Where to Stay for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

The best places to stay in Manama for F1 fans attending the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024.

Located just 30 kilometers north east of Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and close to the airport, Bahrain’s capital city of Manama offers the best selection of accommodation for fans attending the Bahrain Grand Prix. Some of the city’s best hotels are also served by free shuttle buses to the circuit on race weekend – more details below.
Proper budget lodgings are in short supply in Bahrain, and hostels are practically non-existent in the Middle East. The good news is that decent apartments can be rented cheaply during F1 week, especially when you split the cost among friends. At the other end of the scale, luxury stays in Bahrain are significantly cheaper than in places like Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Sakhir Accommodation

There’s very little accommodation to choose from in the south of the island where Bahrain International Circuit is located. The best option in the Sakhir district is the 5-star Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, which is just 4km from the circuit (and served by free shuttle buses on race weekend), but this is likely to be booked out by teams and F1 personnel well in advance of the race. The same is likely to be true for the Al Areen Palace & Spa by Accor, which is a 10-minute drive from the circuit.

Booking.com

Free Hotel Shuttles to Bahrain International Circuit

Free shuttle buses connect the airport, selected hotels and the circuit during the week of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Details and timetables for 2024 shuttles are now available and listed below. Please note that shuttle buses run every 45 minutes during the hours listed. Download the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix shuttle flyer. 

  • Airport to Selected Hotels: Sunday February 25 to Saturday March 2 /  5am-midday & 3pm-1am
  • Airport to the Circuit: Thursday February 29 to Saturday March 2 /  6am-4pm
  • Selected Hotels to the Circuit: Thursday February 29 to Saturday March 2 / 10am-4pm
  • Circuit to Selected Hotels & Airport: Thursday February 29 to Saturday March 2 / 6pm-11pm
  • Selected Hotels to the Airport: Saturday March 2 & Sunday March 3 / 8pm-midnight (Saturday) & 6am until midnight (Sunday)

The free shuttle service services the following hotels for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix. If you are staying at a nearby hotel that’s not part of the free shuttle route, it has always been possible to use this service upon presentation of your F1 tickets.

Al Seef

Home to many of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, largest shopping malls and most expensive hotels, Al Seef also offers the shortest driving distance to the circuit. Le Meridien Bahrain is a good choice if you want to be close to City Centre Bahrain, the largest mall in the kingdom with a cineplex and waterpark. Other recommended hotels in Al Seef include the ibis Seef Manama, The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain and Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa. Estimated driving time to BIC from Al Seef: approximately 25 mins (28km).

Diplomatic Area & Manama Center

The central business district of Manama, also known as the Diplomatic Area, is the favored place to stay for F1 teams and personnel. This area is home to the distinctive twin towers of the Bahrain World Trade Centre (where you’ll also find the upmarket Moda Mall Bahrain) and close to the historic Manama Souq. 
Recommended hotels in the Diplomatic Area include Downtown Rotana, InterContinental Regency Bahrain and The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa. Just to the north of the center, the incredible Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (pictured above) with seven restaurants and five swimming pools is the centerpiece of the Bahrain Bay development. Estimated driving time to BIC from the Diplomatic Area: approximately 30 mins (32km).

Al Juffair

Probably the best place to stay for nightlife, shopping, bars and cafes, Al Juffair is also popular with expats. Close to the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Al Juffair has a good selection of apartments and hotels to suit different budgets. Recommended places to stay in Al Juffair include The K Hotel, Ramada by Wyndham Bahrain, and the Gulf Hotel Bahrain. Estimated driving time to BIC from Al Juffair: approximately 30 mins (32km).

Amwaj Islands

A group of man-made islands off the north east coast of Bahrain, the Amwaj Islands are home to some of the best high-end resorts and sandy beaches in Bahrain. The Amwaj Islands are also very close to Bahrain International Airport, but further away from the circuit than the city centre of Manama. Recommended places to stay on the Amwaj Islands include the 4-star Ramada Hotel and Suites Amwaj Islands and the 5-star Art Hotel & Resort, which has a private beach and eight on-site restaurants. The 5-star Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain is also highly rated. Estimated driving time to Bahrain International Circuit from the Amwaj Islands: approximately 45 mins (45km).

Where do you recommend staying in Bahrain? Leave a comment below!

6 thoughts on “Where to Stay for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix”

    1. sure, we are keeping an eye out but no announcement yet from the organizers. I think the shuttles are likely to be very similar to last few years, however. A warning that this info may not be available until a week or two before the race

  1. Thanks for updating the shuttle info. I’m a little confused when it says “every 45 minutes on the hour”. Does this just mean if it starts at 12.00, next is 12.45, 13.30 and so on? It’s a strange way to phrase it IMO.

    1. I would guess it means they arrive at 11.45 – leave at 12 then arrive at 12.45 and leave at 13.00. I may be wrong though! I’m staying at a hotel near the Gulf Hotel so hope to use the free shuttle.

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