Know about the Transit Tours in Doha while Traveling to India from USA or back
Last Updated on Oct 18th, 2024 by Heena Ganotra, Leave a Comment
Booked your flights to India or USA with a layover in Doha with Qatar Airways? You are in for a treat, precisely in 3 ways –
For a Doha layover of ≥ 4 hours: You can choose airport tours.
For a Doha layover of ≥ 8 hours: You can explore the city.
For a Qatar Stopover of ≥ 12 hours: You can stay for up to 3 days.
With this guide, you’ll be able to turn one holiday into two – One as the final destination (India or USA) and the other in transit at a little extra cost, instead of spending anew on a separate trip to Doha.
Table of Contents
Visa Requirements For A Doha Layover Transit Tour or Qatar Stopover
Nationals of India and the USA do not require a visa for a Doha stopover or transit in Doha. They can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar that will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. However, passengers will need a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket. Note: Indian nationals will need to hold registration booked through the “Discover Qatar” website prior to traveling to Qatar.
Other Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Qatar for a minimum of 5 hours are eligible to apply for the Qatar transit visa. It is free of charge, valid for up to 96 hours (four days), and open to passengers of all nationalities. Insight: In case a US or Indian citizen doesn’t get a visa waiver on arrival in Doha, they can apply for a free transit visa to Qatar.
Tip – When planning your air travel, take a moment to check the benefits of round-trip vs one-way tickets for your comfortable journey.
Doha Transit Tours: For 4 (or more) Hours of Transit
Discover Qatar allows travelers with transit times of 4 hours or more to avail of the following Doha layover transit tours –
- Transit Exclusive: Discover the Art of the Airport – QAR 36 per person onwards
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Squash at the Airport – QAR 90 per person onwards
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Golf Simulator at the Airport – QAR 120 per person onwards
1. Discover the Art of the Airport Tour – Details
| Tour Timings | 04:00 | 05:30 | 07:30 | 09:00 |
|---|---|
| Cost | QAR 36 pp |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Required Transit Time | 4 hours recommended |
| Meeting Time | 30 minutes before the scheduled tour |
| Meeting Point | Discover Qatar Desk at Hamad International Airport |
Click here for more information.
2. Discover Squash at the Airport Tour – Details
| Timings | Every 2 hours from 7 am to 11 pm |
|---|---|
| Cost | QAR 90 pp |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Required Transit Time | 4 hours recommended |
| Meeting Time | 30 minutes before the scheduled tour |
| Meeting Point | Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport |
3. Discover Golf Simulator at the Airport Tour – Details
| Timings | Every hour from 7 am to 11 pm |
|---|---|
| Cost | QAR 120 pp |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Required Transit Time | 4 hours recommended |
| Meeting Time | 30 minutes before the scheduled tour |
| Meeting Point | Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport |
Insight: If you cannot see availability to book a tour, visit the Duty-Free area of Hamad International Airport to check the live availability of transit tours.
Doha Layover Transit Tours: For 8 (or more) Hours of Transit
If you have a layover in Doha for 8 hours or more, you can turn your stop into an extended holiday by joining one of the following three packages. Additionally, you can also choose one of the three packages listed under 4 hours of transit. These 6 packages in total will make your transit worth its time.
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Doha – QAR 99 per person
- Transit Exclusive: Discover the Desert & Inland Sea (Private Tour) – QAR 227 per person
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Championship Golf (6 Holes) – QAR 540 per person
1. Discover Doha Layover Tour – Details
| Tour Timings | 08:00 | 11:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:30 |
|---|---|
| Timings (June to Aug) | 7:00 |
| Timings (Sep to May) | 13:00 |
| Cost | QAR 99 pp |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Required Transit Time | 8 hours |
| Meeting Time | 2 hours before the scheduled tour |
| Meeting Point | Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport |
2. Discover the Desert & Inland Sea Private Tour – Details
| Timings | Every hour from 06:00 to 14:00 |
|---|---|
| Cost | QAR 227 pp |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Required Transit Time | 8 hours |
| Meeting Time | 2 hours before the scheduled tour |
| Meeting Point | Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport |
Click here for more information.
3. Discover Championship Gold (6 Holes) Tour – Details
| Timings | Every hour from 06:00 to 14:00 |
|---|---|
| Cost | QAR 540pp |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Required Transit Time | 8 hours |
| Meeting Time | 2 hours before the scheduled tour |
| Meeting Point | Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport |
Qatar Airways Doha Stopover Program
Qatar Airways stopover is a program that allows passengers to experience Qatar with a stopover when transiting through Doha. The stopover offer is valid for confirmed ticket holders with at least 12 hours of transit time in Doha and for a maximum of one booking per ticket.
Passengers can book online hotels, transfers, and tours with Qatar Airways Holidays or Discover Qatar, and enjoy benefits like breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and activity discounts.
You can choose from different packages starting from $14 per person at 4-star and 5-star hotels, depending on the duration of your stay. You can also enjoy cultural experiences, go on a desert safari, explore unique museums, cruise on a traditional dhow or relax at the beach.
Tip – Ever wondered what is a layover meaning? A layover occurs when you have a stopover between connecting flights on your journey to your final destination.
How To Book A Qatar Airways Stopover
To book a stopover, you need to choose “Qatar Stopover” in the flight search panel and enter your origin and destination. Do not enter Doha or Qatar in the origin or destination fields. Then select your stopover timing and duration, and your preferred flight and stopover package. You will see the available stopover offers on the booking confirmation page and email.
Tip – Confused are flights cheaper on Tuesdays?Keep an eye out for potential savings by checking fares on Tuesdays! Many airlines tend to release sales and discounts at the beginning of the week.
Qatar Airways Doha Stopover Tours
1. T2 Grandstand 3-day ticket – Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023
Experience the thrill of motorsport racing at one of the best race tracks in the Middle East with a 3-day ticket to the T2 Grandstand. This tour lasts for 3 days from 6 to 8 October 2023 and costs QAR 1000 per person.
2. North Grandstand 3-day ticket – Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023
Enjoy a panoramic view of the track and the desert landscape with a 3-day ticket to the North Grandstand. This tour lasts for 3 days from 6 to 8 October 2023 and costs QAR 1,500 per person.
3. Main Grandstand 3-day ticket – Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023
Witness the start and finish of the race, the pit lane action, and the podium ceremony with a 3-day ticket to the Main Grandstand. This tour lasts for 3 days from 6 to 8 October 2023 and costs QAR 2000 per person.
4. F1® Ultimate Fan Experience Package – Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023
Get exclusive access to the Paddock Club, a luxury hotel stay, a helicopter transfer, and a meet and greet with F1® legends with this ultimate fan experience package. This tour lasts for 3 days from 6 to 8 October 2023 and costs QAR 26,795 per person.
5. Adventure Activities
You can choose from different packages such as half-day or full-day access with or without equipment hire, kitesurfing lessons, or zero to hero course. The duration and price of these packages range from 4 hours to 8 hours and from QAR 110 to QAR 1,875 per person.
6. Whale Sharks of Qatar
Get up and close to these majestic creatures with a once-in-a-lifetime experience brought to you exclusively by Discover Qatar. Qatar is home to one of the largest whale shark congregations on Earth. This tour lasts for 8 hours and costs QAR 1000 per person.
7. Discover Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park
Have fun at this water and adventure park that features rides and attractions for all ages. The park includes a dhow boat with slides and water features for younger guests, a water playground for young adventurers, race slides, tube slides, and more. This tour lasts for 6 hours and costs QAR 258 per person.
8. Doha Express City Tour
This tour includes a visit to Katara Cultural Village, which is a self-styled cultural village that showcases the art and heritage of Qatar. It covers the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, The Pearl, and Dhow Harbour. The tour duration is 4 hours and the price per person is QAR 147.
Qatar Airways Doha Stopover Program Cost
The Doha stopover program by Qatar Airways is one of the best for international transit travelers to utilize. Its cost varies based on the hotel star ratings and the duration which is as follows –
| 1 night | 2 nights | 3 nights | 4 nights | ||
| Standard packages | 4-star hotel | From $14 | From $22 | From $47 | From $74 |
| Premium packages | 5-star hotel | From $23 | From $41 | From $75 | From $108 |
| Luxury packages | 5-star luxury hotel including breakfast | From $81 | From $158 | From $249 | From $340 |
Terms & Conditions
- This service will be available only if there is no connection of fewer than eight hours and the transit time in Doha is between 8 and 24 hours.
- For bookings made within 72 hours of departure, transit hotel accommodation cannot be pre-booked. In cases where the ticket is booked within 72 hours from your arrival in Doha, proceed to the transfer desk when you arrive at Hamad International Airport to arrange your transit accommodation.
- The cost of a stopover varies based on the hotel star rating and the duration.
- Confirmation of your hotel in Doha does not guarantee entry into the State of Qatar. This is entirely at the discretion of the Qatar Immigration Authority. Qatar Airways is not liable in the event entry is not permitted, despite a hotel booking.
Airport Recreation Other Than Paid Airport Tours
We understand if you don’t want to shell out cash for tours while transiting. Even in that case, you don’t have to worry as Hamad Airport has a lot to offer. One of the highlights is the Orchard, a 10,000 sqm indoor tropical garden where you can relax, have fun, and shop. The Orchard has a 270-sqm water feature that reminds you of the Jewel Complex at Singapore Changi Airport. It also has a large retail area with more than 90 brands, such as Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton Boutique.
If you are traveling with kids, the following activities can keep them entertained –
- Mac stations with kid-friendly content to keep them entertained.
- Play areas with various facilities to let them have fun.
- Five activity nodes for families with children: one in Concourse A, one in Concourse B, and 3 in Concourse C.
- Selfies with kids near the bronze sculptures in the concourses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do customers book a Qatar Stopover offer?
A: Book a multi-city Qatar Airways ticket with a transit of between 12 and 96 hours (4 days). Simultaneously, book your ‘Qatar Stopover’ hotel stay for up to 4 nights with Discover Qatar. Or just contact MyTicketsToIndia and we will make the bookings for you.
Q: Do Stopover packages include airport transfers, meals, or other benefits?
A: Stopover Packages are on a room-only basis. Optional breakfast, transfers, and tours are available.
Q: Can customers change or cancel Qatar Stopover booking?
A: You may cancel a booking at any time up to 72 hours before the day of arrival. Refunds may take up to 1 month from the date of request. Voluntary changes can be accepted one time only without an amendment fee. In case of visa rejections, bookings stand confirmed and are non-amendable and non-refundable.
Q: What are the check-in procedures at the hotel?
A: Customers have to show their Qatar Stopover booking voucher and boarding pass at the time of check-in. If the customer has lost their boarding pass, they must provide their Qatar Airways e-ticket number to the hotel for validation.
Q: What time is the check-in and check-out for Stopover hotels?
A: The Qatar Stopover allows customers to check in any time of the day according to their flight itinerary and check out any time within 24 hours maximum for a 1-night stay offer and within 96 hours for a maximum of 4 nights stay.
Looks like fun? We thought so!
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About Heena Ganotra | View Posts
A writer by both passion and profession, Heena Ganotra is "half agony, half hope" but all heart. And oh, she has been a book lover from the start! Her love for books is what convinced her to make a career in the wonderful world of words. She loves what she does and is out-and-out a satisfied soul with a wish to spread happiness like herpes. Insight- Some say she is living the best life anyone could because she reads, writes, travels, and makes merry. They’re right because what else does one really need! :)
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