Getting Around in Qatar

46 I Doha City Guide
Getting Around in Qatar
Getting around in Qatar is easy, as Doha is a
fairly compact city. Public transport is safe,
comfortable and relatively inexpensive; those
who wish to rent vehicles are advised to make
arrangements well in advance as demand is
high within Qatar’s resident population, many of
whom prefer renting to buying. Demand during
the Games is expected to be even higher.
This Guide includes several maps, but visitors
requiring more detailed information can access
the online maps of the government’s Centre
for Geographic Information Systems at www.
gisqatar.org.qa/exploreEn. The service is also
available in Arabic. The website provides maps
for the whole country and you can zoom in on
particular districts or streets and locate nearby
facilities or landmarks, such as restaurants,
shopping malls and clinics.
Parking
All spectators who are able to drive to the
competition venues are encouraged to do so, as
parking is generally available.
Around the city, drivers should check parking
restrictions before leaving their vehicles. In
particular, certain main roads have a lane that
is for emergency use only and are parking is not
permitted. If parking is permitted in this lane, it
will usually be marked out in individual bays.
Public Transport
Qatar’s first public transit system, DohaLink,
was launched in November 2005 and is run by
the government-owned transport company,
Mowasalat. Both taxis and buses are easily
identifiable by their turquoise-and-silver colour
and Karwa designation.
Taxis
Mowasalat’s radio-controlled, air-conditioned
taxis can be flagged down on the streets, are
available at strategically placed taxi ranks
throughout the city, and can also be booked in
advance through the Mowasalat Call Centre
(tel: +974 458 8888). At the airport, a Mowasalat
dispatcher manages the taxi queues and clears
drivers for each trip.
Demand for taxis is expected to be high during
the Games, so advance booking is recommended
where possible. Although the taxis are equipped
with GPS, many drivers navigate by landmarks
rather than street addresses, so try to describe
your destination as fully as possible.
Mowasalat taxis are metered. Besides paying for
your journey, you will also be subject to small
initial charges:
• QAR3 if you wave down a taxi at the roadside
• QAR4 if you made an advance booking
• QAR10 for a trip starting from Doha
International Airport
48 I Doha City Guide
Buses
Limousines
Mowasalat operates a large fleet of brand-new,
air-conditioned public buses that runs several
routes within Doha and to other towns. The
starting point for all routes is the Al Ghanim
Station located off Grand Hamad Street and Al
Ashat Street, close to the Doha Corniche. Al
Ghanim Station is also very close to the souq
areas.
Bus service is available daily between 05:00
and 23:00. Fares are QAR2 for an inner-city
ride and up to QAR7 for long-distance journeys
to towns outside Doha, including the very
north of the peninsula. Besides tickets for
individual journeys, you can buy day or weekly
tickets, which are discounted. Alternatively,
a personalised Faresaver Smart Card allows
unlimited travel in a particular area for a specific
period or acts as a stored value card loaded
according to the passenger’s choice.
During the Games, some bus routes have been
modified to include stops at competition venues.
For current transit schedules, pick up a map
from the Al Ghanim Bus Station, located off
Grand Hamad Street near the Gold Souq.
Standard and VIP limousines are available
through the Games’ preferred provider,
Mowasalat. Limousines are comfortable and
air-conditioned, with uniformed drivers who
generally speak English. They can be booked
either for specific journeys or by the hour
through the Mowasalat Call Centre
(tel: +974 458 8888).
Standard limousines generally cost a minimum
of QAR10 to QAR15 and another QAR2 per
kilometre. If you book by the hour, the charge is
around QAR35 to QAR40 per hour.
Mowasalat VIP limousines cost QAR175 for the
first hour and QAR150 for each additional hour.
Alternate providers include Fox Transport (tel:
+974 462 2777) and Budget Car and Van Rental
(tel: +974 468 5515).
Doha City Guide I 49
Car Rental
All major international car rental companies,
as well as several local entities, are available
in Doha. Make sure you understand the terms
of the insurance coverage you are offered. For
contact details, call Qtel directory assistance on
180 or check Qtel’s online directory at
www.qtel.com.qa.
Visitors may drive for a period of seven days from
their date of arrival in Qatar using their national
licence. After that period, the rental agency will
need to arrange for a temporary local licence for
you. International licences are only accepted if
you also hold a national licence from a country
with approved licensing standards.
Basic rules for a driver new to Qatar are:
• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Speed limits are 50kph in built-up residential
areas; 80kph or 100kph on major roads in
and around the capital; 120kph on major outof-town highways and expressways.
• Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and
all front-seat passengers.
• Children under the age of 10 are not allowed
in the front seat.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while you
are driving.
• Always carry your driving licence, rental and
insurance documents in the car with you.
• If you are involved in an accident, no matter
how minor, stop the car where it is and notify
the traffic police. Do not move the vehicle,
even if it is blocking traffic, until the police
arrive, investigate, and tell you that you can
do so. Even if the damage is small and there
are no injuries, you must have a police report
issued — no damage can be repaired without
one, not even a paint touch-up.
• There are severe fines for traffic violations
that apply equally to visitors and residents;
you are not allowed to leave the country
if you have outstanding fines. To check
violations against a particular licence plate
number, log on to www.moi.gov.qa in Arabic
or English. Fines for speeding vary between
QAR300 and QAR500. The fine for illegal
parking is QAR300. If you are not wearing
a seatbelt or have a child in the front, fines
are QAR100 and QAR200 respectively. The
fine for using a mobile phone while driving
is QAR200, and for crossing a red light,
QAR3,000. You can also be fined QAR1,000 for
ignoring the instructions of a police officer.
Walking Around Town
The weather in December is usually very
pleasant, making walking around Qatar possible
and enjoyable. However, pedestrians should be
aware that most major roads have a speed limit
of 80kph or 100kph. Vehicles travel fast and are
often close together, and drivers are not used to
seeing pedestrians in large numbers. Take care
in crossing roads and use official pedestrian
crossings for your own safety.