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Updated November 2022
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be held from late November to mid-December 2022. Since the first event in 1930, the tournament has been held every four years. It will be played in a limited time span of around 28 days. Millions of football fans are expected to travel to Qatar this year to witness firsthand how the 32 teams will battle for supremacy like never before. A good number of dedicated fans have even secured their World Cup travel packages for the end-of-year grand event.
Here’s our guide to all your options for getting around in Qatar and beating the heavy traffic during the FIFA World Cup 2022.
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Getting around in Qatar
Since millions of football fans are expected to visit the FIFA World Cup 2022, during the tournaments some areas may be busier than usual. From West Bay to Souq Waqif, the coastal area of Central Doha in Qatar will be a hub for fans during the tournament.
However, to avoid as much traffic as possible and to get around in Qatar hassle-free, here are some of the means of transportation you can use. Please note that the details will be updated accordingly, before the tournament.
Metro
Taking a Metro in Qatar is one of the most comfortable and hassle-free ways you can travel around the country. The Doha Metro network covers all World Cup 2022 stadiums along with many other popular destinations. Additionally, the Metro will also provide longer-running services during the tournament.
Furthermore, some metro stations will also have dedicated car parks to help reduce traffic during tournament time, including Qatar University, Al Qassar and Umm Ghuwailina.
Here are certain tips you can follow to avail maximum benefits from the Metro service in Qatar:
- Buy your travel card at stations and some supermarkets, and then save time by topping up online or on the Qatar Rail app (iOS, Android). The Standard travel card costs 10 QR ($2.75), and the Gold Club travel card costs 100 QR ($27.46).
- Change lines at Msheireb and Al Bidda Metro stations.
Passengers can also opt for the MetroLink buses, a feeder bus network that provides first and last-mile connectivity to Qatar Rail customers within a 2 to 5 km radius of the Doha Metro stations. Most importantly, the buses are free of cost. You can check the Metrolink schedules here.
MetroExpress are also free minibuses that shuttle passengers between stations and nearby locations and can be booked via the app (iOS and Android).
Public buses
The public bus services in Qatar are also an affordable and comfortable way of traveling around Qatar. Additionally, bus services will operate for longer than usual during the FIFA World Cup tournament.
Public transport smart cards are required to ride the Karwa public bus. Make sure to buy and top-up Karwa smart cards at ticket vending machines in Hamad International Airport, Doha Bus Station, The Pearl Qatar and Qatar Mall, also some other partner merchants. There are three types of Karwa smart cards:
- Classic Card: Price: QR.30 ($8.24). Rechargeable card for the long term.
- Limited Card: 24 hours, Price: QR.10 ($2.75). For two journeys within 24 hours of purchase.
- Unlimited Card: 24 hours, Price: QR.20 ($5.49): For unlimited journeys within 24 hours of purchase.
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You can keep track of the public transportation timetables and your smart card balance on the Karwa Bus app (iOS and Android), or you can directly check the public transportation routes and schedule here.
Please visit the Mowasalat website for more information.
Car rentals, taxis and ride shares
Although it is recommended that you use public transport if you are staying in central Doha to avoid busy road networks, closures and diversions, you can also use a car rental service using your non-Qatari license.
Passengers can rent a car if they are 25 years and older, and have held a valid driving license for at least 12 months. However, car rental availability is likely to be low due to high demand.
Furthermore, visit or business visa holders can drive for up to fifteen (15) days from arrival with their home country license or six (6) months with an international license. GCC license holders can drive for up to three (3) months from arrival. To extend this, travellers will need to apply for a temporary Qatar driving license.
Additionally, travellers can also avail of the taxi services from the Karwa application or directly contact them at +974 800 8294 (toll-free) for booking. Passengers can also book ride shares with Uber and Careem.
Cycling and e-scooters
Being a relatively flat and at sea level city, Doha provides leisurely cycling conditions. Please visit the Qatar Cycling Federation for more information regarding cycle paths and more adventurous routes.
Electric scooters in Doha can also be rented by the minute. These will be available at a number of walking locations, including the Doha Corniche, and will allow fans to enjoy the mild weather conditions expected during the tournament. Travellers simply need to download the provider’s app and can travel around Doha in no time.
Electric buses
To maintain an eco-friendly transportation system, Qatar has also introduced a fleet of new buses boosting Qatar’s public transport infrastructure. These are the electric buses with a Euro 5 emissions standard, that emit much less pollution than regular vehicles.
Route 76 is currently open and operational, and all alternative transportation options for the Doha Metro’s Gold and Red Lines are provided by electric buses.
Karwa has opened eight bus stations equipped with electric charging stations in Al-Sudan, the Industrial Area, Al-Wakra, the Education City, Lusail, Gharrafa, and Msheireb from May. From November 2022, the West Bay Central Bus Station is also open for business.
Please note that the details will be updated accordingly.
Getting to the stadium
You can get to your stadium of choice from your hotel with relative ease. The Doha Metro network covers all World Cup 2022 stadiums along with many other popular destinations. Buses or taxis are also available in all areas and World Cup venues. Football fans can also access the water taxi, a new and exciting way to navigate and travel easily during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Please note that ticket holders can use their Hayya Card and Hayya to Qatar 2022 app for free travel on matchdays. This includes the metro, Education City and Lusail trams, public buses and tournament bus services.
It’s also worth noting that most hotels in close proximity to the stadiums will likely offer shuttle services to and from the stadium to accommodate football fans throughout the tournament.
Lusail Stadium
The stadium is located around 15 km north of central Doha. The Lusail Metro Station on the red line is a 10-minute walk from the stadium. You can also opt for the stadium express buses that will operate between the express bus hubs. Accessible parking options are available close to the Lusail stadium, as well as taxis and shared rides.
Stadium 974
Stadium 974 is very close to the Ras Abu Abboud Expressway and is the nearest stadium to central Doha, just 2 km to the south. The closest metro station is the Ras Bu Abboud metro station (gold line), a 10-minute walk from the stadium. You can also access the stadium express buses from here and car parking options are available in close proximity. Taxi and shared-ride drop-offs and pick-ups are close to the stadium.
Al Bayt Stadium
The stadium is located near Al Khor Coastal Road and 5 km south of Al Khor. You can easily access the shuttle services to and from the Lusail metro station (red line). Stadium express buses, car parking, taxis and shared-ride drop-off and pick-up facilities are also available here.
Khalifa International Stadium
This stadium lies 15 km east of central Doha. The Sports City metro station (Gold line) is only a 10-minute walk from the stadium. Stadium express buses, car parking, taxi and shared-ride drop-off and pick-up facility are also available here.
Education City Stadium
The stadium is easily accessible by car, taxi or metro and is also connected to the Education City tram system. The Education City metro station is located on the Greenline and is a 10-minute walk from the stadium. You can also opt for shared ride drop-off and pick-up from the stadium.
Al Janoub Stadium
The stadium is located 25 km south of central Doha, and the nearest metro station is Al Wakra (Redline) via the M132 metro link bus. You can also access the stadium express buses from here and car parking options are available nearby. Taxi and shared-ride drop-offs and pick-ups are close to the stadium.
Al Thumama Stadium
The stadium is adjacent to the Doha Express Highway and 12 km south of central Doha. The nearest metro station to Al Thumama Stadium in Al Wakrah is a 6-minute walk. You can access the shuttle services, running to and from the Free Zone metro station (red line). You can also access the stadium express buses from here and car parking options are available in close proximity. Taxi and shared-ride drop-offs and pick-ups are close to the stadium.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is situated along the Dukhan Highway, 20 km west of central Doha and nearby to the Mall of Qatar. Metro station Al Riffa is located a 10-minute walk from the stadium. It is the last station on the newly-constructed Green line. Accessible car parking options are available at this stadium. Stadium express buses are available here, and taxis and shared rides are close to the stadium.
You can visit our World Cup Travel 2022: Your Quick World Cup Travel Guide article to get a more detailed idea about the travel packages, flights, hotels, entry permits, Transport and more.
