Al Mellah International Shipping (0580402747) ships cars from Riyadh to Bahrain on enclosed carriers and hydraulic flatbeds via the King Fahd Causeway, to Manama, Muharraq, Riffa, Isa Town, Sitra and Hamad Town in 1 to 3 days. A sedan starts from SAR 1,700, a 4×4 from SAR 1,950 and a pickup from SAR 1,850, with export plates and clearance on the causeway.
Bahrain is the nearest Gulf destination for cars from Riyadh, and many people drive there themselves across the causeway at weekends. So when is shipping on a carrier the right choice? This guide answers that first, then explains prices, carriers and registration in Bahrain.
🤔 Drive it yourself or ship it?
| Your situation | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A visit or short break | Drive across the causeway yourself | Saudi plates with insurance covering Bahrain |
| Moving for work or residence | Export shipping on a carrier | You need export plates and Bahraini registration |
| A new luxury or low car | Enclosed hydraulic flatbed | Avoid the distance, causeway queues and scratches |
| Selling the car in Bahrain | Export shipping in the buyer’s name | The paperwork requires export |
| Two cars with the family flying | One carrier for both cars | Saves time and effort |
💰 Car shipping prices from Riyadh to Bahrain
| Car type | Transport | Starts from | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Open or enclosed carrier | SAR 1,700 | 1–3 days |
| 4×4 | Enclosed carrier | SAR 1,950 | 1–3 days |
| Pickup | Open carrier | SAR 1,850 | 1–3 days |
| Luxury or low | Enclosed hydraulic flatbed | Request a quote | 1–2 days |
| Motorcycle | On a carrier with special securing | Request a quote | 1–3 days |
From Riyadh to Manama, including loading, transport, causeway fees and clearance, excluding Bahrain registration fees.
How to get the cheapest price
🌉 The King Fahd Causeway: what happens to the carrier?
Commercial carriers use the truck lanes on the causeway; the export declaration is filed on the Saudi side, then clearance on the Bahraini side. Congestion varies a lot between days:
| Stage | Approx. duration |
|---|---|
| Collection in Riyadh and loading | A day |
| Riyadh → Khobar (≈ 420 km) | Half a day |
| Clearance on the causeway | Hours to half a day depending on congestion |
| Delivery in Manama or Muharraq | Day one to three |
🚛 The right carrier
| Method | Suits | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Open carrier | Sedans and pickups | The car is under a protective cover |
| Enclosed carrier | 4x4s and new cars | Protection from coastal humidity and dust |
| Enclosed hydraulic flatbed | Sports and low cars | The best fit for luxury cars to Bahrain |
Eastern coastal humidity and a causeway over the sea make the enclosed carrier a good choice for new cars, and many of our Bahrain customers ship sports and luxury cars they don’t want to drive a long distance.
🔑 Preparing the car in Riyadh
🇧🇭 Registration in Bahrain
| Step | What you need |
|---|---|
| Customs certificate | Issued after clearance on the causeway |
| Technical inspection | At the General Directorate of Traffic |
| Bahraini insurance | A policy from a licensed insurer |
| Bahraini plates | The receiver’s smart card |
🚢 Road, sea or air?
| Method | Route | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Road by carrier over the causeway | Riyadh → Khobar → causeway → Manama | The usual choice for all cars |
| Sea by container | Dammam to Khalifa Bin Salman Port | Large commercial numbers |
| Air | To Bahrain airport | Exceptional cars only |
🏷️ Showrooms and several cars
🛡️ Transport insurance on the causeway
The distance to Bahrain is short, but loading, unloading and waiting on the causeway are stages worth covering. We issue separate transport insurance from Riyadh to delivery, on the declared value, and photograph the car before loading as a reference at delivery.
🌊 Bahrain’s humidity after arrival
A car coming from Riyadh’s dry air enters high coastal humidity, so we suggest checking the wipers and cleaning the glass inside before the first night drive, and not leaving the cover on a damp car. For classic car owners we recommend covered or air-conditioned parking.
🛋️ The car with the furniture
If you’re moving your home to Bahrain, we coordinate the carrier and the furniture truck to cross on the same day, so you receive your car and furniture together in Manama, Muharraq or Riffa.
🏍️ Shipping motorcycles to Bahrain
Motorcycle enthusiasts between Riyadh and Bahrain are many, and a bike needs its own arrangement: it’s fixed in a front-wheel chock inside the enclosed carrier, tied with soft straps that won’t mark the paint, the battery’s negative terminal is disconnected and the tank is run down to a quarter. It needs almost the same documents: registration, export plates and Fasah authorisation.
| Point | What we do |
|---|---|
| Securing | A front-wheel chock and four soft straps |
| Protection | A fitted bike cover inside an enclosed carrier |
| Battery and fuel | Negative terminal disconnected and a quarter tank |
| Accessories | Side bags removed and shipped separately |
📄 Documents
| Document | Personal move | Cars for sale |
|---|---|---|
| Registration or owner’s authorisation | ✔ | ✔ |
| Export plates and export certificate | ✔ | ✔ |
| ID or iqama | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fasah authorisation | ✔ | ✔ |
| Receiver’s smart card in Bahrain | ✔ | — |
| Purchase invoice and buyer’s or showroom’s name | — | ✔ |
🚫 Shipment prohibitions
🏁 Delivery and tracking
We notify you at loading and at the causeway, then deliver the car to your address in Manama, Muharraq, Riffa or Hamad Town, remove the cover in front of you and compare its condition with the loading photos. We store it in a covered yard if you’re not ready.
🔋 Electric cars
We ask for the battery to be charged to 30–50%, the charger and cables in a separate box, and transport mode enabled per the manufacturer’s manual, and to be told the model in advance.
⚠️ Common mistakes
⚖️ How to choose a car shipping company from Riyadh to Bahrain
🔁 From Bahrain to Riyadh
We also ship cars from Bahrain to Riyadh, taking into account the Kingdom’s used-car import rules, SABER platform requirements and 15% VAT.
❓ FAQ: car shipping from Riyadh to Bahrain
❓ How much does it cost to ship a car from Riyadh to Bahrain?
From SAR 1,700 for a sedan, SAR 1,950 for a 4×4 and SAR 1,850 for a pickup.
❓ How long does shipping to Bahrain take?
One to three days depending on causeway congestion.
❓ Should I ship the car or drive it?
For a visit, drive it yourself; for residence and registration, ship it for export.
❓ Are causeway fees included?
Yes, for the carrier.
❓ Do you ship sports cars?
Yes, on an enclosed hydraulic flatbed, on quote.
❓ What’s the best day to ship?
Mid-week, to avoid causeway congestion.
Send the car type, year and your address in Bahrain, and we’ll send you the price and crossing date.
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