Are you travelling to Qatar soon? Before you hop on that plane, here are some facts and tips that should help you get around for the first time in Doha.
Airport arrival
The Doha airport is very close to the capital, about 5 minutes away. Once you arrive, taxis that are known as ‘karwa’ are easy to get. Just turn left as you exit the terminal. They are usually spotted due to their green color but old models tend to be either orange or white.
Buses
Bus fare are cheap and you can find ones inside and around the capital. Inside the center of Doha, buses are numbered with double digits while ‘Inter Urban’ buses that serve the suburbs and other cities have three digits. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are available.
Taxis
You can hail a taxi in the street easily but beware of overcharges, especially if you get a larger car, which could be charged double. Thus, it is better to book one at a hotel or to call Taxi services. Other Taxi options include Uber and Careem, the app-based taxi services.
Driving
If you are 21 years old and above, you can hire a car in Qatar. Some International car hire companies like Budget, Sixt and Avist have offices in Doha. Remember street numbers as Doha can get a bit tricky to navigate. If you are on a visit visa, you can use the driving license you hold, regardless of the issuing country, for a period of 7 days. If you hold an International Driving Permit, you can drive a rental car for up to six months, or until your visa status is changed from visitor to resident.
Walking
During summer, it is advised not to walk in the heat but you can take strolls during the cooler months of the year, usually from November to April.
Other useful information
- To learn more about transport services in Qatar, you can check out the website of Mowasalat, the transport company in Qatar, accessible in English and Arabic.
- For the time being, there is no metro system but there are four lines under construction that should be running by 2019.
