Situated on the western coast of Qatar and very close to central Doha, Doha International Airport boasts several food and beverage outlets, an award-winning duty-free area, and free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.
Once used mostly by Qatari holidaymakers and foreigners there on business, Doha has recently seen a huge increase in international tourists passing through on connecting flights or visiting Doha itself. As the only commercial airport in Qatar, it has struggled to keep up with the influx, and despite numerous extensions in recent years the main terminal is often criticized for operating over capacity. A replacement airport, 5km (2.2 miles) east of the existing buildings, is currently under construction, with the first phase due to open to passengers in early 2012. When complete, the new airport will be two-thirds the size of the city of Doha, and will cater for 12 million visitors annually. In the meantime, however, be prepared to deal with over-crowded terminals during peak times.
If you're lucky enough to be flying first or business class with Qatar Airlines, which calls this airport home, you'll have access to several lounges and business centres. The Gold Lounge and the Silver Lounge, for those on Qatar Airline's loyalty programmes, offer shower rooms, business centres, day care facilities, smoking rooms, and various magazines and newspapers. The Premium Terminal, for Qatar Airlines business and first class passengers, offers a jacuzzi, sleeping rooms, and massage services in addition to buffet services and world-class business centres.
If you're flying economy or with any other airline and are stopping for more than a couple of hours, it'll probably be worth your while to head for the Oryx Lounge where (for a fee) you can enjoy an air-conditioned space with a business centre with computers, day care facilities, a smoking room and a buffet. Business class passengers from other airlines get free entrance.
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Terminal A handles all check-ins and departures for Qatar Airlines. Terminal B has recently been extended to cover 2,000 square meters and hosts more than 30 international airlines, an immigration hall and an online check-in lounge. The Departure and Transfer Terminal has also recently expanded, and is now situated between Terminal B and the Premium Terminal for easy access.
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Train: There's currently no train from the airport, although a train station is planned for the new Doha International Airport, due to be completed in 2012, will connect the airport to the central train station in downtown Doha.
Bus: The government-run Mowasalat company runs an extensive bus service with stops throughout the city, although most foreigners and wealthy Qataris prefer to use cars. A bus ride from the airport to the central bus station downtown will cost you about QAR 3, with the bus leaving from just outside the main terminal building.
Taxi: Taxi fares range from a minimum of QAR 10 to 25, depending on the taxi company you travel with. You can choose from the government-run Karwa service to smaller, unlicensed operations. All taxis pick up from just outside the main entrance to the east of the main airport building.
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There are 900 short-term parking bays outside the main arrivals and departures building, where you can park your car for a maximum of 30 days. There you'll be charged QAR 5 per hour, or QAR 120 for the day. There are also 350 long-term parking bays at QAR 2 an hour, or QAR 45 a day, a little further to the east of the building. If you're just passing through, consider stopping at the covered waiting area outside the arrivals terminal, which will set you back QAR 2 for the first 30 min, and QAR 5 for every half hour thereafter.
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Money and communications: ATMs for local banks and currency exchange.
Luggage: If the new high-tech baggage handling system should fail you, the Lost and Found Office will do their best to help you locate your luggage, forwarding it to your final destination if necessary. Major airlines such as Qatar, British Airlines, and Emirates also offer baggage tracing services.
Conference and business: The Premium Terminal, Gold Lounge, Silver Lounge and Oryx Lounge all boast well-equipped business centres with computers, fax services, free wi-fi and newspapers. The Premium Terminal also offers secretarial services.
Other facilities: A 24-hour clinic in the transit hall caters provides all medical care to passengers and staff at the airport. The airport also houses several mosques and prayer rooms for men and women.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout Doha International Airport.
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