The Bahrain Metro is moving from planning into preparation, with work now underway on the routes for Phase 1. Here’s what the project looks like, where it’s going, and when it might actually open.
Phase 1 will consist of two metro lines connecting major residential, commercial and transport hubs across Bahrain.
The first line runs from Bahrain International Airport to Seef District, linking the Kingdom’s main arrival point with one of its busiest retail and commercial areas.
The second line connects Juffair to the Educational District in Isa Town, passing through densely populated neighbourhoods and strategic zones.
Between them, the two lines will serve 20 stations. Two of those will be major interchange stations where passengers can switch between lines.
The interchange stations will be located at Bahrain Financial Harbour and Central Market in Manama. These are designed to make moving between lines straightforward and keep the system connected across key areas.
Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa confirmed the ministry is working through detailed planning to prepare the first-phase routes in coordination with relevant government entities.
No final price tag has been announced yet. The ministry says the cost will depend on completed designs, market conditions and economic factors that are still shifting.
Bahrain first announced the metro project in 2018. The original plan outlined a 109km fully automated, driverless system across four phases, with an estimated cost of around $2 billion at the time.
By 2022, the government had already spent BHD 7.5 million. Another BHD 11.7 million was allocated last year, with BHD 91.3 million earmarked for completion by 2029.
Seven consortia have been qualified to execute Phase 1, according to project details on the ministry’s website.
Phase 1A will connect the main metro network to King Hamad International Railway Station. This section will span 8km and include four stops.
Studies are also underway for Phase 2, which will link King Hamad International Railway Station in the Ramli area to Sports City and Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir. That phase will cover 18km with five stops.
The minister described the metro as part of a broader push towards smarter, greener cities. The goal is to reduce reliance on private cars, ease congestion on major routes and offer a reliable public transport alternative.
Once operational, the Bahrain Metro is expected to work alongside the existing bus network and improve traffic flow across the kingdom.
Dr Shaikh Abdulla also clarified the relationship between the metro and the GCC Railway Project. Both are being managed independently, but coordination is ongoing to ensure future integration where it makes sense.
“There is no direct impact of one project on the other at this stage,” he said, “but we are ensuring that future connectivity remains possible and aligned with shared objectives.”
The project is expected to be discussed in Parliament, with Dr Shaikh Abdulla attending to answer additional questions from MPs.
MPs will also debate a royal decree ratifying the unified GCC Land Transport System during the same session. For now, the focus remains on finalising designs, preparing routes and moving Phase 1 closer to construction.
From Bahrain International Airport To Seef District
From Juffair To Isa Town
Bahrain Financial Harbour and Manama Central Market
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