Travel experience to Qatar

travel experience to Qatar

Doha Qatar developed its city as a tourist destination as well as a transit point for destination airlines to various countries. Hamad International Airport (HIA) has a modern architectural design. The choice of material looks luxurious, even for passengers who are waiting can use the provided computer iMac, if at other airports it is usually a PC or laptop.

Because it is only transit, we do not exchange QAR (Qatar Rial) currency, so we withdraw cash at ATMs available at the airport, the exchange rate is quite reasonable. And the rest of the QAR money is exchanged at the money changer at the airport when we go home, now the exchange rate is less attractive, we exchange it to USD, if the Rupiah can be even worse the exchange rate.

To explore this city there are several modes of transportation that can be used:

- Taxi: the most convenient, easy, always recommended by people, but the price is the most expensive

- Uber: it's rather friendly, if it's crowded it's cheap, but you need an internet connection to book.

- Bus: now this is the most efficient, I will tell you the experience of using it

When transiting for the first time, I used Uber, quite comfortably, from the airport to the hotel and on the contrary it was easy when carrying a suitcase, but when I went home for a walk and we wanted to order uber to return to the hotel, there was a problem because we didn't have an internet package (well only 1 day transit, so don't buy an internet package). Finally, I will search for a store with free wifi to order Uber. The driver can speak English even though he is not very fluent, but there is no need to worry because the destination is clearly written in the Uber application, so just sit and get to your destination.

Then during the second transit, because I was alone I tried using a public bus. It turns out it's easy & convenient you know. From Hamad International Airport, just look for directions to the bus stop (to the right of the arrival terminal). First check the hotel where you are staying, whether by bus route or not, and check the number. the bus. You can also check the routes while on the Qatar plane, because on the Qatar plane there is an internet connection even though the quotas are limited, you can read here.

Route 777: HIA - West Bay - the Pearl - Zig Zag Towers via Corniche (circular route), every 20 minutes, operational hours 05: 00-24: 00

Route 109: Al Ghanim Bus Station - HIA - Barwa Village - Al Wakra - Mesaieed (also in the reverse direction), every 30 minutes, operational hours 04: 04-23: 04

Route 747: HIA - Souq Waqif - Al Ghanim Bus Station - Old Salata Area via Al Matar Street (also in the reverse direction), every 20 minutes, operating hours: 04:42 to 23:42

Route 737: HIA - Karwa City Bus Stations (also in reverse direction), every 20 minutes, operational hours 04:00 to 24:00

Route 727: HIA - Al Khor (also in reverse direction), every 60 minutes, operational hours 4:00 to 23:50

Because staying at the Hilton Hotel Doha (also read how to get a free hotel in Doha), I use the 777 bus. The ticket price is QAR 5 one way, or there is a package option that is QAR 10 for 2x trips in 24 hours, or QAR 20 for unlimited trips in 24 hours (can exchange bus). Because I want to explore, I choose unlimited for QAR 20, can buy the card to the driver on the bus. The bus runs on time, and there are not many passengers, I am alone when walking from the airport, and during the roundabouts in Doha the average bus is empty, sometimes I am alone with the driver.