20 Days Roaming Europe: A Doha Transit Adventure
Turn 1: Transit and Discovery in Doha, Qatar
When planning my European escapade, I decided to transit through Doha, Qatar. This allowed me to explore an extra country, making the most of my flight ticket investment! My desire to visit was especially fueled by Discovery Qatar's desert tour, promising camel rides and sand dune adventures.
After securing my Schengen visa, I immersed myself in numerous Doha discussions on travel groups and then applied for my Qatar visa via the Hayya platform. Getting a Qatar visa turned out to be remarkably straightforward and quick.
Applying for Your Qatar Visa: A Seamless Process
- First, create and verify your account on the Hayya portal.
- Each traveler, except for children under 18 who apply with parents, requires their own Hayya account for visa applications. This differs from Schengen's group application approach.
- Log in, select Star Here, and because I flew with Qatar Airways, I chose Fly to Qatar. Next, select No for GCC citizens and YES for Schengen visa holders. Then, choose to apply for an ETA3 visa and confirm to start filling in your details.
- Qatar provides excellent, easy-to-follow instructional videos for each visa type.
- After submitting your information, upload your passport and Schengen visa. Don't forget your Schengen visa; I was initially denied due to missing information!
- Pay the visa fee, approximately 700,000 VND (around $25), and await the results.
- Visa issuance is incredibly fast, often under 12 hours, with mine arriving in just 1 hour!
Entering Qatar: Your Doha Exploration Awaits
With your visa in hand, download the Hayya app, log in, and access your electronic ETA3 visa. Initially, I was keen on Discovery Qatar's desert tour. However, with my flight landing at 12 PM and the last tour departing at 2 PM, I worried about missing it. So, I pivoted to a self-guided Doha exploration.
Hamad International Airport is vast and beautiful. To enter Qatar, simply follow signs to Luggage Claim. Immigration was a breeze – just present your passport, they check it, and you're through. No forms or declarations were needed, taking about a minute in total.
Doha City Exploration: Embracing the Heat
Stepping out from security, you'll spot the prominent Discovery Qatar transit tour counter in the airport's center. Since I opted for a self-guided tour, my first stop was currency exchange. Head right after exiting security, walk about 50 meters, and you'll find an exchange counter for USD and Euros to Qatari Riyals. They were clear that any amount can be exchanged, and leftover currency can be exchanged back without fees. A great deal!
Following signs to taxis, my destination was the National Museum of Qatar. The 12km ride cost 40 riyals (about 280,000 VND), which felt reasonable.
Emerging from the taxi, the heat hit me like a wave! Though accustomed to Hanoi's heat, reaching up to 36-38 degrees Celsius, Doha was a staggering 45 degrees. I quickly snapped a few photos outside the National Museum of Qatar before rushing inside to escape the intense heat and a potential heatstroke. I was immensely grateful I hadn't booked the desert tour; I'd likely be sunburnt to a crisp!
After a brief respite, I decided to embrace the city, not just sit in air conditioning after paying for a visa. I ventured out into the scorching Doha heat to explore. My next stop was Souq Waqif, which only opens at 3 PM. After just 5 minutes, unable to bear the heat any longer, we decided to find a café to cool down. The area near the National Museum seemed older, with less developed infrastructure and fewer amenities. We searched diligently for a seemingly clean café to escape the sun. Thankfully, we found a place with delicious food – I highly recommend their ice cream; it was exceptional!
Still recovering from the heat shock, we emerged from the café at 3:30 PM. Our plan was to visit attractions like Al Corniche, the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, and Al Safliya Island before heading back to Hamad International Airport for our flight to France.
However, the intense heat persisted. Despite adjusting to a slower pace and taking it easy, within an hour, we were seeking refuge in the Museum of Islamic Art again. Walking in such extreme heat was simply not feasible. The museum, thankfully, was cool, clean, and beautiful, with vending machines providing much-needed drinks. It felt like a lifeline. We stayed there, changing out of our sweat-soaked clothes, until 5:30 PM before venturing out for our remaining experiences.
By this point, my initial enthusiasm for Qatar was waning. My wife suggested we head back to the airport, feeling quite done with the heat. But stepping outside, we were greeted by a breathtaking Doha sunset, which completely changed our mood. We snapped countless photos, posed, and moved with renewed energy, as if we hadn't felt tired at all!
At 6:30 PM, we arrived at Souq Waqif, armed with nearly 500 newly taken photos. Our first priority was finding a supermarket to rehydrate. Souq Waqif offered a vast array of goods, but the food wasn't to my taste. We did manage to pick up some souvenirs before taking a taxi back to the airport. I highly recommend Doha's blue taxis; they are civilized, clean, and offer fair pricing. This return journey only cost 30 riyals.
Our flight check-in was already completed by airport staff in Vietnam, so we proceeded directly to security and immigration. Hamad International Airport is enormous. After checking in with the iconic Golden Bear mascot, we searched for a place to rest. Beyond the lounges, Doha airport offers a unique Quiet Room, with separate sections for men and women, featuring long chairs for resting. It was quite comfortable. Flight and gate information is conveniently displayed, with QR codes available within the room for detailed flight updates.
The airport boasts numerous luxury cosmetics and designer brands. In Sector C, you'll discover a stunning garden, reminiscent of Singapore's Changi Airport, showcasing Qatar's talent for captivating travelers.
Dining options within the airport are plentiful but pricey. After eating and resting in the quiet room, it was time to bid farewell to Qatar and head to France.
Key Takeaways from Doha
- Qatar is a highly worthwhile transit experience; aim for over 8 hours to maximize your exploration.
- Doha is extremely hot; plan outdoor activities for after 5:00 PM, and always carry water, an umbrella, and sun protection.
- Consider booking a hotel for rest and showering before returning to the airport.
- I regret the time spent seeking refuge from the heat in the museum, which caused me to miss several planned visits, including Katara Cultural Village, Al Safliya Island, West Bay, and the desert experiences. However, these missed opportunities pave the way for future adventures!
- Despite these minor regrets, my decision to transit through Doha was ultimately a fantastic one.
