Doha already had a pretty good transport infrastructure prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the tournament, which brought tens of thousands of visitors to the country, sent city planners into overdrive. As a result, Qatar’s capital arguably has one of the best public transport networks in the region – if not in the world – with the added benefit that it is cheap and air conditioned.

Given that Doha is a relatively small city and so many of its major sights are within 15-30 minutes from each other by Metro, there is absolutely no need to rent a car if you are visiting the city. If anything, a car would make your life more complicated due to the dual issues of parking and traffic. Outside the hot summer months, many areas of Doha are walkable.

A bus stop in Doha. Pexels

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Stretch your budget by taking the bus

An honourable mention, here, for Doha’s electric bus network, which connects the major malls, souqs and residential areas and is easily navigable using the Karwa App, which includes live updates and route planning. Buses are useful for links to other towns near Doha that are not connected to the Metro, but most tourists’ experience of buses will be the Metrolink shuttles that ferry passengers from metro stations to major sights and back. Feeder buses are usually free, while short hops cost QAR2 and inter-town routes vary.

Metro station in Downtown Doha. Unsplash

Metro Station at Downtown Doha - ajmal-mk-Ys43fSS0Dik-unsplash

Cover ground quickly on the Doha Metro

The crown jewel of the city’s transport system, the Doha Metro was opened in 2019 and now includes three lines – Red, Gold, and Green – linking most major attractions and business districts. Trains run every five to six minutes from modern, spotless stations with elevators and signage in English and Arabic, with fares between QAR2 (for standard) to QAR10 (Gold Club Class). Kids under five ride free. One of Doha Metro’s best routes is the red line from Hamad International Airport, which allows you to ride straight into the city (stops at Msheireb, West Bay, Katara, and Lusail).

Lusail Marina Promenade

Lusail Marina Promenade - Visit Qatar

Glide through neighbourhoods on Doha’s modern trams

Doha now has three tram systems which are perfect for short, scenic and sustainable journeys within urban zones that are not connected to the Doha Metro.

Lusail Tram connects Lusail City to the metro, with shaded outdoor walkways and driverless vehicles; Education City Tram serves the Qatar Foundation and surrounding academic and cultural centres; and Msheireb Tram operates on a small loop connecting Msheireb Downtown Doha with nearby hotels, cafes and museums. The latter two networks are free, while Lusail’s tram is priced the same as the Metro and requires a travel card (QAR10).

Opt for a taxi or a ride-share

Taxis (operated by Karwa) are safe, metered and available at most hotels, malls and transport hubs. Fares start at QAR4, with additional charges for airport pickups or late-night travel, and you can book via the Karwa app or flag one down at designated ranks. In some areas, like northern Lusail and the Pearl, you may need to book a taxi in advance on the app.

Careem may be no more, but Uber remains a popular choice for visitors and residents alike. Fares are typically similar to Karwa taxis but vary based on surge pricing and time of day. Like elsewhere, one of the advantages of Uber for some travellers is that it is in English (although many Doha drivers speak very good English) and you can track your trip on the app.

People enjoying the park at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. Unsplash

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Walking in Doha: pleasant in places, but not city wide

Doha isn’t a hugely walkable city, but Msheireb Downtown, Katara Cultural Village, and parts of The Pearl have pedestrian districts, in the latter case with plazas and shaded spots, and you can feasibly walk between sites like the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif via the corniche.

Generally, though, people don’t walk long distances in Doha and roads are wide and busy, and the pavements aren’t consistent. The sun can be pretty intense during the hotter months, and walking anywhere in the summer is inadvisable.

Accessible transport options in Doha

Given how new much of the transport infrastructure is, most metro stations, modern buses and trams are wheelchair and stroller-friendly. Elevators, ramps and audio-visual signage are commonplace, and staff are generally onsite and helpful. You can request accessible taxis via both the Karwa Taxi app and Uber, and museums and malls offer priority access and mobility support.

The skyline in West Bay, Doha. Unsplash

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Get on your bike (within reason)

Nobody is suggesting that you hop on a bike and duke it out with the traffic on Doha’s busy thoroughfares, but cycling is growing in popularity in Qatar and there are a number of spots where you can either hire bikes or bring your own. Aspire Park, Al Bidda Park and Al Abraj Park all have dedicated cycle paths. Doha is also home to an Olympic cycling track that – at 33km – holds the Guiness World Record for being the longest continuous cycling track and has as many as 29 underpasses and five bridges. You can also hire e-scooters in Doha, and the electric two-wheelers are becoming increasingly popular with locals and residents.

Mina District Corniche in Doha. Unsplash

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Getting around Doha: FAQs

Is public transport expensive in Doha?

No, metro and bus fares start at QAR2.

Are taxis expensive in Doha?

More expensive than the metro, but affordable compared to most capital cities.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

By far the easiest way is by metro (Red Line), otherwise via an Uber or Karwa taxi.

Do I need multiple tickets for the metro and tram?

No, the metro and Lusail tram use the same card.

Which apps will I need?

Qatar Rail, Karwa Taxi, and Uber.

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