The 973 country code belongs to Bahrain. Whether you're calling business contacts in Manama, family in Muharraq, or friends in Riffa, the +973 prefix connects you to this island nation in the Persian Gulf with a population of about 1.5 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +973 is for Bahrain. Bahraini numbers are 8 digits with no leading zero to drop. Simply dial +973 followed by all 8 digits. For example: +973 1234 5678.

How to Call Bahrain: Quick Reference

Calling Bahrain is simpler than many countries because there is no trunk prefix to remove. Just dial the country code followed by all 8 digits.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +973 [8-digit number]
US/Canada Landline 011-973-[8-digit number]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-973-[8-digit number]
Saudi Arabia 00-973-[8-digit number]
UAE 00-973-[8-digit number]
India 00-973-[8-digit number]

Bahrain is a financial hub in the Persian Gulf and a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with a large expatriate workforce.

Understanding Bahraini Phone Numbers

Bahraini phone numbers are among the simplest in the world - all numbers are exactly 8 digits with no area codes or trunk prefixes.

No Trunk Prefix

Unlike many countries, Bahrain does not use a trunk prefix (leading 0). This means:

  • No digits to remove when calling internationally
  • Dial all 8 digits exactly as given
  • The number you see locally is the same number you dial internationally (just add +973)

This makes calling Bahrain simpler than countries like the UK or Germany where you must drop the leading 0.

Mobile Numbers

Bahraini mobile numbers start with 3:

  • Format: 3XXX XXXX (8 digits starting with 3)
  • Example: 3456 7890 becomes +973 3456 7890

Landline Numbers

Bahraini landlines start with 1:

  • Format: 1XXX XXXX (8 digits starting with 1)
  • Example: 1234 5678 becomes +973 1234 5678

Note: Bahrain has no area codes. The entire country uses the same numbering system.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the first digit:

  • Starts with 3: Always a mobile number
  • Starts with 1: Always a landline number

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobiles are typically higher than landlines with most international calling services.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial Bahraini numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling a Bahrain Landline from the US

  • Bahraini Number: 1234 5678
  • From a US Mobile: +973 1234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 973 1234 5678

Example 2: Calling a Bahraini Mobile from the US

  • Bahraini Number: 3456 7890
  • From a US Mobile: +973 3456 7890
  • From a US Landline: 011 973 3456 7890

Example 3: Calling Bahrain from the UK

  • Bahraini Number: 3987 6543
  • From the UK: 00 973 3987 6543

Example 4: Calling Bahrain from Saudi Arabia

  • Bahraini Number: 1765 4321
  • From Saudi Arabia: 00 973 1765 4321

Best Times to Call Bahrain

Bahrain operates on a single time zone with no daylight saving time:

Time Zone Name UTC Offset
AST Arabia Standard Time UTC+3

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Bahrain Time Difference Call Bahrain 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Bahrain is 8 hours ahead 1 AM - 9 AM your time
US West Coast (PST) Bahrain is 11 hours ahead 10 PM - 6 AM your time
UK (GMT) Bahrain is 3 hours ahead 6 AM - 2 PM your time
India (IST) Bahrain is 2.5 hours behind 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM your time

Tip: Bahrain observes Islamic holidays and the weekend is Friday-Saturday. Business hours are typically Sunday-Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM local time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 973 country code:

  • Adding a leading 0: Unlike many countries, Bahrain has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number.
  • Confusing +973 with +971: +973 is Bahrain, +971 is UAE. These Gulf countries have similar codes.
  • Wrong number length: Bahraini numbers are exactly 8 digits. If you have more or fewer, the number may be incorrect.
  • Confusing mobile and landline: Mobile numbers start with 3, landlines start with 1.
  • Forgetting business hours: The Bahraini work week is Sunday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekend days.

Cheapest Ways to Call +973 Numbers

International calls to Bahrain don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Bahrain. Check our Bahrain calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in Bahrain and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Many carriers include Bahrain in Middle East calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

Bahrain has a large expatriate workforce from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, so affordable calling options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +973 country code?

The +973 country code is for Bahrain. This covers all of Bahrain including Manama, Muharraq, Riffa, and Hamad Town.

How many digits is a Bahraini phone number?

Bahraini phone numbers are exactly 8 digits. There are no area codes. Mobile numbers start with 3. Landlines start with 1.

Does Bahrain have area codes?

No, Bahrain does not use area codes. The country is small enough that all phone numbers are 8 digits with no regional prefixes. Just dial +973 followed by the 8-digit number.

How do I call Bahrain from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +973 followed by the 8-digit Bahraini number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 973, then the 8-digit number.

Do I drop a 0 when calling Bahrain internationally?

No, Bahrain does not use a trunk prefix (leading 0). Simply dial +973 followed by all 8 digits of the Bahraini number exactly as given.

Is +973 Bahrain or UAE?

+973 is the country code for Bahrain. The country code for UAE is +971. These Gulf countries have similar codes but are different.

Related Country Codes

Looking for other country codes in the Persian Gulf region? Check out these guides:

View all country codes →

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