Getting around
Moderate
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: mtt.gov.bh, busjump.com
Overall4.7/10Harder to get around than about 60% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Public buses are affordable and safe, especially on main routes during daytime; stick to central terminals for predictable schedules.
- Rideshare apps (Uber/Careem) available 24/7; use them for late-night travel or when buses aren't running, as public transport is minimal after evening.
- Old Manama around Bab Al Bahrain souq is genuinely walkable and pedestrian-friendly; Seef and Juffair require transport.
- Taxi meters exist but not all drivers adhere to them; app-based services (Bahrain Taxi, Uber, Careem) offer transparent, metered pricing.
- Summer heat (extreme) and lack of sidewalks make prolonged walking uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe; plan shorter walking segments or use transport.
- A metro system is under construction with the first phase expected to open in 2025, which will expand public transit options.
Taxis
- Types
- Traditional metered taxis (beige/white) and app-based services (Bahrain Taxi, Speedy Motors)
- Per Km
- BHD 0.25
- Payment
- Cash (Bahraini Dinar) preferred; credit cards not universally accepted
- Airport Surcharge
- BHD 2.00
Base Fare
- Night
- BHD 1.50
- Daytime
- BHD 1.00
Car Rental
- Availability
- International providers (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt) at airport and city center
- Driving Notes
- Right-hand traffic; aggressive/fast-paced driving common; jaywalkers and bikers weaving through traffic; peak rush hours 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM; roads well-maintained and clearly marked
Walkability
- Overview
- Manama has mixed walkability. The old city quarters around Bab Al Bahrain and the souq are pedestrian-friendly with narrow alleyways suitable for walking. However, commercial areas like Seef are less walkable and require public transport or taxis. The hot climate, lack of dedicated sidewalks in many areas, and aggressive traffic patterns make prolonged walking challenging, especially during summer months.
- Getting Around Tier
- moderate
- Getting Around Tier Rationale
- Manama offers multiple transport modes—walkable neighborhoods for specific districts, affordable buses with regular routes, and reliable rideshare apps (Uber/Careem)—but distances between neighborhoods and heat reduce car-free mobility relative to urban centers with stronger transit infrastructure.
Public Transit
- Coverage
- 28 bus routes covering Manama, Muharraq, Isa Town, Riffa, and Bahrain International Airport
- Reliability
- Main lines (e.g., airport-downtown routes) run regularly and relatively on time; secondary routes may experience delays
- System Name
- Bahrain Public Transport Company (BPTC)
- Service Hours
- Early morning to late evening; limited service on weekends and holidays; buses generally unavailable after late evening
- Payment Methods
- Cash on bus or GO Card (rechargeable smart card)
Fares
- Day pass
- BHD 0.70
- Single Trip
- BHD 0.30
- Monthly pass
- BHD 14
Bike And Scooter Rental
- Status
- Limited data; e-scooters mentioned in transport context but no dedicated rental pricing found. Bicycles not permitted on buses unless folded. Hot climate and traffic conditions limit active mobility appeal.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this walkability & transport research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Manama
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.