For visitors wishing to fly to Manama, the ultra-modern Bahrain International Airport is located just east of the city in Muharraq. The airport is the regional hub for Gulf Air, which has routes all over the Middle East region as well as flights to most major cities throughout Europe, North and East Africa, and Asia. Along with Gulf Air, other carriers serving the airport include British Airways, Emirates and KLM.

The newly overhauled airport has a host of comfortable facilities for those in transit to enjoy, including numerous business and first-class lounges, banking and currency exchange, duty-free shops, international cuisine, bars, a post office and prayer rooms. There is also accommodation if needed for early or late flights.

Taxis offer transport from the airport into the city, while hire cars are also available from international and local firms.

With the King Fahd causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, there is an array of bus routes connecting between the two countries. Saptco Bus Company offers daily connections to Saudi cities including Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. Excellent discounts are available and children under two years old travel for free, along with half-price discounts for students.

Public transport within the city of Manama includes buses and taxis. The bus network can be confusing for visitors with the language barrier and lack of maps and timetables. Taxis are in abundance and relatively inexpensive; just be sure to insist on using the meter. Car rental is available, with foreign visitors needing a passport and a valid driving licence from their home country.