Layover in Qatar: what to do, what to try, how to behave

Many travelers fly with Qatar Airways from Ukraine to Asian and Arab countries via Qatar. We have prepared detailed material on what to watch during a long layover, what rules to follow to avoid problems with the law, and what bonuses from the carrier you should count on.

Benefits for Qatar Airways passengers

For connections lasting from 5 to 12 hours, you can receive a voucher for a free tour of.

Buses with a capacity of up to 33 people depart 4 times a day. Registration of participants begins at 6:00 and, as a rule, places are quickly taken away. You need to go to the Doha City Tour counter in Hall B, between the Mont Blanc and WH Smith stores.

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The tour lasts 2 hours 45 minutes and is conducted in English. The route includes the following attractions:

• Katara Cultural Village;
• Souq Waqif market;
• Museum of Islamic Art.

Some passengers receive a free hotel room during long layovers.

To do this you need to meet two criteria:

• a connection in Doha from 8 to 24 hours is forced, i.e. There are no Qatar Airways flights you can take earlier;
• the route excludes Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.

Whether you will be provided with a room also depends on the class of service and tariff. We recommend that you clarify the information in advance by contacting an airline representative.

Do you need a visa to go to the city?

Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa; they receive a free stamp at the airport that allows them to stay in the country for up to 30 days. The requirements are minimal: a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and a ticket for a flight from Qatar.

Citizens of countries with which there is no visa-free entry agreement can purchase tickets for Qatar Airways flights and obtain a transit visa for free (for a layover of 5 hours or more). You can apply online on the airline's website.

Should girls go out into the city unaccompanied?

Since Qatar is a Muslim country, many people are concerned about this issue. But, in fact, there is no reason to worry: Qatar is one of the five safest countries in the world; tourists have nothing to fear here, regardless of gender. The maximum that you can provoke (for example, by appearing in the city center in short shorts) is a remark. If you don’t want to use public transport, call a taxi, it’s relatively inexpensive here.

Transport in Doha

The most convenient way to travel around the capital for tourists is considered to be a taxi (locals prefer personal cars). Cost: €0.9 plus €0.3 per kilometer. When ordering by phone there is an additional charge of €0.9.

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An alternative option is to rent a car (from €15 per day). You will need a credit card, a copy of your passport and a national or international driver's license. It is more profitable to comply with the rules, the fines are very high: talking on a mobile phone while driving, for example, will cost the violator €45, and running a red light will cost €660.

Public transport is represented only by buses - clean, new, with air conditioning. A trip within the city costs from €0.7 to €2, depending on the distance.

From Hamad International Airport to the center can be reached by taxi in 30 minutes. Standard fare: €6 plus €0.3 per kilometer from 5:00 to 21:00 (€0.4 per kilometer at other times). The second option is one of the city buses that connect the airport with different areas of Doha. To pay for the fare, use the Karwa Smartcard, which can be purchased at the Mowasalat information desk in the baggage claim area or from the driver. The card costs €2.3, allowing you to make 2 trips within the city within 24 hours, €4.5 - an unlimited pass on city buses for 24 hours. The card must be applied to the device for validation twice: when boarding the bus and when exiting.

Currency and its exchange

The state currency is the Qatari rial, approximate exchange rate as of 01/04/18: 100 QAR = €22. At the airport or any bank branch, you can withdraw rials from your card if necessary (cards are used, cash may only be needed in the markets). There are usually two languages ​​available at ATMs: Arabic and English.

You can buy rials in banks, exchange offices at the airport and city center, and in some hotels. Please note that banks are generally open only on weekdays, open early (7:30-8:30) and have a long lunch break. Weekends in Qatar are considered Friday and Saturday, the week begins on Sunday.

What to see in Doha

If you are in the capital for just a day, the best option for exploring the city would be an organized excursion or renting a car with a driver. Here are the main attractions you shouldn't miss:

• Embankment. A 7-kilometer-long pedestrian zone stretches along the bay, from here you can see skyscrapers, the building of the Museum of Islamic Art and other interesting city buildings.

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• Pearl-Qatar is an artificial island with an area of ​​about 4 million m². Expensive boutiques are concentrated here (Roberto Cavalli, Alexander McQueen, Giorgio Armani, Kenzo, Balenciaga and others), as well as restaurants serving Italian, Lebanese, French, American, Japanese and other cuisines.

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• Katara Cultural Village (West Bay Lagoon area) is an ethno-village, on the territory of which there are theaters, cinemas and galleries where the works of Qatari artists are exhibited. In the evenings, musicians and dance groups perform here, and sometimes master classes on traditional crafts are held. Admission is free, the complex is open 24 hours a day.

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• Museum of Islamic Art (Corniche). Within its walls are stored masterpieces created over 14 centuries: paintings, ceramics, manuscripts, textiles. Temporary exhibitions are often held here, for which you need to buy a ticket; admission to the permanent exhibition is free. The museum is open from 8:30 to 19:00 (Friday from 14:00 to 19:00).

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• Mathaf Museum of Contemporary Art. The collection contains about 6,000 objects, reflecting trends in the development of Islamic art from 1840 to the present day. Open from 9:00 to 19:00 (Friday from 13:30 to 19:00), admission is free.

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For those who will stay in Doha for a few days and are ready to leave the capital, we recommend visiting:

• Al Zubarah is a restored 18th-century fort included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Located 106 kilometers from the capital, on the northwestern coast of the country. This settlement was once considered one of the most important centers of navigation and trade in the Persian Gulf.

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• Khor Al Adaid is a nature reserve with a unique ecosystem 60 kilometers from Doha. It is interesting because this is one of the few places on the planet where the sea meets the desert. To get here, you have to overcome sand dunes.

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• The Dahl Al Misfir cave is 40 meters deep, the walls of which emit a faint phosphorescent glow. From Doha you can get here by car in 45 minutes.
• Desert. If you are short on time, you can sign up for one of the express tours that depart from the airport twice a day: at 9:00 and 14:00. The duration of the excursion is 2.5 hours, the cost is 250 QAR (€57) per person. Reservations can be made an hour and a half before the start of the tour at the Discover Qatar Tours counter in Hall B. For 1,250 QAR (€285) per car, a private safari through the sand dunes around the capital will be organized.

Where to swim

There is a sea in Doha, but there are few public beaches, most belong to hotels. One of the most popular is Katara Beach on the territory of Katara Cultural Village. For 25 QAR (€6) anyone can visit it; children under 16 years of age have free admission. The beach is open from 10:30 to 22:00, swimming after sunset is prohibited. Women must wear shorts and a T-shirt; men must also wear shorts; swimming trunks or bikinis are not allowed on the beach. Water activities are available: gondola riding, kayaking, banana boats and catamarans, water skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing and others, there is a play area for children.

Some hotels open access to their beaches and pools to non-guests. For example, at the Doha Marriott Hotel you will pay 139 QAR (€32), at the Crowne Plaza Doha - 150-200 QAR (€35-45), at the InterContinental Doha The City - 150-250 QAR (€35-57) per day. The price may include access to the gym and sauna, cocktails and even food - details can be found on the official websites.

What to try in Doha

The local cuisine has incorporated elements of Indian, Iranian, Syrian, Palestinian, North African - you are sure to find something interesting. Here are a few dishes worthy of gourmet attention:

• machboos - spicy rice with seafood or meat;
• hummus - a chickpea snack with the addition of sesame paste (tahini), olive oil and lemon juice;
• ghuzi - whole roasted lamb with rice and nuts;
• motabel - appetizer made from eggplant, garlic and tahini;
• birani - rice with chicken or lamb.

For dessert, local fruits, halva or Umm Ali layer cake are served.

Where to eat in Doha

If your budget is limited, stalls with street food will help out: sandwiches, shawarma and falafel. At Al Adhamiyah Iraqi Restaurant in the Souq Waqif market, for example, kebab costs from €9, salad - from €4.

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There are also establishments of international chains in Doha: McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut and others. They are concentrated at the intersection of Doha's C-Ring and Salwa Road, in shopping centers.

The vast majority of Doha residents are expats, so the national cuisines of many countries are represented here. For example, at Yee Hwa (Al-Kinana Street, Doha Downtown Hotel Apartments) you can taste Japanese and Korean delicacies, Yum Yum (Al Ghanim Street, K108 Hotel) specializes in French cuisine, and New York Steakhouse (Al Wahda Street, West Bay City Center) - in American.

Among the top echelon establishments, it is worth noting Market by Jean-Georges (W Hotel, West Bay), whose chef is the owner of three Michelin stars, and Gordon Ramsay (St. Regis, West Bay), which received the title of “Best Romantic Restaurant” in 2013 "

Qatar, Al Kor "Al Kor" Cities
Al Qor is a small coastal town 65 km away. north of Doha. Al-Qor is an open-air collection consisting of a small museum (however, it is quite rarely open), mosque ruins and many old fire towers scattered throughout the city, some of which have been restored to their original form. The real reason for stopping in Al-Kor is the huge and extremely picturesque panorama of the ocean that opens from the mosque (in the conditions of an absolutely “flat” country, this in itself is already a rarity).

Qatar, Doha "Doha at night" Cities
A short excursion along the waterfront, the old market and the gold market. Dinner in a traditional restaurant with drinks, relax in a special Arabic smoking lounge "hubbly-bubbly" (also called "shisha").

Qatar, Doha “Doha. Sightseeing tour of the city» Excursions
Corniche embankment, bay with traditional Arab dhows, old market, National Museum, equestrian club. You will also visit a special market for hunters, where you can choose one of the Qatar hawks, as well as fruit and vegetable markets and a fish market.

Qatar, Doha "Sea Carnival Cruise" Excursions
Take the opportunity to enjoy a real adventure in the warm and calm blue waters of the Arabian Gulf! Welcome aboard the magical dhow, an ancient ship that is still in use relatively unchanged and is an integral part of the region's culture. The Dhow leaves Doha Marina and sails the sparkling waters of the Gulf into the open sea, anchoring off Al Safaliyan Island, one of the most famous islands surrounded by calm, deep waters.

Qatar, Doha "Doha Night Cruise" Excursions
A sea cruise on a traditional Arabian ship (dhow), which will give you the opportunity to enjoy the sunset and the enchanting view of the city at night from the sea. Accompanied by traditional Arabic music, the ship will take us along the calm surface of the water to the island of Al Safaliyan. By moonlight, you can swim in the warmest and friendliest ocean while the aroma of a traditional dinner whets your appetite. Returning to the ship, we will relax under the starry sky and enjoy the taste of local cuisine, and then the ship will return to the mainland.

Qatar, Doha "National Museum" Museums
occupies a building that was previously the palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed, who ruled the country from 1913 to 1951. The main exhibition of the museum is a two-level aquarium: the upper floor is filled with representatives of the local underwater ichthyofauna, the lower floor represents the entire underwater world of the bay. Sea turtles are the highlight of the aquarium's exhibition; there are practically none left in the Persian Gulf itself.

Qatar, Al Zubara "Al Zubara Area" Cities
Lying along the northwestern coast of Qatar, the Al-Zubara region has been the country's main populated area for many centuries. For nearly 200 years, the region was ruled by the al-Khalifa dynasty, the ruling family of Bahrain, but hotly contested between them and the al-Thani, the royal family of Qatar. The fort that can be seen here today was built in 1938, shortly after the al-Thani dynasty took full control of the area. A couple of kilometers from the sandy town of Zubara lie the ruins of ancient coastal fortifications, probably from the 17th or 18th centuries.

Qatar, Doha "Amusement Park and Zoo" Amusement Parks
Not far from Doha, in the western part of the bay, there is an amusement park - Aladdin's Kingdom. It contains more than 18 attractions that meet the needs of all ages. In addition, the park has an artificial lagoon, a theater, and a cafeteria. The zoo is located 20 km from Doha along Salwa road. It has a large and varied collection of animals, reptiles and birds and is also popular as a small amusement park for children

Qatar "Sand Dunes" Masterpieces of Nature
Departure into the desert for photography in a jeep, visiting resort areas on the coast along the way. This is a real chance for lovers of untouched nature and beautiful exotic landscapes. This trip can last a full day. In this case, you will also be able to see the famous “inland sea”, famous for its beauty, and also relax in a real Bedouin tent on a real oriental carpet, drowning in numerous pillows.

Qatar "Fishing in the Persian Gulf" Hunting and Fishing
Starts early in the morning. On board a typical Arabian dhow, soft traditional music plays constantly while the captain takes you to one of the best fishing spots where you can catch the famous Hammor fish (a delicacy of the Persian Gulf) or any other fish. There is a cook on board the ship who will prepare you a fresh lunch. You can also swim in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf.

I fly a lot - I have at least 50 flights a year, so I know various life hacks from airlines, travel agencies and airports. Where to save money, where you can get something for free or as a gift. I'll try to write about this more often.

So, I needed to get from Ufa to Cape Town. The shortest flight has two transfers, one necessarily in Moscow. I decided to fly with Qatar Airways since the ticket was the cheapest - about 35 thousand. The journey took about 45 hours in total with a second transfer in Doha. There were two transfer options to choose from - 7 hours 50 minutes and 10 hours. I chose the second one and now I will explain why.

1. How to get a free hotel:

We go to the official website of the airlines:

For transit passengers with a long layover at Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways provides hotel accommodation, visa processing, transfer and catering services.

This service is provided only if the following conditions are met:

• Forced connection (no other Qatar Airways flights with a connection less than 8 hours).
• Transit time in Doha ranges from 8 to 24 hours.
• The itinerary does not include departures or arrivals from the following cities: Abu Dhabi (AUH), Bahrain (BAH), Dubai (DXB), Dubai (DWC), Kuwait (KWI), Muscat (MCT), Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) and Sharjah (SHJ).

Unfortunately, I was not entitled to a hotel, since the cunning Arabs made the connection 7 hours 50 minutes. If only the connection had been 10 minutes longer, I would have had a hotel, a transfer, and meals.

Interestingly, information about the free excursion is not provided on the official website. More precisely, there is only the sale of paid excursions and the price for a similar city tour is $21.

For long layovers between flights operated by Qatar Airways, passengers can receive a free city tour.

• availability of space for a stamp in the passport
• After the end of the excursion there must be at least 3 hours left before departure

2. Where can I book a free excursion?

You can find a counter for booking an excursion after you get off the plane and follow the arrows to the center of the airport. There is a huge bear in the center, it is impossible to pass by it. Next you will see a huge advertising board and to the right of it you need to walk a little distance (30 meters) towards gate B. There will be a stand with the inscription: Doha City Tour and airline representatives.

3. Schedule of excursions.

4. How was it?

After reading on the forums, I learned that excursions are often snapped up like hot cakes and you need to get to the counter as early as possible to book a tour. My plane landed at 14:55, I planned to get on the excursions at 18:00. at 15:25 I went up to the counter, but there were no more seats. Although registration ended at 16:45. There was no queue either. But I was registered for the excursion at 20:00 without any problems. You needed a passport and boarding pass.

At 18:50 we gathered for the excursion. There were 45 of us, everyone was given vouchers for immigration without any problems. There were few Russians, about 5 people. Mostly Scandinavians, Filipinos and Indians.

Our guide accompanied us from the airport to the bus. The bus is large and comfortable.

There were no problems with immigration. Visa to Qatar has been canceled for Russians since last year. No questions were asked.

5. Excursion program.

Since we boarded the bus when it was already dark, the route was adjusted and we went to places with lighting. But it wasn't hot. Free bottles of water were provided.

While driving, the tour guide, a girl from the Philippines, spoke about the country in English. It was interesting and a little confusing because of her accent.

Due to the fact that it was dark, I took few photographs. And the lighting of many buildings and skyscrapers was not bright. Plus, there is sand in the air, so many of the photos look blurry.

1 stop there was a blue mosque and Katara village. The stop was only 10 minutes, we could walk around and take pictures.

2nd stop - the pearl of Qatar. Luxurious area for millionaires with luxury level shops. I didn’t take photographs here, but simply enjoyed looking at the sports cars. The stop was 10 minutes too.

3 stop - Vakif Market. The stop was 30 minutes and it was magical. I immersed myself in the authentic culture of the Islamic world. Women in abayas walked around, accompanied by men in long national costumes. There was a buzz and haggling. They were selling souvenirs and there was smoke from hookahs. I didn’t walk around the market, but sat in a cafe and managed to smoke a real hookah and drink tea. It came out to 1000 rubles.

But suddenly their system crashed and they stopped accepting cards. There was no change from $100 either, and the exchange offices were already closed.

The 30 minutes allocated for the excursion had already passed and I was afraid that the bus would leave without me.

Fortunately, the system soon started working again and I was already running back to the bus, where only me was waiting.

The excursion time was 3 hours including the road, even a little less. At 22:45 we were back at the airport and went through immigration again.

Conclusion: within 3 hours I realized that I wanted to return to this country again for a more thorough visit. Of course, I want to see the country in daylight. By the way, if your layover is more than 8 hours, you can take both a hotel and an excursion.

If you are a transit passenger in Qatar, I advise you to take advantage of the offer from Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority - excursion in Doha. To book an excursion, you need to contact the Doha City tour desk and have at least 5 hours between flights. The Doha City Tour Desk is located at the beginning of Concourse B between Mont Blanc and WH Smith. Ask either airport staff or the information center. They will tell you where to go.

The cost of the excursion is 40 QAR (about $10). The excursion to Doha includes visits to four key attractions of the capital:

The Pearl-Qatar - The Pearl of Qatar

This is a prestigious quiet residential area with beautiful views. Qatar is famous for its expensive real estate and high rental prices. There is a beautiful marina, many shops, cafes and restaurants.

Katara Cultural Village

One of the attractions of Doha is the cultural village. A colorful place with modern art galleries, museums, mosques. Admission is free everywhere and there is wi-fi throughout the cultural village.

Souq Waqif

Part of Old Doha. Narrow streets of the market, traders offering goods, a labyrinth of shops. Here you can buy souvenirs, household goods, incense, clothes, musical instruments, watches, and many other small things.

Museum of Islamic Art – Museum of Islamic Art

The uniquely designed building is made in the style of ancient Islamic architecture. The museum of Islamic art was the first of its kind in the Arab Gulf states. It houses a major collection of Islamic art, a research institute and a library.

Excursion schedule indicating departure time from Doha on the following flight:

Check the airline's website for current times.

Free Hotel in Doha

New promotion from Qatar Airways: get up to 4 free nights at one of the most luxurious hotels in Doha - Ritz-Carlton 5*. One of the conditions is that the ticket must be booked on the airline’s official website:

• up to 2 nights in a hotel free of charge for Economy Value or Economy Flexi tickets
• up to 3 nights in a hotel free of charge for business class tickets of the “Business Value” or “Business Flexi” level
• up to 4 nights in a hotel free of charge for First Class or First Flexi tickets

This is what happens when a country really wants to develop tourism)

This offer is valid for tickets purchased before December 2. Travel period from November 13, 2018 to March 31, 2019. More information on the official Qatar Airways website.

Qatar Airways in Ukraine

From August 28, 2017, the best airline in the world, Qatar Airways, began operating daily flights from Kyiv.