Sleeping in Airports

Bahrain Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or 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 has one terminal with a wide variety of shops, restaurants and services. Things to do on a layover are limited, but you will find WiFi and Airport Lounges 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.

Bahrain Airport
(photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / May 2022)

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 smaller sleepers to scrunch up in a two-seater. According to a reviewer, the terminal also features reclining seats and individual mini-sofas. Those needing extensive sleep can consider Bahrain Airport Hotel, located inside the building, or Mövenpick Hotel, within walking distance. See our Airport Hotels section in the guide below or read traveller reviews for more tips.

Good to Know

The airport recommends that those with layovers longer than six hours take advantage of nearby sightseeing by pre-arranging a transit visa before their journey.

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 website 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 loungeAirport 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 find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Pearl Lounge on Departures – Location: Airside, near Gate 15A-15B. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
  • Pearl Lounge on Arrivals – Location: Landside, Arrival Hall, opposite Gate 166 Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.

Airline Lounges

You may have access to the lounge listed below if you are a First or Business Class traveller. 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 hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in Bahrain airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a transit hotel and more hotels near the airport:

Bahrain Airport Hotel – Located inside the airport opposite Gate 15. There are 24 sleep pods, 24 rooms, 17 compact rooms, and 17 family rooms. A small spa is also available. The hotel is accessible only to transit and departing passengers in the airport’s secure zone. It is 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

Hotels near the airport
  • 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, search for deals, and read traveller reviews.

wifiAirport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available throughout Bahrain Airport with no registration required.

airport infoMore 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 check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Arrivals.

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 offers currency exchange services. Hours: Open 24 hours.

Duty-Free & Shopping – There are retail, cosmetic and gift shops throughout the terminal, several duty-free stores 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 • Crepafe. Airside:• Jamie’s Deli and Pizzeria • Illy Caffe • Jaipur Indio Asian • Lumee on the go • TGI Friday’s • Ya Salam • Millies Cookies • Levito • Upper Crust • 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 – Not available.

Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. Location: Landside, Departures Hall. Rates: BHD 2.

Bahrain Airport
Padded benches to curl up and catch some zzzzz’s (photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / May 2022)

Medical Services – First aid services are available if you feel unwell or injured yourself. Locations: Eastern pier, all three levels. Hours: open 24/7. Urgent and emergency medical care is available by calling +973 17 – 138 – 777.

Mobile Charging – In January 2019, a reader told us 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 – Information not available.

Prayer Rooms – Separate prayer rooms for men and women are located on the Airside (near Gates 14 and 19) and Landside (Arrivals Hall, Level 1).

Rest Zones – No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. 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 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: Arrival Hall, Level 0 • Departure Hall, Level 2, between Gates 14 and 15 and Gates 18 and 19.

Travel Agencies – Information not available.

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 hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

layover sightseeingLayover Sightseeing

Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by getting out of the airport to do some sightseeing?  Check out our Bahrain Airport Layover Sightseeing guide or explore Things to do in Bahrain on Tripadvisor.

airlinesAirlines

Air Arabia • Air Arabia Abu Dhabi • Air Arabia Egypt • Azerbaijan Airlines • Air India • Air India Express • British Airways • Egypt Air • Emirates • Etihad Airways • flydubai • Gulf Air • Indigo • Jazeera Airways • KLM • Kuwait Airways • Lufthansa • Oman Air • Pakistan Airlines • Pegasus Airlines • Qatar Airways • Saudi Arabian Airlines • Salam Air • SunExpress Airline • Turkish Airlines • Wizz Air.

transportationAirport 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, outside exit 4, in the 4A zone. Fares: Your best option is to purchase a Go Card from the driver at the cost of BHD 1. A single trip will cost you BHD 0.275. Alternatively, you can buy a single ticket for BHD 0.300. For 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, opposite Gate 1 and 2. There are plenty of agencies available on-site, including: Allied • Budget • Enterprise • Future • Hertz • Prima • Sixt • Trans Gulf • UDrive • We Rent a Car.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update we could not find any hotels that provide airport shuttle service.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Ride Sharing

Uber is available at Bahrain Airport. A ride to the city centre will cost you about €13 to €15.

Taxi

Taxis are available in the Car Park B area 24 hours a day. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.

Bahrain Airport Photo Gallery

Related Pages: Bahrain Airport Photos

Last updated: 2024-02-06

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is 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 websites. 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.