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Travelling


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Getting Around
Getting Around by Road
The road system is fair but the local driving is often fast and reckless. Driving is on the right. Areas of sabka (salt flats) make leaving the road to access the coast a hazard in many parts of Qatar, even in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. It’s best to stick to prior tracks.

Bus: A new fleet of modern, air-conditioned buses now reaches main towns. Contact Central Bus Station (tel: 458 8888; website: http://www.mowasalat.com/) to check on progress.

Taxi: There is a choice between the old orange and white cars or newer, slightly more expensive sea-blue taxis. Both have meters. Taxis can be hired on an hourly basis, but in this case it’s better to negotiate the fee in advance.  Taxis are the main source of public transport within Doha.

Car hire: Available from local and international companies at the airport and hotels. The minimum age for driving is 21 years. Seat belts must be worn. Large on-the-spot fines are issued to anyone not wearing one or not carrying a driver’s licence. 

Emergency breakdown assistance: Police (tel: 999).

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required, but a temporary licence can be obtained on presentation of a valid UK licence.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Doha to other major cities and towns in Qatar.

AirRoadRail
Al-Khor -0.45-     
Al-Zubara-1.30-
Bir Zekreet-1.00-
Khor Al-Adaid-      3.00-
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Getting There
Getting There by Air
Qatar Airways (QR) (website: www.qatarairways.com) is the heavily promoted national airline of Qatar.
Departure Tax
QR20, usually included in ticket price.
Main Airports
Doha (DOH) (website: www.dohaairport.com) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (journey time to city centre - 15 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the city with official rates displayed. Facilities: Car hire, banks, ATMs, restaurants, coffeeshops, handicraft/book shop and a duty-free shop.
Getting There by Water
Main ports: Doha and Umm Said. The traffic is mostly commercial.
Getting There by Road
With car insurance for both countries, the Qatar-Saudi border is open to residents of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Others must have a Saudi visa or transit visa in advance. The same applies for those travelling by bus. The main international bus operator is Saudi Arabian Public Transport Co (Saptco) (tel: 454 5000; website: www.saptco.com.sa); bookings can be made on line. A new causeway linking Bahrain and Qatar is under construction, due for completion in 2012.
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Travel Warnings
Warning
Travellers should be aware of the threat from terrorism in Qatar. Al-Qaeda continues to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.

Travellers should review their security arrangements carefully. They should remain vigilant, particularly in public places.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
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