Bahrain Airport Mini Guide
The Airport
Bahrain International Airport is in Muharraq, 7km from the city of Manama. It has one terminal only at present and is currently under development.
How Can I Get There?
There are many international flights worldwide, as Bahrain is a major hub in the Middle East. Currently over 30 airlines use the airport, for middle eastern and international flights. Interestingly, many people who live and work in the Damman area in
Saudi Arabia, often use Bahrain instead of their local airport, due to the expense and instead drive via the King Faud Causeway to Bahrain International.
Getting to The City From The Airport
There are no trains and buses from the airport to the city. Car hire at Bahrain Airport is the most convenient and comfortable option, or you can take a taxi into Manama.
What’s at The Airport?
For your money needs, there are 5 Travelex currency exchanges and many ATMs located around the airport. National Bank of Bahrain, Ahli United Bank and Bahrain Financing Co. also have branches there. Should you be travelling first or business class, there is a premium check-in area, to fast track you into the departures and the appropriate lounge, for your comfort. Gulf Air and Cathay Pacific have their own private lounges for their guests onboard. The Dilmun lounge has free internet access, business facilities and complimentary snacks and drinks, for all other business class passengers or for a small fee.
Within the airport you will also find 2 bookshops and a post office. If you need a mobile phone or a sim card to use during your stay, visit the Zain or Batelco outlets. Prayer rooms are available (male and female) in both departures and arrivals. If you have hired a car, the car hire desks are located in the arrivals concourse on the ground floor.
My Tummy is Rumbling, Where Can I go?
In the departures lounge, you can have a coffee or a snack at a café, fast food on the go, or you can choose to eat ‘a la carte’ at a high end restaurant. There are numerous outlets to choose from, to suit everyone’s taste.
Can I Shop There?
The world famous Bahrain Duty Free Shop is located in both the departures concourse (between gates 14 and 15) and also at the arrivals concourse. They have a large selection of items for you to choose from and you can even pre-book your items online. You can choose from cosmetics if you need to touch your face up and fragrances if you fancy splashing out. They also stock a wide range of confectionery and chocolates to satisy a sweet tooth as well as wines and spirits.
Anything Else I Should Know?
If you should require accommodation, there is the 5 star Movenpick Hotel, just opposite the airport. It overlooks Muharraq Lagoon and has a fitness centre and tennis courts, should you feel energetic! If not you can just laze by the infinity pool. The restaurant offers a wide selection of international dishes. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge.
What if I Need Special Assistance?
Bahrain Airport Services can provide wheelchairs or assistance getting through the airport. The airport has been designed with access for wheelchair users also.
Bahrain is a country made up of an archipelago of 33 islands. It’s famous for it’s huge and lucrative oil supplies but also for its beautiful pearls. There are many places in the country that you can see pearls being turned into beautiful jewellery, especially in the capital Manama.
For those who have hired a car, a short distance away is the neighbouring country of Saudi Arabia, reached by the King Fahd Causeway. In Bahrain, a must-see is the Qal’at al-Bahrain, the ancient harbour and city of the old kingdom of Dilmun which thrived on the wealth of pearls.