Qatar Airways’ Stopover programme lets transit passengers add a Doha break with four- and five-star hotels from USD 14 per night.
Here’s who qualifies, what it costs, and how to book a stopover when you fly through Doha.
What the Stopover Program Is
The programme is run by Qatar Airways and its travel arm, Discover Qatar, so you can break a long transit through Doha with a heavily discounted hotel stay.
Instead of waiting airside, you leave the airport, spend a night or more in the city, and continue on your onward flight.
There are actually two separate options, and travellers often confuse them:
- Qatar Stopover — a paid package with subsidised four- and five-star hotels.
- Complimentary transit accommodation (STPC) — a free hotel for shorter, qualifying layovers.
Who Can Book
The paid Qatar Stopover is open to confirmed Qatar Airways, code-share, and oneworld ticket holders with a transit in Doha of 12 to 96 hours.
You can book up to four nights per direction, with a maximum of two bookings per ticket — one on your outbound sector and one on your return.
Each booking needs a confirmed Qatar Airways or code-share flight for that leg. According to the Discover Qatar stopover terms, a stay is refundable if cancelled more than 72 hours before your arrival date.
Hotel Options and Prices
Rates are quoted per person, per night, based on two adults sharing a room. Prices below are starting rates from Discover Qatar and rise with hotel and season.
| Hotel Tier | From (per person/night) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-star (standard) | USD 14 / QAR 52 | Room only |
| 5-star (premium) | USD 24 / QAR 88 | Room only |
| 5-star with beach access | USD 31 / QAR 113 | Room only |
| 5-star luxury | USD 83 / QAR 304 | Breakfast included |
You can add extras at checkout, such as airport transfers, a desert safari, a Souq Waqif visit, or a golf round. If you’d rather book independently, compare hotels in Doha on Wego.
How to Book
Book the hotel after your flight is confirmed — the system validates your ticket and Doha transit time automatically.
- Book a Qatar Airways flight with a 12 to 96-hour layover in Doha.
- On qatarairways.com or the Discover Qatar site, select the Stopover / Packages option.
- Enter your booking reference and travel details, including stopover dates.
- Choose your hotel tier, number of nights, and any tours or transfers.
- Pay and save the confirmation.
At the hotel, present your Qatar Airways (or code-share) boarding pass and your stopover confirmation, with the name matching exactly across both.
The Free Transit Hotel (STPC)
Separate from the paid package, Qatar Airways offers complimentary transit accommodation, known as STPC, for passengers with no suitable shorter connection.
It applies to qualifying layovers of roughly 8 to 24 hours, and the hotel class depends on your cabin:
- Economy: 3-star hotel.
- Business and First: 4- or 5-star hotel.
- Meal vouchers: provided on longer qualifying layovers (from around 11 hours).
Deeply discounted saver award fares generally don’t qualify. To check eligibility, submit a request to Qatar Airways at least 72 hours before departure — it is not booked through the paid stopover portal.
Visa and Entry
To leave the airport for either programme, you must be able to enter Qatar. Citizens of more than 100 countries can enter visa-free, while others need a visa or the Hayya entry permit.
Check your nationality’s requirements on the official Visit Qatar portal before you book, as the stopover hotel does not waive entry rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Qatar Stopover hotel free?
The paid Qatar Stopover package is heavily discounted but not free, starting at USD 14 per person per night. The separate STPC programme offers a free hotel for qualifying 8 to 24-hour layovers.
How long can I stay on a stopover?
Your Doha transit must be between 12 and 96 hours, and you can book up to four nights per direction.
Can I book the stopover after buying my flight?
Yes. You book the hotel separately once your flight is confirmed, and the system checks your ticket and transit time. A stay is refundable if cancelled more than 72 hours before arrival.
Do I need a visa for a Doha stopover?
Over 100 nationalities can enter Qatar visa-free. Others need a visa or Hayya permit. Confirm your requirements on the official Visit Qatar portal before booking.
Sources
- Discover Qatar — Stopover in Qatar
- Discover Qatar — Stopover Terms and Conditions
- Qatar Airways — Qatar Stopover
- Qatar Airways — Complimentary Transit Accommodation (STPC)
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
