QATAR
Qatar has been rising in stature lately as it seeks to emulate the model started in the UAE and more specifically Dubai. The country made it's biggest splash when it "won" the bidding for the 2022 World Cup. When I visited Qatar my reaction was "how in the world is this country going to host the world cup?" It's no surprise about the bribery allegations and the working conditions of those building the stadiums.
To build up its stature, Qatari Airways, the country's flagship air carrier, offers competitively priced flights all over the world. Using the capital city of Doha as a hub, Qatari Airways central location connects most destinations around the world. If you find yourself with a long layover you can take a few hours and explore Doha. I arranged for a nearly 18 hour layover, which was way, way, too long. It's pretty easy to process the visa and the city center is a short fifteen minute cab ride away from the airport. A new (and long overdue) airport is schedule to open in Doha making an extended layover much more comfortable than before.
Qatar does have beaches and the country makes many of its resorts competitively priced compared to some of the pricier options in Dubai. As of now it's no Dubai but it will be interesting to see how much more the country transforms itself heading into the World Cup.
To build up its stature, Qatari Airways, the country's flagship air carrier, offers competitively priced flights all over the world. Using the capital city of Doha as a hub, Qatari Airways central location connects most destinations around the world. If you find yourself with a long layover you can take a few hours and explore Doha. I arranged for a nearly 18 hour layover, which was way, way, too long. It's pretty easy to process the visa and the city center is a short fifteen minute cab ride away from the airport. A new (and long overdue) airport is schedule to open in Doha making an extended layover much more comfortable than before.
Qatar does have beaches and the country makes many of its resorts competitively priced compared to some of the pricier options in Dubai. As of now it's no Dubai but it will be interesting to see how much more the country transforms itself heading into the World Cup.
DOHA IN A DAY
***All info is from January 2014 prior to the opening of Doha's new airport***
Minimize your carryon luggage to what you’d feel comfortable carrying for two plus hours. If that’s not possible my understanding is that the Oryx Lounge has luggage storage facilities - I can’t confirm but do know the old airport does not have a storage option. If you need to keep luggage at the airport you will need to exit the bus transfer at the transfer/departure stop otherwise remain on the bus until the departures stop.
Proceed through immigration. Immigration will request a credit card to pay the 100 QAR fee. Proceed through customs and exit the airport. Various hotels and rental car agencies have windows to make available bookings. I knew my visit would be limited to six hours and went straight to the taxi queue. Supposedly there is a bus that connects the arrival hall with the Al Ghanian Karwa bus station, however, the only bus stop route I saw was a connection back to the transfer/departure terminal - later I saw a bus route and I think the city bus stops here and not at arrivals.
The taxi to Souq Waqif was 30 QAR which included a 25 QAR airport fee. I buzzed through Souq Waqif - it was a Thursday afternoon, not much was open and not too many people around. I then walked along the Al Corniche to the Sheraton at the far end - it’s about a 5K walk.
There’s only one food option along the Al Corniche - Al Balhambar but it requires a 100 QAR per person minimum which would be fine if the food lived up to it’s “Best Arabic Food in Qatar” awards. I walked all the way up to the Sheraton then carefully crossed over Al Corniche to explore downtown. The upclose views of Doha’s skyscrapers were amazing because you could see the level of detail that makes each building unique, however, there’s virtually no commercial space (cafe’s, restaurants, etc.) at street level. I wandered over to the City Centre mall to hang out for a bit, grabbed a sandwich at Carrefour, and headed back to the airport.
There is a taxi queue outfront of the City Centre mall, otherwise, it may be difficult to find a taxi. I did see a bus route sign and there are three buses that per the map head to the international airport, however, I saw only one bus pass the entire time I was on Al Corniche so not sure about the bus schedule and frequency. The cab ride back to the airport was 60 QAR - probably could have negotiated down to 50 QAR. I zipped through the departure customs without any issues.
Doha airport Qatar Airways terminal is very small with not too many options. I used my daily budget on the trip into the city so I didn’t spring for the Oryx Lounge.
***All info is from January 2014 prior to the opening of Doha's new airport***
Minimize your carryon luggage to what you’d feel comfortable carrying for two plus hours. If that’s not possible my understanding is that the Oryx Lounge has luggage storage facilities - I can’t confirm but do know the old airport does not have a storage option. If you need to keep luggage at the airport you will need to exit the bus transfer at the transfer/departure stop otherwise remain on the bus until the departures stop.
Proceed through immigration. Immigration will request a credit card to pay the 100 QAR fee. Proceed through customs and exit the airport. Various hotels and rental car agencies have windows to make available bookings. I knew my visit would be limited to six hours and went straight to the taxi queue. Supposedly there is a bus that connects the arrival hall with the Al Ghanian Karwa bus station, however, the only bus stop route I saw was a connection back to the transfer/departure terminal - later I saw a bus route and I think the city bus stops here and not at arrivals.
The taxi to Souq Waqif was 30 QAR which included a 25 QAR airport fee. I buzzed through Souq Waqif - it was a Thursday afternoon, not much was open and not too many people around. I then walked along the Al Corniche to the Sheraton at the far end - it’s about a 5K walk.
There’s only one food option along the Al Corniche - Al Balhambar but it requires a 100 QAR per person minimum which would be fine if the food lived up to it’s “Best Arabic Food in Qatar” awards. I walked all the way up to the Sheraton then carefully crossed over Al Corniche to explore downtown. The upclose views of Doha’s skyscrapers were amazing because you could see the level of detail that makes each building unique, however, there’s virtually no commercial space (cafe’s, restaurants, etc.) at street level. I wandered over to the City Centre mall to hang out for a bit, grabbed a sandwich at Carrefour, and headed back to the airport.
There is a taxi queue outfront of the City Centre mall, otherwise, it may be difficult to find a taxi. I did see a bus route sign and there are three buses that per the map head to the international airport, however, I saw only one bus pass the entire time I was on Al Corniche so not sure about the bus schedule and frequency. The cab ride back to the airport was 60 QAR - probably could have negotiated down to 50 QAR. I zipped through the departure customs without any issues.
Doha airport Qatar Airways terminal is very small with not too many options. I used my daily budget on the trip into the city so I didn’t spring for the Oryx Lounge.
PHOTOS
For additional Doha, Qatar photos see FLICKR ALBUM.