATMs
Cash machines are in the Arrivals Area.
SIM cards
Telecom stores selling local SIM cards are in the Arrivals Area, after customs.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal.
Arrivals Duty Free
A duty-free shop for arriving passengers is in the baggage reclaim area, before customs. The main duty-free area is on the departures side.
Prayer rooms
Prayer rooms are on the departures side, opposite Gates 14 and 19.
Smoking rooms
Smoking rooms are on the departures side, opposite Gates 14 and 19.
Baby strollers and nursing rooms
Complimentary strollers are available on the departures side, and nursing rooms are provided for parents with babies.
Car rental
Car rental desks are in the Arrivals Hall.
Airport hotel
Bahrain Airport Hotel, on the departures side, has rooms designed for transit passengers. Fees apply.
Sensory room
The terminal has a sensory room for passengers who need a quiet space; ask at an information desk for directions.
Airport lounges
Pearl Lounge (Departures)
A lounge on the departures side of the Passenger Terminal. Fees apply; check entry conditions and hours with the airport before you travel.
Falcon Gold Lounge (Departures)
Gulf Air's lounge on the departures side. The airport lists it as fee-based; check with Gulf Air whether your ticket includes entry.
Pearl Lounge (Arrivals)
A lounge in the Arrivals Area for arriving passengers. Fees apply; check entry conditions and hours with the airport.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Tell your airline in advance that you need help, or call the airport's Special Services number, +973 17138226. Staff meet you when your flight lands.
Reduced mobility
Wheelchairs are requested through your airline or at check-in. Dedicated immigration counters, accessible spots at the baggage carousels and porters on request help passengers through arrivals, and every washroom has at least one accessible cubicle.
Hidden disabilities
Staff wearing sunflower lanyards help passengers with hidden disabilities. You can collect a free lanyard at Check-in Counter B19 by showing your CPR or a medical report from an official entity.
Accessible parking
Car Park B has two accessible spaces on each level next to the elevators, and accessible spaces are also at the inner curbside of Arrivals and Departures. Press the telephone icon at the barrier gate if you need help.
Parking
Car Park B (short and long term)
The multi-level Car Park B, connected to the terminal, serves both short and long stays.
Valet parking
Hala Bahrain runs a valet service for arriving and departing passengers.
Pick-up and drop-off
Drop-off is at the Departures Area entrance. Waiting at the curb beyond a few minutes is charged, so meet arriving passengers from the parking area.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bahrain airport from Manama?
Bahrain International Airport is about 8 to 10 km from central Manama, depending on where you are going. The drive usually takes 15 to 25 minutes along Airport Avenue and the Shaikh Isa Causeway, and longer at rush hours or when heading to busy areas such as the Diplomatic Area or Juffair.
Is Bahrain International Airport in Manama?
No. Bahrain International Airport is on Muharraq Island, just northeast of Manama and next to the town of Muharraq. Causeways connect the island with Manama, so the capital is a short drive away. It is the only airport in Bahrain with scheduled passenger flights, and travelers often search for it as Manama Airport or Muharraq Airport.
How many terminals does Bahrain airport have?
Bahrain International Airport has one Passenger Terminal, used for both arrivals and departures. It opened on 28 January 2021 and has 24 departure gates. Every scheduled passenger airline uses it, so all arriving travelers clear immigration and customs in the same building and come out into the same Arrivals Area. Connecting passengers do not need to change buildings.
Which airlines fly to Bahrain International Airport?
Gulf Air is the main airline and uses Bahrain as its hub, with flights across the Gulf, South Asia, Europe and Asia. Other airlines include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Saudia, flydubai, flynas, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, IndiGo and Air India Express. All of them use the same terminal.
How do I get a taxi at Bahrain airport?
Taxis from Bahrain Taxi and Arabian Taxi wait at the inner curb on the arrival level, and the service runs 24 hours a day. Follow the taxi signs after you leave baggage reclaim. Taxis are metered under rules set by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, and some cars accept cards, so ask the driver before you set off.
Can I use Uber or Careem at Bahrain airport?
Yes. Uber and Careem both serve Bahrain International Airport. Their pickup point is the Arrivals curbside next to Gate 1, signposted from the Arrivals Area. You book and pay in the app, so no cash is needed. Free Wi-Fi in the terminal lets you book a ride even before you buy a local SIM card.
Is there a bus from Bahrain airport to Manama?
Yes. Bahrain Public Transport Company buses leave from zone 4A outside Exit 4 on the arrival level. Route A2 is the quickest to Manama Bus Terminal, City Centre and Seef, and route A1 runs via Muharraq and Manama to Salmaniya and Isa Town. Routes 10 and 11 loop around Muharraq and Manama. Check live times on the BPTC website.
Do I need a visa to enter Bahrain?
Citizens of GCC countries do not need a visa. Most other nationalities need one, which they can get as an eVisa before travel or, for many passports, on arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival, and you may be asked for a return or onward ticket. Check current rules on Bahrain's official eVisa website before flying.
Are there lounges at Bahrain International Airport?
Yes. The Pearl Lounge and Gulf Air's Falcon Gold Lounge are on the departures side of the Passenger Terminal, and a second Pearl Lounge serves arriving passengers in the Arrivals Area. The airport lists all three as fee-based, so check with Gulf Air whether your ticket includes Falcon Gold Lounge entry, and confirm opening hours with the airport before you travel.
Where can I park at Bahrain airport?
The multi-level Car Park B, connected to the terminal, serves both short and long stays. Hala Bahrain also runs a valet service for arriving and departing passengers. Drop-off is at the Departures Area entrance, and waiting at the curb beyond a few minutes is charged, so meeting arriving passengers from the parking area is usually easier.
What time zone and currency does Bahrain use?
Bahrain uses Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3, all year, with no daylight saving time. The currency is the Bahraini dinar (BHD), divided into 1,000 fils. You will find currency exchange counters and ATMs in the Arrivals Area. The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, so some offices and services keep shorter hours on those days.
Who operates Bahrain International Airport and how busy is it?
Bahrain International Airport is operated by Bahrain Airport Company. It handled about 9.7 million passengers in 2025, up about 4 percent on 2024, with around 101,000 aircraft movements and about 405,000 metric tons of cargo. It has two parallel runways, 3,964 m and 2,530 m long, and is the hub of Gulf Air.
Can I get help at Bahrain airport if I have reduced mobility?
Yes. Ask your airline for assistance when you book, or call the airport's Special Services number, +973 17138226, and staff will meet you when you land. Wheelchairs, dedicated immigration counters, accessible spots at baggage reclaim and porters are available. Passengers with hidden disabilities can collect a sunflower lanyard at Check-in Counter B19.
Can I buy a SIM card or change money at Bahrain airport?
Yes. Telecom stores selling local SIM cards are in the Arrivals Area after customs, next to currency exchange counters and ATMs. Arrivals Duty Free is in the baggage reclaim area before customs. The terminal also has free Wi-Fi, which is useful for booking a ride or messaging your driver before you buy a SIM.