Arriving in Qatar

The majority of visitors to Qatar arrive by air. The national carrier is Qatar Airways and the airline serves more than 150 destinations worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America. 

Since their launch in 1997, Qatar Airways has earned many awards and accolades, becoming one of an elite group of airlines worldwide to have earned a 5-star rating by Skytrax. Voted Airline of the Year by Skytrax in 2011, 2012, 2015 and most recently in 2017, Qatar Airways has won the confidence of the travelling public. 

Besides Qatar Airways, there are more than 30 other international airlines, including most of the major European carriers, currently serving Doha.

Hamad International Airport with its state-of-the-art facilities is Qatar’s main aviation gateway. Conveniently located just 16 km (10 miles) to the south of the capital (approximately a 30-minute transfer time to downtown), it has an annual capacity of 30 million passengers, set to rise to 50 million on final completion. 

Hamad International Airport’s two parallel runways are among the longest in the world.

Its passenger terminal features a massive internal area of 600,000 sq metres (231,661 sq miles) and has three concourses and 33 gates, to be increased to five concourses and 65 gates, including eight for the A380, in the final build-out.

The airport’s on-site public mosque can accommodate 500 worshippers at prayer time.

Services for premium class travellers include innovations such as check-in seated round a table, rather than standing at a desk.

Immigration formalities and baggage reclaim are designed to be ultra-efficient.

Al Maha Services is a personalised meet and assist service for passengers arriving, departing or transferring through the airport. Gold, Platinum and Elite Services are available, offering different levels of assistance, fast track immigration, personal escorts, lounge services etc as required.

Public transport

Most visitors rely on taxis to get around, but there is a good bus service throughout most of Doha and across the country. Uber operates in Qatar.

Currently under construction and extending over 300 km (186 miles), with a total of 98 stations and four lines, Doha Metro will connect all of the city’s major commercial and residential hubs via underground, over ground and elevated lines. The first phase is expected to be completed by end of 2019, with the whole network operational by 2026.