Driving to Bahrain in a Rental Car
My flatmate and I have been playing with the idea of driving to Bahrain for a weekend. While flying is obviously quicker this would give us the chance to go over the causeway connecting Bahrain with Dammam. We do not own a car so we'd have to rent one. So, here is the question.
- Is it possible to retn a car in Doha and leave the country with it or are there some restrictions on this?
- Is it possible to get a visa for Saudi Arabia that would not only allow us to drive with the car from Doha to Bahrain but also back (double entry and exit). The dates would be very close together so something like a three day transit visa could suffice.
Thanks for letting me know!
Best,
Kleinsim
It's not much complicated. I have been to Saudi & Bahrain during recent holidays. Procedures are as follows:
1. Apply for Bahrain Visa at the Bahrain Embassy. Contact them on phone and they will fax u the application form. A 3-day visa will cost you QR 150 per passport. Original NOC addressed to Bahrain embassy + copy of Immigration Card of the sponsor is required with the application. This is for signature verification. You can have the visa on the same day. Once stamped, entry period is 1-month.
2. After getting Bahrain visa, contact visa processing agents for Saudi Embassy. You cannot approach Saudi embassy directly. Again NOC is from sponsor is required. If car is rented, NOC from car rental company is required. You can have the visa within 3-working days without any hassles. Visa cost is QR 125 per passport including agent's fee. It is a two-way visa enabling you to travel to Bahrain thru Saudi and return. You can stay in saudi 3-days while going and 3-days while returning. Once the visa is stamped, entry period is 1-month.
Search QL site to get contact details of agents for saudi visa process.
I think you are better off flying over... 20 minutes and you are on our lovely island !!! fares are not that much too if you fly Bahrain Air !!!!
Think you will have too much of a hassle getting the Saudi Transit visa etc then trying to get out with a rental car....
-Its not permitted to leave the country with a Rented Car. You should own the car.
-Saudi transit visa should be issued in advance for this purpose & that will be valid for return as well in a month.