Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Bahrain Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
We went straight to the pub which is without a doubt the best place to relax in this airport. It is behind a non-de script unmarked door (there are no signs that say, “the bar is this way” in a muslim country). – a traveller
BAH Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Bahrain international Airport (Code: BAH).
What to Expect
Bahrain Airport consists of one-terminal with a wide variety of shops, restaurants and services. Things to do at on a layover is limited, but you will find WiFi and Airport Lounges that you can pay to enter. Reviews have been mixed about airport service, with some reviewers reporting fast and efficient check-in and security lines, but others reporting long lines, slow service, disorganization and rude staff.
Sleeping in Bahrain Airport
The terminal has plenty of benches that work as a place to lie down. Much of the gate seating has armrests every two seats, allowing for smaller sleepers to scrunch up in a two seater. Those needing extensive sleep can consider the hotel located across the street from the airport, or two nearby hotels located about a 10-minute drive away. See our Airport Hotels section in the guide below or read some traveller reviews for more tips.
Good to Know
The airport recommends that those with layovers longer than six hours should take advantage of nearby site seeing by pre-arranging a transit visa prior to their journey. A new state-of-the-art passenger terminal is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by 2020.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Bahrain Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Pearl Lounge on D – Location: Airside, near Gate 15A-15B. Hours: open 24 hours.
- Pearl Lounge on Arrivals – Location: Landside. Hours: open 24 hours.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller you may have access to the lounge listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge – Location: Airside, Departures Hall.
Unaccompanied Minors
Children (ages 2 – 14) travelling alone registered in the Unaccompanied Minors Program will have access to a dedicated lounge equipped with interactive toys, gaming consoles, a reading area, and comfortable seating arrangements. Register via the airline.
Related Pages: Bahrain Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Bahrain airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a transit hotel and more hotels near the airport:
In Transit Bahrain Airport Hotel – Located inside the airport opposite Gate 15. There are 24 sleep pods, 42 rooms and 17 family rooms. A small spa and gym are also available. The hotel is accessible only to transit and departing passengers who are in the secure zone of the airport. Not accessible to travellers who do not have a boarding pass and haven’t passed through security. If you are in transit, you will not be able to access your luggage. Sleep pods and rooms can be booked for as little as 3 hours.» Check Room Rates
» Check 3 hour Pod Rates
Mövenpick Hotel – Located adjacent to the airport. Airport transfers are available for a fee. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Manama, and search deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Bahrain Airport. To log-in, you can do so via SMS or your social media account.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Art Galleries – You will find a range of cultural artifacts and local artwork throughout the airport. The Cultural Heritage Galleries is located in the Departures Area.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Level 1, in both the Arrivals and Departures areas.
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge throughout the airport.
Banking Services – NBB Bank provides full-service banking inside the airport. Locations: Landside, Arrivals Hall, Level 1.
Currency Exchange – Travelex and BFC (Bahrain Financing Company) offer currency exchange services. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Duty Free & Shopping – There are retail, cosmetic and gift shops and a 24-hour Bahrain Duty Free.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with a baby, there are Infant Care Rooms throughout the airport, both landside and airside.
- Kids Play Zone – Interactive games, gaming consoles, climbing domes, and more are available to keep your toddlers to teens occupied before the flight.
Food & Drinks – There is a wide variety of food stores with all operating 24/7
- Landside: McDonalds • Albaik • Bread Talk Starbucks. Airside: Crepafe • Jamie’s Deli and Pizzeria • Illy Caffe • Jaipur Indio Asian •TGI Friday’s • Ya Salam • Millies Cookies • Levito •Upper Crust • The Terrace CAfe (opening on Oct 9) • Camden Food • KFC • Burger King • Starbucks.
Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit the airport information desk for assistance. Locations: Arrivals, Level 2 • Departures, Level 1.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Early baggage storage is available on a “first come, first served” basis. Location: unknown.
Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. Location: Landside, Departures Hall, Check-in area, Level 1. Hours and Rates: BHD 2.
Medical Services – If you feel unwell or injure yourself, first aid services are available. Locations: Departures, Level 1, near Gate 12B. Hours: unknown.
Mobile Charging – In January 2019, a reader let us know that mobile charging is available next to the seats. The reader suggests “make sure you have the right power converter.”
Pharmacy – Nasser Pharmacy (Location: Arrivals. Hours: 24 hours.) Boots (Location: Departures, Level 1, near Gate 12B. Hours: unknown.)
Porters – Need help with your bags? Porters are available on both Departure and arrival halls. BHD 2 fee applies.
Postal Services – Send your last minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s post office. Location: Airside, Departures Hall, Level 1.
Prayer Rooms – Separate prayer rooms for men and women are located Airside (near Gates 14 and 19) and Landside (Arrivals Hall, Level 1).
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers – Available in all washrooms and Lounges except the Unaccompanied Minor Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
Smoking Rooms – Smoking is prohibited in the airport, except in the designated smoking rooms. Locations: Airside, Departures Hall, Level 2, between Gates 14 and 15 and Gates 18 and 19.
Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Bahrain and need local arrangements or help planning a really last minute trip abroad, there are a number of travel agencies with offices at the airport that can probably be of assistance. Al Bader Travel & Tours • Algosaibi Travel Agency • Dadabhai Travel • House of Travel • Kanoo Travel Agency • World Travel Services. Locations: the travel agency offices can be found in the Departures Hall, Level 1 or Arrivals Hall, Level 1.
VAT Refund – Visitors eligible to receive a refund for taxes paid on purchases, should visit the Airport Information Counters in the Arrivals, Check-in or Departures areas for more information.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Bahrain airport is served by the following airlines: Air Arabia • Air India • British Airways • Egypt Air • Emirates • Ethiopian Airlines • Etihad Airways • flydubai • Gulf Air • Jazeera Airways • KLM • Kuwait Airways • Lufthansa • Oman Air • Pakistan Airlines • Pegasus Airlines • Saudi Arabian Airlines • Salam Air • SunExpress Airline • Turkish Airlines • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
BAH airport is connected to the public transportation system via red local buses. Red buses have free WiFi and air-conditioning. Routes are:
- A1 – Airport – Muharraq Bus Terminal – Manama Bus Terminal – American Mission Hospital – Salmaniya – Khamis – Isa Town Bus Terminal
- A2 – Airport – Manama Bus Terminal – City Centre – Seef – Souq Waqif – Hamad Town – University of Bahrain (Fastest Route from Airport to Manama)
- 10 – Airport – Arad – Hidd – Mina Salman – Kuwait Avenue – Manama Bus Terminal – Muharraq Bus Terminal – Airport (Clockwise)
- 11 – Airport – Muharraq Bus Terminal – Manama Bus Terminal – Kuwait Avenue – Mina Salman – Hidd – Arad – Airport (Anti-Clockwise)
Buses are located on the Arrivals Level, Gates 3 and 4. For fares, routes and more information, visit the Bahrain Bus website.
Car Rentals
Car rental desks are located in the public area of the Arrivals concourse on the ground floor. There are plenty of agencies available onsite including: Allied • Budget • Enterprise • Future • Hanco • Hertz • Prima • Sixt • Trans Gulf • UDrive • We Rent a Car.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update we were unable to find any hotels that provided airport shuttle service.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Taxis are available in the Car Park B area 24-hours a day. All taxis are metered and reservations are not required. To access Car Park B.
Last updated: 2023-03-21
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
