This guide shares the different public transportation options for getting around Doha, including how to get from Hamad International Airport on arrival.
Efficient Qatar public transport makes getting around Doha a breeze, as long as you know how the public transport system works. Using public transportation in Doha is easy, efficient, and a great option to explore the city, whichever area of the city you decide to stay.
Qatar, in the Middle East is in an enviable position as a layover destination. Its capital Doha, is a city with a fantastic future. From architectural masterpieces, and a stunning skyline, to a wonderful sweeping waterfront.
Whether you want to visit incredible museums, discover rich history or head into the desert on a safari, the choices are endless. We suggest spending 3 days in Doha if possible, as you will experience the city itself, and beyond.
When it comes to public transport Doha has some great travel-friendly options for getting from A to B. Qatar transport is accessible, affordable, and flexible, making it ideal for exploring independently.
Here’s our round-up of Dubai public transport so you can start exploring the city and its numerous sights and attractions.
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DOHA METRO
The state-of-the art Doha Metro is fast efficient and one of the easiest ways to get around the city. The fast, driverless rail system is easy to navigate. Currently running on three lines red, green, and gold, there are plans afoot to extend the system further, with a fourth blue line.
- Metro stations are large, immaculate, and quiet. Peak hours are busier.
- There are friendly staff on hand to help with buying tickets, and paying by cash.
- Most stations have a prayer area, toilets, and a small grocery shop.
Save the Doha metro route map to your phone so you can easily check the metro stations you need. It’s the perfect way to fit in many of the top sights on a short visit.
DOHA METRO MAP
Doha Metro Red Line
- Red (coastal) Line connects Hamad International Airport to the city centre, West Bay, Katara Cultural Village, Qatar University and Lusail, along 18 metro stations.
- You can switch between the red and green lines at Al Bidda station, or move between all three lines at Msheireb station.
- Legtaifiya station connects the Doha Metro to the Lusail Tram.
Doha Metro Gold Line
- Gold (historic) Line runs through Khalifa Stadium, Villaggio Mall, to Souq Waqif and National Museum of Qatar.
- The line runs between Ras Bu Aboud in the east and Al Aziziyah in the west.
Doha Metro Green Line
- Green (educational) Line connects Hamad Hospital, Al Bidda park, Qatar Foundation’s Education City and Mall of Qatar.
- Don’t miss the architecture at Qatar National Library.
Most stations offer free MetroLink feeder buses. Run by Mowasalat, they provide first and last-mile connectivity to Qatar Rail customers within a 2 to 5-kilometre radius of the Doha Metro stations.
Buses run every 12, 15 or 20 minutes. You can tap in and out using either:
- Your Doha Metro travel card
- Karwa Smart card
- The free QR Code provided by downloading the Karwa Journey Planner App
You can track the Metrolink buses and routes through the Karwa Bus app.
DOHA METRO OPENING TIMES
The Doha Metro operates seven days a week, with trains arriving every three minutes. Timings for Doha Metro, as of February 2024 are:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 05.30am and 11.59pm
- Thursday – 5.30am until 1am
- Friday – 2pm until 1am
- Saturday – 06.00am until 11.59pm
Be aware that the weekend in Qatar is Friday and Saturday, and the metro can be very busy.
CLASSES OF TRAVEL AND DOHA METRO SEATING
On every train you will find three types of carriage:
- Standard – can be used by everyone
- Gold – reserved for gold club card holders
- Family – reserved for families and lone females only. Cannot be used by lone males.
One of the best Qatar tips to remember when planning your trip, is to dress conservatively in public places such as the metro.
DOHA METRO TICKET PRICES
If you use standard carriages, the cost per journey is QAR 2 with a daily cap of QAR 6 per day, no matter how many trips you take in a single day. This makes getting around Doha very affordable.
If you use gold carriages, the cost per journey is QAR 10 per journey, with a daily cap of QAR 30.
WHERE TO BUY DOHA METRO TICKETS
You can buy standard travel cards at all metro stations, and authorised retailers, namely, Lulu Hypermarket, Al Meera, Carrefour, Jumbo Electronics, and Family Food Centre.
A standard metro card costs QAR 10, and needs to be topped up with the journey fare at the vending machines in stations.
Friendly staff are on hand to offer assistance in case you have any problems.
GETTING TO THE CITY ON ARRIVAL
Hamad International Airport is about 14 kilometres from the city. Terminal 1 at the airport is connected to Doha Metro red line and is an efficient way to get to the city centre on arrival, especially if your accommodation is in West Bay, or near Souq Waqif.
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Connecting with several popular tourist attractions in Qatar such as the Corniche, Katara Cultural Centre, and Qatar National Museum, the metro is a great way for getting around Doha.
LUSAIL TRAM
Another mode of Qatar transportation is the Lusail Tram. Running along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, the tram links Dubai Metro and the Palm Jumeirah Monorail.
Lusail is a newly planned city, roughly 23kms north of Doha. From Lusail Central station you can visit Place Vendome Mall and watch a dancing fountain show.
One of the best places to see in Doha is the crescent moon shaped building known as the Katara Towers and the Lusail Katara Hotel.
Marina-Central (formerly Marina Promenade) is the closest station to Lusail Marina Promenade, where you will find the night markets, and get a great view of the Headband Sculpture across the water.
You will find the tram stations located within the metro stations, and you must tap your travel card when entering the tram.
DOHA BUS
Although you can take the bus in Doha, you will find that most attractions on your Doha Itinerary can be reached easily via the metro.
The exception is The Pearl Qatar, a man-made island near Doha’s prestigious West Bay District. To get here, take a taxi, uber, Karwa or Careem.
Alternatively, alight at Legtaifiya Metro Station (Red line) and from there, take the M110 Metrolink bus.
Doha bus service is another efficient Qatar public transportation system. Bus routes in Doha are run by government-owned Mowasalat Transport Service, and the service connects Hamad International Airport to various destinations across the city.
Every Qatar Bus is modern, clean, and air-conditioned, making them a convenient Doha public transport option.
Karwa Bus fare can only be paid with a Karwa Smartcard, and if you are only spending one day in Doha, a limited smart card will suffice. This costs QAR 10, and is good for two journeys within 24-hrs of purchase.
How To Ride The Karwa Bus
Purchase a smart card from Ticket Vending Machines at the airport, Doha Bus Station, and Karwa Bus Station. Check the Karwa bus route on the official Karwa website. Your Karwa Smart Card has to be tapped during onboarding and while getting off the bus.
DOHA HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS
If you are limited for time, and would prefer to enjoy the city of Doha at your own pace, why not book a Hop On Hop off Sightseeing Tour. You can easily visit some of the city’s major attractions such as Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, the Pearl Qatar and Museum of Islamic Art.
Valid for 24-hours, the bus is a great option to get around major attractions if you only have one day in Doha. An audio guide is included in the cost of the ticket, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Check Get Your Guide for the full tour details.
TAXI SERVICE IN DOHA
Getting around Doha by taxi is a convenient and flexible way to travel to and from Hamad International Airport, and around the city. The taxi service in Doha is efficient and inexpensive. There are three types of taxis in Qatar, namely Karwa, Uber, and Careem. You have to use the respective apps to hail Uber and Careem.
- All Karwa taxis are metered, and the minimum flag down fare at the airport starts at QAR 25, with cash payments in Qatari Riyal only. The taxi pavilion is located to the left of the arrivals hall, and transfer time to the city centre is roughly 30 minutes.
- Karwa Taxis are easily noticeable because of their turquoise green colour with the Karwa logo. They are all fitted with automatic tamper-proof meters. They come with 5 different roof colours.
The silver-roofed taxis are the most versatile as they offer street pick-up, contact center booking, and airport service.
- Uber and Careem taxis allow you to book, check the fare, and track the vehicle online via the app. They also offer cashless payments, which is extremely useful for visitors.
HOW TO ACCESS QATAR TAXI SERVICE
You can easily hail a Karwa taxi by directly booking through the Karwa Taxi app or dialing 800-TAXI (8294) to book.
Download via Apple Store or Google Play.
QATAR KARWA TAXI COSTS
The Karwa cars are all fitted with automatic tamper-proof meters. The flag fall rate for Karwa taxi within Doha starts at QAR 4 and QAR 1.6 per km, while outside Doha the rate is QAR 1.90 per km (also applicable to the nighttime fare).
BEST RIDE-HAILING APPS IN QATAR
The two main ride-hailing services in Qatar are Uber and Careem. You can easily book through the respective apps.
While the final fare will vary depending on the distance, time of day, and traffic along the route, Uber fares start from QAR 8, and Careem fares from QAR 7.5.
Usually, you can pay for your Uber ride using your credit or debit card, PayPal, or cash, while Careem accepts cash, credit or debit card, and Careem Pay.
DOHA DHOW BOATS
For a scenic and unique method of transport, it can be fun to take a dhow boat ride across the water in Doha.
ws may feature modern amenities designed to entice tourists and the curious. A barbeque dinner featuring authentic Arab delicacies and traditional Qatari hospitality would be a wonderful way for you to spend a magical, soothing evening.
Traditional Dhows were originally used to transport goods along the coasts of the Arabia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and East Africa. Today however, modern amenities have been added for the benefit of tourists wanting to relive days gone by.
You will find numerous dhows moored along the Corniche, Al Khor and Al Wakra. Hop aboard to take in the stunning views of the city from the water, or enjoy an evening dinner, and traditional Qatari hospitality.
Be sure to agree the price before boarding the dhow!
TOP TIPS FOR USING DOHA TRANSPORTATION
We hope our travel guide to getting around Doha as a tourist helps you easily plan your Doha itinerary. During our stay, we purchased a Day Pass Travel Card for the metro, which at 6 AED is a steal. We also took a couple of Uber rides which were so simple to book.
When you visit Qatar, getting around by public transport is part of the fun, and a great way to experience Qatar from a locals point of view. While walking around the city on foot is easy to navigate, it does take up a lot of your time and energy.
We suggest using the metro whenever you can, and for longer journeys, take a taxi or Uber which are very cheap.
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