```html Transit Qatar: What You Need to Know
Transit Qatar: Things You Might Not Know!
Sharing my Qatar transit tips for those who need them!
In this article, I'll share my experience transiting through Qatar, covering three main aspects: transit tours, transit visas, and Hamad International Airport. (I'm combining my personal experiences with updated entry policies). For Qatar Airways reviews, I recommend checking out recent posts from fellow travelers for the most up-to-date information.
1. Transit Visas
- If you don't leave the airport, you don't need a visa.
- Previously, you could apply for a Doha transit eVisa through Qatar Airways (I did this once), but this policy has been discontinued.
- Instead, you can apply directly at Hamad International Airport for 100 QAR at the Discover Qatar Transit counter (approximately 1 QAR ~ 6,700 VND) or apply for an eVisa via the Hayya app.
- The Discover Qatar counter is located in the Duty-Free area of Hamad International Airport, near the giant yellow bear (a map should help you find it).
- Requirements for applying for a transit visa at the airport: connecting flight with Qatar Airways, maximum transit time of 96 hours.
2. Qatar Airways Transit Tours
Like Istanbul and Shanghai, Doha also offers transit tours! However, they're not free.
- Qatar Airways' layover tour system is called "Discover Qatar." You can register online or at the Discover Qatar Transit counter at the airport (same place as visa applications). Whether you register before or after arriving at the airport, you still need to be at the Discover Qatar counter a certain amount of time (depending on the tour) to confirm your booking.
- All tours have English-speaking guides and airport transfers.
Current Discover Qatar Tours:
- Doha City Tour: 3-hour duration, requires a 6-hour transit, check-in 90 minutes prior, costs 115 QAR, multiple tours daily. This tour takes you to the Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, the Blue Mosque, the Gold Mosque, Galeries Lafayette, and Souq Waqif. Transportation is by bus, and time at each location is limited. You can shop at Souq Waqif.
- Desert and Inland Sea Adventure: 4-hour duration, requires an 8-hour transit, check-in 90 minutes prior, costs 867-1135 QAR per vehicle (up to 5 people). This is a private tour; your group travels together, even if you're alone, and a maximum of 5 people. As the name suggests, a driver will take you to explore the desert in a specialized vehicle. (The journey from the airport to the desert takes about an hour).
- Doha City Tour by Luxury Car (Mercedes V-Class or similar): 3 or 5-hour duration, requires a 6-hour transit, check-in 90 minutes prior, costs 700 QAR/vehicle/3h and 914 QAR/vehicle/5h (up to 7 people), multiple tours daily from 9 am. You create your own itinerary within the time frame you book. You're responsible for parking fees and entrance tickets.
- Doha City Tour by Private Plane: 3-hour duration, requires a 6-hour transit, check-in 90 minutes prior, costs 990 QAR/person/plane and 1700 QAR/2 people/plane, limited tours, only available from Thursday to Monday, and departure times vary seasonally (check the Qatar Airways website beforehand). You'll see the city from a Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft. Each person can bring a small bag weighing up to 5kg (for items like cameras); carry-on luggage must be left at the airport.
- Airport Tour: (Sounds funny, right?): It's actually called "Discover the Art of the Airport." A guide will take you around to introduce the artworks within Hamad International Airport. The tour lasts 1 hour, requires a minimum transit time of 4 hours, and check-in is 30 minutes prior. There are 4 tours daily (departing at 4 am, 5:30 am, 7:30 am, and 9 am), and the cost is 36 QAR. Because it's an airport tour, you don't need a visa since you won't be entering the country.
3. Hamad International Airport
- For those who don't like to wander, there are also many options at the airport. There's the Oryx Airport Hotel with 3 massage packages (lasting 30, 50, and 80 minutes) open from 7 am to 11 pm, costing 275, 405, and 495 QAR respectively. All massage package bookings include free access to the pool, gym, hot and cold baths, and jacuzzi for 4 hours. Book online or at the Discover Qatar counter like the transit tours.
- Hamad International Airport is also considered a duty-free shopping paradise with countless stores in all areas. There are currency exchange counters that exchange VND, and ATMs are available.
- The airport is quite large, so pay attention to your flight time. I once got caught up shopping and didn't notice the time, and the airline had to call my emergency contact (my wife at home) to hurry me back. 😂
- The food at the airport is also very diverse. If you want to try local cuisine, it's a bit spicy, pungent, and heavily seasoned.
- Free WiFi is available throughout the airport. One thing I really like about this airport is that there are also free workstations with computers and Internet access for browsing. Also, if you don't have an international SIM, you can make calls from the booths at the airport (buy a prepaid card).
Don't let your butt stick to the seat and your eyes glued to the phone. I always believe that before every trip, so optimizing transit time is something I always strive for on every journey. Hope this article is helpful to everyone! 🤩
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