Is cash still widely used?
Rarely. Bahrain has excellent card infrastructure across the island. Visa, Mastercard, and contactless payments are accepted at virtually all hotels, restaurants, malls, and shops in Manama and beyond. Bahrain is small enough that cashless living is entirely practical.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are widely available. Ahli United Bank and National Bank of Bahrain ATMs accept foreign cards reliably.
- Fees are around 2 BHD per withdrawal — note the dinar is a high-value currency
- Excellent 24/7 availability across the island
- The dinar is pegged to the USD at a fixed rate
Card acceptance
Excellent. Cards are accepted virtually everywhere. Contactless payments are standard.
Tips for travelers
- Cash is rarely needed — keep just a small amount for traditional markets
- The Bahraini dinar is the second highest-valued currency in the world
- Manama Souq vendors may prefer cash; carry some just in case
- Bahrain is very welcoming to tourists and has a relaxed atmosphere for the Gulf region