What is the accepted attire in Qatar?

Men and women should dress modestly as a courtesy to Qatar’s culture. Swimsuits and beachwear are acceptable at hotel beaches and pools only. Tops should cover the shoulders and skirts or shorts should fall to or below the knee.

What is the currency of Qatar?

The national currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR).

Can I bring alcohol to the country?

No, it is forbidden to bring alcohol in to the country.

What language is spoken in Qatar?

Arabic is the official and main language, but English is widely spoken.

What are the emergency telephone numbers in Qatar?

999 is the emergency telephone number for police, ambulance and fire department.

When is the best time to visit Qatar?

The best time to visit Qatar is between October and April.

What items am I prohibited from bringing into Qatar?

Your luggage and hand-baggage will be security screened for prohibited items, the prohibited items include:
– Weapons, firearms and ammunition
– Alcoholic beverages
– Pork products
– Narcotic drugs

When carrying personal medication, we advise you to carry a copy of doctor’s prescription with you.

What is Discover Qatar?

Discover Qatar is the Destination Management Division of Qatar Airways. Committed to develop Qatar’s brand and reputation, Discover Qatar works in synergy with the best service providers of accommodation, transportation, and uniquely designed tours in the country to offer unparalleled experiences to our customers.

What kind of services can I receive from Discover Qatar?

Discover Qatar offers a range of tourism experiences and services including: hotels with airport transfers, excursions, stopover and transit tours and much more.

What is the Qatar Stopover program?

Qatar Stopover is a unique programme designed by Qatar Airways and its destination management division, Discover Qatar, in collaboration with the National Tourism Council. It enables passengers to experience Qatar with a stopover during their transit through Doha on their holiday or travel itinerary.
Our unique Qatar stopovers are designed to give you a ready-made experience for a few nights in Qatar.
Standard package includes:
- Return transfers between your hotel and Hamad International Airport
- 24 hour hotel check-in and check-out service
- Breakfast for every morning of your stay
- A Sightseeing City Tour
Our tailored holidays are themed as Beach & Family, City Experience, Culture & Dining and Shopping & Luxury. The longer you stay, the more you get included with additional featured activities*:
- Dinner at a restaurant in the Souq Waqif
- Desert Safari, full and half day programmes
- Dhow Cruise with dinner
- Private beach cabana
- Amazing shopping experiences with included Metro ticket
- Museum passes
- Many additional benefits exclusive to Discover Qatar that we have negotiated for you with each hotel
*Check the itinerary and inclusions for each hotel package for full details of what is included.

Do I need a Visa to enter Qatar?

Nationals from more than 80 countries can now take advantage of visa-free entry into Qatar. Nationals who are not eligible for Visa-free entry can apply for their Tourist Visa here

What time is check out at my hotel?

Check out time varies at each hotel, but you’ll usually need to leave your room before mid-day on the last day of your stay. Please check the relevant hotel information at the time of booking.

Can my hotel cater for my dietary needs?

Most Hotels can accommodate special dietary requirements. Once you have made your booking please advise the hotel of the details of your requirements.

We want to celebrate a birthday or another event – is there anything you can do to make it special?

Most hotels can accommodate special requests. Once you have made your booking please advise the hotel of the details of your requirements.

What kind of tours and excursions can I book through Discover Qatar?

Please click here to see various tours and excursions offered by Discover Qatar.

Can I book an additional excursion while in Qatar?

Yes, you can book additional excursions subject to availability.

Can I book car rentals with Discover Qatar?

Yes, please contact us for car rentals assistance.

Can Discover Qatar arrange tours and excursions during my transit?

Yes, Discover Qatar offers transit tours to passengers holding an ongoing boarding pass and minimum connecting time of 6 hours. Please click here to see available options

Can I choose my pick up and drop off locations for my excursions and tours?

Yes. Please select your pick up location at the time of booking. Some of our tours and excursions have specified meeting points, please check carefully while booking.

Do you offer multilingual tour guides?

Our tours and excursions are operated in English unless otherwise specified. Other languages are available on request for a supplement. Please contact us for your requests.

Do I need insurance for tours and excursions?

It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that they are adequately insured.

Is there an age restriction for booking tours and excursions?

Restrictions may apply depending on the excursion/tour. Please refer to the Booking Terms and Conditions

Can I carry my luggage during excursions/tours?

Personal items such as a handbags or a small backpack are allowed however, carrying of luggage/ suitcases during a tour is not allowed.

Can I swim during the Desert trips?

Swimming is permitted at customers’ own risk; there are no lifeguards in this remote part of Qatar.

Where will I be picked up for my excursion/tour?

You can choose your preferred pick-up and drop-off location at the time of booking. If there is a change for any reason please contact us.

Can I request to be dropped to another location after the excursion/tour?

Yes, you can ask to be dropped to another hotel or popular landmark in Doha.

What happens if I need to change or cancel my booking?

Please use our Manage Booking function to change or cancel your booking. Additional charges may apply.

What if one of my scheduled excursion/tour is cancelled due to weather conditions?

We will do our best to offer an alternative for you. If this is not acceptable a full refund will be provided.

I am flying on Qatar Airways and have a transit in Doha. Can I stay in Doha?

All nationalities can apply for free transit visa here. Nationals from more than 80 countries can now take advantage of visa-free entry into Qatar.

When do I need to apply for online visas? What if i am not eligible for visa-free entry

Online transit visa: 7-30 days prior to arrival.
Information on tourist visa is available here

What are the processing times for transit visas?

7 working days for transit visas.

What is the visa validity for online transit visa?

Valid for 30 days from the date of issue for a stay of maximum of 96 hours.

What is the visa validity for online tourist visa?

60 days with single entry. More information can be found here.

How much is online tourist visa?

Information of Tourist Visa fees can be found here.

How much is online transit visa?

Transit visa is Free.

What is the 'Qatar Stopover' programme

Qatar Stopover is a unique programme designed by Qatar Airways and its destination management division, Discover Qatar, in collaboration with the National Tourism Council. It enables passengers to experience Qatar with a stopover during their transit through Doha on their holiday or travel itinerary.

What are the passenger benefits?

Passengers flying on Qatar Airways through Doha with a valid pre-approved free transit visa (bookable online at qatarairways.com and valid for up to 96 hours) or nationals who are eligible for a visa on arrival or free visa can enjoy packages up to four nights stay in a four-star or a five-star hotel at a nominal booking fee, starting from USD 86 / QAR 313 per person.

What is the validity of the 'Qatar Stopover' programme?

The programme is available for transit passengers with multi-city booking. The offer is also subject to room availability at the time of booking.

How do passengers book the package during the Stopover?

a. Book the Qatar Airways ticket on qatarairways.com and use the multi-city functionality and secure a transit of 12+ hours in Doha. You must then apply for a free transit visa at least seven working days prior to your journey, allowing you to stay in Doha for up to 96 hours. Certain nationalities are eligible for a visa on arrival or free visa.

b. Book the ‘Qatar Stopover’ package for up to four nights here.

c. Existing customers who booked their ticket on qatarairways.com can amend their booking with the 'Manage Booking' option to redeem the offer. If you have any questions, contact any Qatar Airways office or your travel agent.

Does the 'Qatar Stopover' package include airport transfers, meals or other benefits?

Yes, 'Qatar Stopover' packages include hotel accommodation with breakfast, airport transfers and featured activities as mentioned in each package detail. Any additional excursions and tours can be booked on the Discover Qatar website.

What is the maximum room occupancy for the Qatar Stopover offer?

One room is only suitable for up to two adults and one child. If passengers arrive with an additional adult or child, they can request for an extra bed during check-in and pay the extra charge to the hotel directly.

What packages are available to book with the ‘Qatar Stopover’ programme?

Passengers can choose from a select list of four-star and five-star hotel packages in Doha offered from the Qatar Stopover page. Qatar Stopover offers are subject to availability.
Standard package includes:
- Return transfers between your hotel and Hamad International Airport
- 24 hour hotel check-in and check-out service
- Breakfast for every morning of your stay
- A Sightseeing City Tour
Our tailored holidays are themed as Beach & Family, City Experience, Culture & Dining and Shopping & Luxury. The longer you stay, the more you get included with additional featured activities*:
- Dinner at a restaurant in the Souq Waqif
- Desert Safari, full and half day programmes
- Dhow Cruise with dinner
- Private beach cabana
- Amazing shopping experiences with included Metro ticket
- Museum passes
- Many additional benefits exclusive to Discover Qatar that we have negotiated for you with each hotel
*Check the itinerary and inclusions for each hotel package for full details of what is included.

Can passengers book hotel without a visa?

A valid visa is required to enter the country. Transit passengers can simultaneously book the hotel offer after booking a Qatar Airways ticket and applying for a free transit visa. In the event a visa is not approved, ticket penalties will be waived as per the terms and conditions of the free transit visa and the passenger will be entitled to rebook without a Stopover with no penalties or fees.

However, Stopover hotel bookings and ancillary services are refundable as per the terms and conditions.

Also, passengers can secure a hotel stay if they are one of 80 nationalities eligible for visa-free entry into Qatar. Other nationalities can either apply for the free Qatar transit visa or a Qatar tourist visa to visit Qatar.

Entry into Qatar will be at the discretion of the immigration authorities. Discover Qatar is not responsible for the decisions made by the immigration authorities.

What other services are offered to passengers during the stay?

Passengers can enjoy a range of thrilling desert experiences, in addition to exciting tours around the city available for booking on Discover Qatar.

What is the booking window for passengers to book the Qatar Stopover package?

Qatar Stopover packages are available to book up to three days prior to the check-in date.

Can passengers change or cancel Qatar Stopover package?

Stopover packages are non-amendable. Cancellation request of confirmed Qatar Stopover bookings received by Discover Qatar in writing made up to 4 days prior to the arrival date are subject to a handling fee of QAR 100. Request received within 3 days (72 hours) of the arrival date are non-refundable, non-cancellable and non-amendable, with exception of:

Qatar Stopover confirmed bookings can be changed free of cost in case of involuntary changes affecting Qatar Airways flights where passengers were obligated to change their flights due to schedule change, flight interruption, misconnection, delays, etc.

In case of visa rejections, bookings stands confirmed and are non-amendable and non-refundable.

How can passengers contact Discover Qatar for assistance?

Passengers can contact Discover Qatar by email at dqstopover@qatarairways.com.qa for support on booking issues, pending booking confirmation, priority assistance, assistance on tours or other services booked.

What is the check-in procedure at the hotel?

Passengers have to show their Qatar Stopover booking voucher and boarding pass at the time of check-in. If the passenger has lost their boarding pass, they must provide their Qatar Airways e-ticket number to the hotel for validation.

Can passengers access this offer if they book through their travel agent or any other booking channel?

Yes, this offer is available to all Qatar Airways passengers with a ticket number starting with '157' on Qatar Airways flights (no code-share flights) and transiting through Doha for more than 12 hours.

What time is check-in and check-out at the hotel?

The Stopover Qatar offer allow passengers to check-in and check-out at any time of the day according to their flight itinerary as long as it is (a) within 24 hours maximum for a 1 night stay and (b) within 96 hours maximum for a four nights stay.