Take a peak inside Qatar airport and prepare yourself for your trip! Here you will find a set of useful info and tips to help you plan for your journey.
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What you need to know
The Qatar airport is located in the capital city, Doha. It is known as the Hamad international airport, short HIA, and its airport code is DOH.
The international airport was inaugurated in 2014, replacing the previous nearby, much smaller airport. Located south of the city, the airport measures a whooping 5,500 acres. Trust me, the old one was miniscule compared.
Various important airlines fly into Doha and of course the country's 5 star airline, Qatar Airways. Most global travelers transit or stay for 2 days in Doha.
Yet, HIA, is better known as THE luxury airport, in fact, it was crowned the best international airport in 2024.
The inner architecture and ambiance are almost surreal, dotted with art installations and bold statements, bringing travelers from all over the world closer to this middle eastern rich world.
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of the Doha hamad airport that we have noticed while transiting a dozen times.
Pros
- Qatar Airways has the best connections between Western and Eastern countries.
- Cleanliness is spotless.
- Quiet airport
- Toilet facilities everywhere.
- Helpful staff
- Elegant area and inspiring artwork
- They have a full-fledged tropical garden area in there called “the orchard”.
- With indoor glass-roofed train to get to a particular zone.
- Multicultural
- Quick security passage, you don't have to take out your stuff, they scan and that's it. Goodbye dirty trays!
- Top facilities such as lounges and hotels.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Duty-Free shopping and upscale shops.
- You can rest in a quiet area, it's free of charge!
- Praying corners
- Kid's play area
- Option for 6+ Layover Flights to visit Doha City
Cons
- It's huge – getting from A to B can take time, especially if your zone isn't serviced by the indoor train line.
- Seats at the gates and waiting areas are not super comfortable and if you don't know your gate yet (long layover), you will be left looking for seats.
- Charging points are not always that common.
- Things are highly priced. From food to paid facilities, lounges and hotel stays, nothing comes cheap in this airport.
- Food quality is sub-par at the food court.
- You don't really get to see anything showcasing the local culture of Qatar at this airport (except Souq Almatar located at the northern end of the airport)
- Heavy AC environment – some people who are not used to air-cooled spaces might feel cold without a jacket.
- Men and women are separated in quiet (resting) areas (except the family room), and also in praying rooms.
- The quiet rooms are not quiet, as fellow travelers don't are about civic sense. Nobody enforces the rules.
- This airport is very busy during peak seasons and for special event (i.e., world cup).
Shopping & Food
The duty-free area inside Qatar airport will have you gleefully empty your wallet if you love shopping!
All major luxury brands can be found in the duty-free plaza, which is located at the center of everything. The yellow lamp bear art installation is at the center of the plaza, and you can't miss it.
Here you will find Burberry, Swarovski, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Gucci, Mont Blanc and many other top brands.
There is a dedicated makeup section, a perfume duty-free section and a candy corner.
The stores and adjoining food court are located on your way to the concourses A to E where your departure gate is located, so you really can't miss any of that.
The food court includes a Burger King, Starbucks, Le Grand Comptoir, Emporio Armani Restaurant Cafe, a Vegan Evergreen Organics and some other food places.
I highly recommend checking out the Souq Almatar, located at the northern end of the airport. It's traditionally themed with a Qatari marketplace ambiance.
Keep your PNR bar code on your flight tickets ready because the shopkeepers scan them.
Paying
Just keep in mind that the local currency is the Qatari Rial and that all shops and restaurants take Qatari Rial as a currency.
Some do take USD, EUR and INR, but the change that you get in return will be in Qatari Rial.
You can exchange money at the exchange counter located in the duty-free plaza near the Information desk. The better option is to pay with your credit card.
We noticed that some people seem to have issues paying with their contactless cards, so double-check your card type and if you have Geo blocking turned on.
When paying with your credit card make sure to pick your local currency, don't pick the Qatari rial because exchange rates will be added and deducted from your bank account.
You have the option of paying with Avio points for your purchase, or to pay partially with points.
Relaxing
Lounges
You will be thrilled to know that the Doha’s Hamad international airport offers a good choice of first class and business class lounges.
These are all the current Lounge options as of January 2025:
- Al Safwa First Lounge – Luxurious Lounge for first class passenger.
- Al Mourjan Business Lounge – Resort-like ambiance with dining options, shower and restroom facilities, family room and restrooms.
- Al Mourjan Business Lounge: The Garden
- The Oryx Lounge – Similar to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge.
- Platinum & Gold Lounges – Located in the Duty-Free Plaza. These are accessible trough Qatar Airways Platinum, Gold, as well as other one world airlines Emerald, Sapphire frequent flyer customers.
- Platinum and Gold Lounge North
- Silver Lounge South
- Qatar Airways First Class Lounge
- Qatar Airways Business Class Lounge
- Qatar Airways Premium Arrivals Lounge
- Marhaba Lounge
- VIP Lounge HIA
- Mariner Lounge
Airport Lounge Access can be acquired too if you fly coach. You can book a spot online with your PNR booking number.
Walking-in transit passengers are welcome too if the lounges are not too busy. However, most are really busy.
Hotel
If you have a longer lay over, you have the option to stay over in the 4-star Oryx airport hotel located within the airport premises. The rates start at USD 330 per night.
They offer a golf simulator, squash court, fitness center access, vitality wellbeing spa, and pool to pass time. Walking passengers can access some of these facilities at a fee of USD 50 and other facilities such as the spa can be paid for individually.
Tired travelers may also appreciate a sleep pod located near the shopping plaza and north node. You can hire a sleep pod for 2 hours, 3 hours, 8 hours, depending on your needs.
They have single and double occupancy pods. The booking system is a bit different, you get to bid an amount and if you bid enough, you get your pod.
You can try your luck and bid on the lower end too. A single occupancy pod can average between USD 20 to 50 for 3 hours.
Quiet Areas and Prayer Rooms
Relax for free in one of the quiet areas. They have reclining chairs, but the announcements can be a bit annoying.
That said, gender are separated, which is another downside for traveling couples.
The Qatar airport also offers praying rooms to all religious guests.
Others
- Located in concourse C – spa with massage, facial, manicure, pedicure options.
- Located in concourse A – showers, massage, facial, manicure options.
- Concourse D and E
Other Services & Facilities
You will find these services and facilities scatted around the Duty-free plaza inside Qatar airport.
- Info point
- Medical center
- Smoking room
- Luggage storage
- Currency exchange service
- Lost property desk
- Telephone booths
- Family restrooms
- Kids playing area
- ATMs
FAQs
Is a 2-hourr layover in Doha enough?
Yes, a 2-hour layover, assuming your flight is not delayed, is more than enough. You will take about 30 minutes to get out of the plane after landing, another 30 minutes to get through security and another 30 minutes to get to your gate.
Is 45 min or a 1-hour layover enough in Doha?
No, 45 minutes is a bit tight and a gamble. You will scramble to get to your gate. The airport can be rather big. The only other option is to fly without checking in baggage because they would need more time than 45 minutes to get it out and into your next flight. You would have to ask politely if you can get through the security queue (except if they drop the security, which they sometimes do for flights coming from Germany), and then you will need to get to your gate with a paid cart. You have to book the cart in advance, but there is still no guarantee that you will make your flight.
Is Doha airport huge?
It's massive! You will take about 30 minutes walking to get from A to B. They do have a train servicing some major gates.
Is Doha Airport easy to get around?
Yes! Luckily, getting around the Doha airport is easy enough. Exit your aircraft and follow the signs to your transfer flight or to the immigration counter if you are intending to visit Qatar. Everything is spelled out in English and airport staff can be asked for help, the international staff speaks other languages. We had our non-English speaking French and Austrian elderly relatives navigate the airport in ease.
How crowded is Doha Airport?
It can get crowded, but the airport facility is well organized, especially at the security points. Airport staff reacts quickly to large groups and opens up new security check points when required.
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