Travel Facts
Bahrain International Airport
Bahrain International Airport is an ultra - modern, fully-integrated terminal having facilities like a bussiness centre, various lounges offering international-standard level of services, transit lounge, mosque, bank, cafteria, etc. Duty Free shops in the departure and arrival areas offer great value for money and are open 365 days of the year.
Visa Regulation
GCC nationals do not require a visa to visit the Kingdome of Bahrain. Expatriates holing resident visas of the GCC countries and visiting Bahrain are given, on arrival at Bahrain International Airport, tourist visas are valid for 72 hours and up to 7 days. Citizens of most of the European Union Countries, USA, Australia as well as several other Far East nations are also given visa on arrival. The visa charges are to be paid directly at the Immigrations Department on Arrival. Visa issuance is entirely at the discretion of the Immigrations officer and , since regulations can change from time to time, visitors should check the same while making travel plans.
Customs
The kingdom Of Bahrain allows a resonable amount of personal belonging to be brought duty free into the country. However, import of excessive items having commercial value will be subject to customs duty. The Kingdom also prohibits imports of objectionable goods and imposes a severe penalty on drug traffickers. to avoid and delays on arrival in Bahrain, it is advaisable to check with the airlines or Bahrain Embassy in your country of origin about such formalities.
Religion
Islam is the religion of the Kingdom Of Bahrain. However, other religions also exist among the expatriate working force in the country.
Language
While Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken throughout the kingdom of Bahrain.
Currency
The Bahrain Dinar (BD) is the official currency of kingdom od bahrain, and is available in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500fils, and currency notes of 1, 5, 10 and 20 only. The current prevailing exchange rate is: US$.1.00 = BD.0.377. Currently there is no currency import or export restriction imposed by the Government.
Banking
Various local and international banking institutions are available for banking activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The normal opening hours for banks are: 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, though some banks are open longer hours and even work on Saturdays.
Credit Card
All international credit cards are acceptable at the major shopping centers as well as hotels, etc in Bahrain.
Climate
Though one can visit Bahrain at any time of the year, October to Mid March is considered the best time for tourist activity. Temperatures here vary from between 20-35 degrees centigrade from April to September, and between 16 – 25 degrees centigrade from October to March.
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