World Cup Travel 2022: Your Quick World Cup Travel Guide

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated 06 December 2022

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be held this November. 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.

Here’s our guide to World Cup travel 2022, including World Cup travel packages, transport suggestions, and general best practices on how to take advantage of this incredible opportunity and follow your favourite World Cup 2022 teams this year.

Please note: Effective today, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has announced that Qatari citizens and GCC residents will be allowed to enter the country without a Hayya card. Only non-GCC tourists and visitors attending the World Cup matches will require the Hayya card.

Multiple-entry visa for Hayya Card holders

With international fans basing their World Cup Journey in neighbouring countries, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have recently announced new multiple-entry visit visa schemes for international fans holding the Hayya Card. Details are as follows.

Saudi Arabia

An announcement by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed a new multiple-entry visit visa to Saudi Arabia will be available for fans holding the Hayya Card.

Holders of the Hayya Card may apply for a new Saudi visa allowing for a 60-day stay in the Kingdom beginning 10 days before the tournament kicks off.

UAE

The UAE has also confirmed its new multiple-entry visa for Hayya Card holders. The Hayya Card-associated visa will allow international football fans multiple entries to the UAE over a 90-day period.

According to the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the fee for the visa has been set to AED 100 and can be extended for an additional 90 days. The new visa will grant entry to the UAE starting from 1 November 2022.

Please note that international fans from visa-exempt countries will not be required to apply for a new visa as the current arrangement already allows them to enter and stay in the UAE.

World Cup travel 2022

For international football fans looking to travel to Qatar for the World Cup, flights and accommodations are obviously some of the more essential requirements. However, there are also additional requirements to take into account such as entry permits, World Cup match tickets, and so on.

Flights to Qatar

Travelling to Qatar is a pretty straightforward affair; major airlines around the world have begun flight operations to Qatar. If you’re planning on travelling to Qatar independently without purchasing any sort of packages or tours, you can do so by choosing flights that best suit your travel budget. Whether economy, business, or first class, you’ll find options readily available for all your World Cup travel needs.

In partnership with several Gulf carriers, Qatar Airways has launched World Cup shuttle flights between Doha and major Middle Eastern cities. You can now attend World Cup matches and depart from Qatar on the same day. For a hassle-free trip, these flights will provide a no check-in baggage policy for passengers with flights connecting Doha with Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat and Kuwait City.

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Hotel bookings

DISCLAIMER: As of now, the Qatar Accommodation Agency (QAA) is prioritising only match tickets holders. To book accommodations with the QAA you will need a valid Ticket Application Number to confirm your booking.

Qatar has no shortage of hotels and accommodations for fans to choose from. Whether a stay in downtown Doha or at an urban island residence, fans can choose from a broad range of options for their World Cup hotel and accommodation booking.

Other accommodations include apartments, villas, fan villages, and cruise ship cabins. International football fans are also welcome to stay with family and friends.

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World Cup 2022 match tickets

FIFA World Cup 2022 match tickets are now on sale and open to fans worldwide. World Cup 2022 match tickets are available for as low as USD 69; however, Qatari residents can purchase tickets for USD 11. A ticket for the final match could cost up to USD 1,607.

Hayya Card

All fans attending the World Cup must mandatorily apply for a Hayya Card. The Hayya Card is operated by the government of Qatar and will be used as an entry permit to Qatar for international visitors while also granting entry to any stadium. Only match ticket holders can apply for a Hayya Card.

This card can be used for free travel by metro, tram buses and tournament bus services on match days.

Please also note that specifically for the World Cup, as per the latest Qatar entry requirements, international football fans without a World Cup ticket and a Hayya card will not be allowed to enter the country.

Attending World Cup Matches will also require fans to first obtain the Hayya card. As such, it would be best to first satisfy this requirement after securing your World Cup tickets. Please find the details of the Hayya card in our article below.

https://blog.wego.com/hayya-card/

Where will the matches be held?

The cities of Doha, Lusail, Al Khor, Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah will be hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 matches in Qatar. All stadiums in Qatar are well connected and are easily accessible by metro, stadium express and shuttle buses. A total of eight stadiums will serve as the proving grounds for all participating teams.

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.

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 Green line 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 (Red line) 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 available in close proximity. Taxi and shared-ride drop-off 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.

FIFA World Cup 2022 travel packages

Qatar Airways allows international football fans to book Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup packages for those with the means and inclinations to do so. You can book FIFA World Cup travel packages with Qatar Airways by joining the Privilege Club for free. Below is a list of all the current travel packages that are being offered to World Cup 2022 fans:

Support your team package

This travel package offers an international round trip from your city to Qatar with a 13-night stay at an accommodation of your choice. You will also be granted tickets to 4 Group matches.

Prices: start from USD 6,950.
Dates: 20 November – 03 December

Early groups package

This travel package offers an international round trip from your city to Qatar with a 7-night stay at an accommodation of your choice. You will also be granted tickets to 3 Group matches.

Prices: start from USD 4,950.
Dates: 20 November – 27 November

Later groups package

The Later groups travel package offers an international round trip from your city to Qatar with a 6-night stay at an accommodation of your choice. You will also be granted tickets to 3 Group matches.

Prices: start from USD 4,700.
Dates: 27 November – 03 December

Round of 16 package

This travel package offers an international round trip from your city to Qatar with a 6-night stay at an accommodation of your choice. You will also be granted tickets to knockout matches 2 Round of 16 matches (inclusive of 1 match to the team of your choice and an additional match).

Prices: start from USD 3,800.
Dates: 03 December – 07 December

Quarter-finals package

This travel package offers an international round trip from your city to Qatar with a 4-night stay at an accommodation of your choice. You will also be granted tickets to 2 Quarter-Final matches.

Prices: start from USD 4,050.
Dates: 07 December – 11 December

Final rounds package (semi-final & final)

This travel package offers an international round trip from your city to Qatar with an 8-night stay at an accommodation of your choice. You will also be granted tickets to 2 Semi-Final matches and the Final match.

Prices: start from USD 7,300.
Dates: 11 December – 19 December

The Finals package (final & 3rd place)

This travel package offers an international round trip from your city to Qatar with a 4-night stay at an accommodation of your choice. You will also be granted tickets to the 3rd place and final matches.

Prices: start from USD 5,600.
Dates: 15 December – 19 December

Check out Qatar Airways’ unique FIFA World Cup 2022 travel packages for more details.