Capital Governorate is the heart of Bahrain: Manama's old souq and Bab Al Bahrain, the National Museum and Al Fateh Grand Mosque, the Adliya dining district and the waterfront towers of Bahrain Bay sit within a short taxi ride of each other.
- Public
- Bahrain Public Transport Company (BPTC) buses run about 26 routes with more than 650 stops under the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications; fares are BHD 0.300 cash (~$0.80). Routes are limited in the evening and there is no metro in service.
- Taxi
- Licensed metered taxis, Careem and the local Yelo app operate across Manama; app fares are shown before booking.
- Rental
- Useful for sights outside Capital Governorate (Bahrain Fort, Tree of Life, Sakhir) and for flexibility; driving is on the right and roads are good.
- Walking
- Pleasant in Manama Souq, Adliya Block 338 and Bahrain Bay from November to March; summer heat makes long walks unsafe, and pavements are patchy outside the centre.
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 2/5
- Taxi
- 4/5
- Rental
- 4/5
- Walking
- 2/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metered taxi from the taxi rank at Car Park B in front of the terminal | BHD 5-7 (~$13-19) to central Manama | About 15-25 minutes depending on traffic, 24 hours a day | |
| Careem or Yelo app ride | BHD 5-8 (~$13-21), price shown before booking | About 15-25 minutes | |
| BPTC public bus from the airport (reported as route A2 to Manama; confirm on the bus services page) | BHD 0.300 (~$0.80) cash | About 30-45 minutes; limited late-night service |
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Licensed taxis in Bahrain must use a meter. Tariff reported from March 2026: start about BHD 1.000 on weekdays 06:00-22:00 and BHD 1.250 at night, Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, plus a per-kilometre charge; an airport pickup charge of about BHD 2.000 applies. Careem and Yelo show fares in advance.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Capital Governorate is compact: the airport, Manama Souq, Adliya, Juffair, Seef and Bahrain Bay are all within about 15 km. Taxis and ride-hailing handle most trips; BPTC buses are the budget option.
Airports
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Carry small notes and coins (BHD 0.300 per bus trip in cash); drivers may not give change for large notes.
A GO card can be bought from drivers or BPTC points of sale and gives a slightly lower fare (BHD 0.275, ~$0.73) with a daily cap of about BHD 0.700 (~$1.86) (2025 figures; confirm on the bus).
Use Careem or Yelo after dark when buses are infrequent; both show the price before you ride.
If hailing a street taxi, ask the driver to switch on the meter before leaving; do not agree a flat fare.
Bus and taxi supply thins out on Fridays morning and during Ramadan evenings; allow extra time.
Check bus routes and timetables on the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications bus services page (mtt.gov.bh/projects/bus-services).