Bahrain International Airport operates on Muharraq Island, connected to Manama by causeways. The airport processes approximately 10 million passengers annually. Most visitors from 68 countries receive visa on arrival, valid for two weeks, at a cost of 5 Bahraini Dinars for 14 days. The eVisa system processes applications online within 72 hours. Saudi Arabia maintains the only land border, accessible via the King Fahd Causeway, a 25-kilometer link completed in 1986. The causeway toll costs 2.5 Bahraini Dinars for light vehicles. Qatar shares maritime borders near the Hawar Islands, but no ferry service operates between the countries.
The Bahraini Dinar divides into 1,000 fils. As of 2025, one Bahraini Dinar equals approximately 2.65 US Dollars, fixed since 1980 under a currency board arrangement. Banks operate Sunday through Thursday, typically 0730 to 1500 hours. ATMs dispense both dinars and US dollars in urban areas. Exchange bureaus cluster in Manama souq and near Bab Al Bahrain, offering rates within 1 percent of bank rates. Hotels exchange currency at 3 to 5 percent below interbank rates. Credit cards function at most establishments in Manama and Muharraq, less reliably in villages like Budaiya. Cash remains necessary for traditional markets and smaller restaurants.
Tap water in Bahrain comes from desalination plants operated by the Electricity and Water Authority. The ministry of health confirms the water meets WHO potability standards, though residents commonly drink bottled water. Summer temperatures reach 48 degrees Celsius in July and August. The winter months from December to February average 17 to 20 degrees Celsius. Humidity peaks in summer, frequently exceeding 90 percent. Rainfall averages 72 millimeters annually, concentrated in January and February. Sandstorms occur irregularly between March and June.
English functions as a business language throughout Bahrain. Road signs appear in Arabic and English. Service workers in hotels, restaurants, and shops in Manama and tourist areas speak functional English. South Asian languages, particularly Urdu, Hindi, and Malayalam, serve large expatriate populations comprising approximately 52 percent of the 1.5 million residents. Persian remains spoken among Ajam communities descended from Iranian migrants. Bahrani Arabic, the local dialect, differs from Gulf Arabic in vocabulary and pronunciation. Learning basic Arabic phrases improves interactions in residential areas like Riffa and Hamad Town.
Islam governs public behavior expectations. The sale of alcohol requires a license, available only to hotels and specific clubs. Non-Muslims may purchase alcohol from licensed stores with a liquor permit, which requires employer sponsorship. Public intoxication incurs legal penalties including fines and imprisonment. Dress codes in Manama allow Western clothing, though shoulders and knees should remain covered in government buildings and mosques. Al Fateh Grand Mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors Sunday through Thursday, 0900 to 1600 hours, with free guided tours. Women must wear an abaya and headscarf, provided at entrance. Photography is permitted except during prayer times.
Pharmacies stock international medications, though specific brands differ from Western markets. Prescription requirements apply to controlled substances. Over-the-counter pain relievers, antihistamines, and gastrointestinal medications are available without restriction. The ministry of health operates health centers in each municipality providing primary care. Private hospitals include Bahrain Specialist Hospital and American Mission Hospital, both accredited by international standards organizations. Medical costs require upfront payment or insurance verification. Travel insurance should specify Middle East coverage.
Mobile networks operate on GSM 900/1800 and 4G LTE bands. Three carriers provide SIM cards without registration requirements for tourists. A prepaid SIM costs 2 to 5 Bahraini Dinars with included data. Coverage reaches all inhabited islands. WiFi functions in hotels, malls, and cafes in Manama and Muharraq. Internet cafes have largely closed due to smartphone adoption. VoIP services including WhatsApp and FaceTime work without restriction. Postal service operates through Bahrain Post, with the main sorting facility in Manama. International courier services deliver throughout the archipelago.
Electrical current runs at 230 volts, 50 hertz. Outlets accept British three-pin plugs, Type G. Adapters are available at airport shops and electronics stores in City Centre Bahrain and Seef Mall. Most modern hotels provide USB charging ports. Power outages are uncommon in urban areas due to grid redundancy. The national grid connects to Saudi Arabia via subsea cables.