Doha to Lusail, The Pearl and West Bay: all ways to get around

Intro

Lusail, The Pearl and West Bay are the three main areas most visitors in Doha travel to for walks, shopping and hotels. These districts are now well linked by the Doha Metro red line, Lusail Tram, Metrolink shuttles and Karwa buses.

At first, the combination of lines, trams, shuttle buses and taxis can look confusing.

This guide explains how to get from Doha to Lusail, The Pearl and West Bay, which options are fastest or cheapest, how public transport works in 2025 and what you can expect to pay.

Key Takeaways

• The easiest way between Doha, West Bay, The Pearl and Lusail is a mix of the Doha Metro red line, free/low-cost Metrolink buses and Lusail Tram.
• For West Bay, take the red line to DECC or West Bay Qatar Energy stations, then walk or use the West Bay Shuttle Bus.
• For The Pearl: ride the red line to Legtaifiya, then change to free Metrolink M110 or Lusail Tram T1 to reach The Pearl Island.
• For Lusail: take the red line to Lusail or Legtaifiya and connect to Lusail Tram, or use a taxi/ride-hailing service directly to Lusail or Lusail Marina Corniche.
• A single metro/tram ride usually costs around 2 QAR, with a daily cap around 6–9 QAR; Karwa buses are typically 2–3 QAR within the city.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps are very convenient at night or with luggage: short city rides are usually about 20–40 QAR, while trips from central Doha to Lusail or The Pearl often cost 35–70 QAR.
• For mobile data and navigation, it is best to set up an eSIM via eSIM Qatar as soon as you arrive.

The Areas: Lusail, The Pearl and West Bay in a nutshell

West Bay

• Business district with skyscrapers, embassies and major hotels.
• A very practical base if you need quick access to both central Doha and The Pearl/Lusail.
• Served by several red line stations, making it ideal for business travellers.

The Pearl (The Pearl Island)

• Artificial island with marinas, promenades, restaurants and upscale residences.
• Essentially an extension of West Bay to the north, with its own causeway.
• Ideal for evening walks and weekend outings.

Lusail

• A new planned city north of Doha, with residential areas, Lusail Marina and the stadium.
• Served by the red line and Lusail Tram, plus buses and taxis.
• Good option if you stay in Lusail or travel for events such as concerts, races or matches.

Public Transport Basics in Doha

• Doha Metro – 3 lines, with the red line being the key one for West Bay, The Pearl and Lusail (from the airport and Al Wakra in the south to Lusail in the north).
• Lusail Tram – light rail network linking Legtaifiya and Lusail, handy for moving within Lusail and along the waterfront.
• Metrolink – free feeder buses connecting metro stations to nearby neighbourhoods and malls (for example, M110 to The Pearl).
• Karwa Bus – city bus network (you need a Karwa Smart Card or e-ticket in the app).
• West Bay Shuttle Bus – circular shuttle within West Bay, roughly every 10–15 minutes, paid with a Karwa Smart Card.

Ticketing: you generally use a Qatar Rail travel card or Karwa Smart Card; Metrolink is usually free but still requires tapping the card.

Getting from Doha to West Bay

1. Metro (main option)

Best if you are in the centre (Souq Waqif, Msheireb, Corniche) or close to a metro station.

Route:

1. Take the red line towards Lusail from your nearest station (e.g. Msheireb, Al Bidda, Corniche).
2. Get off at one of the West Bay stations:
   • DECC – for the exhibition centre and some hotels;
   • West Bay Qatar Energy – for many offices and inner-West Bay hotels;
   • Al Qassar – for the northern edge of West Bay and access to Katara.
3. Walk 5–15 minutes or switch to the West Bay Shuttle Bus for shorter walks.

Travel time:

• From central Doha to West Bay – about 10–20 minutes.
• From Hamad International Airport – 30–40 minutes with one change at Msheireb.

2. Karwa buses + West Bay Shuttle Bus

Useful if you are next to a bus stop while the metro is far away.

• Use the Karwa Journey Planner to find a bus toward West Bay or a nearby metro station (e.g. Corniche or Al Bidda).
• Once in West Bay, switch to the West Bay Shuttle Bus to reach your specific hotel or office.

Buses are slower than the metro in traffic, but sometimes better located.

3. Taxis and ride-hailing

• Main options are Karwa Taxi, Uber and Careem.
• From central Doha to West Bay it usually takes 10–20 minutes.
• For a 5–10 km ride, expect around 20–40 QAR including the starting fee and distance.

Getting from Doha to The Pearl (The Pearl Qatar)

1. Metro + Metrolink M110 (best all-round option)

1. Take the red line towards Lusail.
2. Get off at Legtaifiya station.
3. Follow the signs to the Metrolink stop for route M110.
4. Board the free M110 shuttle which loops around The Pearl Island with several stops by malls, towers and marinas.

Pros:

• No worries about parking or traffic jams on the causeway.
• You only pay for the metro ride; Metrolink itself is free (card tap still required).

2. Metro + Lusail Tram (T1)

A partial alternative to Metrolink:

1. Red line to Legtaifiya.
2. Change to Lusail Tram line T1 that serves the Pearl entrance area.
3. Walk or use local transport around the island.

This can be more convenient if your destination is closer to the tram than to the Metrolink stops.

3. Karwa buses

• Some Karwa routes include stops on or near The Pearl.
• Schedules and route numbers change quite often, so always verify via the Karwa Journey Planner app or at bus stops.
• Fares for inner-city routes are usually 2–3 QAR.

4. Taxis and ride-hailing

• From central Doha or West Bay to The Pearl usually takes 15–25 minutes.
• Typical cost is around 30–60 QAR depending on traffic and pick-up point.
• Very convenient if you have kids, shopping bags or are travelling as a group.

Getting from Doha to Lusail

1. Direct red line metro

1. Board the red line towards Lusail.
2. Get off at Lusail or another northern station that fits your address.
3. If needed, connect to Lusail Tram or take a taxi from the station.

Travel time:

• From central Doha to Lusail station – roughly 25–35 minutes.
• From the airport – about 40–50 minutes with a change at Msheireb.

2. Metro + Lusail Tram (for the marina and residential areas)

1. Ride the red line to Legtaifiya or Lusail.
2. Change to Lusail Tram (Orange Line and other lines).
3. Continue to the stop closest to your destination – e.g. Marina, Marina Promenade, Yacht Club, Esplanade, Lusail Central or Al Wessil.

This is particularly handy if you are going to Lusail Marina, offices close to the waterfront or residential blocks.

3. Karwa buses

• Buses run from central Doha toward Lusail and Lusail Bus Station.
• Travel times are usually 40–60 minutes including stops and traffic.
• Fares inside Doha area are about 2–3 QAR; longer routes can go up to 9 QAR.

4. Taxis and ride-hailing

• From West Bay to Lusail: about 15–25 minutes.
• From central Doha to Lusail: around 20–35 minutes.
• Typical price: roughly 35–70 QAR depending on the exact start/end points and traffic.

Operating hours and how the system fits together

• Doha Metro and Lusail Tram generally run from around 5:30 in the morning to midnight, with extended hours on Thursdays and later start times on Fridays.
• Metrolink services are tied to metro hours, with headways around 10–20 minutes on most routes.
• Karwa Buses operate from early morning to late night, but frequency varies by route and day.
• Metro and tram fares are low: a single ride is about 2 QAR, and day passes/caps are around 6–9 QAR.
• Karwa buses require a Karwa Smart Card or digital ticket; drivers do not accept cash.

When taxis or rental cars make more sense

Taxis and ride-hailing are a good idea if:

• you travel late at night when metro and bus frequencies are reduced;
• you have heavy luggage, a stroller or several kids;
• you stay on The Pearl or in Lusail and travel often between districts.

Car rental (via Localrent or Economybookings) is useful if:

• you plan trips beyond the city limits, into the desert or smaller towns;
• you want maximum flexibility going between The Pearl, West Bay and Lusail without checking timetables.

Fuel is cheaper than in most European countries, and parking at many malls and promenades is free or inexpensive.

Prices (Updated: November 2025)

All price ranges below use up-to-date cost-of-living data for Qatar, adjusted to typical trips between Doha, Lusail, The Pearl and West Bay.

City transport:

• Single metro/tram ride: roughly 2–5 QAR.
• Daily cap/day pass for metro and tram: about 6–10 QAR.
• Karwa bus ride within Doha: about 2–3 QAR, up to 9 QAR on longer intercity routes.
• Karwa/Metro travel card: from around 30 QAR including initial credit.

Taxis and ride-hailing:

• Taxi starting fee: about 7–15 QAR.
• Per-kilometre cost: roughly 5–15 QAR depending on the service and time.
• Central Doha → West Bay: usually 20–40 QAR.
• Central Doha → The Pearl or Lusail: typically 35–70 QAR.

Food “on the go”:

• Simple lunch in an inexpensive restaurant: roughly 15–60 QAR.
• Regular cappuccino: about 6–30 QAR.

Tips

• Stay near the red line if you can: it makes trips to West Bay, The Pearl and Lusail much easier. To compare hotel areas, check Best Budget Hotels in Doha – Comfort Without Overpaying.
• Set up eSIM as soon as you arrive via eSIM Qatar so you can use ride-hailing apps and maps without worrying about roaming.
• If you use public transport intensively, consider a day pass for metro and tram and a Karwa Smart Card for buses.
• In hot weather, plan transfers via malls and indoor walkways – many stations connect directly to air-conditioned buildings.
• Allow extra time during rush hours on weekdays, especially if you rely on taxis.
• Late at night, when wait times for metro and buses are longer, taxis and ride-hailing are usually the most comfortable and safest choice.

FAQ

Do I need separate tickets for the metro and Lusail Tram?
No. A single Qatar Rail travel card works on both the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, with shared daily caps.

Is Metrolink to The Pearl free?
Yes, Metrolink services (including M110 to The Pearl) are generally free, but you still need to tap your card when boarding.

Can I walk from West Bay to The Pearl?
It is technically possible but long and not pleasant in the summer heat; metro plus Metrolink/tram or a taxi is much more practical.

From the airport to West Bay or The Pearl – metro or taxi?
Metro is cheaper (with one change at Msheireb), taxis are faster and more convenient with luggage. A good compromise is metro to the centre and a taxi for the last leg.

Do I need a car if I stay in Lusail and plan to visit Doha often?
Not necessarily: the red line and Lusail Tram connect Lusail, West Bay and central Doha quite well. A car becomes useful if you plan frequent trips outside the city.

Recommended Services

Recommended Services

• eSIM & mobile data: Airalo, Ubigi, Yesim, Esim4travel, Holafly, GoMoWorld, iRoamly, Saily, Voye
• VPN for public Wi-Fi: NordVPN, Proton VPN, Surfshark
• Tours and activities in Doha & Lusail: Get Your Guide, Viator
• Taxis & private transfers: Kiwitaxi, Welcome Pickups
• Car rental: Localrent, Economybookings

Summary

For most travellers moving between Doha, Lusail, The Pearl and West Bay, the combination of metro, Lusail Tram and Metrolink covers nearly all daily needs. It is cheap, fast and avoids traffic jams.

Taxis and rental cars are best reserved for late-night trips, heavy luggage or when you value door-to-door flexibility over price.

For short urban stays focused on waterfront walks and dining, metro plus tram and shuttles will keep your transport budget low while still letting you move comfortably between the main districts.