Bahrain Holidays, Flights & Travel Guide
The complete Bahrain travel guide - Bahrain
holidays & Bahrain flights.
Top destination guides for Bahrain
holidays;
Bahrain Holidays
and Travel Overview
Sophisticated, modern and
cosmopolitan, Bahrain, a kingdom of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf,
is welcoming an increasing number of international tourists who
come to experience the country's fascinating blend of eastern and
western cultures. It is one of few middle-Eastern countries where
the Government is currently prosperous and stable, and the capital,
Manama, on the main island, boasts excellent hotels, restaurants,
shopping malls, an intriguing souq (bazaar) and all the other
facilities visitors need for a great holiday. In addition, the
beaches are stunning, the weather hot and sunny, English is spoken
and understood everywhere, and the kingdom has the remnants of more
than 5,000 years of civilisation to be explored: its future as a
popular holiday destination for westerners, despite a currently
high risk of terrorist attacks, seems assured.
Back in the mists of time Bahrain was attached to the
Arabian Peninsula. Nature separated it from the mainland, but man
has now rejoined it with a 16-mile (25km) long causeway linking it
to Saudi Arabia. During construction of the causeway and a new road
network, the islands' archaeological significance came to light
with the discovery of thousands of burial mounds dating from the
third millennium BC, part of the well-ordered ancient city of
Dilmun that existed where a forest of skyscrapers now reaches for
the sky. Throughout its history Bahrain has been
prosperous, first on the strength of its good position for trade
and fishing, and the abundance and quality of the pearls found in
its waters, and more latterly because of its oil resources (Bahrain
was the first country in the Gulf to exploit its 'liquid
gold'). A visit to Bahrain, whether on business
or pleasure, is an interesting, relaxing and rewarding
experience.
Tourist Offices - Bahrain Tourist Office, Manama: +973 715
713 or www.bahraintourism.com
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Entry Requirements
for Bahrain Holidays & Bahrain Travel
All persons who wish to enter Bahrain need
a visa except citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates). Visas are
relatively easy to obtain on arrival and are extendable. All
visitors also require a passport valid for at least six months, and
tickets or documentation for return or onward
travel.
- For Australians -
Australians need a passport and an eVisa, obtainable
via the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh)
prior to their visit, or a 14-day tourist or business visa
obtainable on arrival.
- New Zealanders require a passport and an eVisa,
obtainable via the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh) prior to
their visit, or a 14-day tourist or business visa obtainable on
arrival.
- US citizens require a passport and a visa or
electronic visa to enter Bahrain. Single entry Electronic Visas may
be obtained on the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh)
before travel, or a 14-day tourist or business visa can be obtained
on arrival.
- US citizens require a passport and a visa or
electronic visa to enter Bahrain. Single entry Electronic Visas may
be obtained on the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh)
before travel, or a 14-day tourist or business visa can be obtained
on arrival.
- British nationals require a passport and an eVisa,
obtainable via the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh) prior to
their visit, or a three-month tourist or business visa obtainable
on arrival.
Currency of Bahrain
The official currency is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD),
divided into 1,000 fils. Notes come in denominations of 500 fils,
and 1, 5, 10 and 20 dinars. The BD is linked to the US Dollar at a
rate of US$1=BD 0.375. Money can be exchanged at the airport,
bureaux de change (which usually offer the best rates), commercial
banks in Manama or at moneychangers operating in the souq. ATMs are
available in the larger towns. Credit cards and travellers cheques
are widely accepted at hotels and the larger retail stores, but
smaller shops generally prefer cash. It is easiest to carry
travellers cheques in US dollars to avoid additional charges. Most
offices, businesses and government departments are closed on
fridays as it is a weekly holiday. Banks are usually open
7.30am-12pm and 3.30pm-5.30pm, Saturday to Wednesday, and
7.30am-11am Thursdays.
Bahrain
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international direct dialling code for
Bahrain is 973, and the outgoing code 00. There are no city or area
codes. Public phone booths are easily located, some accepting
freely available phone cards and some coins. The country is covered
by a GSM 900 and 1800 mobile phone network. There are several
Internet service providers and Internet is available at most of the
larger hotels in Manama.
Bahrain
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Bahrain over 18 years do not have
to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g tobacco (in open
packets); perfume up to 237ml; 1 litre alcoholic liquor and 6 cans
of beer for non-Muslim passengers only; and gifts to the value of
BD250. Arms and ammunition, methylated spirits, drugs and jewellery
require an Import Permit.
Bahrain
Holidays - Tipping Information
If service charge is not added to the bill,
waiters and taxi drivers expect a 10% tip. Porters will be happy
with about 100 fils per item of baggage.
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