qatar airways transit city tour

Doha City Tour With Discover Qatar: An Honest Review

Would you like to learn more about the Doha City Tour with Discover Qatar? Then you have come to the right place!

If you travel east, chances are that you will use the Doha airport for your connecting flight. You might have a long layover in Doha , with plenty of time to kill before hopping on your next flight.

What better way to spend that time than by getting out of the airport to explore a new city that you wouldn’t visit otherwise?

Discover Qatar offers a 3-hour long city tour of Doha which will take you to the city’s main attractions. I took this tour to check out if it was worth it and the answer is YES !

Although Doha might not be a city that attracts many tourists, it does have some beautiful sights. I really enjoyed gazing at the skyscrapers one moment and visiting the traditional souqs the next.

You will find my experience, along with some useful information in case you want to do the Doha Transit Tour in this post.

Doha city tour with Discover Qatar

The places you will see.

After booking the tour and leaving the airport, I boarded the air-conditioned bus with a small group of people who had booked the same tour.

We met our guide, who told us about the country and explained we’d make four stops. These were the following:

The harbour

After about 15 minutes on the bus, we made our first stop at the Doha harbour, which is right next to the Museum of Islamic Art.

You won’t be able to really check this museum out though, as the bus only makes a 10-minute stop in order for you to snap some pictures of the panoramic skyline , which is the harbour’s highlight.

Katara Cultural Village

My favourite stop was the next one: Katara Cultural Village, which aims to promote cultural awareness in Qatar.

Although everything was closed due to Ramadan, the stunning Arabic-inspired architecture literally made my jaw drop. From its amphitheatre to the beautiful Katara Masjid mosque , the cultural village is definitely worth a visit!

We had some time to walk around and take some pictures here, but I wished we could have stayed a little longer. It’s a very beautiful and photogenic place that I would love to visit again one day.

Stop number three was The Pearl: an artificial island situated off the coast of Doha. It’s full of yachts and luxurious apartments, restaurants and hotels.

The name “The Pearl” was chosen because it was built on one of Qatar’s previous pearl diving sites. Before the oil boom, the country was one of the main pearl traders in Asia .

We walked around The Pearl for about 20 minutes, which was just enough for me. Then, we hopped on the bus to drive to our final stop.

Our last stop was the Soup Waqif, where we had an hour to explore the market. Unlike the souqs I have visited in North Africa, the vendors didn’t aggressively try to get you into their shops and sell you stuff, which was a very nice, refreshing experience.

They sell all kinds of things at Souq Waqif, from souvenirs to clothes, spices and even small animals.

The souq dates back at least a hundred years but it was renovated in 2006 after most of it was destroyed by a fire a few years before.

Here, we had the choice to either take the bus back to the airport or stay in the city and return by ourselves later. I didn’t have that much time left before catching my flight so this is when the Doha city tour stopped for me.

How to book Discover Qatar’s city tour of Doha

You can book the tour in advance on the Discover Qatar website or go to their counter at the Doha airport.

Follow the A gate and take the first flat escalator (I’m not sure what those things are called in English?). You will find the desk on the left side. This is also the place where the tour leaves.

The 3-hour tour of Doha that I took cost 99 QAR but there are other tours to choose from, depending on the time you have and your budget.

I didn’t have to pay a visa fee, but it depends on your citizenship. You can check if your country belongs to the visa-free countries here .

Tips for the Qatar City Tour

• Bring water and sunscreen.
• Always take your valuables with you when you leave the bus.
• Ask for your tour operator’s contact number if you’re taking the bus back after the last stop. You never know what might happen and the bus doesn’t wait in case you get delayed.

Discover Qatar City Tour: Final thoughts

All in all, I had a great time on the Discover Qatar City Tour!

It takes you to Doha’s highlights and gives you an idea of what the city is like. There were places where I would have loved to stay longer but I know this wasn’t possible due to the limited time you have on a layover.

I would recommend this tour and would do it again in a heartbeat! It’s a great way to make the most of your layover and see a little bit of Doha.

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Laura Meyers

Laura Meyers is the founder of Laure Wanders. She was born in Belgium and has travelled to over 40 countries, many of them solo. She currently spends most of her time between Belgium and South Asia and loves helping other travellers plan their adventures abroad.

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I will have an 8-hour layover in Doha next month and am considering this tour. Is there a place to store one’s carry-on bag at the airport? Or do you bring it on the tour with you?

Hi Nadia, I think there must probably be a place to store your carry-on somewhere at the airport, but I took it with me so I’m not sure. Enjoy Doha!

Hi… I have a long layover in Doha. Want to leave the airport. I have some questions about you leaving the airport.

Did you have to get recovid tested? Do you need a Qatar SIM card or does the airport Wi-Fi have a strong enough connection for the health app?

Hi Mark, I did this before Covid, so I don’t know about the test. The wifi at the airport was good though!

Hi Laura, would just like to ask if the Pokefi 5g lte will work on an iPhone 8 and a laptop or does it only work on the latest devices?

Hi Ami, I think it would work because you just need to connect the wifi to start using it. But I would ask the Pokefi client service if you want to be sure. 😉

Hi Laura. I took the city tour from Qatar Airways 2 weeks ago while my transit in Rwanda. The tour was great but unfortunately it ended with one of the worst experiences in my life. The last station was the market and the tour operator gave us 20 minutes to go around. I lost my way back and I delayed 8 minutes to reach the meeting point. After waiting for 15 minutes, I realized that they left without me with my bag in the bus and without any contact to communicate. All my things (passport, money, credit cards, laptop) were in the bus and with just 8 minutes delay they left without me, in the middle of nowhere. After 1 hour of stress trying to find someone to talk, to find my bag and get back to the airport, I realized that they don’t care about their customers safety and there are no ways to be justified. Moreover, the taxi driver instead of 7 usd, he charged me 20 usd to take me back to the airport. I was charged 100 usd for the calls to find my bag and my way back to the airport.

Hi Nicos, I’m so sorry for what has happened to you, I can imagine that must have been a horrible experience! 🙁 It’s true that there should be a way to contact them in case something like this happens. I know it’s not much, and it certainly doesn’t make anything better, but I’ve added some tips at the end of this post that will hopefully prevent things like this from happening again.

Hi Nicola, did you have to get COVID tested or download any app in order to travel on the transit tour?

Hi Laura, thank you for sharing your experience and great information. I have a 12 hour layover at night in DOHA, do I need a transit to do the Discover Doha tour?

Hi Mari, I’m happy it’s helpful! 🙂 I’m not sure I understand what you mean with a transit. If you have a 12-hour layover, you are in transit, so it should be fine (I hope this helps). Also, it depends on the tours, but I see that you’re arriving at night, and for this one, the last one leaves at 9:30 pm. Hope your flight will be there in time!

after reading your review i also want to book this tour. My flight will arrive at 14:40. How long does it take to get to the Discover Qatar desk? Do i have to go through some security checks first? Do you think, taking flight delays into consideration, i can catch the tour starting from 16:00?

Please let me know – Thank you in advance

Sorry, i meant the tour starting from 18:00 because nowadays they want you to show up 2h prior

Hi Thomas, I didn’t have to go through any checkpoints when I landed in Doha and got to the Discover Qatar desk pretty fast! So I think you will definitely have enough time to catch that tour. Enjoy! 🙂

I’ve been staying in Doha for sometime for now. I guess you need at least one full day to view major sights of Doha city,

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Transit City Tour is a Must-Do! - Discover Qatar

• Middle East    
• Qatar    
• Doha    
• Doha - Things to Do    
• Discover Qatar

We took the Doha city tour. The people at the front desk, the tour guide, and bus driver were all... read more

My 6-hour layover was no match for Discover Qatar's "Transit Exclusive - Discover Doha" tour. In a... read more

Transit City Tour is a Must-Do!

If you're transiting through Doha and have a layover of more than 5 hours, then I highly suggest booking seats on the transit city tour! For a very reasonable price per person, Discover Qatar will take you on a bus tour throughout Doha and stop at the main spots to see, like Souq Waqif and The Pearl Qatar. The tour lasts 3 hours and the company ensures you leave and get back on time in order to make your onward connections. Overall, it was a great way to break up our journey with Qatar Airways.

Booked the two person private chauffeur from discover qatar with the hope that we could have an arrangement of place to visit instead of the standard museum, culture village and souq waqif. However, when we exit from the immigration, then I had realized that the actual chauffeur was a small group tour (around 4 to 6), which immediately I felt very disappointed. When I did survey on each attraction in Doha, I found that the Museum of Islamic Art is the most worth to visit (indeed, it is). Which is the reason that I book the discover qatar private chauffeur with the hope that we could spend 2 to 3 hours in the museum. However, we only have 45 minutes to do a quick tour in the museum since it become 4 person group tour. The Syria artifact exhibition could took at least 1hours+. Then, we are touring around the Pearl, which is pretty boring as it just another thing for rich foreigner stuff. Souq waqif was not bad, but again we don't have a lot of time to walk around and my wife was just pregnant so we tried to avoid the pet selling area. Therefore, we could not say it good or bad. So in overall, I would not recommend the chauffer service. It is better to take the bus or monster tour as it is much cheaper and won't be disappointed as you already expect it is a group tour but not private tour. I gave two star instead of one because the tour guide is kind enough to drop us off in our hotel instead of airport :D

I am very impressed by this bus tour of Doha. It’s reasonably priced, USD 12 only. Visa was free as well if applied through Qatar Airways. This tour provided a time to go out and see the city and the culture, food and shops. Simply amazing! The guide was awesome!

I really recommend doing this tour especially if you are only staying a short time. Our driver Mohammed was very knowledgeable and helpful especially when we stopped to look at certain stop.

We hâd a 12 hours stopover în Doha, Qatar! With Discover Qatar ofer we where able to take the City tour for a very reasonable price(40 QAD per person), a tour for almost 3 hours. Then we used the free room at Oryx Rotan Doha hotel again via this programm.So we where able to sleep a couple of hours and took a lovely dinner at the hotel restaurant for a good price. The hotel provided free shuttle bus to the airport. It is the best advertising of Doha City for the upcoming 2022 World Football Cup and for a city that îs developing fast and amazing. Well done! Great services!

So happy that this was available - I was keen to make the most of my 10 hour layover in Doha to get at least a little glimpse of the city. The guide gave some interesting facts about the city and was very upbeat and friendly. On board the bus we were given some water and biscuits, which was a nice touch. The tour took us around the key sights, and I found them all interesting. And the price of around 11 USD is excellent value for money. Actually the only reason I gave it four rather than five stars was that I would have liked more time in pretty much all the locations - especially the souq, where there were lots of restaurants and shops, but with only 30 minutes there, there was no time for a meal. Obviously they want this tour to be accessible for as many people as possible, so they keep it short at 2 hours 45 minutes - but perhaps they might offer a slightly longer city tour for people with a bit more time. Until next time! :-)

Qatar Transit Tour: Doha City

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Qatar is a tiny peninsular Arab nation in the Arabian Gulf bordering Saudi Arabia. Most of the country resides in the capital city of Doha. The economy is nearly 75% based on petrol and natural gas, making this small country the world’s richest nation (GDP per capita).

Over two million people call Qatar home, yet only 20% of the population are Qataris, with a huge population of foreign workers. Qatar has been selected to host the 2022 World Cup, the first in the Arab world. This has resulted in construction projects throughout Doha.

New Doha, known for exotic skyscrapers that rival Dubai, is an extremely modern city built entirely on reclaimed land in 2000. Doha is a regional hub and a common layover with Qatar Airlines. There is an excellent city tour available for those passing through offered by Discover Qatar. Read on to learn more about the Doha city tour.

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon .

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Important Things to Know When Visiting Doha

Visa to qatar.

Visa on arrival is available for countries in the E.U., the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and South Korea. All other countries are required to get a visa before arrival. See more visa information  here .

Best Time to Visit Doha

Visiting Qatar is best in the winter months between November and February. Days can still get hot with cool evenings, but the weather is very manageable. Temperatures in the summer average over 100° F (+40°C), making visits during this time very unpleasant.

The Qatari Riyal is the national currency in Qatar. It is pegged to the USD at $1 = 3.64 QR. ATMs are widely available at the airport and around Doha.

Doha City Tour

Are you flying with Qatar Airlines and have at least a six-hour layover in Doha? Take their Doha city tour! The tour lasts just under three hours and stops at the four below locations. There is a free one-day visa and the tour is first come, first serve, but you can also book your tour online up to 48 hours before your arrival time. There are six tours each day that leave at 8am, 10:30 am, 3pm, 6 pm, 8pm, and 9:30 pm.

Check-in starts two hours before the scheduled tour. The check-in location is at the Discover Qatar Transit Tours desk in Concourse A towards Gate A4. The city tour is on a 46-passenger bus and has short stops for a quick visit to Doha. At the time of writing, the Doha city tour was offered for free to promote Doha tourism. Nowadays, the tour costs 75 QR ($21 USD).

1. Museum of Islāmic Art

The first stop is next to the Museum of Islāmic Art. This building is an iconic building on the Doha corniche designed by the famous architect I. M. Pei. While there is not enough time to visit the museum, there is a photo opportunity of the building as well as a panoramic view of New Doha. This stop is for five minutes.

2. Katara Cultural Village

Opened in 2010, most cultural attractions for the city, such as open-air concerts, theatre, opera, or other events, occur in Katara. While this part of the city is becoming more popular, it is still mostly under construction until 2018. This stop is for 20 minutes.

3. The Pearl

The Pearl of Doha is a mini-Dubai-like pearl-shaped island with high-end shops, restaurants, and a marina. This is also the first place in Qatar that allows foreigners to own property. This stop is for 15 minutes.

4. Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif, the largest in Qatar, is a traditional market that is predominately a tourist destination. While it is not used by Qataris today, there remains an authentic feel and look to this market that is over 100 years old. This stop is for 45 minutes.

Tour Details

• A small bottle of water for each person
• Stops include an opportunity for a restroom breaks
• Timelines are strict to get everyone back to the airport
• English-speaking guides led the tour and offer historical context as well as information while riding on the bus between stops

That’s it – we hope you enjoy exploring the beautiful city of Doha!

Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years. After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

3 thoughts on “Qatar Transit Tour: Doha City”

Do I really need to be there 2 hours early to check in? My flight lands at 5 and I would like to do the 6pm tour. What are your thoughts?

Did you need a COVID test to exit for transit tour

Hi do you need a covid test to enter for transit tour?

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Long Doha Layover? Go for the Doha City Tour

Posted on Last updated: February 7, 2023

Categories Middle East , Qatar , Travel Tips

If you often travel east, there is no doubt, you’ve used Qatar’s airport for your connecting flight. And it’s not uncommon that while chasing perfect dates or low prices, to be forced to have a boring long Doha layover.

To be honest, I enjoy the big international airports. Seeing so many different people from different cultures has always been fascinating for me, but even though Hamad Airport is one of the best airports in the world, spending more than 4 hours there feels like a massive waste of time. After all, my vacation days are limited, and I want to spend them hiking volcanos or exploring new cultures , not sitting on my ass, waiting for a flight, right?

Thankfully the Qatar Airways people have thought of that and offer you the opportunity to go around Doha, learn more about it, and still catch your plane on time. Even though Qatar’s reputation is very controversial, the chance to explore such a unique and interesting culture is not to be missed.

Discover Qatar – Doha City Tour

There are several tour offers, but the most popular one (and also the cheapest ) is the Doha City Tour. On my last long Doha layover, I decided to check it out and see if it’s worth it.

So, what is the Doha City Tour like?

After signing up and getting out of the airport (that may take an hour), you board an AC bus and get a bottle of water. There is also a guide provided so don’t be afraid you’d miss anything worthwhile.

While you don’t have a Colosseum or Eifel Tower to marvel at, you’d start paying attention to the city as a whole. And boy oh boy Doha really is a bizarre place with a distinctive identity.

The first thing that made me quite the impression were the lamps. The whole lamposts are covered with large Arabic words, according to my guide – quotes from the Coran. Lamposts are very important for the city’s identity, and the Doha ones do a good job reminding you that you are now in a strictly Muslim country.

In 15 minutes we reached the first stop of the Doha City Tour:

The Doha Harbor

The harbor is right next to the Museum of Islamic Art, but since you have only 5 to 10 minutes per stop, you won’t be able to check it out. The highlight of the harbor is not the boats or the pearl statue on the entrance, but the magnificent panoramic view of the city.

And while 5 minutes may seem too little time to enjoy, I found it to be just enough to take some photos and enjoy the sight before getting too hot ( TIL: The whole country of Qatar is built in the desert ).

For our next stop, we went into downtown Doha, so I had the chance to observe more of the daily life of Qatar’s capital. The first thing that struck me as a weird one was the lack of color. Most of the buildings were painted in desert yellowish while 90% of the cars were either black or white.

As per my guide, the reason for that is the desert sand. Using those colors is just a way to make things look cleaner. How come a white car covered in desert dust looks cleaner than a red car covered in desert dust is beyond me, but I guess people who lived their whole life in the sands knows better than me.

   See Also:   Top 10 Curious Facts About Qatar

Katara Cultural Village

Stop number 2 of my Doha layover trip was the Katara Cultural Village . With the idea to position the State of Qatar as a cultural beacon a lighthouse of art, radiating in the Middle East through theatre, literature, music, visual art, conventions, and exhibitions, it did sound like an exciting place to see.

Sadly we didn’t have the time to check any art exhibition but the walk around the oddly fascinating art and mosques were enough to convince me this is a place I should come back to.

Making our way to the third stop, we kept seeing more and more of the city, and I realized that the only people I see outside were immigrants working on construction sites.

It was Thursday morning, and in any other major city the streets would’ve been buzzing with people going to work, but Doha was empty. I guess Qataris didn’t bother going early to work. Such a different world.

   See Also:   How to Spend 10 Days in Morocco

The third stop of the Doha City Tour was an artificial island called The Pearl . You probably didn’t know ( I certainly didn’t), but before the oil boom, Qatar was one of the significant pearl traders of Asia.

To honor their heritage, the Qatari people (or more like the Qatari sheik) decided to build an artificial island that resembles the shape of a string of pearls, right on top of a former pearl diving site (who need pearls when you have oil, right?).

Spanning nearly four million square meters, it is also the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals.

Besides the security, there were no people around. Not even a single one. You see, I come from a small country, I’m used to not having tons of people around me, but still, having absolutely no one, was a strange feeling that made me watch behind my back more than once, expecting to see some zombies. The dozens of luxury boats and skyscrapers made a good photo background though.

On our way to the last stop, we passed through some diplomatic neighborhoods and were asked not to take pictures. The guide explained all diplomats and Qatari people value their privacy, so they build big walls around their houses. Man, they’re gonna have a tough time during the Fifa World Cup in 2022.

Souq Waqif Market

The last stop of my Doha layover trip was Souq Waqif market. We were given a whole 30 minutes to explore it and buy some stuff (not that any of us got any Qatari money). The market was quite pleasant, and there were some real people there!

It was built in the traditional Arabic way and sold all kinds of stuff from souvenirs and clothing to animals and spices. Unlike the other Arabic bazaars, there weren’t annoying hawkers trying to hijack you into their shop, which made walking around Souq Waqif relaxing and enjoyable.

After a delightful 30-40 minutes (a Chinese guy got lost, so we had to wait for him) we were back on the bus and on our way back to the airport.

   See Also:   5 days in Dubai

Doha City Tour Information

The Discover Qatar Tours desk is located across the teddy bear, just before the food court . You can also book a tour online . Important – you need to have 8 hours or more of transfer time to book the tour.

The tour starting times are: 07:00 AM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 3:00 PM or later 08:00 AM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 4:00 PM or later 11:00 AM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 7:00 PM or later 1:00 PM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 9:00 PM or later 3:00 PM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 11:00 PM or later 6:00 PM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 02:00 AM or later 7:00 PM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 03:00 AM or later 9:30 PM – > to get this one your onward flight must be at 05:30 AM or later

The price is 99 QAR / 27 USD and could be paid only by card (cash is not accepted).

While lacking any real attractions and having only 5-10 minutes per stop, I’m happy I took the Doha City Tour. Having this extra journey within my journey, showed me such a different culture that awoke my curiosity about Qatar and its people big time. One thing is for sure though – this long Doha layover was the most interesting one I’ve had by a longshot!

That’s all from me, I hope your long Doha layover will be as fun as mine and you’ll enjoy the Doha city tour . ———————————— If you haven’t planned your trip there yet, find out how I plan my trips! ———————————— I have 5 bucket list ideas for Qatar. See my impossible bucket list of 1700+ adventures!

What did you do on your long Doha layover?

Babak Nikoui

Tuesday 31st of January 2023

Hi, I'll be arriving at Hamad Airport around 6 pm and my next flight will be at 1:45 am can I still take a city tour and make it to my flight?

Thursday 28th of April 2022

Hi - have a 7 hour layover in Aug 2022 - so will go on the tour .. .. can you book in advance - or just go to the desk on arrival .. thanks

Sunday 1st of May 2022

Hello, Used to be only on the desk. Tthe tour was stopped for a long time due to Covid and I'm not sure if it's even an option right now (or will be in August) or what the new conditions.

Siti Norlida Ghazali

Sunday 20th of March 2022

I am going to Doha on 3 Apr from Sabiha arriving 230pm I plan to have city tours and dhow boat cruise Is there enough time for camel tide? My next flight to Kuala Lumpur is on 4 April 2.00am early morning Please advise as soon as possible

Sunday 27th of March 2022

You better check this with some tour providers. Some of them may offer an afternoon tour with a return trip to the airport.

Wednesday 13th of November 2019

I have experienced the city tour a few years ago and need help figuring out where one of my photos were taken. Is there someone who can help me with the name? I could not find it in the city tour pictures but know I was there around the Souq Waqif Market

Thursday 5th of September 2019

I like the way you have detailed this article. I was in Doha last month but i did not manage to go for the bus tour due to flight timings. Next time am transiting in Doha, i will make sure i take a flight with a long layover.

Friday 6th of September 2019

Thank you Richard,

Doha's airport is the only one I'd deliberately plan a long layover too. They have some desert tours I want to try next time.

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Traveling to India or USA via Doha? All You Should Know about Qatar Stopover, Doha City Tours, Visa-free Transit

Booked Qatar Airways’ flight tickets to India or USA via Doha for summer travel? You can now turn your transit into an exciting tour of Doha City if the layover/connection time is 8 hours or more at Hamad International Airport . Or, you can make the most of a Doha stopover in the event of a minimum 12-hour layover in transit. Qatar Airways’ Doha stopover is one of the best airline stopover programs for international transit travelers. Doha, the capital of Qatar, is much as beautiful as Dubai or Abu Dhabi. You can get to see an additional destination while in transit between USA and India at a very little cost, instead of spending a lump sum for a separate trip to Doha.

PC: Discoverqatar.qa/tours-excursions

Do I need a visa for a Doha stopover or a transit tour in Doha?

Usually, international transit travelers require a transit visa to enter Doha/Qatar. Nationals of both India and the United States are eligible for visa-free entry to Qatar . To be precise, Indian passport holders and US citizens can obtain visa waiver on arrival in Doha during their layover at Hamad Airport (DOH). They must have a passport valid for minimum 6 months and a confirmed onward/return air ticket. The visa waiver for them is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Other transit passengers of Qatar Airways can apply for a pre-approved transit visa to enter Doha. The Qatar transit visa is available at no cost and for a layover of minimum 5 hours. It is valid for up to 96 hours or 4 days. In case a US or Indian citizen is barred from obtaining visa waiver on arrival in Doha, he/she can apply for a free transit visa to Qatar.

Doha City transit tours for Qatar Airways’ passengers

Qatar Airways’ Destination Management Company, Discover Qatar operates several Doha City tours for international transit passengers having a layover of 8 hours or more at Hamad Airport. You can choose either of the two paid Doha transit tours offered by Discover Qatar and pre-book online on the website of Discover Qatar. You can also reach out to the Discover Qatar Desk at Hamad International Airport.

“Discover Doha” is a 3-hour guided coach tour across the city. It takes travelers on a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art, Dhow Harbour, the Doha Corniche, the Katara Cultural Village, and Souq Waqif. The Doha Corniche is a scenic waterfront promenade stretching for 7 kms along the serene Doha Bay. Boat rides are available at the Corniche stop next to the Museum of Islamic Art. Dhow Harbour, one of the oldest tourist places in Doha, is where traditional sailing vessels are anchored. The place offers absolute serenity and scenic glimpses of beach life. The Katara Cultural Village is a must-visit place that offers a walk-through Qatar’s art, culture and cuisine.

Discover the Desert and Inland Sea is an exclusive 4-hour private tour for transit travelers with Qatar Airways tickets for business flights /economy. It is an exciting tour of the place where sand dunes of the Arabian Desert meet the pristine blue waters of the Arabian Sea and offer breath-taking views.

Hamad Int Airport tours for transit passengers

Neither Qatar Transit Visa nor the visa waiver on arrival in Doha is available for Indians and US citizens if their itinerary has less than 5 hours of connection/transit time at Hamad Airport. Without a visa permit or a visa waiver, they cannot step out of the airport for Doha City sightseeing. However, there are airport layover tours for them, and the tours are payable.

“Discover the Art of the Airport” and “Discover Squash at the Airport” are two Hamad International Airport tours for transit travelers. The former is a 2-hour tour exploring the remarkable art exhibits at Hamad Airport, DOH. Good for art connoisseurs among the transit travelers! The latter is also a two-hour tour that provides ample room to let you relax and enjoy a game of squash until boarding on to your next flight. It comes with access to the shower facility. The tour is available every two hours throughout the day.

Doha Stopover for Qatar Airways’ transit passengers  

Grabbing Indian Eagle’s best deals for Qatar Airways flights to USA or India, you can make the most of a Doha stopover for 12 hours or more. However, a Dubai stopover requires one-night accommodation at a 4-star or 5-star hotel. Discover Qatar offers cost-effective packages at bundle rates starting from $14 for standard 4-star accommodation and from $20 for premium 5-star accommodation per night.  

Hotel accommodation can be booked for up to 4 nights depending on the length of your Doha stopover. Your Qatar Airways boarding pass and stopover booking confirmation are the key requirements for hotel check-in on arrival in Doha. Your name on the boarding pass should match your name on the stopover booking document. In the event of flight schedule change or cancelation, you can contact Discover Qatar on +974-4144 5150 for a change to the stopover hotel booking.

What to do at Doha Hamad Int Airport other than paid airport tours?

You are in for a treat at Hamad International Airport. Among the things to do and see during a layover at Hamad Airport, the Orchard is a special mention. If you don’t wish to take a Doha sightseeing tour or spend on an airport tour, you can kill your wait time for the next connecting flight in the Orchard, a 10,000-sqm indoor tropical garden with spaces for relaxation, recreation, and shopping.

The Orchard with a 270-sqm water feature, among the key attractions of Doha Hamad Airport, resembles the Jewel Complex of Singapore Changi Airport . It offers lush greenery with tranquil ambience, so you can stroll or sit relaxed. Is shopping your favorite indulgence? You can go on a shopping spree in the sprawling retail area of the Orchard where there are more than 90 brands, including Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton Boutique.

During a layover, Hamad International Airport offers plenty of things to do for family travelers with kids. There are Mac stations with lots of kids-friendly entertainment content . The play areas have various facilities to let kids channelize their energy. The passenger terminal has five activity nodes for family travelers with children: one in Concourse A, one in Concourse B, and 3 in Concourse C. Bronze sculptures in the concourses are worth clicking selfies with kids. Precisely, there is no scope for kids to get bored during a layover at Hamad International Airport, DOH.

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12 thoughts on “ traveling to india or usa via doha all you should know about qatar stopover, doha city tours, visa-free transit ”.

I have OCI card – ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ , travelling on St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) passport. Do I need to apply for VISA before travel?! [Site seeing purpose]

Hi Vijay! Could you be a little more specific about where you are traveling to?

How much it cost of each passenger?

I am Falgun Desai here.my wife and my self are going to India from U S A.we are having 13 hours halt at Doha .we are u s citizens.we have economy class ticket.can we use lounge free ,if I have to pay what is the price? What other activity I can do at what price? Thanks

Hi Falgun! In our knowledge, there is no free lounge for economy class travelers. Given the 13-hour layover, you can go out for city sightseeing. Qatar Airways’ tourism partner, Discover Qatar, conducts reasonably paid Doha city tours for transit travelers. Being a US citizen and having a minimum 6-month valid passport, you are eligible for visa-free entry to Doha. You can obtain the visa waiver at Hamad International Airport during the layover. Kindly go through the article to get the information. Thank you!

Hello. I have a laover of 21 hrs in Doha. I’m an Indian citizen traveling with my 2 kids. I’m unable to book accomodation via discover doha as it requires minimum of 2 nights. I Can you please confirm.

1) India is qualified for visa free ebtry, so do I still need to get visa on arrival if I were to go out into the city?

2) if yes, do I need hotel accomodation for visa. How do I book it?

Hello! Yes, Indians having a passport valid for 6 months are eligible for visa-free entry to Qatar. You will get the visa waiver at the desk at Doha Airport.

Thank you for your response.

Hello, I understand Indians do not need a visa to enter Qatar. My layover is 13 hours. My question is do i still need to show a Hotel reservation at security gate or ?

Hi Kumar! In our knowledge, a layover of 13 hours will be considered as a stopover. A Dubai stopover requires one-night accommodation at a 4-star or 5-star hotel. Discover Qatar offers cost-effective packages at bundle rates. You can visit the portal of Discover Qatar.

I’m unable to book any of the transit tours (considering the ones in the city and not just within the airport) due to my flight timings. My inbound flight to Doha arrives at 8:30PM and the outbound flight is at 8:00AM the next day, making it a 11.5 hours overnight layover. However, there are some private tours (I e., not by Discover Qatar and available on site like Viator, GetYourGuide etc) that start a little late, around 11pm and are convenient for me.

Would there be any immigration issues of I book and take these private tours? Is there any additional procedure other than that mentioned above that I’d have to follow? Would I require a hotel reservation if the tour is roughly 4 hours long?

Is india still under visa free stay ?

I have a stopover of 23 hours , On Discover qatar website i see 2 hotel booking options “Stopover” and “Hotels for Hayya and Visa “ which option to use from .

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Doha Layover: Should you try a Qatar Transit Tour?

Middle East Travel / February 19, 2020 by fulltimeexplorer / Leave a Comment

I’ve taken a lot of different flights from Nepal to the United States, and for the cost, Qatar Airways has turned out to be my favorite. The flights are affordable. It’s one of the quickest routes if you live on the East Coast, and the airline is one of the best. Having a layover in Doha is much nicer than some of the other layover cities I’ve stopped in. The airport is clean, spacious, modern, and easy to navigate. This time, I was traveling with my mom to Nepal, and I realized that the airline offers Qatar transit tours! We decided to give one a try since we had an 8 hour layover in Doha.

What is a transit tour?

A transit tour is a short tour of the city that takes off from the airport and arrives back at the airport. There are a variety of tours, but all of them are meant for those with short layovers between 7 and 24 hours. That way, you can leave the airport and enjoy Qatar rather than sitting around waiting for your plane.

How do you book a Qatar transit tour?

Booking the transit tour is extremely easy. Simply go to Qatar’s webpage and look at the transit tours (found under the discover tab). From here you can see an array of tours that range from 3 hours to day trips. Click on any of the tours to see what times they leave, where they go, and how long your layover needs to be in order to get through customs and back to your flight in time.

How much is a transit tour, and what does it include?

Tours range based on the type of tour. A 3 hour tour of the city with transport to and from the airport and an English speaking guide is about $20 USD per person. A half day safari to the desert with transportation and a guide is about $100 USD per person. While you could probably arrange these on your own for cheaper, the benefit here is that everything is arranged for you without a worry in the world. You simply show up, enjoy the tour, and are returned in time for your flight without a stress in the world.

Do I need a transit visa for a Doha layover?

Transit visas are free for 80 different countries. You can view this list for more information. U.S. citizens can receive a free transit visa on arrival. We met at the Discover Qatar tour desk by Gate A3 and the guide from Discover Qatar gave us the customs document printed out with our information. We handed it to the officer and got through in a matter of minutes. If you go through customs on your own, just tell the officer you are going on a transit tour.

What do I do with my luggage?

Our checked bag was set to go directly to Kathmandu, so the only thing we had to worry about was our carry on. I was afraid we’d have to carry it on our backs everywhere. We each had a 15lb (7kg) backpack with us. Luckily, they stored it under the tour bus, so it was safe during the tour. Our driver stayed with the bus the entire time, and we were told that Qatar is ranked as one of the top safest countries in the world. Therefore, we only carried our purses and cameras for the tour.

Review of the 3 hour Doha layover city tour

Since we had about 8 hours for our layover in Doha, we decided to try the 3 hour Qatar transit tour. The tour was only $20 USD each and included transportation around the city with stops in 4 destinations. We were able to visit Dhow Harbour (10 minute stop) to view the fishing vessels and Doha’s skyline. We went at night so the skyline was lovely, but the fishing vessels were hard to see. Next we went to Katara Cultural Village (10 minute stop) which is a large shopping mall. But, there is a beautiful blue mosque with incredible mosaics on the outside as well as the “pigeon poo tower” where they used to collect pigeon poo for fertilizer. Then, we stopped at The Pearl (10 minute stop) which is another shopping area with luxury apartments above it and a marina full of yachts in a bay behind it.

At this point I was feeling a bit rushed as 10 mins is not nearly enough time to even see a location from the outside. Last, we stopped at Souq Waqif (40 min stop) which is a local market. In my eyes, this was by far the best part of the tour. I honestly would have booked a tour that just spent 2 hours at the market. Its beautiful winding alleyways full of men in traditional dress smoking hookah made me feel like I’d stepped into a scene from Aladdin. There were stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, desserts, spices, housewares and more. It was such an interesting experience.

In between all the running around, we saw other sites from the windows of the bus while our guide told us the history and fun facts about Qatar. The entire tour was informative and stress free. We showed up, followed our guide, and got returned to the airport without hassles. As someone who plans my own trips 98% of the time, it was nice not to have to worry about anything. They run this tour 5 times a day, every day, so they have everything down to the minute. The only downfall was feeling rushed at the first three sites. I honestly could have done without the stop at the apartment building/yacht marina. To me it wasn’t that interesting. But the rest of the tour was great and worth booking if you have a 6 hour layover.

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I’m just your average New Yorker who quit her job in the fashion industry to explore the world. Come find out what it’s like to trade in five-inch heels for squat toilets.

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Doha Transit Tour Review – Is it worth the money?

The worst part of travelling is long layovers! Whether you want to save money or ok with shelling out, layovers are part and parcel of every traveller’s life. At nicer airports like Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam , you can walk around for a while shopping. But, it is irritating not to find a quiet spot to nap if you are tired. Qatar Airways has the most convenient and best way to make these long layovers at Doha Hamad International Airport by Transit tours.

We couldn’t ask for a cheaper and better way to see a city for a few hours that was getting all decked up for the 2022 FIFA world cup, So we don’t claim that we have seen the entire of Qatar, as we saw only Doha for the three to four hours. So this post is all about what you can see in a capital city in three hours! Let us take you on a mini adventure in the wealthiest country in the world on our way back home from Iran .

What to expect in Qatar Transit tours?

A short transit tour of the city takes off from the airport and arrives back at the airport. There are various tours for those with layovers between 7 to 24 hrs at Doha Airport. Yes, Doha airport is like a mall, where you can shop for luxury brands or even window shopping. How long can you do that when you have a 10hr layover? A quick outing is always good to get out of the airport and glimpse this tiny nation’s outlandish capital with modern skyscrapers surrounded by the Persian Gulf.

What you see in the Doha transit tour depends on what kind of tour you choose. One common thing is that you will be picked up and dropped back at the airport without worrying about missing your next flight.

Qatar is the wealthiest nation as of 2020. It has remained in the top 10 richest countries of the world for many years. So in the transit tours, you will be shown the more prosperous parts of Doha. 

We opted for a three-hour city tour in the afternoon. A big bus with around 40 tourists takes you around the beach-side capital with a few minutes stop at various locations. The city is modern, beautiful and spotless. You can easily make out that the country is rich. On the bus, the manager narrates the facts and histories of Qatar. Wherever any major landmarks come up, he neatly explains them in brief. The narration about climate, history, population, migrants, FIFA 2022, fishing villages and so on made the tour even more enjoyable.

Who can take Doha Transit Tours?

Anyone with a layover of at least five hours in Hamad International Airport can join the Doha Transit Tours. In recent days, the conditions have changed a bit and some of the nationalities who are eligible for Visa free entry to Qatar such as Indians need to pay extra and stay for two nights at least in Doha!

This information isn’t mentioned clearly anywhere on their website. I recommend writing to Discover Qatar before you take the layover tours.

Is everything perfect – Not precisely. Expect to see things on the surface level. You can’t go on exploring deep. Most of Doha, you see from your bus window. You are given specific timings at each spot – 10 minutes at Harbour, 30 minutes at the old market, and 20 minutes at the Marsa Arabia area. For that three hours in Doha and the money you pay – It is worth it. Roaming in a new place any day is better than sleeping on the airport lounge benches.

Is the Doha Transit tour Free?

HEADS UP  – I am not sure why a few websites/blogs call the transit tours “Free”. As Indians, we didn’t need a transit Visa; other than that, everything else was payable. So don’t consider the transit tours “Free of Cost” though you are travelling by Qatar airwfays as we did.

I felt, in Doha – there are more buildings than Humans. There are way too many men than women.

Once you book the tour, you can’t alter or try to get things customised. You can’t extend the duration or change the departure hours. The tours run on specific schedules throughout the day. If your layover is 24 hours or so, you can book two trips at different times.

What do I do with my luggage at Doha airport?

Though you have dumped your suitcase/trolley/rucksack as check-in luggage, you will have at least a day pack with you as cabin luggage. After booking the Discover Qatar tour, we searched for lockers to deposit our backpacks. Strangely, nobody knew if there was a place for a passenger locker or not! Even at the Discover Qatar desk, the person in charge said,” Check with others.”

We roamed for almost an hour. Ultimately, a coffee shop guy confirmed that there is no such locker facility. So saddened us; we thought we might have to roam around with our 10kg backpack while our trolley suitcase was already under transfer. Fortunately, the Discover Qatar buses allow tourists to store their bags under the tour bus.

So don’t search for a locker; keep it in the storage under the bus.

Multiple bloggers told us that Qatar is one of the safest, and petty crimes are nil. We believed the same until my Wallet was picked up. I had kept it safe and secure inside my smaller backpack. I am not sure when and how someone flicked it. We have travelled across the globe and all over India. Never have I lost my Wallet! Doha airport is one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world. So be super cautious about your luggage.

Things to know before you opt for any Qatar tours at airport.

You need to be at the Discover Qatar desk an hour before the departure of the tour. Then, you must go through the regular immigration process with your passport and carry-on luggage. It is one of the busiest airports globally; the immigration process may take time during rush hours.

Doha Airport is big! So you must know how to navigate inside the airport to reach the Discover Qatar desk near gate A4. 

Many shops in the airport accept Indian Rupees when you buy things. The unique thing is you can get the change back in either Qatari Riyal or Inr. If the change money amount is higher, they even give you Euros of the same value!

If it is your first time in Bazars and Souqs, Doha old Souq is sure to allure you with its carpets, jewels, dry fruits and other things. When I checked, most pieces were on the higher end but were of good quality. So carry Qatari Rial or International Credit/Debit cards.

Things to keep in mind before boarding your bus to Doha Transit Tour

Make sure you keep an extra pair of clothes in your carry-on luggage to change into before going on a Transit tour. The long flight hours might make you look tired. Also, you will be travelling on an AC bus. I am sure you don’t want to smell bad or cause trouble to others. We had a terrible experience sitting on a stinking bus during our trip. Everyone was covering their nose because of stinky socks or some smell. Fortunately, the smelly person must have noticed his co-passengers struggling (we don’t know who it is). After a few minutes, he/she must have removed their stinking socks and thrown them away (or kept them in a bag).  

Doha is modern in terms of its amenities and appearance. But still conservative when it comes to clothing. You will find foreign women in shorts and bralettes and men in sleeveless shirts and shorts only inside the airport. It is good to keep it in smart casuals when you step outside. Knee-length skirts, capris, skinny jeans, and leggings are all fine.

Avoid wearing crop tops, noodle straps and backless. Men – Wear full pants with a T-shirt. You hardly find anyone roaming in sleeveless T-Shirts in Doha city.

Be conscious when you click pictures, especially at Souq Wakif.

Even when we tried to click images of a carpet or the bird markets, Arab men in white robes often had problems. We are both super conscious; we always ensure we don’t kill someone’s privacy while clicking. But here, no matter where we were walking, there was always an Arab couple – a man in a white robe ( thoub/thobe, dishdasha or kandora) and a lady in a black Burqa.

It was super hard to click without them in the frame. You really need to wait for them to cross your frame. Even though we didn’t intend to click them, we were asked not to click them! I focused on the birds at the bird market; a man in a white robe came out of the shop and yelled at us to click his photo. Once we showed the bird photo on our phone, he nodded and returned without apologising.

Like any middle east country, Shisha is common in Souq Wakif. You will need at least 30 minutes to enjoy one course of Shisha. If you are on a three-hour Doha city tour, you will get 40 minutes to spend in the Souq. So suit yourself – you want to roam around the Souq or enjoy Shisha in that 40 minutes.

Probably Doha is one of the places where “Not so wealthy” people like us get to touch Rolls Royce. So without hesitation, enjoy feeling the windows of luxury shops outside at Versace and Hermes near Marsa Arabia.

Whatever may be your type of travelling – Transit tours are arranged, and they got fixed plans. So instead of judging or whining, sit back and relax, listen to the narration by your manager while the broad roads filled with glass skyscrapers pass by.

What are our thoughts on Doha?

At Doha Harbour, it is a fascinating view of the modern skyscrapers against these old boats used for fishing before. Realising how oil wealth can change a nation’s fortune in two decades is fascinating when you stand there and look around. 

As an architect, I don’t find imitated things fascinating. I always respect and love one’s genuine. The Katara village felt like a place built by borrowing different things from various nations like Mali, Iraq and ancient Persia. The theatres looked like Greek theatres there. The Spiral mosque in the city reminded me of Iraq’s spiral tower. So I am not sure if the Katara village is genuine or made for tourists to add “one more tourist spot.”

Any country in the world will have two faces – the nicer and not-so-nice ones.

As a tourist, we always want to see the nicer part. I am not saying I want to explore if there are any slums in Doha or the poor fishing villages of Qatar. But, within three to four hours, you can see only the touristy places. The places are “made to look good.” 

Katara Village

There are many exciting places in Doha besides the Versace or Rolls-Royce showroom. For example, “Museum of Islamic Art – The building that looks like a woman in Burqah.” When I checked their website, I regretted seeing the nice building only from the outside and not exploring the real museum. Check their website – you can easily spend only three hours in the museum. 

Qatar National Museum – The super contemporary building

The city was all about luxury, extravagance and wealth. Nowhere else, I don’t think, we can ever touch a Rolls Royce car. But here, we could touch it and even pose. It was truly entering Ms Miranda Priestly’s world in real life. As much as we travel on a budget, we love brands (all I have is a Jimmy Choo sunglass and Patola scarf). So be it a Versace gold theme jacket or diamonds of Harry Winston, you can see it all from outside.

Around 80% of the Qatar population are immigrants. So you saw many Asians – Indians, Pakistan, Nepal, Philippines. If you want to experience real Qatar Arab life, you have to get out of Doha and explore. Go to the desert, walk on the tall dunes, and wander in the old Fisherman’s Village. Spend five days in Qatar if you want to feel Qatar beyond seeing Doha. The country is compact. My home state Karnataka 16 times bigger than Qatar. So anything between 5 to 6 days must be good enough to see Qatar as a whole.

So our verdict is

Go with an open mind and don’t expect to experience Qatar – It is seeing Doha in a few hours and not experiencing Qatar as a whole. But, then you will love those four hours – So go head, and enjoy Doha for a few hours.

Would you take Doha Transit Tour after reading our review? Also, Where else have you been on a transit tour, and what are your opinions on it? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa (Visa on Arrival)

This visa is issued upon arrival and is valid for 30 days for the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. It allows for multiple entry to both countries and is extendable for an additional 30 days for a fee. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the joint visa:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City

Visa on arrival – mandated hotel requirement

The Ministry of Interior Qatar currently requires nationals of the countries / regions listed below to hold registration booked through   Discover Qatar website   prior to travelling to Qatar.

India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand.

Tourist visas

The Qatar tourist visa is available to nationals of all countries, except GCC citizens, but citizens of over 101 countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival (see Visa-free entry above). Travellers of select nationalities will require to pay a fee to obtain a visa on arrival or apply for a tourist visa prior to travel. Visas can be applied for on the  Hayya platform for a cost of QAR 100. 

Afghanistan, Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Aruba, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and  Saba, Botswana, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Congo, Congo (the Democratic Republic  of Congo), Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands (the), Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Heard Island and McDonald  Islands, Holy See (the), Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's  Republic of Korea), Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia (Federated States  of), Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Helena, Ascension and  Tristan da Cunha, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the  Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Georgia and the South  Sandwich Islands, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan (Province of China), Tajikistan, Tanzania, United Republic of  Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (U.S.), Wallis and Futuna, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Applying for a visa using the Hayya platform

Thanks to a host of visa facilitation measures, Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either by obtaining visa on arrival, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry.

This webpage is designed to keep you up-to-date on the visa policies that are relevant to you, and the process you need to follow to apply for a visa, if necessary.

Hayya card validity extended until 2024

Are you a Hayya Card holder living outside the State of Qatar? We’ve got news! 

The validity of the Hayya Card has been extended and will now allow Hayya Card holders to enter the State of Qatar until February, 2024.

Travel requirements: 

- Proof of a confirmed hotel reservation or accommodation with family or friends approved through the Hayya portal

- Passport valid for no less than three months upon arrival in the State of Qatar 

- Valid health insurance during the period of stay in the country. We recommend all travellers visiting the State of Qatar to have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar's medical facilities. Those who don’t already have an insurance policy are welcome to purchase one on arrival in the State of Qatar. For more information on travel insurance, click  here .

- Return tickets

All Hayya card holders visiting Qatar will have access to the following:

- The 'Hayya with Me' feature' allowing Hayya Card holders to invite up to three family members or friends

- A multiple-entry permit 

- No fees will apply

Qatar Transit Visa

Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Hamad International Airport for a minimum of 5 hours are eligible to apply for the Qatar Transit Visa. It is free of charge, valid for up to 96 hours (four days) and open to passengers of all nationalities**.

For more information about Qatar Transit tours, please click  here .

Visa Exemptions

Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) do not require a visa to enter Qatar.

Mandatory health insurance

We recommend all travellers visiting the State of Qatar to have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar's medical facilities. Those who don’t already have an insurance policy are welcome to purchase one on arrival in the State of Qatar. For more information on travel insurance, click  here .

* Service fees only apply. ** All visas are approved and issued at the sole discretion of Qatar's Ministry of Interior.

Disclaimer: All visa rules and policies for international visitors are subject to change without notice and are approved and issued at the sole discretion of Qatar's Ministry of Interior.

Get expert help to book a dream Qatar trip

Need some help planning your next Qatar holiday or business trip? With Qatar Concierge, our dedicated travel team is here to help you book flights, plus guide you on the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and more. Call  0161 527 4409  and they’ll be happy to help. Please note that this service is not for visa queries, please visit our  Visa page  for more information.

Things to know before travelling

Want to travel visa-free? Check if you qualify here.

Getting here

Planning your trip to Qatar? Check how to get here.

Travel tips

Make the most of your visit with our handy travel guide.

Getting around

From a dhow boat to our world-class metro, here’s how to easily explore Qatar.

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1 USD = 3.64 QAR

Transit Exclusive - Discover the Desert and Inland Sea (Private Tour)

This tour is priced per vehicle for a maximum of 5 people.

Tour Timings: every hour from 06:00 to 14:00 Frequency: Daily | Duration: 4 hours Required Transit Time: 8 hours Meeting Time: 2 hours before the scheduled tour Meeting Point:  Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport

Booking If you are traveling within 2 days and the calendar does not show availability on this website, please visit the Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport to book your Tour.

Click here  to view the location of the Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport.

Private Tour

Visa Information:  Please note as this tour requires you to pass through immigration control to enter the state of Qatar, you will require a Visa. Discover Qatar will provide guidance at the airport, but are not responsible for the issuing of the Visa. This tour does not meet the requirement of a Visa on Arrival. Should your entry/visa be declined by the authorities despite meeting all the visa requirements, Discover Qatar will issue a full refund for the tour. For a full list of countries eligible for visa-free entry and Qatar entry visa requirements,  click here .

What to Expect

• Pick-up and drop-off from Hamad International Airport
• Taking approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, travel by 4x4 air-conditioned vehicle to the entrance to the desert at Sealine
• Brief stop at Sealine to prepare the 4x4 vehicle for the desert drive
• Off road desert drive through the dramatic sand dunes with our experienced and qualified drivers to the destination of Khor Al Adaid
• Brief comfort stop at the desert camp
• Return journey from the desert camp back to Sealine and onward to Hamad International Airport
• Transportation in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle
• All guides are licensed and English-speaking
• Meals and beverages
• Travel insurance
• Anything else that is not expressly mentioned above in Inclusions

This is a private tour with pick-up from and drop-off at Hamad International Airport. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes, clothes, and carry a hat and sunblock.

Note: Due to the adventurous nature and type of terrain covered in our off-road tours and excursions, pregnant women, children (aged 6 years of age and under requiring either a baby or toddler car seat), persons with cardiac problems, back pain, back injuries, neck pain and/or neck injuries, are not permitted to participate in the tours and excursion.

• Tour Departure from Hamad International Airport : passengers can select from the scheduled departure, please allow at least 2 hours from your flight arrival time to the tour start time. Return to Hamad International Airport : transit tours will be dropped back to Hamad International Airport at the published tour completion time.
• Minimum Transit Time:  8 hours (between arrival and departure flight schedule).
• Immigration Clearance:  an entry Visa is required, pre-approved visa or visa on arrival. 102 countries can now take advantage from visa-free entry,  click here  for more information.
• Important Note:
• Passengers who have booked in advance should approach  Discover Qatar Transit Tours desk  (located in Duty Free Plaza South, behind the escalators between concourse A & B) no later than 2 hours prior to scheduled tour departure for service validation.
• Late arrivals to Discover Qatar Transit Tours desk shall be considered as no-show.
• For bookings within 2 days, if you are unable to book online, please come and see us at the Discover Qatar Transit desk to book your transit tour, subject to availability.  Click here  to view the location of the Discover Qatar desk.
• Please take time to read the  Terms and Conditions  that are applicable to all Transit Tours before booking.

Accessibility: Not recommended for wheelchair bound customers. This tour is suitable for guests with some mobility issues, who can climb independently in & out of the vehicle. If you have any specific questions please contact us for more information.

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