Expats should be aware that getting used to transport and driving in Bahrain will likely take some time. That said, the island's diminutive size means that this adjustment is somewhat less dramatic than in larger countries.
As public transport options are limited to bus services, most expats find that driving is the easiest and most convenient way to get around in Bahrain. Driving on the island is generally safe, but traffic can be a headache.
Public transport in Bahrain
Buses
The primary mode of public transport in Bahrain is buses. Free WiFi is available on board. All buses have air conditioning, and an increasing number of bus terminals across the island are air-conditioned as well. Buses are plentiful and cover just about anywhere one would need to go on the island.
The bus system is complex to navigate, and route maps aren't easy to understand, but a Bahrain Bus app is available to download, which makes navigating the bus system a lot easier. Otherwise, expats can speak to a staff member at the bus station for assistance.
Fares can be paid using a GO Card. They can be topped up using machines on buses or at stations and are the cheapest and easiest payment method for the buses.
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Taxis in Bahrain
Taxis are reliable and plentiful in Bahrain's main city centres. All taxis are required to make use of a meter, so expats should check to make sure the driver has activated the meter to ensure a fair price.
Uber is also available in Bahrain, which can be cheaper than regular taxis, and expats will have the added benefit of knowing the fare beforehand.
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Driving in Bahrain
Most expats living in Bahrain have a car. In the heat of the summer, air-conditioned transport is essential even to drive to the local shop.
Driving in Bahrain is on the right-hand side of the road, and traffic is commonly regulated by roundabouts. Road signs are usually in both Arabic and English, and roads are generally well-maintained.
Expats will need to convert their licence from home to a local driving licence. To do so, they need to take their licence, passport and Bahrain ID card to the General Directorate of Traffic. Applicants will have to pass an optometry test and attend a theoretical lecture. Once this is done, they will be issued a Bahrain driving licence.
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Cycling in Bahrain
Although there is a lack of cycling infrastructure in Bahrain, the island is home to a handful of cycling groups. Bahrain's small size and flat landscape should make commuting by bicycle easy, but it can get unbearably hot. Most cyclists use their bikes for recreation rather than transport.