Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Bahrain

Direct flight routes to Bahrain

Non-stop flights from Europe to Bahrain International Airport (BAH) are limited to few routes operated by Gulf Air.

• London Heathrow (LHR) – Bahrain: Gulf Air, 6h 45m


• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – Bahrain: Gulf Air, 6h 30m


• Frankfurt (FRA) – Bahrain: Gulf Air, 6h 15m

Layover/stopover options

Dubai (DXB) is the primary hub for Emirates. Average connection time is 2-3 hours. Terminal 3 is exclusively for Emirates flights, offering excellent facilities and duty-free shopping.

Doha (DOH) serves as Qatar Airways’ hub. Minimum connection time is 45 minutes. The airport features the unique Oryx Airport Hotel and complimentary city tours for longer layovers.

Istanbul (IST) is Turkish Airlines’ main hub. Typical connections take 2 hours. The new airport offers extensive shopping and dining options, plus free city tours for layovers over 6 hours.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. One-stop flights through Middle Eastern hubs often offer better value, with prices 20-40% lower than direct options.

Tips and recommendations

• Book Gulf Air direct flights 3-4 months ahead for best prices, especially during peak seasons


• Consider overnight layovers in Dubai or Doha – many airlines offer free hotel stays on longer connections


• Qatar Airways and Emirates frequently offer promotional fares for one-stop routes to Bahrain


• Connections through Istanbul often offer the lowest fares but require longer travel times


• Morning departures from Europe typically offer better connection times at Middle Eastern hubs

• Gulf Air’s direct flights from London, Paris, and Frankfurt offer the best value-for-money ratio to Bahrain, with Economy Class fares typically 15-20% below market average. Their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners feature a generous 32-inch pitch in Economy and operate daily services.
• Flying via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines can save up to 30% compared to direct options, with total journey times around 9-10 hours including a short layover. Turkish recently increased their Bahrain frequency to 12 weekly flights and offers complimentary Istanbul stopover programs.
• Etihad Airways operates a convenient morning departure bank from major European cities through Abu Dhabi, with short 45-minute onward connections to Bahrain. Their Economy Space seats offer 35-inch pitch for a modest upgrade fee of approximately €50-70 each way.
• KLM’s routes via Amsterdam to Bahrain feature competitive fares from secondary European cities like Lyon, Hamburg, or Warsaw, often 20-25% cheaper than direct options. The carrier’s partnership with Gulf Air enables seamless connections and through-baggage service.
• For premium comfort at Economy prices, consider Kuwait Airways’ new A330neo service connecting Frankfurt and Paris to Bahrain via Kuwait City. Their Economy Class offers 33-inch pitch and 18-inch seat width, among the most generous in its class.

1. Booking last-minute direct flights Many travelers don’t realize that Bahrain flights from Europe often require connections, and waiting until the last minute can result in extremely high fares, especially on routes through major Gulf carriers like Emirates or Etihad.
2. Ignoring alternative hub airports Focusing only on flying through Dubai or Abu Dhabi means missing potentially cheaper and more convenient routing options through Kuwait, Doha, or Istanbul to reach Bahrain International Airport.
3. Scheduling tight connections in the Gulf During summer months, flight delays due to extreme heat are common in the Gulf region, so booking connections with less than 3 hours layover time can be risky.
4. Missing the visa pre-check Many European travelers assume they can get a visa on arrival at Bahrain International Airport without checking the current requirements, which can result in being denied boarding at their departure airport.
5. Planning summer arrivals during peak heat Landing in Bahrain between 11 AM and 3 PM during summer months (June-September) means facing extreme temperatures of 40°C+ and potential ground delays due to heat restrictions.

Emirates

Best for: Most comprehensive network of European connections to Bahrain with excellent service quality.

Operates from 19 European airports to Bahrain, with largest operations from London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Frankfurt. All flights connect through Dubai with typical layovers of 2-3 hours. Economy class features generous 32-34 inch seat pitch, comprehensive entertainment system with 4,500+ channels, and well-regarded multicourse meals with regional specialties. Passengers consistently rate their Economy experience 4 out of 5 stars, particularly praising meal quality and crew service.

Gulf Air

Best for: Only airline offering direct flights to Bahrain from Europe.

Bahrain’s national carrier serves 6 European destinations, with London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Frankfurt being main hubs. Economy class provides 32-inch seat pitch, traditional Arabic hospitality, and Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine. Their Falcon Gold lounges receive high marks, and their direct flights save significant travel time. Passenger ratings average 3.8 out of 5, with particular appreciation for direct routing and cultural touches.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Superior catering and most competitive fares to Bahrain.

Connects 15 European cities to Bahrain via Istanbul, primarily from London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Economy class features award-winning cuisine by Flying Chefs, comfortable seats with 31-inch pitch, and high-quality amenity kits. Layovers in Istanbul typically range from 2-4 hours. Passengers rate the airline 4.2 out of 5, consistently praising the food quality and value for money.

Etihad Airways

Best for: Premium economy class experience at regular economy prices.

Services 8 European airports to Bahrain via Abu Dhabi, with main operations from London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Munich. Economy class offers 33-inch seat pitch, upgraded dining experience with ceramic dishware, and extensive entertainment options. Connection times in Abu Dhabi are efficiently managed at around 2 hours. Receives consistent 4 out of 5 ratings, with passengers particularly noting the superior comfort levels and attentive service.

Smart routing through Asia to save on Bahrain flights

While major carriers offer direct routes from European hubs to Bahrain International Airport (BAH), savvy travelers can save significantly by utilizing regional Asian carriers and breaking up their journey strategically.

The key to this money-saving approach lies in identifying major APAC hubs that serve as connecting points. Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur frequently offer competitive rates for flights continuing to the Gulf region.

1. Book separate tickets: Instead of a single ticket from Europe to Bahrain, book one ticket to an Asian hub and another onward to BAH using carriers like Air Asia, Thai Airways, or Malaysia Airlines
2. Utilize budget carriers: Low-cost carriers like Scoot or Air Asia X often provide significantly cheaper options for the Asia-Gulf portion
3. Consider longer layovers: Building in a 24-hour stopover can reduce overall costs while allowing time to explore an additional destination

While this approach requires more planning and flexibility, savings can reach 30-40% compared to direct routes. Key considerations include baggage policies between different carriers and adequate connection times for immigration and terminal transfers.