Manama, the bustling capital of Bahrain, is a relatively compact city, but first-time visitors quickly learn that getting around efficiently takes some local know-how. Transportation options include taxis, public buses, and rental cars – each with its own quirks and advantages. This guide covers the reality of each mode: official rules and rates, common pitfalls, and tips to move around the city and island. The goal is to give a clear, practical picture of Manama’s transit scene, without hype or clichés, so travelers can plan their journeys with confidence.
Taxis are ubiquitous in Manama, but riders often face complexities. By law, meters are supposed to start at BD 1.000 and then add BD 0.200 (200 fils) per kilometer. In practice, however, many drivers deactivate or cover the meter, forcing passengers to haggle over fares. Travel guides note that meters may be “broken, covered, missing or just ignored,” so tourists usually need to negotiate a price before setting off. It is indeed a legal requirement that a running meter determines the fare, and savvy travelers are advised to insist on using it or to refuse the ride if the driver will not start it. Expat guides warn that drivers who do not run the meter are violating the law, and passengers can demand the officer-enforced rule: if the meter is not used, the ride should be free. In short, always check that the meter is on, or clarify the fare up front, to avoid disputes later.
Because of the meter issue, experienced visitors often treat Manama taxis similarly to informal cabs elsewhere: agree on a fare first. A typical journey across town usually costs only a few dinars if the meter runs properly. For example, traveling within central Manama generally runs about BD 3–5. This matches the official guideline that short trips within the city should be just a few dinars, but drivers may quote much higher amounts if unchallenged. Some sources report rare cases of overcharging – one traveler’s anecdote cites a driver demanding BD 50 for a short ride that should have cost around BD 5. These extreme cases are unusual but underscore the need for caution. As a rule, sticking to licensed services and firmly negotiating or insisting on the meter will typically protect you from exorbitant charges.
One important tariff note: airport taxis add a standard flat fee. Official regulations stipulate an extra BD⯯2.000 on top of the meter if you board a taxi from the Bahrain International Airport. This charge is printed on airport taxi stands and is non-negotiable. Outside the airport, there is also a common BD⯯1.000 surcharge at hotel ranks for those entering from hotels, but again, this should be clearly indicated on the cab’s rate card. When in doubt, confirm the total fare (meter plus any surcharges) with the driver before leaving the stand or curb.
For clarity and safety, travelers should pay attention to the taxi’s appearance. In Manama, the government-certified taxis are silver-and-red cars (usually Toyota Corollas) and the older London-style black-and-yellow cabs. Local advice is to “always use the white with red roof or London-style taxis” from major locations like the airport. These liveries indicate licensed taxis that must use meters by law. Do not board unmarked or non-metered cars, even if they offer a seemingly low fare. If you accidentally flag down an unlicensed private taxi, you may pay more with no recourse. Major hotels and malls typically have official taxi stands with these marked cabs waiting outside, and those are generally the safest option to be sure of a regulated service.
Available taxi companies further illustrate the landscape. Bahrain’s official radiotaxi firms include Speedy Motor Service (SMS) Radio-Meter Taxis and Bahrain Limo (run by the Saudi-Bahraini Transport Company, SABTCO). SMS is the oldest and most trusted radiotaxi service in the kingdom, with 24/7 operations and the ability to book rides in advance. Bahrain Limo, a SABTCO sister company, also operates a fleet of metered taxis and limousines. Both can be called or booked by phone and use working meters, so they are generally more reliable and less prone to overcharging than hailing a random car on the street. (Several other firms exist – for example, the Bahrain Taxi Group operates hundreds of meter taxis with online booking – but SMS and Bahrain Limo are most commonly cited for quality and safety.) Regardless, even with a reputable company, it’s wise to confirm any special fare or fee before riding.
In practice, finding a taxi in Manama is usually easy at busy hubs but harder on a random street. Outside of peak areas, you may need to walk to a main street or call for one. Hotels, malls, and major bus terminals typically have taxi stands where a few licensed cabs wait. During daytime, there are plenty by the malls in Seef, City Centre, and Al-Fateh Highway; evenings see more in district centers like Juffair. Ride-hailing apps now operate here (e.g. Careem or Bolt), but even those will summon one of these same metered taxis, and overcharging can still occur if the app is disabled. As a practical tip, always note the meter reading at the start. If a driver refuses to use the meter, you have the right to report him to the police under Bahraini law.
Overall, taxis in Bahrain provide a convenient door-to-door option – but they require vigilance. The golden rules are: insist on the meter, or agree a price upfront; prefer officially marked vehicles; and recognize that fares are surprisingly low (a 5–10 minute ride in the city is typically only a few dinars). Travelers should be prepared to speak up, as some drivers will push for extra money. Stick to licensed radiotaxis (by phone or at stands) as much as possible. When used carefully, taxis offer flexible transit around Manama without needing to navigate public schedules or roads yourself.
Bahrain’s public bus system offers the cheapest way to travel, though it has long been underused by tourists. As of 2025, a single one-way ticket on city buses costs only BD 0.250 (250 fils). All-day and monthly passes are also available: for example, a day pass costs about BD 0.600 (600 fils). These fares are attractively low, comparable to a few U.S. quarters for an entire journey across Manama. However, for many years until recently, the bus network was limited and confusing. Riders often found it “not as robust as one might expect,” with maps and timetables hard to obtain. English schedules were scarce until 2015, and many routes did not cover the city’s main attractions or neighborhoods. As a result, foreign visitors typically avoided buses in the past, preferring taxis or rental cars even for short hops. The buses themselves were older and less comfortable, which further discouraged use.
That picture changed dramatically after early 2015. In April 2015 the government launched an ambitious overhaul of the bus network. A private operator (the Bahrain Public Transport Company, in partnership with the Transport Ministry) rolled out 77 brand-new, air-conditioned buses on an expanded network of 22 routes – more than doubling the previous coverage. This phase-one network was designed to serve 77% of the population and link districts that were previously inaccessible by public transit. Schedules and maps were published online and in bus stations, making it much easier for outsiders to plan trips. Since then, authorities have continued adding routes and vehicles; by 2025 about 140 buses operate on 26 lines, around the clock and seven days a week. In short, the modern system now exists to transport Bahrainis and visitors reliably – but first-timers should still do some homework to navigate it.
Today’s buses are clean, wheelchair-accessible, and equipped with rider-friendly features. Each bus has a low floor and a ramp for wheelchairs and strollers, and priority seating is marked for the elderly, women, and families. Digital destination displays and announcements (in both Arabic and English) show each stop. The entire fleet offers free onboard Wi-Fi (often marketed as “4G internet”) and security cameras, amenities unheard of on the old buses. Bus stops have seen upgrades as well: many have shaded waiting areas and real-time arrival screens. All of these improvements mean that using the bus is far more comfortable and convenient than it was a decade ago.
Nonetheless, even the new network has some gaps that travelers should know. Not all tourist sites lie directly on a bus line. For example, the famous Tree of Life (a lone tree in the desert south of Manama) is not accessible by any public route at all. A visitor will need a car or a taxi to reach it, since buses pass only along nearby highways. Similarly, certain outer towns or tourist spots require transfers or walking from the nearest stop. Travel guides still caution that while major destinations like downtown museums, malls, and the capital’s landmarks are covered, others may involve an extra connection. If you rely on buses for sightseeing, check the Bahrain Bus website or app for updated route maps, and allow extra time for walking. (Fortunately, the official transit planner and updated smartphone app make it easier to plot these multi-leg trips than in the past.)
Ridership on the new system has climbed rapidly. Today, average daily passengers exceed 30,000, with over one million riders in December 2024 alone. This implies that locals use it increasingly for commuting and errands. For a visitor, the important takeaway is that buses are now a viable option for many trips at very low cost – but they still require patience. Buses operate every 15–30 minutes on main routes during daytime, and less frequently late at night. Always check the schedule: routes A1, A2, etc. each serve key corridors (for instance, the A1 route runs from the airport through central Manama to Isa Town). Plan at least 10–15 minutes longer than a taxi would take, and be prepared that a driver might occasionally skip a stop in heavy traffic (though this is far less common than in the old system).
To summarize the bus option: fares are extremely cheap (quarter-dinar single tickets, or around $2.65 per month for unlimited travel). The network has expanded since 2015 with new, modern vehicles, cleaner stations, and amenities like free Wi-Fi. Still, foreigners often find the routes and timetables confusing on first encounter. If you choose buses, use official resources (the Bahrain Bus website and maps) to plan your journey, and consider asking hotel staff or Google Maps for the best bus to a sight. Keep in mind that buses may not stop right at every attraction, so some walking or taxi transfers could be needed. When used appropriately, the public buses can stretch your travel budget considerably and give an authentic local experience, especially for longer-distance intercity trips (such as between Manama and Riffa or Isa Town).
Many visitors find that renting a car is the most flexible way to explore Bahrain’s small island. As a guide notes, rental cars in Manama typically cost BD 10–20 per day. (By way of comparison, this is roughly $26–53 USD as of 2025.) Mileage is almost always unlimited and insurance included in these rates. That means you can freely drive anywhere on the island without worrying about extra kilometers fees. For context, Bahrain is only about 55 km long and 22 km wide, so hitting the usual speed limits (50 km/h in the city, 80–100 km/h on highways) allows you to cover it from north to south in under an hour. In short, once you have the keys, you have the freedom to reach any site on your own schedule.
The main cluster of car rental offices is near the Lulu Centre in Manama (the city’s busy transport hub). In fact, if you arrive by intercity bus at Lulu Centre’s parking, you literally walk out of the bus gate to find rows of rental counters in the buildings just across the road. The instruction is simple: “turn your back from the centre’s entrance, walk out of the parking, and you’ll find car rentals in the group of buildings across the road”. Major international and local agencies operate here, as well as in the hotels and at the airport. Some travelers also find storefront offices along busy thoroughfares. If you prefer, you can arrange airport pick-up when booking in advance; otherwise, many people hire a cab to Lulu and pick up a car there. Either way, the advantage is a dense choice of providers all in one place.
Once on the road, navigation in Bahrain is generally easy. The island is well connected by highways and roundabouts, and distances are short. However, signage is limited. Drivers are strongly advised to use a GPS navigation system or a detailed map. Road signs exist, but maps note they can be scarce and sometimes confusing, especially in less-touristed areas. It’s quite feasible for a newcomer to end up in a different town by taking the wrong highway exit, so double-check your route. On the plus side, all road signs and speed-limit postings are in both English and Arabic. Major intersections are clearly marked, so a bit of preparation (download offline maps or use a good app) should suffice.
One should also observe Bahraini traffic rules carefully. Speeding is penalized heavily: city roads are generally limited to 50 km/h, while highways range from 80 to 100 km/h. Police radar enforcement cameras are common on main roads. Fines for violations can be steep – for example, speeding or illegal lane changes often carry fines of tens of dinars. That said, enforcement is somewhat uneven outside central Manama; travelers report that minor infractions (like slight speeding) sometimes go unpunished on secondary routes. Nonetheless, it is best to assume strict compliance will be enforced, especially on highways and in built-up areas. Always buckle up (seatbelts are mandatory), avoid any mobile phone use while driving, and never drive after alcohol – penalties for DUI are very harsh. In sum, drive defensively but expect that Bahrain’s roads themselves are in good condition and not terribly congested outside of rush hours.
Finally, remember that Bahrain drives on the right. Roundabouts are ubiquitous and may be narrower than you’re used to; vehicles inside the roundabout have the right of way. Parking is plentiful in Manama: many shops and malls provide free parking, and street parking is generally free but must not block traffic. Rental agencies will also explain the fuel policy – in practice, engines run on gasoline (petrol) at relatively low cost (around BHD 0.200–0.300 per liter, depending on global prices). You can fill up at any of the many service stations without fuss. Check what insurance the rental covers (Collision Damage Waiver is standard for accidents). In most cases, the car rental deposit with insurance provides sufficient protection for collisions; the rental company is reliable and transparent about any deductibles.
Each transportation mode in Manama has trade-offs:
In all cases, safety, courtesy, and preparation are key. Double-check fares and routes, carry small bills (cabs may not give change easily), and keep an eye on traffic and pedestrians. Manama’s streets are typically safe, and the driving environment is fairly calm, but the city’s rapid growth means new roads and construction zones can surprise newcomers.
Overall, combining modes is often the best approach. For many first-time visitors, an initial taxi ride from the airport or ferry terminal to the hotel makes sense. Once settled, one might use a mix: short hops in town by taxi, some longer hauls by rental car, and perhaps a bus if you’re venturing to a distant mall or neighborhood on the cheap. With this practical understanding of each mode – official taxi rates and rules, the strengths and quirks of buses, and the realities of car rental – a first-time visitor can navigate Manama confidently and avoid the common travel hassles. Safe travels and enjoy your visit to Bahrain’s capital.
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