Money Matters in Bahrain

Info and tips for all things payment related.

 The official currency of Bahrain is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD).

  • The Bahraini Dinar is further divided into 1,000 fils.
  • Banknotes: The dinar is available in various denominations of banknotes, including 1, 5, 10, and 20 dinars, among others. The design and security features of the banknotes may change over time, so it's essential to check for the latest versions.
  • Coins: Coins are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 fils.

Bahrain has a well-developed banking infrastructure, and ATMs are widely available in urban areas. Travelers can easily withdraw cash in Bahraini Dinars using international credit or debit cards.

Bargaining

It is okay to bargain for: some items sold in markets, taxi fares on unscheduled runs, things bought roadside

Avoid bargaining for: taxi/bus fares between scheduled stops, food in most shops, meals and beverages

AVOID:

  • Showing too much interest in or too great a need for a particular item.
  • Looking too much like a tourist.
  • Having no idea of what an item is really worth, or what it usually goes for. You can seek information in a nearby shop, out of sight, that does not sell that item and ask how much it goes for, then add a little; it's probably last year's wholesale price in a cheaper shop across town.
  • Being in a hurry.
  • Never buy an item the first time you see it. Express generic interest in it, as with anything else you would be looking at, and see what the going price is in a few other shops so you have an idea of what price to negotiate for

Money Safety

 We suggest that you bring a $300 in cash and withdraw additional amounts from an ATM or bank if needed. In general, cash is the easiest and most common form of payment.

There is no need to open a bank account in Bahrain. The easiest way to have access to your money is to bring an ATM, debit, and/or credit card linked to your US bank account (or any other country). If your PIN number is longer than 4 numbers, you should change it to 4 numbers before you leave. Check with your bank for details about any fees that they charge, and alert your bank that you will be abroad so that they don’t freeze your account at least a few days prior to your departure. Some students temporarily add their parents as a joint account holder, to deal with any problems that may arise during your time abroad with the bank.

Tipping

The going rate for tipping in restaurants and cafes is between 10-15% depending on how pleased (or not) you are with your waiter/waitress. 10% is usually the minimum.

You do not have to tip taxi drivers. However, it is nice to round up. for example if your ride cost 25.70, you should round up to 26 BHD.