Bahrain Money

Currency: Dinar (BD) = 1000 fils. Notes appear in denominations of BD20, 10, 5, and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25 and 10 fils.

Currency exchange: Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at most hotels and in banks and bureaux de change. Rates are more preferential at the bureaux de change than at the airport or at hotels. There are some ATMs in Manama that are connected to international networks.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in hotels, major stores and restaurants. Smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Dinar against Sterling and the US Dollar:
Date May '04 Aug '04 Nov '04 Feb '05
£1.00= 0.67 0.69 0.71 0.71
$1.00= 0.38 0.37 0.37 0.38

Banking hours: Sat-Wed 0730-1200 and 1530-1730; Thurs 0730-1100. Government offices, businesses and most offices are closed on Friday, which is a weekly holiday.