Parking in Doha: where you can park, where you can’t, prices
Doha has been rapidly upgrading its parking system with huge underground garages, Park & Ride hubs and regulated mall parking.
For visitors this usually means plenty of spaces, but also strict rules and high fines for violations.
Cameras and smart systems monitor parked cars, and many central areas are paid from the first hour.
This guide explains where you can leave your car, how much it costs and how to avoid tickets.
Key takeaways
- In residential areas and on the outskirts parking is often free, while the city centre relies on underground and paid parking.
- Major attractions and shopping areas like Souq Waqif, Museum of Islamic Art usually have large underground car parks.
- Park & Ride facilities at metro stations (Al Wakra, Lusail, Al Qassar, Education City) are free and very handy for getting into central Doha.
- Malls commonly offer a short free grace period (around 30 minutes), then charge about 2–5 QAR per hour with a daily cap around 50–70 QAR.
- At Doha, parking is much more expensive than in the city – roughly 15 QAR per hour and 140–150 QAR per day in standard car parks.
- Typical fines for wrong parking start around 300 QAR and can reach 500–1,000 QAR for serious violations like blocking exits or using disabled bays.
- Payment is mainly via machines and mobile apps (for example, Mawaqif Qatar), and bank cards are widely accepted.
Types of parking in Doha
Doha uses several main types of parking:
- Free on-street parking
Still common in residential districts and less busy streets. Markings may be basic, but no-parking signs and yellow kerbs must be respected. - Paid underground and multi-storey car parks
In the centre, business areas, around malls and attractions most parking is in underground or multi-storey structures. Examples include facilities at Msheireb Downtown, Souq Waqif, museums and business towers. - Mall parking
Big shopping malls like City Center, Villaggio, Doha Festival City and Mall of Qatar have huge car parks. Typically the first 30 minutes are free, after which hourly rates apply within government-set caps. - Park & Ride near the metro
Free car parks by selected metro stations, allowing you to leave your car and continue by train. Very useful for avoiding traffic when heading into central Doha. - Hotel parking
Most mid-range and upscale hotels in Doha offer on-site parking – free or discounted for guests, sometimes paid for restaurant visitors. - Valet parking
Widely available at malls, hotels and some restaurants. Staff park and retrieve your car for a fixed fee, usually around 30–60 QAR per use, plus optional tip.
Where you can park: areas and popular spots
Corniche and city centre
- Doha Corniche
Along Doha Corniche there are several underground and surface car parks, many of them paid. Closer to government buildings and the West Bay skyline, on-street parking is more restricted. - Msheireb Downtown
In Msheireb Downtown, all parking is underground. Car parks are large and modern but paid. Expect a short free period followed by a fixed hourly rate.
Historic core and museums
- Souq Waqif
Near Souq Waqif you’ll find one of Doha’s largest underground car parks, with thousands of spaces. Rates are typically around 2–3 QAR per hour, with a maximum stay (often 24 hours). - Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum
Both Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar have dedicated parking – a mix of free spaces with time limits and reasonably priced paid zones. Evenings and weekends can get busy.
Katara, Pearl, West Bay
- Katara Cultural Village
Around Katara Cultural Village there are underground and surface car parks. Some are free, others charge by the hour. During events it’s worth arriving early. - The Pearl Island
On The Pearl Island underground parking under residential and retail blocks is common, along with open-air lots. Residents often have dedicated spaces and visitors use guest or public car parks. - West Bay
This business district is full of offices and hotels. Parking can be tricky at peak hours and many streets have limits or bans on on-street parking. Whenever possible, use official car parks in towers, malls and hotels.
Lusail and the south
- Lusail
In Lusail and near Lusail Marina Corniche you’ll find many new underground car parks plus Park & Ride at Lusail metro stations. Place Vendôme Mall has a huge car park that is usually free or low-cost for shoppers. - Al Wakrah and beyond
Around Al Wakrah, Souq Al Wakrah and Al Wakrah Beach there are large car parks. Some have introduced small fees (roughly 2–3 QAR per hour), but they remain affordable.
Where you must not park and what gets you fined
Qatar’s traffic code is strict and parking violations are taken seriously. You must not park:
- in areas signed as “No Parking” or “No Stopping”, or along yellow-painted kerbs;
- blocking driveways, car park exits, building entrances, mosque or hospital access;
- in disabled bays without a valid permit;
- on pedestrian crossings, pavements or traffic islands;
- double-parked in the traffic lane;
- on sandy shoulders or rough patches where signs prohibit parking.
Standard parking fines are typically around 300 QAR. Serious violations such as blocking traffic or abusing disabled spaces may reach 500–1,000 QAR and can add black points to your licence or even lead to impoundment for repeat offences.
Residents usually check and pay fines via the MOI online portal and Metrash app; renters will be billed through their car rental company.
How to pay for parking: machines, apps, valet
Machines and payment kiosks
On most underground and multi-storey car parks the process looks like this:
- A camera reads your plate or you collect a paper ticket at the entrance.
- Before leaving, you pay at a machine – with cash or card.
- Malls often provide 15–30 minutes free, after which hourly charges apply.
Always pay at the machine before going back to your car, otherwise you risk wasting part of your already paid time in exit queues.
Apps and smart parking
- Some central car parks are operated by companies like Mawaqif Qatar.
- Payment is made through a smartphone app using your plate number – entry and exit are recorded automatically.
- In Msheireb and several new complexes the system is fully ticketless and your digital record is stored in the app or in SMS links.
Valet parking
Valet services work in a similar way across Doha:
- you drive up to the valet stand, hand over your keys and get a digital or paper ticket;
- on return you show the ticket, pay a fixed valet fee (roughly 30–60 QAR) plus any applicable parking charges;
- tipping is appreciated but not obligatory.
Remember that valet fees are charged on top of the car park’s standard tariffs if those are not free.
Parking at malls and attractions
Shopping malls
Thanks to government regulations, mall parking prices are capped. The typical pattern is:
- first 30 minutes – free;
- then roughly 2–3 QAR per hour at the beginning and up to around 5 QAR for each additional hour;
- daily maximum usually around 60–70 QAR;
- lost ticket – charged at or near the daily maximum.
Many malls also validate parking for a few hours if you spend a minimum amount in shops or restaurants – check at information desks.
Souq Waqif and the old centre
Near Souq Waqif a vast underground car park with lifts connects directly to the souq.
Rates are normally in the 2–3 QAR per hour range, but exits can get busy on weekends and evenings.
Parking at Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar is designed to keep surrounding streets clear, so expect a mix of free time-limited spaces and moderate paid parking.
Katara, Pearl, Lusail
- At Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl Island, underground car parks and surface lots are common, often combined with valet options.
- In Lusail, especially around Lusail Marina Corniche, there’s a mix of underground and open car parks; for big events it’s smart to combine parking with the metro.
Free Park & Ride at the metro
Doha Metro’s Park & Ride system is designed to reduce congestion in the city centre:
- main Park & Ride facilities are at Al Wakra, Lusail, Al Qassar and Education City stations;
- parking is free for metro users;
- access is generally available 24/7, though some areas may close partially at night or on holidays;
- this is especially useful if you stay outside the centre but plan to visit Msheireb Downtown, West Bay, Souq Waqif or the museums.
The idea is simple: you park at a Park & Ride, buy a metro ticket (a single ride usually costs 2–5 QAR) and continue your trip without traffic or parking stress in central areas.
Parking at Doha Airport
[ AIRPORT_DOH ] offers several parking options:
- Short-term parking
Ideal for a few hours – pick-ups, drop-offs or quick errands in the terminal.
Expect roughly 30 minutes free or at a reduced rate, then about 15 QAR per hour and around 140–150 QAR per day for standard car parks. - Long-term / premium parking
Located closer to the terminal and priced higher:
typical pattern is 30 QAR for the first hour, 20 QAR for the second, 10 QAR for the third, then a daily rate around 200 QAR. - Valet
The most convenient and also the most expensive option, aimed at travellers who value time over cost.
Leaving your car at the airport for a week or longer is usually much more expensive than taking a taxi or private transfer.
Prices (updated: November 2025)
All figures below are averages; exact tariffs vary between car parks and promotions.
- City paid parking at malls and attractions – roughly 2–5 QAR per hour with daily caps around 40–70 QAR.
- Underground car parks in the centre (Souq Waqif, Msheireb, etc.) – typically 2–3 QAR per hour, sometimes with a 15–30 minute free period.
- Park & Ride at metro stations – free for metro users.
- Valet parking – usually 30–60 QAR per use, plus any underlying parking charges if applicable.
- Parking at Doha – about 15 QAR per hour and 140–150 QAR per day in standard car parks; premium zones are more expensive.
- Taxis – starting fare roughly 7–15 QAR, with short city rides of 5–10 km usually costing about 15–35 QAR.
- Public transport – a single metro or bus trip generally costs 2–5 QAR; day passes and travel cards are cheaper if you ride a lot.
- Fuel – around 2–2.5 QAR per litre, which keeps driving costs relatively low for visitors.
Practical parking tips in Doha
- For city-centre trips, consider combining driving with metro Park & Ride to avoid congestion and expensive parking.
- Always check signs and kerb colours – a seemingly empty kerb may still be a no-parking zone.
- In malls, keep your ticket until you exit and pay before returning to the car to avoid extra time at the barrier.
- Take a photo of your parking zone and level in large underground garages – it’s easy to get lost.
- In summer, choose shaded or underground parking when possible; the sun is very harsh on cars and people.
- Do not leave valuables visible in the car, even though Doha feels generally safe.
- Set a timer on your phone for paid parking so you can extend or leave in time.
FAQ
Is parking in Doha always paid?
No. Many residential neighbourhoods and outer areas still offer free on-street parking. Paid parking is more common in central districts, around malls, attractions and the airport.
Is it safe to leave a car on the street overnight?
In most quiet districts it is considered normal, provided there are no restrictions and you’re not blocking anyone. In central business areas it’s safer to use official car parks.
How much free time do malls usually give?
Most malls offer 15–30 minutes free, then start charging hourly fees. Exact rules vary, so check the signs or ask information desks.
How do I know if a car park is paid?
Look for barriers, ticket machines, tariff boards at the entrance or operator branding (such as Mawaqif Qatar). When in doubt, ask security or mall staff.
How do tourists pay parking fines?
Fines are attached to the car plate and often the driver’s licence. With rental cars, the company pays and then charges your deposit or card plus an admin fee.
Is there any free parking at Doha Airport?
Drop-off and pick-up areas may allow short free stays, but for longer waits you should use paid short-term car parks.
Are car parks open 24/7?
Most underground and structured car parks near malls and attractions operate 24/7, though access routes through the mall might be closed at night.
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