Doha Airport (DOH): how to get to the city center

Doha is Qatar’s main international gateway, located about 15–20 minutes by road from central Doha. The airport is connected to the city by metro, Karwa buses, taxis, ride-hailing apps, private transfers and car rental.
This guide explains how each option works, what it costs and which one makes most sense for your trip.

Overview

From Doha, the easiest way into town is usually the red line of the Doha Metro, running directly from the airport station to Msheireb interchange. Karwa buses are the cheapest but slower and require a smartcard. Taxis and private transfers offer door-to-door comfort and are ideal for night arrivals and heavy luggage. If you plan to explore the whole country, picking up a rental car at the airport can be very convenient.

Key Takeaways

• Doha is about 15–16 km from the city center and most rides to the Corniche / Souq Waqif area take 15–30 minutes depending on traffic.
• The cheapest and often fastest option is the metro: 2 QAR per ride, daily cap 6 QAR, with the red line connecting the airport directly to central Doha.
• Karwa buses (routes 747, 777 and others) cost around 3–5 QAR per trip but require a Karwa Smartcard – cash is not accepted on board.
• A Karwa taxi from the airport to the central area usually costs 40–60 QAR, with a fixed airport flag-fall of 25 QAR plus per-kilometer charges.
• Uber and Careem operate in Doha; fares from the airport are similar to or slightly lower than official taxis in off-peak times.
• Pre-booked private transfers (including via Kiwitaxi or Welcome Pickups) with meet-and-greet typically start from about 120–200 QAR per car to central Doha.
• For wider exploration beyond Doha, renting a car directly at Doha and driving out on the highways can be the most flexible option.

Airport layout and where to find transport

After immigration and baggage claim at Doha you enter the main Arrivals Hall. From here, follow the signs for:

• Metro – a covered corridor leads to Hamad International Airport T1 station on the red line, about a 5–7 minute indoor walk.
• Bus Pavilion – to the right of the Arrivals Hall outside the terminal; this is where Karwa buses depart and where you can buy or top up Karwa Smartcards.
• Taxi / Limousine / Ride-hailing pickup – the official Karwa taxi rank is directly outside Arrivals, with separate lanes for pre-booked transfers and hotel shuttles.

ATMs, currency exchange and telecom counters are available in Arrivals, which is useful if you want to load a local SIM or activate an eSIM (see eSIM Qatar).

Metro from Doha Airport to the city center

How the metro works

The airport is served by Hamad International Airport T1 station on the Red Line of the Doha Metro, running from Al Wakra in the south to Lusail in the north via central Doha.

• Take trains in the direction of Lusail.
• Travel time to Msheireb (near Msheireb Downtown, Souq Waqif and Doha Corniche) is around 20 minutes.
• At Msheireb you can change to the Gold Line towards Souq Waqif, National Museum of Qatar and other key sights.

Operating hours

Timetables can vary slightly by day and season, but as a rule of thumb:

• Saturday – Wednesday: around 05:30 – 23:59
• Thursday: around 05:30 – 01:00
• Friday: around 14:00 – 01:00

Trains typically run every 3–6 minutes, more frequently at peak times.

Tickets and fares

Doha Metro uses Qatar Rail travel cards:

• Standard Travel Card – plastic reusable card for 10 QAR; journeys cost 2 QAR each, with a daily cap of 6 QAR (after the third ride, the rest of the day is free).
• Single / Day Pass tickets – paper tickets for one ride (2 QAR) or full-day travel (6 QAR), handy if you only plan a couple of trips.

Cards and tickets can be bought from vending machines at station entrances or from staffed ticket offices.
Children under 5 travel free; older kids pay the same as adults.

When the metro is not ideal

• Very late-night or early-morning arrivals, especially on Fridays, when the metro may not be running yet.
• Heavy luggage or young children, where a door-to-door taxi might be less stressful.
• Hotels far from metro stations or without convenient Metrolink feeder buses.

Karwa buses from the airport

Karwa buses (operated by Mowasalat) link Doha with many parts of Doha and nearby towns. All buses are air-conditioned and offer space for luggage.

Main routes from the airport

Popular city routes include:

• 747 – Airport – area near Souq Waqif – Al Ghanim Bus Station (good for central / old town hotels).
• 777 – Airport – West Bay – The Pearl Island (great if staying in business hotels or on The Pearl).

Typical journey time to central areas is 25–45 minutes depending on traffic and route. Buses usually run roughly between 4:00 and 23:00 with around 20-minute frequency.

Karwa Smartcard: how to pay

You cannot pay in cash on Karwa buses – you must use a Karwa Smartcard.

Card types:

• Limited Card – 10 QAR, valid for two trips within 24 hours.
• Unlimited Card – 20 QAR, unlimited bus travel for 24 hours.
• Classic Card – around 30 QAR, long-term card with stored credit (part of the price usually pre-loaded).

Where to buy:

• ticket machines and sales desks in the airport Arrivals area and Bus Pavilion;
• main bus stations in Doha;
• Ooredoo self-service machines and authorized merchants.

Within Doha, standard bus fares are typically 3–4 QAR per journey, with short rides from 2.5 QAR and long-distance routes up to 9 QAR.

When buses make sense

Buses are a good fit if:

• your hotel is directly on one of the routes (e.g. around Souq Waqif or the central bus station);
• you are on a tight budget and don’t mind extra travel time;
• you plan to ride several times in one day – then the Unlimited Card can pay off quickly.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Karwa Taxi

Official blue Karwa taxis queue right outside the Arrivals doors and operate 24/7.

Fares:

• airport flag-fall – 25 QAR;
• around 1.6 QAR per km by day and 1.9 QAR per km at night;
• typical ride to the Corniche / Souq Waqif area – 40–60 QAR;
• to West Bay business district – roughly 50–70 QAR; to The Pearl Island – about 60–80 QAR, depending on traffic.

Most taxis accept both cash and cards, but it is still wise to confirm with the driver before starting the trip.

Uber, Careem and other apps

Uber and Careem both serve Doha. Fares to central Doha are usually similar to Karwa Taxi, or slightly lower during off-peak periods.

Advantages:

• upfront pricing and clear route in the app;
• easy card payment or in-app wallet;
• options for larger vehicles for families or groups.

The downside is surge pricing at busy times and the need for mobile data (eSIM via eSIM Qatar and a secure VPN from VPN for Qatar – for example NordVPN, Proton VPN or Surfshark – help keep access smooth and secure).

Private transfers and car rental

Private transfers

If you value comfort and fixed pricing, pre-book a private transfer:

• driver meets you with a name sign in Arrivals;
• flat rate per vehicle to your hotel, usually from around 120–200 QAR to central Doha;
• very convenient for families, late-night arrivals or business trips.

Services such as Kiwitaxi and Welcome Pickups specialise in this, and aggregators like Get Your Guide and Viator also list transfer options (see Tours in Qatar).

Car rental

Major international and local rental companies have desks in the Arrivals area at Doha.

Key points:

• right-hand traffic; highways are modern and well-lit;
• city congestion is possible, especially around West Bay at rush hour;
• a credit card and security deposit are almost always required.

Use Localrent and Economybookings or the Transport in Qatar section to compare offers before you book.

A compact car booked in advance typically costs around 120–250 QAR per day depending on season, duration and insurance (prices can vary significantly).

Which option to choose

• Budget / solo travellers with light bags – the metro is usually the best combination of speed and price, especially for hotels near Msheireb, West Bay or Katara Cultural Village.
• Travellers staying along bus routes – Karwa buses plus a Limited or Unlimited Smartcard can be very economical.
• Families, groups and those with lots of luggage – taxis or pre-booked private transfers offer stress-free, door-to-door rides.
• Road-trippers exploring beyond Doha – picking up a rental car at the airport makes it easy to reach remote beaches, desert areas and smaller towns.

Prices (updated: November 2025)

These are typical ranges and may change, but they reflect current averages for Qatar and recent transport tariffs.

• Metro: 2 QAR per ride, daily cap 6 QAR; Standard Travel Card costs 10 QAR.
• Karwa buses: usually 3–4 QAR within Doha; short rides from 2.5 QAR, long-distance routes up to 9 QAR. Limited Card – 10 QAR, Unlimited – 20 QAR, Classic – around 30 QAR.
• Karwa taxi from the airport to central Doha: typically 40–60 QAR in normal traffic; 50–70 QAR to West Bay and about 60–80 QAR to The Pearl Island.
• Private transfer: from roughly 120–200 QAR per car to the city center; premium vehicles and vans cost more.
• Car rental (economy): around 120–250 QAR per day if booked in advance, depending on season, duration and insurance.
• Simple meal in central Doha: about 15–65 QAR per person.
• Cappuccino in a café: about 6–30 QAR.
• 0.33 l bottle of water: roughly 1–2 QAR.

Tips

• If you land during the day with minimal luggage, plan on using the metro – it is fast, cheap and easy to navigate even on a first visit.
• For late-night and Friday-morning arrivals, budget for a taxi or pre-booked transfer, as the metro may not be running.
• Buy your Karwa Smartcard and metro travel card as soon as you arrive – they will also be useful for getting back to the airport.
• Download the Qatar Rail and Karwa Journey Planner apps for live schedules, routes and Metrolink feeder buses.
• For reliable mobile data and easy access to taxi apps, consider an eSIM from Airalo, Ubigi, Yesim, Saily, iRoamly, GoMoWorld, Voye or Esim4travel via eSIM Qatar.
• Use a VPN such as NordVPN, Proton VPN or Surfshark (see VPN for Qatar) when using banking apps, public Wi-Fi or booking platforms.
• Seatbelts are mandatory in taxis and private cars; tipping is optional but rounding up to the nearest 5–10 QAR is appreciated.

FAQ

How far is Doha Airport from the city center?
It is about 15–16 km to the Corniche / Souq Waqif area, usually 15–25 minutes by car in normal traffic.

What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to the city?
The metro is typically the cheapest option: 2 QAR per journey with a 6 QAR daily cap, regardless of distance travelled.

Do I need a Karwa Smartcard for airport buses?
Yes. You cannot pay in cash on Karwa buses; you must buy a Karwa Smartcard from vending machines or sales points at the airport or in the city.

Can I pay by card in taxis?
Most Karwa taxis and ride-hailing cars accept card payments, but it is best to confirm with the driver before the ride. There are ATMs in Arrivals if you prefer to pay cash.

What should I do if my flight arrives very late at night?
After midnight the metro may not run, so plan on using a Karwa taxi, Uber/Careem or a pre-booked private transfer – all of which operate 24/7.

Is it safe to use public transport with luggage?
Yes. Doha’s metro and buses are modern, air-conditioned and generally considered safe. Metro trains have space for bags, and buses offer racks or floor space. As everywhere, keep valuables close and within sight.

How long before departure should I leave for the airport?
From central Doha, leaving 1–1.5 hours before the airline’s check-in recommendation is usually enough, plus extra buffer for rush-hour traffic or if you are staying in more distant districts.

Recommended Services

• eSIM & mobile data: Airalo, Ubigi, Yesim, Saily, iRoamly, GoMoWorld, Voye, Esim4travel, Holafly – see eSIM Qatar for a full Qatar eSIM guide and plan comparison.
• VPN & online security: NordVPN, Proton VPN, Surfshark – useful for secure access to banking apps, booking sites and streaming while abroad; more details at VPN for Qatar.
• Airport transfers: for fixed-price, meet-and-greet service from Doha, consider Kiwitaxi or Welcome Pickups; general transport advice is summarised on Transport in Qatar.
• Car rental: compare offers and insurance options with Localrent and Economybookings before picking up your car at the airport.
• Doha and desert tours: city tours, desert safaris and layover excursions can be booked via Get Your Guide and Viator; see Tours in Qatar for ideas.
• Where to stay: for area overviews and accommodation picks in Doha, check Accommodation in Qatar.

Summary

Getting from Doha Airport to the city center is straightforward: metro and Karwa buses cover most budgets, while taxis and private transfers offer door-to-door comfort at any hour. Metro works best for daytime arrivals with light luggage and hotels near stations; taxis, transfers and rental cars are ideal for families, late-night flights and trips that extend beyond Doha into the rest of Qatar.