Saudi Taxis to Carry Passengers to Bahrain in 2026

Licensed Saudi taxis will be permitted to transport passengers directly between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain across the King Fahd Causeway, under new regulations from the Transport General Authority taking effect on 6 September 2026. The move aims to ease cross-border travel and boost commercial mobility between the two neighbours.

Only licensed taxis holding a valid Saudi operating license and meeting the Authority's technical standards may offer the service, with vehicles generally required to be no more than five years old. Trips must be booked through licensed taxi and passenger-transport platforms integrated with approved government systems, including the Shomoos security system, and priced

Before departure, drivers must verify the identities of passengers and drivers, confirm that all travel documents are in order — a valid passport, visas, and Saudi exit and re-entry permits for residents where applicable — and submit a passenger loading manifest in the approved format.

For now, Saudi taxis carrying passengers to Bahrain are prohibited from picking up or transporting passengers inside Bahrain, and may not take on new passengers for the return journey until further notice. Trips are typically offered from Eastern Province cities such as Al Khobar and Dammam to destinations in Bahrain such as Manama.

Typical one-way fares in 2026 from Dammam or Al Khobar to Manama generally range between 350 and 450 SAR, including causeway tolls and transit permits, though some private and intercity services advertise lower starting fares plus a separate causeway toll. Off-peak trips between Al Khobar and Manama usually take about 45 to 60 minutes including immigration and customs, with the causeway and border facilities operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The change offers residents and commuters in the Eastern Province a regulated, direct option for cross-border travel, adding convenience for weekend visits, family trips, and business journeys to Bahrain.

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