Getting around the islands

How visitors usually move between Manama, Muharraq, the north coast and the Sakhir desert.

Bahrain is an archipelago, but for most visitors it feels like one connected place. Bridges and causeways tie the main island to Muharraq, Sitra and the smaller islands, and a long causeway runs west across the sea to the Arabian mainland. Distances are short, roads are good and traffic is the main variable.

Arriving

Bahrain International Airport is on Muharraq Island, a short drive across the bridges from central Manama. Taxis and ride-hailing pickups are the usual way into town. Travellers arriving overland use the causeway from the mainland; border formalities and documents are a matter for official sources and should be checked well in advance.

Taxis and ride-hailing

For most visitors, taxis and app-based ride services are the simplest option. They cover every sight in these listings and avoid parking hassles at busy places like the souq or the circuit. On major event days, expect higher demand and longer waits after the event ends, and consider arranging the return trip in advance.

Buses

A public bus network links the main towns, including Manama, Muharraq, Isa Town and Riffa, with air-conditioned buses. It is useful for budget travel along main corridors, though less convenient for reaching scattered heritage sites or the southern desert.

Driving

Traffic drives on the right, and road signs are in Arabic and English. A hire car gives flexibility for the north coast, the burial mounds and the Sakhir area. Rush hours in and around Manama can be slow, and parking near the souq is limited. Licence requirements for visitors are set by the authorities, so check them before you plan to drive.

Walking

Walking is pleasant in the cool season in the souq, along the waterfront and in old Muharraq. In summer, keep walks short and early, and use taxis for anything more than a few blocks.