Bahrain International Airport is about 10 km from Manama city centre. The country is small and distances are short, which keeps transfer costs reasonable compared to other Gulf airports.
Price comparison by destination
| Destination | Distance | Taxi | Pre-booked transfer | Ride-hailing | |---|---|---|---|---| | Manama centre | 10 km | BHD 5-8 (EUR 12-20) | BHD 8-15 (EUR 20-37) | BHD 3-6 (EUR 7-15) | | Seef District | 12 km | BHD 6-9 (EUR 15-22) | BHD 10-16 (EUR 25-40) | BHD 4-7 (EUR 10-17) | | Juffair | 8 km | BHD 4-6 (EUR 10-15) | BHD 7-12 (EUR 17-30) | BHD 3-5 (EUR 7-12) | | Amwaj Islands | 5 km | BHD 3-5 (EUR 7-12) | BHD 6-10 (EUR 15-25) | BHD 2-4 (EUR 5-10) | | Riffa | 20 km | BHD 8-12 (EUR 20-30) | BHD 12-20 (EUR 30-50) | BHD 6-10 (EUR 15-25) | | King Fahd Causeway | 25 km | BHD 10-15 (EUR 25-37) | BHD 15-25 (EUR 37-62) | BHD 8-12 (EUR 20-30) |
What affects the price
Bahrain taxis use meters, but the airport taxi counter sets a fixed fare before you get in. This means no surprises. Rush hour traffic (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM) adds time but typically not cost when using the fixed-fare system.
Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem use dynamic pricing, so fares may increase slightly during peak hours or late at night. In general, ride-hailing is the cheapest option for solo travellers.
Pre-booked transfers cost more than taxis because they include meet-and-greet service, flight monitoring, and guaranteed availability. The difference is modest given how short the distances are in Bahrain.
Tipping and extras
Tipping is not mandatory in Bahrain but rounding up or adding BHD 0.500-1 (EUR 1-2.50) is appreciated. Tolls do not apply for airport routes. If you are crossing the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia, there is a BHD 2 (EUR 5) bridge toll each way, usually included in quoted transfer prices but not always in taxi fares.
The cheapest option
Public bus Route 1 costs BHD 0.200 (EUR 0.50) to Manama Bus Terminal. It is very cheap but runs infrequently and not at night. For most travellers, a ride-hailing app offers the best balance of price and convenience at BHD 3-6 (EUR 7-15) to central Manama.