If you’re taking the family to Doha, you’re probably wondering how to get from Doha Airport to the city centre. Well, the good news is it’s not that hard and there are a couple of options, depending on your budget and how much time you have.
To help plan for your trip, this guide covers all the different options for transport from Doha airport to the city. The guide includes how to get:
- The Doha airport train;
- The Doha airport to city bus;
- An Uber or taxi from Doha Airport to the city centre; and
- How to rent a car in Doha Airport.
After reading each option, you can choose a Doha airport transfer that best suits your budget and family needs.
So let’s get into it and find you the best Doha airport transfers to your accommodation.
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How to get from Doha Airport to City Centre
The Doha Airport to city distance is around 14km depending on the location of your hotel. By car, getting from Doha Airport to Doha city centre takes about 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
As to which method of transport from Doha Airport to the city is best really depends on a range of factors – such as your budget, how many are travelling in your group, how much luggage you have and whether or not you’re short on time.
To help you decide how to get from Doha airport to Doha city centre, below we’ve provided in detail the different transport options.
Doha Airport Train
The train is a good option for families after a cheap yet convenient way of getting from the airport to the city centre.
To get the train from the airport, follow the signs from the Airport Terminal – it’s about a 5-10 minute walk from the terminal next to the West Short Term Car Park.
The trains leave the airport around every 5 minutes, and the journey takes about 20 minutes, depending on where you’re staying in Doha.
It’s also important to note that the Airport station is on the red line, but there are three lines servicing Doha – including the gold and green lines. The red line will take you to most of the main tourist attractions around Doha, including West Bay or the Pearl. However, if you’re staying around Souq Waqif, you will need to change lines at Msheireb.
The Doha airport train to city operates between 6 am and 11 pm Saturday to Wednesday, 6 am to midnight Thursday and 2 pm to midnight on Fridays.
If you plan on using the trains, download the Qatar Rail App to help plan your trips.
Train Fare
Everyone over the age of 5 will need a travel card to ride the train. You can either purchase a Limited Use, Standard or Goldclub travel card.
A Limited Use Card is good for a single journey or you can buy a day pass. If you use this card, your journey from the airport into the city will be 3 QR. If you plan on using the train later in the day, the all day fare is 9 QAR.
If you plan on using the train throughout your time in Doha, you may be better off purchasing a Standard travel card. These cost 10 QR and you’ll need to add money for your fares.
A single journey with a Standard travel card costs 2 QR or a maximum daily cost of 6 QR. The daily travel cap with cards – no further charge after three journeys in a single day – must have a minimum of 8 QR to access the daily cap. Cards are valid for trains and trams.
Limited Use Cards and Standard travel cards can be purchased at vending machines at the airport metro stations.
Goldclub travel cards can only be purchased at goldclub offices and cost 100 QR each and then 10 QR for a single journey with a daily cap of 30 QR.
Before purchasing your train tickets from the airport – you’ll probably want to already know how often you plan on using the trains while in Doha. If you plan on using them every day – then a standard travel card is likely to be of benefit – but if you’re only planning on travelling by train a few times, then you’ll probably save money with the limited use card, considering there is an upfront fee of 10 QR with the standard travel card.
Doha Airport to City Bus
If you’re after another cheap and easy way to get from the airport to the city -then the bus is also well worth considering. The good news with the buses is they start much earlier than the trains, so if you have an early arrival – this may be the best method of transport for you.
To catch a Doha airport bus, make your way to the Bus Pavillion, which can be found to the right of the Arrivals Hall.
There is a range of buses leaving the airport, including 747 and 777- which one is best will depend on the location of your hotel.
Bus Route 747 operates between 4.50 am to 11.50 pm daily. This bus stops at places such as Al Ghanim Bus Station near Souq Waqif metro station.
Bus Route 777 operates between 5 am to 11 pm daily. This bus stops at places such as Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar, as well as a few stops in the city centre.
Both routes leave the airport every 20 minutes and depending on where you’re staying, expect the bus ride to take around 30 minutes.
To plan your route, it’s recommended you download the Karwa Journey Planner App.
Bus Fare
To take the bus, you must purchase a Karwa Smartcard, which you can buy at vending machines from the Arrivals Hall. Note that these vending machines only take cash, so ensure you have some local currency on hand.
There are three types of cards you can buy and which one is best will depend on your plans during your stay in Doha.
A Classic Card costs 30 QAR and is rechargeable, making it the best option if you plan on using the bus during your stay. This card comes with 20 QAR credit – so it basically costs you 10 QAR for the card.
A Limited Card costs 10 QAR and can be used for two journeys within a 24 hour period.
An Unlimited Card costs 20 QAR and gives you unlimited journeys within a 24 hour period.
Bus fares vary from 2.50 QAR and up from there.
As with the train, before purchasing your bus tickets from the airport, you’ll probably want to know how often you plan to use the buses while in Doha. If you plan on using them every day – then a Classic card is likely to be of benefit – but if you’re only planning on travelling by bus a few times, then you’ll probably save money with the Limited use card, considering there is an upfront fee of 10 QAR with the Classic travel card.
Taxi from Doha Airport to City Centre
For families, often who’ve just come off a long haul flight; usually, a taxi from Doha airport to town is the most convenient method of transport.
The taxi fare from Doha Airport to city is around 50 – 60 QAR between 5 am and 9 pm. Outside these hours, the price is a little higher. All taxis are metred.
Depending on the time of day and where you’re staying in Doha – expect the ride to take between 15 and 40 minutes.
There is no need to pre book your taxi; simply head to the taxi pavilion which you will find outside the arrivals hall. There are signs indicating the way.
Of course, the benefit of taking a taxi is you won’t need to wait around for transport, and you’ll be taken directly to your hotel.
Please note that you will need to pay cash for your taxi ride, so get out local currency before leaving the airport.
Uber and Careem
Uber operates from the Airport, and there is another rideshare app called Careem.
Should you wish to use either of these rideshares to get from the airport to your hotel – book them using their apps.
Once you’ve booked your ride, double check the instructions for the pickup point because it may not be where you are standing.
Private Doha Airport Transfer
While it is possible to arrange a private transfer from Doha airport to city -it’s not recommended as it is extremely expensive!
If you want someone to drive you directly from the airport to your hotel – do yourself a favour, save a stack of money, and take a taxi – it’s super easy.
Rent a Car
If you plan on renting a car to get around Doha, it may be worth picking up your hire car at the airport.
The airport has a range of car rental companies, including Al Muftah, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Inter Rent, Prestige Cars Doha and Sixt.
Most car rentals are open 24 hours, seven days a week – so you’ll be able to pick up a car regardless of your arrival time.
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Hopefully you’ve found this guide on travelling to and from Doha Airport helpful. We have other guides to help plan your trip to Doha, including how to get around Doha, things to do in Doha with kids and where to stay in Doha with kids.