We traveled to Bahrain for about 10 days in January 2026. To stay online as a tourist, Jonas used his Global eSIM and I bought a physical SIM card in Bahrain at the airport. Here’s what your options are, starting with the cheapest
Contents
- 1 First Choice: Global eSIM or Bahraini eSIM
- 2 SIM Card Options in Bahrain: Batelco, Zain, and STC
- 3 Batelco Bahraini SIM Card FAQ + Internet Freedom
- 3.1 Should I buy a Bahraini SIM card at the airport?
- 3.2 Should I download the app of my Bahraini provider?
- 3.3 How can I top-up my Bahraini SIM card?
- 3.4 How can I check my balance and remaining data?
- 3.5 Can I roam with my Bahraini SIM card in other GCC countries?
- 3.6 How can I keep my Bahraini SIM card between visits?
- 3.7 Is the internet blocked or monitored in Bahrain?
- 3.8 Should I download a VPN before traveling to Bahrain?
- 4 Good info? Please buy me a Moussy!
- 5 Share or save for later? Good call
First Choice: Global eSIM or Bahraini eSIM
Just like in nearby Kuwait and the UAE, getting a physical SIM card in Bahrain is on the expensive side. Luckily, eSIM technology has come a long way. If your phone is eSIM compatible, this should be your first choice.
Within eSIMs, there’s still two ways to go about it: getting a Global eSIM or an eSIM just for Bahrain.
If you don’t use much data, are only staying in Bahrain for a few days, and maybe will soon visit other countries for a short period, get the Global eSIM from eSIM.sm. We learned about this a few months ago during a trip to the Faroe Islands, another country with very expensive SIM cards. You load some money and only pay when you’re using data. Their rate for Bahrain is $3.10 per GB. So if you only look up a restaurant and order a Careem taxi en route back to your hotel in Bahrain, you’ll only spend about €2 tops during a week. And the best part? For the next country you visit, you just continue subtracting from the same credit. None of your money or data will go to waste. Jonas has been really happy with his Global eSIM for both Kuwait and Bahrain.
If you do use a lot of data by for example working from your mobile internet or watching data-heavy content online, I recommend getting a Bahraini eSIM.
You can get a Bahraini eSIM from eSIM.sm as well, with a 5% discount applied via this link. Alternatively, you can type in my discount code for eSIMS.sm, which is IrisTheHitchhiker. You can get 3GB for 10 days for €7.84 or US$9.10.
Alternatively, you can get a Bahraini eSIM from Airalo. They have Bahraini eSIMs of 3GB for 7 days for €11 of US$12.77 without discount codes applied. If you want a discount code, you got it:
If you’re only staying in Bahrain for a short time, it’s easiest to get an eSIM. Airalo is currently the most reputable eSIM company. So far, we’ve used it in Switzerland, Madagascar, and Croatia 😄🗺️ Though for now, it’s a bit more expensive than getting a local SIM card, eSIMs are the future. The advantage is that you can set it up before you enter Bahrain and immediately be online 📶
If you’re new to eSIMs, use NEWTOAIRALO15 at checkout to get a 15% discount on your first Airalo eSIM 🌐 And if you’re a recurring Airalo customer, use AIRALOESIM10 for a 10% discount on your next eSIM 🫡
Lastly, if you’re traveling around the Middle East/Western Asia for a bit, Airalo also has the Menalink package where you have one eSIM for 13 countries. For example, you can do 3GB for 7 days for €12.50, or buy more GB or a longer duration to match your travels here.
Now, for those who can’t do eSIMs, back to the program.
SIM Card Options in Bahrain: Batelco, Zain, and STC
There are currently three telecom providers operating in Bahrain: Batelco (the national), Zain, and STC. Batelco used to own the monopoly on telecom back in the early aughts. Zain and STC also operate in other Gulf/West Asian/North African countries, while Batelco only services Bahrain.
In terms of coverage, there’s not much of a difference between the three telecom providers in Bahrain. The coverage map doesn’t have any data for service in the Hawar Archipelago. Since most travelers will only stick to the urbanized areas of Bahrain such as Manama and Muharraq, coverage shouldn’t be a priority in selecting a provider.
Price is a consideration. As of early 2026, the prices are quite high for what you get in return and there’s not much difference in price between the three. STC is a bit more expensive in the prepaid world. In the end, it doesn’t matter which company you choose.
Realistically, there are only two points of entry into Bahrain: Bahrain International Airport (BAH) and the King Fahd Causeway land border with Saudi Arabia. Both points of entry have shops of all three telecom providers right upon entry. At the airport, it’s in the arrivals hall (just ask airport staff). And at the causeway, there’s three little kiosk at this location on Passport Island.
As a tourist, you’ll need to give your passport number and an email address to register your Bahraini SIM card and phone number. They will also ask you how long you’ll stay. So this means your SIM card will likely be cut off automatically sometime after your departure from Bahrain. Depending on where you do it and how seriously they take their job, they might also take your finger prints. I don’t think there’s a back alley option to buy a pre-registered SIM card in Bahrain. So here’s a pro tip for your visit: don’t do crime while you’re in Bahrain.
Getting the Batelco SIM Card at Bahrain International Airport
In the arrivals hall, there was an information desk. I asked the people there where to buy a SIM card. He told us there are multiple options and pointed us northeastward. After a short walk over the sparkling floors, we arrived at the very obvious place to buy a Bahraini SIM card, as they had all three telecom companies in equal-sized shops right next to each other. They are open 24/7.
Zain, Batelco, or STC? For the price, STC was a bit more expensive. I decided to go for Batelco, the national carrier, just for variety. Inside the shop, there were two guys. We wished each other peace and I asked him about buying a Batelco SIM card. He laid out the prices and the GB and asked us for how many days. I responded two weeks, since that’s the length of our visa—even if our stay is only about 11 days. He said it costs 7.500 BHD (€17.12 or US$19.89) for 7GB, valid for 30 days.
Edited to add: it’s possible to pay less, but for the duration of our stay, this was the minimum commitment. If you’re staying in Bahrain for one day, there’s a one-day unlimited data package for 4 BHD. But perhaps just wing it instead of wasting time and money doing this.
This hefty price came as no surprise, so we just screamed internally and said “We’ll take that package, please.”
He then pointed to the self-service SIM card machine behind us. Interesting! I’ve never seen such a thing before.
But he still helped us operate the machine since it was a quiet hour. He basically did everything regarding my passport, while I typed in my email address and put my signature down. He/the machine – not sure who was in charge – didn’t deem finger prints or face photo necessary.
Once it was done, we paid by card at the machine. The machine had a little think before spitting out a SIM card frame. Neato.
I was looking at the receipt hole waiting for my receipt, but the guy said it will come per email.
I then spent a few minutes inserting the SIM card into my phone and putting the Kuwaiti Zain SIM card safely away. It worked immediately, but I had to make sure the second SIM card was turned off. I tested if it was coming through, and the first thing that dropped was the Batelco invoice in my email and some Batelco onboarding texts (including your Bahraini phone number, shaped like this: 973XXXXXXXX). And that was that.
We thanked the man and headed out of the airport to a Careem taxi to bring us to our home in Manama for the coming 11 days.
Batelco Bahraini SIM Card FAQ + Internet Freedom
Should I buy a Bahraini SIM card at the airport?
Yes. There’s no price difference between the telecom shops inside Bahrain International Airport (BAH) and outside. Since the shops are also open 24/7, there’s no reason to not make a quick stop here before heading out. Finding a place inside Manama or Muharraq to buy a SIM card sounds unnecessarily complicated. All three telecom providers in Bahrain have the self-service machines.
Should I download the app of my Bahraini provider?
Yes, I think you should. These are the Google Play Store + Apple App Store links for the Batelco app. Signing up with your phone could be an easy process in theory.
It was a little difficult to log into the app, because during sign-up at the Batelco shop at the airport, an account was apparently created for me, but no one told me the password. Before I could check my data usage, I had to go through the password reset and trust new device email back and forth circus.
Once on the other side, you can see your data usage and validity of package in nice easy graphics:
How can I top-up my Bahraini SIM card?
If you run out of data before your departure, you can buy more data in the app. The rates are about 1 BHD per GB. We didn’t try this out. See graphic below.
How can I check my balance and remaining data?
Check in the app. If you really don’t want to get the app, you can also run the USSD code *888*1*1# and wait till you receive a text with all your info. There’s something primal and no-nonsense about using USSD codes instead of apps.
Can I roam with my Bahraini SIM card in other GCC countries?
Like an EU SIM card can? No, unfortunately, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries don’t work cooperate in that regard (yet). You can shell out for roaming packages in the Batelco app, but it costs a lot of Dinars for very few days. The biggest package they have is a 15 Hajj package for 16.500 BHD. For now, you should just get a SIM card in the next Khaleeji (aka Arab side of the Gulf) country you’ll visit. I did the same in Kuwait.
How can I keep my Bahraini SIM card between visits?
Warning: we’re leaving tourist territory here and entering expat/immigrant domain. My website isn’t geared towards the latter. I think staying in Bahrain for more than 30 days at a time is a bit overkill as a tourist.
The prepaid SIM card we got disconnects 90 days after the validity of the package ends (i.e. 120 days from when we bought the SIM card).
The SIM card is not what you’re paying for, so just get a new SIM card during your next visit to Bahrain (it’s limited at 10 per person). Or better yet, upgrade your phone to one that’s eSIM compatible. Stop living in hell with me.
If you somehow got the 90-day eVisa for Bahrain, you’ll have to buy a new internet package after 30 days since the first package will have expired. This also pushes the end date of your phone number into the future.
If you really need to keep your number like an expat/immigrant needs to, ehm, you tell me how it works? Or check the Bahrain Reddit, they claim it takes topping up 1 BHD every 90 days to keep the number active.
Is the internet blocked or monitored in Bahrain?
While Bahrain is the best connected country in the Gulf, the government filters the internet for certain topics. Without a VPN, you’ll be served a Kingdom of Bahrain ‘site blocked’ page. I didn’t test this out for the purpose of this article.
In order to stay out of prison during your touristing jaunt in Bahrain, avoid posting things that are illegal or disparaging in the country you’re in. Think adult content, negative opinions on Islam/the king/the country, culture, history, alcohol things, and anything LGBTQ+.
One positive thing is that VoIPs, such as video calling over WhatsApp or Zoom are totally okay in Bahrain (as of writing). This wasn’t the case in the UAE back in 2021, unless avoided with the help of a VPN. I held several video calls without issues.
Should I download a VPN before traveling to Bahrain?
Yes, you should have a VPN while traveling in Bahrain. Even without seeking prohibited content (you can imagine what that might entail), it’s a good idea to turn on your VPN for privacy reasons. Also, non-Bahraini websites might block traffic from Bahrain, such as the website of your bank or specific blogs you might love. Using a VPN is completely legal in Bahrain. Just make sure to download it before you travel, as you’ll need a VPN to access the VPN websites.
Good info? Please buy me a Moussy!
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