The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, which was scheduled on April 10-12, will not take place due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Flights to Bahrain
Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is situated just east of Bahrain’s capital, Manama. It’s the home of Gulf Air, the flag carrying airline of Bahrain, which offers direct flights from the Middle East, Europe and parts of Asia (but not Australia, the USA or the Far East). On the ground, the best way to get around is to hire a car or use Uber/taxis as public transport is limited in Bahrain and doesn’t serve the Sakhir circuit. The race organizers also put on free shuttle buses from the airport to the circuit and to to/from selected hotels during race week, more information below.
Flights from Europe to Bahrain
- Direct flights: London (British Airways, Gulf Air), Paris (Gulf Air, Lufthansa), Athens (Gulf Air), Frankfurt (Gulf Air)
- Cheapest deals: Pegagus Airlines, Turkish Airlines
- Flight times: Approx 6 hours
Flights from USA to Bahrain
- No direct flights from the USA. Transit via Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- Cheapest deals: Turkish Airlines, Etihad, Emirates
- Flight times: Minimum 16 hours indirect from New York, more from West coast
Flights from Australia to Bahrain
- No direct flights from Australia
- Cheapest deals: Virgin Australia, Etihad, Emirates
- Flight times: Minimum 16-18 hours with a stopover from the East coast
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How to Get To Bahrain International Circuit
- Uber operates in Bahrain. Download the app and take advantage of the security of competitive, flat fares and cashless transactions.
- Taxi travel is the most convenient option for getting around Bahrain for a few days, though always make sure that the meter is visible and switched on or agree your fare with the driver before the journey begins. Tourists are frequently stung by inordinately high fares by taxi drivers pushing their luck. If in any doubt, politely ask your driver to switch on the meter, as the law states that a fare is free if the meter is not in operation! Reputable companies include Speedy Motor Taxis (+973 1768 2999) and Arabian Taxi (+973 1746 1746). A taxi from the airport to Manama should cost around 16 BHD ($42 USD) and a taxi from Manama to the Sakhir circuit should cost around 20 BHD ($53 USD) – Uber is normally significantly cheaper.
- Another option for travel to and from the track and around the city is a private chauffeur-driven car, which can be arranged by your hotel if preferred. You will pay a little more than a taxi, but the cars and service levels are better. Good limo companies include Bahrain Limo (+973 3966 6482), Bahrain Limousine (+973 1756 4545) and City Limo (+973 3334 9004).
- Renting a car can also be a good way to get around in Bahrain. Petrol is incredibly cheap at around 0.2 BHD ($0.53 USD) per litre. Don’t forget, there is zero tolerance for drink driving. More information about trackside parking at Bahrain International Circuit can be found here.
- Public buses are good for getting around Bahrain if you are on a budget, but they don’t service the Sakhir circuit. You can take the A1 bus from the airport to the center of Manama, one-way tickets cost just 275 fils ($0.73 USD). Click here for more information.
F1 Experiences Hotel Bookings & Circuit Transfers
Circuit transfers are available at the Bahrain Grand Prix for F1 Experiences guests who have booked their hotel together with an Official Ticket Package. F1 Experiences secures room allocations at some of the most sought-after hotels in Manama on race weekend, and return bus transfers from your hotel to Bahrain International Circuit can be added to your booking.
Free Shuttle Buses to the Bahrain Grand Prix
Free shuttle buses connect the airport, selected hotels and the circuit during the week of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Details and timetables for 2025 shuttles can be found below. Please note that shuttle buses run every 45 minutes during the hours listed. 2026 shuttle information will be available a few weeks before race weekend, and will be updated below.
- Airport to Selected Hotels: Monday April 7 to Sunday April 13 / 5am-midday & 3pm-3am
- Airport to the Circuit: Monday April 7 to Sunday April 13 / 5am-midday & 3pm-3am
- Selected Hotels to the Circuit: Thursday April 10 to Sunday April 13 / 10am-4pm
- Circuit to Selected Hotels & Airport: Thursday April 10 to Sunday April 13 / 6pm-11pm
- Selected Hotels to the Airport: After Race / 8pm-midnight (Sunday) & 6pm until midnight (Monday)
The free shuttle service services the following hotels during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. If you are staying at a nearby hotel that’s not part of the free shuttle route, it has always been possible to use this service upon presentation of your F1 tickets.
- Al Seef: The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain
- Diplomatic Area: InterContinental Bahrain by IHG / Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay / Downtown Rotana / Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbor
- Adliya: Gulf Hotel / Ramada by Wyndham Bahrain
- Al Juffair: The K Hotel / The Olive Hotel / Wyndham Garden Manama
- Sakhir (Near Circuit): Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa / Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain
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thanks
shoaib
Thanks Mohammed! We were trying to find contact details to ask for your permission, so thanks for getting in touch!
What was the traffic like from Manama to the circuit? If it was bad, does the shuttle bus service benefit from using a bus lane or an exclusive route to the circuit (e.g., the Liege to Spa-Francorchamps bus route has this, I believe)
I was at the race this year and the traffic wasn’t bad at all. I was driving a hire car. I think the worst traffic is actually later than you would expect, as many locals arrive at the circuit just before the F1 sessions or the race. But even bad traffic was only a delay of maybe 30 minutes. I don’t know if the shuttle buses use a priority lane, but in my experience it wouldn’t really be necessary.
Any information on parking at the circuit? Worth it? We are considering the car rental but don’t see info on parking on the F1 site like I have for other locations. Thank you!!
Hiring a car and driving to the circuit is definitely a good idea in Bahrain. Did it myself in 2022. I’m not 100% sure, but I believe the parking is free at the circuit (I was working so I had a pass). If not, I think it’s cheap. There’s plenty of parking next to the circuit, and traffic wasn’t bad unless you were going/leaving at peak times. It’s an easy drive on the motorway from Manama.
Hello! I am not staying in any of the hotels but i do stay in one thats pretty close. So it should not be a problem to go to the hotel and just hop on one of the busses showing my ticket of the race?
And for going back as well? That’s all ok?
Thank you!
Yes, this should be ok. As long as you show your ticket, you should be able to ride the shuttle bus both ways
Hi
Have the hotels the shuttle busses pickup/drop off at been announced?
I’ve checked and haven’t seen the info about shuttle buses confirmed yet for 2023.
Hi James, please see the confirmed details of shuttles here.
Is there food and activities at the circuit ?
I live in Canada and there’s a lot of action during the F1 event. However I’ve been to the Brazilian GP in 2019 and I was disappointed by the lack of activities and food.
Do we already know the race time for 2024? I assume after the race one can take the shuttle bus to the airport, but Pegasus flies at 2 am, so I wonder if that’s doable.
The race normally runs from 6-8pm local time, so you have plenty of time to catch your flight, even if there is some delay with the race. I flew out around 1:30am when I went to the race last year, it was no problem.
Hello,
Im planning to go to the 2024 bahrein gp and was wondering how does it work at the airport ? Meaning how to find/get on the shuttle bus?
Thank you
Just look for the information stand when you arrive. There’s also a special lane at immigration for F1 fans/workers. It’s all very well organized, you will be fine.
Hi there! I am planning on going to the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2024. My only concern is the timing of the shuttle buses – ending at 11pm. Will everything be done at this time? or will we need to leave the events early in order to get to the shuttle bus on time? Do the shuttle buses usually get super full – is there a possibility that we won’t get a spot on the bus?
You should be fine. If you are talking about race day (Saturday next year), the race should be finished by 8pm. If there are any delays to the track action, then the buses will run longer. It’s quite well organized and you shouldn’t have an issue getting a spot on one of the buses
Hello, I’ve secured my tickets for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, and I have a few inquiries:
1. Are attendees permitted to bring outside food into the Grand Prix venue? I’m considering bringing some local fare from the city.
2. Am I allowed to bring vlogging cameras, such as a GoPro or DJI Mini, to capture my experience at the event?
3. Are there any F1 fan groups where we could meet other fans and share rides (apart from the shuttles)
Hello.
1. Yes, I think it’s ok to bring food. List of prohibited items are here: https://gpdestinations.com/trackside-bahrain-grand-prix/
2. Yes, shouldn’t be a problem
3. Yes, we have a new group for fans going to the Bahrain GP, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245388395061370
hi there – is there a group on Instagram?
No, we have a group on Facebook for going to the Bahrain Grand Prix. Here is the link to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245388395061370
Hi There,
I just want to confirm if I need a visa to visit F1 in Bahrain?
Thank you.
Depends where you are from, but my understanding is that most international visitors need a visa. More info here: https://gpdestinations.com/travel-basics-bahrain-grand-prix/
Hello, very useful info here.
Just wanted to know about the drop off/pick up points for the shuttle buses. Do they serve all Granstands or only major ones?
Thanks.
Are you talking about the shuttle buses from downtown hotels and airport to the circuit? They all go to one central parking area behind the Main grandstand. If you are talking about internal circuit shuttles, I’m not 100% sure. But I think they only go between the fan zone (behind Main Grandstand) and the Victory and University grandstands. You can easily walk from the fan zone to Turn 1 grandstand.
Found out today that Ibis Seef is not on the shuttle bus schedule this year – a bummer as specifically booked this hotel based on previous shuttle schedules.
How bad is traffic after the race to go back to the hotels using the shuttle bus?
And is there a long line to get onto the busses after the race?
Basically, how long would it take to get back after the race?
It depends when you leave. There can be quite large queues at the peak time after the race, but if you are quicker (e.g. leave after the race but before the podium ceremony) or wait for an hour, it can be much easier to get on a bus. I would allow around 2 hours to get back to your hotel after the race, just to be sure, but it could be quicker