Free stopover in
Manama
Pearl-diving history and modern causeways on Bahrain’s small but storied island.
Gulf AirAccepting bookingsVerified 17d ago
Bahrain STPC & Stopover
3.9(112 reviews)
What You Get
Free Hotel Stay
1 night at a partner hotel
Breakfast included
Free Tours & Experiences
- Bahrain City Tour (3h)
Souqs, historical landmarks, and museums (specific itinerary varies). Twice daily: 9am-12pm and 7-10pm. For transit passengers with 5-24h connections. Organized jointly with Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Tourism (BTEA), and Kanoo Travel.
Free Airport Transfers
Complimentary ground transportation between the airport and hotel
Eligibility
Duration:6h - 24h layover (4 days max)
Classes:
EconomyFalcon Gold (Business)
Routes:All international flights transiting via BAH (STPC), Paid packages: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, India, China, Cyprus, Thailand origins
Book by:24 hours before departure (STPC)
Full terms▾
- OPERATIONAL ADVISORY (as of 22 April 2026): Gulf Air is in phased recovery from a 40-day Bahrain airspace closure (Feb 28–Apr 8, 2026)
- Restoration is tied to the US-Iran ceasefire which was set to expire around April 22, 2026 — peace talks collapsed in Islamabad April 12; a US naval blockade was announced; the ceasefire was NOT extended
- EASA CZIB 2026-03-R6 still bans EASA operators from Bahrain FIR through April 24, 2026 (review date)
- Temporary Dammam (DMM) operations continue in parallel through April 30, 2026 — many transit itineraries are still routing via DMM, not BAH
- STPC and free city tour require BAH transit
- Mid-April 2026 saw 39 cancellations + 137 delays including Muscat-Bahrain route withdrawals
- Phased BAH restoration: April 8 Wave 1 (~13 routes incl
- DXB, JED, RUH, LHR, Muscat, Nairobi, Lahore, Dhaka, Islamabad, Istanbul), April 21 Wave 2 (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, TRV, Paris, Frankfurt, Bangkok), May 1, May 15, June 1 — full 50+ destination network targeted June 2026, ceasefire-contingent
- Check live operational status before booking
- Two distinct programs: (1) FREE STPC hotel for >7h-<24h Economy / >6h-<24h Falcon Gold connections, up to 1 night (min base fare USD $450 one-way, $850 return with 2 STPCs)
- STPC booking: up to 24h before departure via Worldwide Contact Centre, or at-airport within 24h. (2) PAID Bahrain Stopover packages (2-4 nights) via Gulf Air Holidays, previously valid through Dec 31, 2025 (no 2026 renewal posted) — available to passengers originating from: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Netherlands, Athens (Greece), India, China, Cyprus, Thailand
- Free 3-hour city tour (twice daily, 9am-12pm and 7-10pm) for 5-24h transits is a Gulf Air Holidays / Bahrain Airport benefit, not a native STPC perk
- Visa-on-arrival eligibility varies by nationality
- STPC cancellation: 100% fee if <72h or no-show. 'Falcon Gold' is Gulf Air's business class brand
How it Works
- 1
Book an eligible Gulf Air itinerary
Your trip must route through BAH (Manama) with a 6–24 hour layover. Eligible classes: Economy, Falcon Gold (Business).
- 2
Request the stopover
Contact Gulf Air reservations or apply via gulfair.com. STPC bookable up to 24h before departure via Worldwide Contact Centre; at-airport booking also available within 24h.
- 3
Receive your voucher
The airline confirms your hotel and any included tours via email, usually within a few business days.
- 4
Enjoy Manama
Airport transfers are complimentary. Head to your hotel, take the included tours, fly on when you are ready.
Things to do in Manama
Bahrain National Museum
Dilmun-era artefacts and pearl-diving history.
Qal’at al-Bahrain
UNESCO fort built atop layers of 4,000-year-old civilizations.
Adliya district
Art galleries and Lebanese/Persian restaurants.
Traveler Reviews
3.9/5.0
112 reviews aggregated
weighted composite
71% positive11% negative
Based on reviews fromFlyerTalk (2)Blog (2)
Rating Breakdown
Hotel Quality30%
4.0/5Is the free hotel actually decent or a dump?
Perks Value25%
4.2/5How much is all the free stuff actually worth?
Ease of Claiming20%
3.5/5Will the airline actually respond to my email?
Destination Appeal15%
3.6/5Is this city worth visiting for 1-2 days?
Top Quotes
“STPC offers passengers with long layovers a complimentary hotel stay, meals, and transportation.”— Blog
“Passengers didn't go through standard immigration; they went through a turnstile as a group.”— FlyerTalk ↗
“The Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge at Bahrain is spacious with multiple buffets.”— Blog
“Limited things to do beyond 2 days.”
“Very hot in summer months.”
Pro Tips
- -Visit Bahrain Fort at sunset
- -Try the local cuisine at Souq restaurants
- -Bahrain is more liberal than neighboring Gulf states
- -November-February is the best time to visit
Recent Reviews
FlyerTalk Middle Eastern/African Airlines forumFlyerTalk ↗
Neutral(50%)Gulf Air's STPC policy: hotel accommodations for layovers over 7 hours and tickets over ~$400 USD. Business and First class passengers are usually placed at the Movenpick very close to the airport. Economy is reported as hit-or-miss.
STPC eligibilityMovenpickEconomy inconsistent
FlyerTalk communityFlyerTalk ↗
Positive(75%)Gulf Air's free Bahrain city tour for transit passengers — Souq, historical landmarks, and museums, roughly three hours, available for transits over 5 hours within 24 hours. Passengers skip standard immigration and go through a turnstile as a group.
free city toureasy immigration
Travelling on PointsBlog
Positive(80%)Economy passengers qualify for free hotel on transits of 7-24 hours; Falcon Gold qualifies at 6-24 hours. STPC requires that no shorter connection exists on the route. Meals, transfers, and transit visa are included.
STPC ruleshotel-meals-transfers
The Gastronomic TravelerBlog
Positive(75%)A Falcon Gold business class trip report covering FRA-BAH-DXB with a 24-hour stopover in Bahrain. The Falcon Gold Lounge at BAH is spacious with multiple buffets and solid amenities.
Falcon Gold Lounge24-hour Bahrain
Traveled: May 2022
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gulf Air stopover program really free?
Yes. Gulf Air covers a 1-night stay at a 4-star hotel in Manama for eligible passengers. You pay only for extras like meals, additional nights, and any tourist taxes.
Who is eligible for the Bahrain STPC & Stopover?
Passengers flying Gulf Air with a qualifying layover in BAH between 6 and 24 hours. Eligible booking classes: Economy, Falcon Gold (Business). OPERATIONAL ADVISORY (as of 22 April 2026): Gulf Air is in phased recovery from a 40-day Bahrain airspace closure (Feb 28–Apr 8, 2026). Restoration is tied to the US-Iran ceasefire which was set to expire around April 22, 2026 — peace talks collapsed in Islamabad April 12; a US naval blockade was announced; the ceasefire was NOT extended. EASA CZIB 2026-03-R6 still bans EASA operators from Bahrain FIR through April 24, 2026 (review date). Temporary Dammam (DMM) operations continue in parallel through April 30, 2026 — many transit itineraries are still routing via DMM, not BAH. STPC and free city tour require BAH transit. Mid-April 2026 saw 39 cancellations + 137 delays including Muscat-Bahrain route withdrawals. Phased BAH restoration: April 8 Wave 1 (~13 routes incl. DXB, JED, RUH, LHR, Muscat, Nairobi, Lahore, Dhaka, Islamabad, Istanbul), April 21 Wave 2 (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, TRV, Paris, Frankfurt, Bangkok), May 1, May 15, June 1 — full 50+ destination network targeted June 2026, ceasefire-contingent. Check live operational status before booking. Two distinct programs: (1) FREE STPC hotel for >7h-<24h Economy / >6h-<24h Falcon Gold connections, up to 1 night (min base fare USD $450 one-way, $850 return with 2 STPCs). STPC booking: up to 24h before departure via Worldwide Contact Centre, or at-airport within 24h. (2) PAID Bahrain Stopover packages (2-4 nights) via Gulf Air Holidays, previously valid through Dec 31, 2025 (no 2026 renewal posted) — available to passengers originating from: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Netherlands, Athens (Greece), India, China, Cyprus, Thailand. Free 3-hour city tour (twice daily, 9am-12pm and 7-10pm) for 5-24h transits is a Gulf Air Holidays / Bahrain Airport benefit, not a native STPC perk. Visa-on-arrival eligibility varies by nationality. STPC cancellation: 100% fee if <72h or no-show. 'Falcon Gold' is Gulf Air's business class brand.
How do I claim the stopover in Manama?
Contact Gulf Air reservations or apply via gulfair.com. STPC bookable up to 24h before departure via Worldwide Contact Centre; at-airport booking also available within 24h.
What is the maximum stopover length?
Up to 4 days. You can extend your layover without paying additional airfare, as long as it fits within the program's rules.
What free tours are included?
Tours offered: Bahrain City Tour. Availability varies by season and requires advance booking through Gulf Air.
Do I need a visa to leave the airport in Manama?
Visa requirements depend on your passport. Many travelers qualify for visa-free transit, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa options. Select your nationality on this page to see the specific requirement for Bahrain.
Is there a booking deadline?
Yes. You must request the stopover 24 hours before departure (STPC).
Quick Info
- Hub Airport
- BAH
- Layover window
- 6h – 24h
- Booking classes
- Economy, Falcon Gold (Business)
- Book by
- 24 hours before departure (STPC)
- Official page
- View →
Visa Info for Manama
Choose your passport to see if you can leave the airport.
Hotels in Manama
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Gulf Air
$130+ free in Manama