Social ConventionsTraditional beliefs and customs are strong influences and people are generally more formal than Westerners. Attitudes to women are more liberal than in most Gulf States. Homosexuality, however, is illegal. Video cassettes will be withheld on arrival at the airport. It is illegal for Muslims to purchase alcohol from retail outlets. It is acceptable to sit cross-legged on cushions or sofas in people’s homes but it is still insulting to display the soles of the feet or shoes or to accept food or anything else with the left hand. It is polite to drink two small cups
of coffee or tea when offered. Guests will generally be expected to share a bedroom since guest bedrooms and privacy are almost unknown. Sports clothes may be worn in the street and short dresses are acceptable; however, revealing clothing should be avoided. Smoking is very common and cheap by European standards.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline serving Bahrain is
Gulf Air (GF).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsBahrain International (BAH) (Muharraq) (website:
www.bahrainairport.com) is 6.5km (4 miles) northeast of Manama.
To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services run across the causeway to the main island (journey time – 15 minutes).
Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, first aid, bars, snack bars, restaurants, nursery, prayer room, tourist information, post office, car hire and car parking.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Mina Salman,
Mina Manama and
Mina Muharraq. These ports offer a quick and efficient entry into the country from all parts of the world. Passenger ferries operate between Iran and Bahrain (journey time – 16 hours). A port tax may be payable.
Getting There by RoadA car drive to Dhahran (Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Bahrain using the King Fahad Causeway. A toll fee of approximately BD2 is payable by persons driving out of Bahrain. Normal Saudi Arabian visa regulations apply.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Bahrain by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco in opened packets;
1l of alcoholic beverages and six cans of beer (non-Muslim passengers only);
8oz of perfume; and gifts up to the value of BHD250 (approximately US$600).
Firearms, ammunition, drugs, methylated spirits and jewelry. There is also a temporary ban on all live poultry and birds from Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong [SAR]), Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Korea (Rep), Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirSeveral flights a week leave from Bahrain International Airport for other destinations within Bahrain. For further details, contact a local travel or tour operator.
Getting Around by WaterTransport between the smaller islands is by motorboat or
dhow. For details, contact local travel agents.
Getting Around by RoadManama is served by an excellent road system. Traffic drives on the right. Road signs are written in English and Arabic.
Bus: Routes now serve most of the towns and villages.
Taxi: Metered taxis are readily available. They can be hired in the street or from stands outside hotels and at major tourist attractions. They are identifiable by their orange side-wings and yellow number plates. Taxis waiting outside hotels may charge more. Share-taxis which carry up to five passengers are also available. These are recognizable by a yellow circle with the license number in black painted on the driver’s door and by their white and orange number plates. There are several designated pick-up points. Meters are not used and fares should always be agreed beforehand. Radio cabs are also available.
Car hire: Most of the major international car hire companies operate in Bahrain with representatives at the airport and at big hotels.
Traffic regulations: Speed restrictions are in place: 100kph (60mph) on highways and between 50-80kph (30-50mph) on all other roads.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is necessary (must be obtained prior to arrival) and must be endorsed by the Traffic and Licensing Directorate. Valid UK license (if applicable) will be valid for three months only.
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