Safety of the visitor
Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world. All in Qatar enjoy comfortable lives here, secure in the knowledge that the country has a low crime rate.
Visa requirement and rules
Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either visa free, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport validity of minimum 6 months.
Transportation Services available in Qatar.
Metro Rail
The Qatar Metro is a rapid transit system in Doha, Qatar’s capital city, which became operational on 8 May 2019. It will have three lines with an approximate overall length of 76 km and 37 stations. Capable of reaching 100km/h, the Doha Metro will be one of the fastest driverless trains in the world.
Qatar Metro will have around 100 stations for the entire network. This will include a major station built at Msheireb, hub for the Metro network and the interchange for Red, Green and Gold Lines. As the stations play an important part – both practically and culturally – of any metro system, Qatar Rail chose to integrate the Qatari culture in the operating system by naming the metro stations after historical towns and cities, each carrying its own story and background.
Qatar Metro has three lines out of it Red Line is in service now
Red line (Coastal Line)
North-South Line connecting the towns of Lusail, West Bay, Msheireb, Hamad International Airport and Al Wakrah
- Lusail
- Qatar University
- Leqtaifiya
- Katara
- Al Qassar
- Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (city centre)
- West Bay QIC
- Corniche
- Al Bidda
- Msheireb
- Al Doha Al Jadeda
- Umm Ghuwailina
- Al Matar Al Qadeem
- Oqba Ibn Nafie
- Hamad International Airport Terminal 1
- Free Zone
- Ras Bu Fontas
- Al Wakrah
Public Bus Service in Doha
There is a public bus system in Doha, and between Doha and other towns. It is run by the government-owned Mowasalat.
Buses in Doha are air-conditioned and modern with an area reserved at the front for women and children. You can catch a bus in Doha at designated bus stops. Outside of the city you can flag buses on major inter-city highways.
To travel by bus in Doha passengers must purchase a Karwa Smartcard. Cards are swiped upon boarding and disembarking the bus, and the fee for the distance travelled is debited. Fares within the city are QR 3-4, and fares from Doha to other towns are QR 4-9.
Smartcards can be purchased at the Al Ghanim bus station, located at Grand Hamad Street, and other small vendors throughout the city. A full listing of vendors can be found on the Karwa Smartcard website. Cards can be topped up at the vendors they are sold at, and at a vending machine at the Al Ghanim bus station. Smartcards cost QR 30; QR 20 of this is credit towards fares, while QR 10 is held until a cumulative total of QR 300 has been used on the card. If you travel on a bus without a Smartcard, you will be charged a “No card fee” of QR 30.
Ferry/Boat Service in Doha
Private boats are available to travel to Al Safliya island in Doha’s harbor for 1400-2000 Riyal round trip. Dhow (traditional sailboat) trips are also available around the city’s harbor. Water taxis are also available from the Pearl Qatar development.
Transport to/from Airport
Shuttle: Hotels in Doha can arrange airport shuttles through private drivers.
Bus: To Airport: Routes 109 and 747.
Drive: To Airport: about 30 minutes from West Bay. From the city centre, drive along the Corniche, take Ras Abu Abboud Expressway to the airport.
Taxi: To DOH: Karwa Taxi service, +974 4458 8888, 25 QR
Taxis in Doha
Qatar has a government-run taxi service overseen by the Mowasalat Company (the same company that oversees Doha’s public bus system).
Doha’s bus system is modern, but can be very busy during peak times and overstretched during peak times. Taxis in Doha are air-conditioned, and can be spotted by their distinctive green colour.
You can arrange taxi pick-ups by calling 4458 8888, however, you may wait a long time during peak hours for a taxi to arrive. You are permitted to hail cabs on the street, but this can also be difficult during peak times. Cabs congregate at malls and hotels, where it is sometimes easier to hail them.