Hit the Road

Some of the GCC’s most memorable getaways can be reached without setting foot in an airport. Starting from Bahrain, these eight road trips make the open road part of the escape.
 

Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Al Khobar is the natural starting point for a road trip from Bahrain. Cross the King Fahd Causeway and Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province is within easy reach, making this an ideal choice for a spontaneous overnight stay.

Spend the afternoon along the Corniche before settling in for dinner and an overnight stay. With relatively little time spent on the road, Al Khobar offers the satisfaction of an international escape without taking up most of the weekend.

Drive: Around 1 to 1.5 hours, excluding Causeway queues.

Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Around 200km from Bahrain, Al Ahsa rewards a relatively short drive with one of Saudi Arabia’s most distinctive landscapes.

The UNESCO-listed Al Ahsa Oasis is the largest oasis in the world, with more than 2.5 million palm trees across a landscape shaped by centuries of settlement. Nearby, Al Qarah Mountain adds another dimension to the trip with its striking rock formations and caves.
Continue into Hofuf to explore Souq Al Qaisariya before spending the night in the area. With only the Bahrain-Saudi border to navigate, Al Ahsa is an easy choice for a weekend that feels far removed from home.

Drive: Allow around 3 hours, including reasonable border time.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
At approximately 460km from Manama, Riyadh marks the point where the open road becomes a significant part of the escape.

Once there, explore Al Masmak Fortress and the historic centre before discovering the rapidly changing Saudi capital. Those extending their stay can head beyond the city towards the dramatic escarpments of the surrounding desert, adding another stretch of road to the itinerary.

Drive: Allow around 5 to 6 hours with stops and border time.

Kuwait City, Kuwait
Head north through Saudi Arabia for a route that takes you in a completely different direction. At approximately 477km from Manama, the drive requires a second border crossing before reaching Kuwait City.

Once there, head for the waterfront and discover a capital shaped by its long relationship with the Gulf. A two-night stay leaves enough time to explore before retracing the route south. Following the Gulf north through Saudi Arabia is a major part of the appeal, with the second border crossing giving this relatively manageable drive a genuine cross-country feel.

Drive: Allow around 6 hours or more with stops and border formalities.

Qatar
Do not make Doha the only destination. A road trip to Qatar works best when the peninsula itself becomes part of the itinerary. After crossing Saudi Arabia and entering Qatar at Abu Samra, turn north towards the UNESCO-listed Al Zubarah Archaeological Site. Continue towards Al Khor and nearby Purple Island, where mangroves offer a marked change from the desert highways leading into the country. Finish in Doha for an overnight stay before heading back to Bahrain. Approaching Qatar as a circuit gives the drive a purpose beyond simply reaching the capital.

Drive: Allow at least 5 hours to reach Qatar, depending on your destination and time spent at both borders.

Liwa, UAE
Liwa delivers the kind of landscape that makes a long drive worthwhile. Reaching it means crossing Saudi Arabia before entering the UAE and continuing into Al Dhafra, where towns gradually give way to the vast dunes of the Empty Quarter. Tel Moreeb is among the area’s defining sights, rising more than 300 metres from the surrounding desert. The paved roads through Liwa provide plenty of opportunities to experience the scale of the landscape without venturing off-road. Give this trip several days rather than rushing there and back. The gradual transition into one of the Arabian Peninsula’s most dramatic desert regions is what makes Liwa such a compelling escape by car.

Drive: Allow a full day on the road, with additional time for border formalities and breaks.


Hatta, UAE
After the long desert highways through Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the approach to Hatta brings a dramatic change of scenery as the Hajar Mountains rise ahead. The mountain enclave centres around Hatta Dam, where the water sits against a backdrop of rugged peaks. Kayaking offers a chance to leave the car behind for a while, while the surrounding mountain roads ensure the drive remains central to the experience. At roughly 928km by road from Bahrain, Hatta deserves several days rather than an overnight visit. The reward comes on the final approach, when the flat horizons that dominate much of the route give way to mountain scenery.

Drive: Allow 10 hours or more with stops and border formalities.

Muscat, Oman
Muscat is the most ambitious escape on the list. The road distance from Bahrain is more than 1,100km depending on the route, with pure driving time exceeding 11 hours. Splitting the outward drive with an overnight stop in the UAE makes far more sense than attempting it in one stretch. From there, continue into Oman and on to Muscat, where the Hajar Mountains and coast provide a fitting end to the longest drive in the feature. Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque before exploring Muttrah and its waterfront. Allow enough time for the return drive and Muscat becomes a genuine cross-GCC adventure.

Drive: More than 11 hours of pure driving. Split the route and allow at least five days for the overall trip.

BEFORE YOU DRIVE
Entry and vehicle requirements vary according to nationality, residency status and the car being driven. Check the requirements for every country on your route before leaving Bahrain and make sure your vehicle is permitted and insured for cross-border travel. Allow extra time at land borders, particularly during weekends and holidays, as all driving times are approximate.
 

Tags #saudi in bahrain #saudi in bahrain 2026 #btm september 2026 #gcc travel by car #driving from bahrain #weekend trips from bahrain #bahrain to oman by car #bahrain to uae by car #bahrain to qatar by car #bahrain to saudi arabia by car #gcc road trips #road trips from bahrain