Job Discussion Forums

1Sapphire1 · Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 42 Location: Saudi Arabia

I'm making my final exit and my flight is from Bahrain. What is the best way to get from Dammam to Bahrain? I will spend a night or two at a hotel. I heard that buses take a long time because of the dozens of passports being checked on the buses ahead of you and while taxis can get you thru fast they are also expensive, (300-400 SR?). Anyone have a source for a good Saudi taxi driver?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Why not ask your teaching colleagues; they're likely to know of a reliable driver. Another option is to ask on one of the popular, general expat forums like expat-blog. Someone on the Dammam-specific forum should have an answer for you.

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

I have done the trip on a bus, it's usually vveerrryyy slow. (2 hours at the border). However, as you have a couple of days to spend in Bahrain time is probably not of the essence. As it's your final exit you might find your final experience of KSA is being made to line up in the heat and treated like you are off to a WWII concentration camp. I paid SR400 for a taxi from Jubail to Bahrain, but it was a couple of years ago. Just ask any taxi driver, if he doesn't want to take you he'll know someone who does. Ask your students (if they haven't already left for summer) who could take you to Bahrain and I'm sure you'll get a lot of offers. I'm not sure if you should risk accepting them, though.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The bus is 50. A taxi wil cost you 300. At the car park outside the bus office in Khobar - and Dammam - there are taxi drivers hanging around who offer a seat ina shared taxi.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

The bus from Dammam to Bahrain has always been fine when I've taken it, especially midweek. Go before 5pm. It's only ever been problematic coming into Saudi.

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

PM me for a very reliable taxi driver with decades of experience here. If he can't take you to the border himself, he will almost certainly know someone who can.[/img]

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The bus is okay. I used it many times in both directions. You may be unlucky and experience a hold-up. If there is a problem with a TCN, the driver will just leave him. Problem is when you hava Saudi on b oard with the wrong documents. In fear of "wasta", the driver will wait until the problem is resolved.