The national airline serving Bahrain is Gulf Air (GF).

From Bahrain to London is approximately seven hours 15 minutes, to Los Angeles is 18 hours 15 minutes and to New York is 13 hours 30 minutes.

Bahrain 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 (travel 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 (Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz) and car parking.

BHD3 (approximately US$8). Children under two years of age and transit passengers not leaving the airport are exempt.

Main 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 (travel time – 16 hours). A port tax of BHD3 may be payable.

A car drive to Dhahran (Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) takes approximately one 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.

Several flights a week leave from Bahrain International Airport for other destinations within Bahrain. For further details, contact a local travel or tour operator.

Transport between the smaller islands is by motorboat or dhow. For details, contact local travel agents.

Manama 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 recognisable by a yellow circle with the licence 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 licence (if applicable) will be valid for three months only.