Layover In Doha, Qatar

Stuck on a layover at Doha International Airport (DOH) in Qatar? As the only commercial airport in Qatar, it is located roughly 2.5 miles southeast of the city center, which makes Doha an accessible destination to those stuck on a long layover. If you’re trying to figure out if you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

As far as Visas, if you’re looking to leave the airport and explore Doha on a long layover, due to changes in Visa on May 1, 2010, it is recommended that all passengers get a Visa prior to arrival. (Depending on your country of residence, you may still be able to purchase a Visa on arrival for a tour around Doha for 100 QR per passport – click here for more information). For Visa application, you can contact the Qatar Airways stations in your country to get more information. Only citizens of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Saudi Arabia and the residents in the Gulf Cooperation Council of Arab States who are businessmen, medical doctors, engineers and similar prestigious positions and transit passengers do not need visa. Visas and their cost differ depending on nationality.

If you’re stuck in the airport during your layover, you’ll find that there is plenty to do to keep you occupied during your wait. The airport offers restaurants and cafés in the departure halls, duty free shopping in the arrival and departure halls and the premium building on a1500 SM, and a kids playarea in the departure hall, child care in the ground and first floor of the transit hall. There are three mosques in the airport – a mosque for men in the departure and arrival halls and a mosque with adjacent prayer room for women in the departure hall.

WiFi with high speed on your personal computer and digital personal assistance is available in all places of the airport. After the recent expansion of the airport two sites equipped with a number of computers have been opened to provide free of charge net services.

Banking and currency exchange are available at the airport (click here for more information and locations). In addition, medical advice and medical care is available at the airport – click here for more information.

The airport hosts a number of lounges. A Gold Lounge is available for Privilege Club Gold members in the Main terminal, a Silver Lounge is available for Privilege Club Silver members in the Main terminal, and the Oryx Lounge is available for First and Business Class passengers for free, and for all other passengers admission is available for QAR 140 (USD 39).

If you’re looking for a hotel room to spend your layover, there are a number of hotels of varying price ranges close the airport. For a list of hotels in Doha, click here.

If you plan to leave the airport during a long layover in Oman, there are a number of transportation options. Orange and white taxis that operate on a meter are located in front of the airport. A number of luxury hotels in Doha such as the Sheraton, Marriott, Ritz, Carlton, Intercontinental and the Four Seasons provide airport shuttles. Limousine cars are available from the airport to any place in Doha for charges that range between 30 and 75 QR. You can also rent a car (most international licenses are good for up to 7 days). There are also public buses available that travel to different stops in Doha – click here for a listing of bus times.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Qatar Layover:

Doha City Tour
If you have limited time but want to get a good scope of the city, a tour might be your best bet. There’s many to choose from – click here for a list of tour companies in Qatar. And you can also take a dhows boat trip/tour around the bay.

Shop Til You Drop!
Doha is a great place to shop, with large malls and everything is tax free! Popular shopping malls in Doha include City Center, Landmark, Hyatt Plaza, and the Royal Plaza.

The Islamic Museum
Open since 2008, The Islamic Museum showcases Islamic art, artifacts and history. In particular there are many artifacts that Al Thanis (Qatar’s royal family) has been collecting for years.

For more suggestions of things to do on a Doha, Qatar layover, click here!

Related posts:

1. Bahrain Layover
2. Kuwait City Layover
3. Layover in Muscat, Oman