Bahrain's reputation as a relatively liberal and modern Gulf state has made it a favourite with travellers in the region and an excellent introduction to the Middle East. It was once the seat of one of the great trading empires of the ancient world, and is evocative of the... Read the overview

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Getting there and away

Europe has the best air connections with Bahrain; the best fares are usually from London, Italy or Greece. Flights from the US tend to be expensive and harder to find; fares are cheapest during the low seasons of early January to mid-June and mid-October to mid-December. Routes between Bahrain and other Arab countries in the Gulf are well served. Flights from India and South-East Asia tend to be inexpensive, with especially good deals from Bangkok or Delhi. There's an airport departure tax of around USD 8.00 .

Getting around

Bahrain has a decent bus service linking most of the major towns with Manama and Muharraq. You can cover parts of central Manama and Muharraq on foot, though renting a car will make it easier to get to farther-flung attractions. There are agencies in Manama at the big hotels. You'll need to get an International Driving Permit before entering the country (you can't get one once you're there); driving is on the right. Bahrain's taxis are metered, but for longer trips expect to negotiate an hourly rate.