Doha, Qatar

Candystore

Candystore

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I have a few hours' layover in Doha en route Istanbul.

Am I allowed outside the airport? Visa required? Anything worth seeing?

Thank you very much.
 
Candystore said:
I have a few hours' layover in Doha en route Istanbul.

Am I allowed outside the airport? Visa required? Anything worth seeing?

Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
if you with FNB global acc or investec you can chill in the lounges with lounge key
 
Went in June. No visa required (visa on arrival), however, they gave me a lot of grief at immigration. The officer initially refused even though I had everything on hand, and I had to speak the Captain on duty. But the Captain was very friendly and got me processed after that. I think the main issue was the language barrier with the immigration officer, but the Captain had a good command of the English language. Be sure to have your return ticket on hand, and if you're staying the night, have a hotel booked with confirmation.

Also check if they're still doing COVID requirements, cause that was also a headache. Even though I did the pre-approval certificate issued from their government, they didn't want to accept it. I then had to prove I got vaccinated but wouldn't accept the SA government certificate. They eventually accepted it once I showed them the SMS I got when I got vaccinated, which matched the dates on the certificate. If I didn't have that, not sure what would've happened.

Finally, watch out for taxi's where they say they accept card, and then suddenly their machine isn't working. Guy tried it with me and I didn't have cash, so I suggested he figure it out cause I was not withdrawing money (he wanted to take me to an ATM). Suddenly the machine worked again. :cautious:

Overall, I'd say unless you have a few days, it ain't worth leaving the airport. But saying that, with the World Cup coming up, I'd imagine things have improved in this regard, and maybe my experience was just a uniquely poor one due to the timing.
 
Candystore said:
Approx 12 hours.
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You can easily spend around 3 hours wondering the airport. If the airport hotel is fully booked then book into the Al Mourjan lounge or any of the other 2 lounges available. There are a few ways to buy time
 
MaisonP said:
There is an airport hotel. No need to leave the airport.
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This -

I think its around $200 for a room - and you can book ahead for a few hours stay.
But I agree with @MaisonP - its a big airport, and there's plenty space, and plenty to see.

Go looking for this guy :) and the huge wooden puppet.

1663076420386.png
 
TEXTILE GUY said:
This -

I think its around $200 for a room - and you can book ahead for a few hours stay.
But I agree with @MaisonP - its a big airport, and there's plenty space, and plenty to see.

Go looking for this guy :) and the huge wooden puppet.

View attachment 1382443
Click to expand...
Yeah for sure. I love spending time in Doha airport. It’s half art gallery half shopping heaven half food heaven.

There is enough things to keep you busy for 12 hours.

1663078077614.png
 
MaisonP said:
I can imagine. Where did you fly from? LA?
The worst ever lag i ever had.
LA - Atlanta - NY - Qatar
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Worst lag I experienced was to HK couldnt sleep on the plane was a direct flight and arrived 7am in the morning their side and slept in Hyatt Regency lobby till check in 2pm couldnt help it :p

now we always try land after check in or book check in a day earlier
 
Snyper564 said:
Worst lag I experienced was to HK couldnt sleep on the plane was a direct flight and arrived 7am in the morning their side and slept in Hyatt Regency lobby till check in 2pm couldnt help it :p

now we always try land after check in or book check in a day earlier
Click to expand...
Hahaha I have also done that plenty of times.
Sleep in the lobby until check in lmfao
I can’t wait for HK to open again. I miss it.
 
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