Doha boasts an impressive public transport system that has revolutionised how people travel in and around the city, thanks to the metro and tram networks spanning the city and its suburbs. The Doha Metro is the foundation of Qatar’s integrated public transport system, encouraging the use of public transportation throughout the nation. Additionally, taxis and ride-sharing services are easily accessible in Doha, offering convenient and efficient transportation within the city.
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Public Transport in Doha at Glance
Qatar’s state-of-the-art railway network comprises three distinct services: the Doha Metro, Lusail Tram, and Long Distance Rail (still under construction), all designed to cater to the travel needs of tourists and locals. The Doha Metro is a fully automated rapid transit system that connects various communities within Doha and its suburbs. Buses cover the city with frequent schedules, but you may not need to use them as the metro is sufficient for reaching the main tourist sites.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO QATAR
During your trip to Qatar make sure you stay connected by purchasing Airalo eSIM online in advance, and avoid the hassle of buying a physical SIM at the airport.
In addition, remember to purchase Heymondo travel insurance that provides coverage against unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more. It offers great value for money and ensures a stress-free and enjoyable trip!
The Doha Metro is one of the world’s fastest driverless metro systems, and since its opening in 2019, it has become the preferred mode of transportation for many. It boasts a sleek, modern design and runs mostly underground, spanning the city of Doha. The Doha Metro has 75 trains, with three cars each, one Gold and Family Class carriage, and two Standard Class carriages.
The Lusail Tram is a convenient transportation service that operates within Lusail, the new urban development in the north of Doha. The Lusail Tram has 28 trains, with five carriages split into two sections – Family and Standard, for general commuters. The tram travels up to 60 km/h and, like the Doha Metro, has a space for wheelchair users and screens on the exterior walls that provide details about the journey and entertainment. The tram’s front, back, and sides have external screens that announce the terminal station and the next station to waiting passengers on the platform.
Qatar Rail: Metro and Tram in Doha
In Doha, there are three different types of carriages available to passengers. The first type is the Standard carriage, which is open to anyone wishing to travel. The second type is the Family carriage, reserved for families and solo female travelers. Lastly, the Gold Club carriage is a luxury first-class carriage accessible only with a Gold Travel Card.
There are two travel classes: Gold and Standard. With the Gold Travel Card, you can use the first-class carriages on the Doha Metro, called Gold Club carriages. With a Standard Travel Card, you can board Standard carriages open to everyone, or Family carriages reserved for families and single women.
Metro in Doha
The Doha Metro is a modern rail network that connects various parts of the city. The Red Line, which is the longest of the three lines, runs from Lusail in the north to Al Wakra in the south. This line also provides direct access to Hamad International Airport Terminal 1 from the heart of the city. With a length of 40km, the Red Line comprises 18 stations, and some of the most notable ones include Msheireb, Al Bidda, West Bay, DECC, Legtaifiya, Katara, Qatar University and Lusail. Additionally, the two stations at Legtaifiya and Lusail provide interchange facilities between the Metro and the Lusail Tram, making it easy for commuters to reach their final destination.
The Green Line runs from Al Mansoura in the east to Al Riffa in the west. It is 22km long and has 11 stations. Some of the notable stops on this line include Msheireb, Hamad Hospital, Qatar National Library and Education City. This line is particularly convenient for people who live or work in these areas, as it provides a quick and efficient way to travel across the city.
The Gold Line extends from Ras Bu Abboud in the east to Al Aziziyah in the west. It covers a distance of 14km and has 11 stations. Notable stops on this line include the National Museum, Souq Waqif, Msheireb, and Sport City. The Gold Line is a popular option for tourists who wish to explore some of the city’s most famous attractions, such as the National Museum and Souq Waqif.
Metro Stations Design
The Doha Metro stations are designed to reflect the region’s heritage and culture. The stations feature a contemporary ‘vaulted space’ concept that mimics traditional Bedouin tents, with ornamentations reflecting the aesthetic elements and foundations of dynamic lighting and ventilation systems. The stations also incorporate traditional Islamic and local art elements and ‘pearl-effect’ interiors, bringing Qatari heritage to life.
Useful Info for Planning Your Metro Trip to Doha
While using Google Maps to navigate through Metro Doha, I have noticed that the app sometimes struggles to accurately identify streets due to the substantial size of the metro stops. The area surrounding the stops is quite expansive, featuring wide streets that sometimes resemble highways or motorways.
The metro stations are impressively large, and I’ve encountered some difficulties with Google Maps suggesting different entry points from the nearest one. For example, even though the metro is a convenient 15-minute walk from my hotel, Google Maps fails to include it as an option, and it also doesn’t suggest changing metro lines to reach a particular destination.
It’s good to know that the internet works within the metro, so you can continue planning your trips while travelling if you realise you can change lines at a more convenient stop. Just remember that the metro opens at 2pm on Fridays.
Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that the bus card is distinct from the metro and tram card, so you cannot use both with the same card. This is why I didn’t use buses, but only the metro during my trip to Doha.
Tram in Lusail
The Lusail Tram is an innovative tram network within the rapidly developing Lusail City, in the north of Doha. You can read my article about Doha’s Most Popular Neighbourhoods to learn more about this area. The tram system stretches over an impressive operational length of approximately 19km and boasts a network of 25 unique stations.
This state-of-the-art tram system has been designed to serve the residents of Lusail City by providing an environmentally friendly and reliable mode of transportation. It do not only connect destinations within Lusail but also link the city to Doha via the Doha Metro.
Metrolink and Metroexpress: Complimentary Rides to the Metro
If you plan on using the metro network in Doha, two free services are available to help you reach the stations easily: Metrolink and Metroexpress. These services make the network as accessible as possible to everyone.
The first service is called Metrolink, which is a feeder bus network that operates on pre-determined routes with set stops. The service is available from most metro stations and continues to expand its coverage to include more areas. To use Metrolink, you will need to download the Karwa Bus App, which will provide you with the routes and stops. The service is currently free and offers first and last-mile connectivity to Qatar Rail customers within a 2 to 5-kilometer radius of the Doha Metro stations.
If you prefer ride-sharing, then you can try Metroexpress, an on-demand service that caters exclusively to registered metro or tram passengers. It operates in specific service zones around the metro and tram stations and uses branded vans with a seating capacity of seven passengers per vehicle. To use Metroexpress, you need to download the Karwa Taxi App and request the service on-demand.
To use either service, simply tap your travel card on the reader when boarding the bus and enjoy the ride. The service currently accepts Standard and Gold Club travel cards.
Travel Cards
Doha offers an efficient and eco-friendly public transport system that allows residents and visitors to move around the city easily and at a low cost. If you travel with your family, children under 5 can travel for free on public transport in Doha.
The system relies on reusable travel cards, which you can top up with credit and use on both the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram. To give you an idea of the costs, my Standard Travel Card cost about €10 with the first recharge. I then recharged the card as needed directly at metro stations.
Classes: Standard and Gold Club
On the Doha Metro, you can choose between two main different classes: Standard, which includes Family Class, and Gold Club. Prices vary depending on your chosen class, with a single fare in Standard or Family Class costing just QR2, or around €0.50, while the same fare in Gold Club costs QR10, or about €2.50.
Travel Cards and Where to Top Up
To use public transport in Doha, you must first purchase a Travel Card for the class you wish to travel in. You can do this at Station Travel Card vending machines or licensed retailers. However, if you want to use the Gold Club class, you must buy the Gold Club Travel Card, which is only available in Gold Club offices at all Metro Doha stations. The cost of the Gold Club Travel Card is QR100.
Once you have your Travel Card, you can also register it on the Qatar Rail website and top it up with credit, if you don’t want to recharge the card at the metro stations. It will allow you to travel on both the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram. The minimum top-up amount is QR10. Lusail Tram has no Gold Club class, so standard fares are applied.
Bus in Doha
The bus system in Doha is an integral part of the city’s public transportation network. Doha’s buses are operated by the Mowasalat company. The bus system provides a cost-effective and efficient way for residents and visitors to navigate the city.
The bus routes cover a wide area of Doha, connecting popular landmarks, residential areas, commercial districts, and educational institutions. This extensive coverage makes it convenient for people to travel within the city without relying on private vehicles.
The buses in Doha are modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned, which is essential due to the city’s hot climate. The introduction of these modern buses has significantly improved the overall quality of public transportation in Doha.
The bus system in Doha also plays a vital role in supporting the city’s ongoing development as a global business and tourism hub. It helps reduce traffic congestion and contributes to the city’s sustainability goals.
The only downside is that the bus system requires a different travel card than the metro system, so if you only stay a few days in Doha, there is no point in doing both. For this reason, I only used the metro instead of the buses.
On the other hand, I very much appreciated the bus stops with air conditioning and USB sockets for charging mobile phones. I used them while strolling around the various districts of Doha to get some fresh air or recharge my mobile phone.
To call a taxi in Doha, you don’t need to hail a taxi on the street. Instead, you can call it by one of the ride-hailing applications available in the city. The most popular are Karwa for taxis and Uber for ride-shares.
Karwa Taxi
Karwa Taxi is the Qatar’s state-owned taxi company, a reliable and safe way to travel around Doha. These taxis are a familiar sight at the airport, but you can also book a ride through the Karwa Taxi app.
The Karwa taxi fare structure is straightforward and affordable. The starting price for a ride is QR4, and during daytime hours, you will be charged QR1.6 per kilometre, while at night, the rate is QR1.9 per kilometre. Payment options are flexible and easy as you can pay with your card, or add credit to your account on the app.
Moreover, if you plan to use a Karwa taxi to get to or from a metro station, at the time of writing, you can avail of a special discount. Just use the code RAIL while booking your ride, and you will receive a 20 percent discount on your journey.
Uber
Uber, the ride-hailing giant, has been in operation since 2009 and is now in over 80 countries worldwide. If this is your first time using Uber, I recommend downloading the app now to familiarise yourself with ride-sharing before booking your first ride.
The app provides a fare estimate before you book, so you’ll know how much your ride will cost. However, surcharges may apply during peak times or in certain areas if there is traffic.
Rent a Car in Qatar
Renting a car is a practical and cost-effective way to explore Qatar beyond Doha. The country has well-maintained roads, and fuel is relatively cheap, making it an ideal destination for road trips. Just consider that driving in the desert may not be the best idea because you could be waiting a long time alone before someone comes to rescue you in case of an accident.
However, driving with a foreign driving license, such as from the USA or EU, is only permitted for a limited number of days from the date of entry into the country. To drive legally in Qatar for a longer period, you need an international driving license, which is valid for a maximum of six months from the date of arrival in the country. This type of driving license only allows using rented vehicles.
Expats with a residency permit in Qatar can only drive if they have a non-temporary local driving license valid for five years. To obtain this license, it is necessary to pass theoretical and practical driving tests. Therefore, I recommend hiring a car with a driver for convenience, especially if you plan to head into the desert.
Off-road is totally better to go with an experienced local driver as it can be quite challenging for inexperienced drivers. The costs of hiring a car with a driver vary depending on the type of vehicle, but they are generally on the higher side.
Where to stay in Doha
Doha boasts a wide range of beautiful hotels with swimming pools and fitness centers to choose from. DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Old Town is a great modern accommodation in the heart of Doha. For a sea view option, you can choose the Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach. If you prefer to stay in a hotel with an Arabian touch, I can recommend La Maison Hotel Doha, or for a luxurious experience, the incredible Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
In conclusion, Doha’s public transport system is a modern and efficient way to travel around the city and its suburbs. The Doha Metro, Lusail Tram and buses offer safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation options for locals and tourists alike. Additionally, taxis and ride-sharing services are convenient alternatives for those travelling within the city. Feel free to share your experience with Doha’s transport network in the comment section. I am really interested to know your opinion!