Menu
Expat.com

Daily Transport from Bahrain to Khobar

Post new topic

Julesh kumar

Hey,
I am new in Khobar, working here with a multiple re entry visa for one year.
I heard that i can't bring my family here with this visa.
So i am planning to live in Bahrain and like to travel daily from there to Khobar.
Please let me know if someone provide daily transportation from Manama to Khobar in the morning and return trip in the evening.
Your messages are highly appreciated.
Thanks and Regards,
Julesh

See also

Iqama visa in Saudi ArabiaVisas in Saudi ArabiaQVP not showing Specialist Physician professionIqama TransferGAMCA tested positive for syphilis! Need your urgent advice please
RedTrumpet

Question: Do you have valid work permit (Iqama) in Saudi Arabia? Let me know first this info.

XTang

On the question, yes there are many people who do that for money but you are looking at 500-600 SAR for a round trip.

RedTrumpet

I'm telling you no person in right mind to spend SAR500~600 saudi riyals per day just for transport from Manama BAHRAIN to Al-Khobar KSA.

Equate SAR 500 x 24 days per month = SAR 12,000/month
Equate SAR 600 x 24 days per month = SAR 14,400/month

If the poster have valid Iqama (qualified to purchase second hand car) I recommend him to buy a car (SAR 1700/month or less amortization for 1 year) is good condition second hand car. Nowadays, car agency in KSA are in desperate situation to dispose cars returned by expats on final exit visas in very cheap price.

XTang

Another option is to find a car pool and share costs if you don't have an iqama. If you have an iqama, you can get a car as mentioned above.  But it depends on your stamina.... Driving across causeway during rush hour every day is a pain and will leave you tired.  I did it for a year and hated it.

There are people who pay this amount but they are on very high salary ranges - one guy in my company has a long term arrangement so pays around 450. But its a waste of money in my opinion. I do Riyadh Bahrain every week for 1800 SAR return but its a 5 hour trip so too much hassle to drive.

RedTrumpet

XTang wrote:

I do Riyadh Bahrain every week for 1800 SAR return but its a 5 hour trip so too much hassle to drive.


I’m little bit concerned for your safety and comfort for a meager sum of SAR 1,800 weekly 5 hours journey from Riyadh to Bahrain in a risky road (Riyadh to Bahrain highway). What I’m saying is this, why not book a flight for SAR 750/flight x 2 = SAR 1,500. Duration of flight average 60 minutes per one way,  more safer and faster.

XTang

There is a science behind it :)

1) Riyadh to Bahrain flights are at around 6-7 pm or 9-10 pm.  My office is one hour drive from airport so to reach 2 hours before, I would need to leave office 3 hours early which is impossible for the earlier flights (and keep in mind these flights are packed for gulf air due to labor connecting to Pakistan / India via Bahrain). So I would have to take the 9-10 pm. So assume 3 hours, then 1 hour flight and then 40 mins to home.  I get home by 11 or 12 depending on flight .... With total time of 5 hours from the time I leave office
2) By road, I leave 5 and reach 10 or 1030. Same 5 hours but no rushing or waiting.... Just sleeping in car and 2 hours more with family

Lastly there is huge amounts of flexibility in car eg if I am running late or early, the driver waits or comes early.

Yes plane is cheaper and faster (only in flight time not to total time) but no flexibility.  I have done Jeddah dubai for 2 years by plane every week but there was no choice due to distance.  I was dead all the time..... Jeddah to dubai flight at midnight and return was 3-4 in the morning.

RedTrumpet

The true Science is that there are 40 direct flights from Riyadh to Bahrain from airline Saudia, Emirates, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, etc.

You mean to say NONE of these direct flight suit your schedule?  :)

XTang

Yep. Because unfortunately, they are either early evening or late.  Saudia is even earlier than gulf. Same for NAS.  My ideal flight is like 8.  And most times, there is no one in that range minus a few seasonal ones. Rule out Emirates, Etihad and Airarabia as they don't fly direct to Bahrain - route through Dubai, AD etc which takes even way longer.

sunilvthanam

Is it possible now, to travel to Bahrain with Multiple Visit Visa.  is it open now?

taigo87

I have one question.. Only with IQAMA and bank account we can buy a car? Nowdays,  I rented a car using my international license. I just start saudi license in Al khobar driver school and its horrible there.. Probably i will spend some times to get Saudi license. However, I would like know if I can buy a car wihtout saudi license.

RedTrumpet

sunilvthanam wrote:

Is it possible now, to travel to Bahrain with Multiple Visit Visa.  is it open now?


Always open for expat with valid resident work permit (KSA Iqama), and having Bahrain multiple exit/re-entry VISIT VISA no issue.

RedTrumpet

taigo87 wrote:

I have one question.. Only with IQAMA and bank account we can buy a car? I would like know if I can buy a car wihtout saudi license.


You CANNOT buy a car in Saudi Arabia without valid Saudi driver’s license (Roksa) in addition to valid Iqama (Resident work permit). Having Bank account is not mandatory.

Julesh kumar

Thank you very much for all  the comments.
No, i don't have Iqama,
I am looking for a carpooling from Manama to Khobar.

taigo87

All right thank you.. I will prepare myself to get enough patience to finalize the process at al khobar driver school.

RedTrumpet

Julesh kumar wrote:

No, i don't have Iqama.


Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are two different countries with border controls. Do you have different Visa for both.

RedTrumpet

taigo87 wrote:

All right thank you.. I will prepare myself to get enough patience to finalize the process at al khobar driver school.


Yep, you need to be patient when applying Saudi driver license. That is the least you can do to prepare yourself as defensive driver on the road. What stage are you in now with your application?

Jabel ali general trade

@Julesh kumar I saw your post from daily transport to Saudi. could you please give me details. this post almost 2 years back that's why asking

XTang
You won't get a response as the OP hasn't been online on the forums for 2 years.

As mentioned before, there are drivers who will take you but it will cost A LOT.  See the previous costs I highlighted.  Now it is likely to be more as:

1) Fuel costs have gone up  (The Riyadh trip I used to pay 1800 for, now costs 2100)
2) Driver professions don't get visa on arrival in Bahrain anymore for most nationalities and they have to pay for a long term visa in advance - thus they have to recover their costs through higher rates

The only options you have are:
1) Buy a car
2) Find a car pool of different people who do this every day.  But in my experience, this is a bad option as for one, you are always going to have to coordinate times and second, if the main person is on leave or sick, you will have to make alternative arrangements which lead to the same cost that I highlighted

Articles to help you in your expat project in Saudi Arabia

All of Saudi Arabia's guide articles