Visitor Info

Time

Qatar local time is GMT/UCT + 3 hours. There are no daylight savings adjustments.

Language

The official language is Arabic; however English is so widely used that you’ll find few difficulties getting by without any knowledge of Arabic.

Climate

Qatar has mild, enjoyable winters and it rarely rains. Average rainfall is just 70mm per year, falling on isolated winter days. June to September is the peak summer time.

Communications

To use your mobile phone without paying roaming charges, you can buy a local Hala SIM from Ooredoo. These are available at Ooredoo offices, and the recharge cards (QR 30, QR 50 and QR 100) are widely available in kiosks (including the airport), shops and supermarkets. For internet access, Ooredoo Wi-Fi hotspots are available all over the city.

Public holidays

Estimated dates for 2014

National Sports Day February 12

Eid Al Fitr July 28 (2–3 days, depends on lunar calendar)

Eid Al Adha October 4 (2–3 days, depends on lunar calendar)

Qatar National Day December 18 

Business hours

Government offices are open from as early as 6am, but generally close at 1pm. Private organizations tend to start from 8am, and close any time between 12 noon and 2pm. Some then reopen from 4pm to 8pm. Friday and Saturday are weekend days, with Sunday the first day of the working week.

Currency

The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR). This is divided into 100 dirhams.

The exchange rate is fixed against the US dollar. Therefore US $1 = QR 3.65.

Visas

Citizens of 33 countries – including most European and North American countries as well as Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong – are eligible for automatic visas on arrival. All other nationalities need to arrange a 30-day tourist visa

in advance, from either a Qatar-based sponsor or by arrangement with one of the hotels. This costs QR 200.

When you arrive

On arrival, customs will stamp your passport with a 30-day visit visa. This costs QR 100 and must be paid by credit card only. You can extend your visa in person at the Department of Immigration (located at the airport car park, open 24 hours).

Electricity

220/240 volts AC 50Hz.  Socket type is square three-pin 13 amp (as used in the UK). All hotels will supply suitable adaptors as required.

Getting Around

Doha is a relatively compact city that’s easy to navigate.

Taxis

Most visitors rely on taxis to get around town, as they are relatively affordable. The Karwa taxis are widely available; their meters start at QR 4, and run at QR 1.20 per kilometer.

To order a taxi in advance (for an extra charge of QR 4), call 4458 8888. Most hotels will hail a taxi for you, and may even have their own limousine service (especially for airport transfers).

Car hire

If you are staying for a while, or simply wish to explore more of Qatar, hiring a car is hassle-free. You will need a credit card, a copy of your passport and a valid driving license. There are numerous reputable leasing companies, including most of the big international names, and several have branches at the airport.

Limo hire

If you would like to travel seamlessly between meetings, it may be a good idea to hire a limousine and chauffeur for the duration of your stay. Cars can be hired by the hour or for a full day. Your hotel should be able to arrange a limousine service for you, and there are a number of car rental agencies that would be able to provide a car with a driver.

Buses

There is a good service throughout most of Doha, and to other major cities. Buses are modern, clean and air-conditioned. Fares within the city are around QR 3 to QR 9 depending on the distance, and fares outside town are usually very good value.

Daily, weekly and monthly passes are available from the bus operator, Mowasalat, at the bus station. Otherwise pay the driver on boarding (it’s best to have the correct change). For further details, see eng.mowasalat.com.

City Tours

If you have a few spare hours, a great way to explore the city is with a bus tour of Doha. These operate in air-conditioned buses, with commentary from English-speaking guides. For further information about City Tours, please visit the following website: http://www.city-discovery.com/doha/gclid=CNSglI6Z8sACFarjwgodmiUA2Q.

Hamad International Airport

Qatar is soon to inaugurate a brand new, state-of-the-art facility: Hamad International Airport officially opened on April, 30, 2014 and replaces the former Doha International Airport as Qatar's airport.      

The new airport, just outside the city, is a spacious and impressive experience. Built over 22 square kilometers, the check-in and retail sections are 12 times larger than at Doha International, and the two runways are amongst the longest in the world.

Premium class travelers receive numerous little touches; for example, check-in takes place seated round a table, not standing at a desk. The lounges, retail and dining are world-class, and the processes that can slow a journey – such as immigration and baggage reclaim – are all designed to be ultra-efficient. Transport links into the city are superb, with an approximate taxi transfer time of 30 minutes, and wide, clear access roads. For further information about Hamad International Airport, please visit the following website: http://dohahamadairport.com/

Venues

Qatar boasts a variety of innovative venue options that will make any meeting, social function or special event a unique, inspiring occasion.

Whether you want the culture and creativity of an art museum, the recreational facilities of a sports stadium, or the natural surroundings of the desert, Qatar holds the key to the perfect event or meeting.

Katara Cultural Village

Katara is a relatively new attraction. Designed as a traditional Qatari village, it boasts a number of reasons to pay a visit. For QR 100, the city’s only public beach is accessible here, but it’s at night that the area’s pedestrian pathways really come alive. There’s an open-air amphitheater, an opera house, a drama theatre and a handicraft souk, as well as a wonderful selection of restaurants and cafes. Street musicians and entertainers create a buzzing atmosphere. For further information about Katara, please visit the following website: http://www.katara.net/ 

Museum of Islamic Art

Undoubtedly a highlight of Doha, this pioneering museum opened in 2008. Renowned architect I.M. Pei – specially coaxed out of retirement for the project – created an elegant building that is highly contemporary, and yet evocative of Islamic styles. The structure sits on its own island extending out from the Corniche. For further information about Museum of Islamic Art, please visit the following website: http://www.mia.org.qa/en 

Qatar National Convention Centre

The recently opened Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) provides 40,000 square metres of covered exhibition space in the city.

QNCC is located within Qatar Foundation’s 2,500-acre campus alongside Qatar Science and Technology Park and distinguished international universities such as Georgetown, Weill Cornell and Texas A&M.

Built according to the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environment and Design (LEED) program’s specifications, QNCC is a shining model of sustainable architecture, with solar panels providing 12.5% of the building’s energy requirements. For further information about Qatar National Convention Centre, please visit the following website: http://www.qatarconvention.com/

Souq Waqif

If you are looking for the opportunity to experience a traditional souk, head for the renovated Souk Waqif. You can, quite literally, lose yourself in this fascinating maze of alleyways, with small shops selling anything and everything imaginable from pots and pans to clothing, spices, baskets, and perfumes. It’s also home to dozens of restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world, and is fast becoming a hotspot for art galleries, events and concerts. Most stalls open in the morning, but the area becomes livelier after 4pm. If you’re going by taxi, ask for the ‘old souk’. For further information about Souq Waqif, please visit the following website: http://www.qatartourism.gov.qa/en-us/thingstodo/shopping/souqs.aspx

The Pearl

The Pearl - Qatar has established itself as a prime location for high-end designer retailers and boutique shops. Beloved brands such as Hermes, Armani, Vera Wang, MaxMara, Jimmy Choo and Alexander McQueen are all found around the marina area of Porto Arabia, and offer a lavish shopping experience. Be sure to stop for a break at the world famous

Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar, or sip an espresso on the boardwalk while watching the glamorous yachts sail by. For further information about The Pearl, please visit the following website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pearl-Qatar