£186+ Cheap flights to Doha

Getting around Doha

Doha has a very reliable bus network that provides services across the city. Most people rely on taxis to get around though and the high demand of cabs can lead to long waiting times. Car hire is also a favoured option.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Once you have arrived on your flight to Doha, transportation from Doha International Airport (DOH) to the city is varied. Large hotels provide shuttle buses for their guests and standard or VIP class limousine services are also available for those wanting to travel to their hotel or holiday rental in style. Airport taxis provide a 24 hour, 7 day a week service and can carry up to 5 plus passengers. There are also buses travelling to the city centre.

Doha airport overview

Situated on the western coast of Qatar and very close to central Doha, Doha International Airport boasts several food and beverage outlets, an award-winning duty-free area, and free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.

Once used mostly by Qatari holidaymakers and foreigners there on business, Doha has recently seen a huge increase in international tourists passing through on connecting flights or visiting Doha itself. As the only commercial airport in Qatar, it has struggled to keep up with the influx, and despite numerous extensions in recent years the main terminal is often criticized for operating over capacity. A replacement airport, 5km (2.2 miles) east of the existing buildings, is currently under construction, with the first phase due to open to passengers in early 2012. When complete, the new airport will be two-thirds the size of the city of Doha, and will cater for 12 million visitors annually. In the meantime, however, be prepared to deal with over-crowded terminals during peak times.

If you’re lucky enough to be flying first or business class with Qatar Airlines, which calls this airport home, you’ll have access to several lounges and business centres. The Gold Lounge and the Silver Lounge, for those on Qatar Airline’s loyalty programmes, offer shower rooms, business centres, day care facilities, smoking rooms, and various magazines and newspapers. The Premium Terminal, for Qatar Airlines business and first class passengers, offers a jacuzzi, sleeping rooms, and massage services in addition to buffet services and world-class business centres.

If you’re flying economy or with any other airline and are stopping for more than a couple of hours, it’ll probably be worth your while to head for the Oryx Lounge where (for a fee) you can enjoy an air-conditioned space with a business centre with computers, day care facilities, a smoking room and a buffet. Business class passengers from other airlines get free entrance.