Inside Qatar Airways’ Dynamic Stopover Program

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the hub of one of the world’s largest and most respected airlines: Qatar Airways. Its location is the midpoint between the US East Coast and much of Australia, meaning you can truly explore the world with this carrier.

Photo: Telsek | Shutterstock

Rather fittingly, Qatar Airways has set up a stopover program, which lets you visit another country on your way to your final destination. Let’s examine what it entails and what activities you can enjoy during your stay in the GCC country.

What is the stopover program?

According to their dedicated website, Discover Qatar, the maximum stay allowed is four nights. This is more than enough time to enjoy the country and its capital city.

Photo: Qatar Airways

There are several packages to select from :

• Standard: Offering a stay in four-star hotel partners from chains including Hilton, Mariott, and IAG: QAR 50 ($13.73)
• Premium: This includes a stay in five-star hotel partners from chains including Hilton, Mariott, Accor, and a few others: QAR 85 ($23.35)
• Premium with Beach Access: This features the same perks as premium, but hotels have access to Doha Sands Beach: QAR 110 ($30.22)
• Luxury: choice of 5-star luxury hotels, including breakfast, at hotel partners like Fairmont, Rixos, and InterContinental: QAR 296 ($81.31)
• All-Inclusive Beach: A choice of 5-star hotels, including breakfast and all-inclusive beach access to Doha Sands Beach, with hotel partners like Le Meridien, Westin: QAR 525 ($144.21)

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What are the entry requirements for Qatar?

According to the Visit Qatar website, nationals of eligible countries do not require any prior visa arrangements. They can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar by presenting a valid passport with a minimum validity of three months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.

For nationals of the countries/regions listed below, the waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar :

Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macao, Macedonia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico and many others

Photo: Sven Hansche | Shutterstock

For nationals of the countries/regions listed below, the waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitles its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar during either a single trip or multiple trips.

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.

What can you do when in Doha?

The answer to this question will significantly differ depending on your stopover length. Twenty-four hours will be enough to soak in the vibe of the Qatari capital. Some must-see attractions include the Souq Wakif, the city’s historic marketplace. Today, souvenir shops, restaurants, and street vendors line the main arteries of the souq.

If you venture inside the many different alleyways, you will also find traditional spice brokers, artisans, and more local Qatari shops. While here, why not settle in one of the many cafés and have some Gahwa (Arabic Coffee) and dates? This would be the local way to wind down after spending a morning in the beautiful market.

Next to Souq Wakif, within a 15-minute walk along the Corniche, is the Museum of Islamic Art, one of two major must-see museums in Doha. The entry price is 50 Riyals, which equates to around 13 dollars. As its name suggests, the museum hosts various art pieces linked to Islamic culture.

Further down the Corniche, you will find the National Museum of Qatar. According to their website,

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) voices Qatar’s rich heritage and culture. We welcome diverse communities to our vibrant and immersive space to come together and experience Qatar’s past, present, and future.

Photo : Fitria Ramli / Shutterstock.com

Finally, if you have an extra day to share, we recommend you go dune bashing in the Qatari Desert. Simple Flying enjoyed traveling to the country recently and experienced this unique tour.

Photo : Benjamin Cooper / Simple Flying

Our journalist used a tour operator called Falcon Tours and spent four hours riding in the desert for $60. The trip included water, tea, and spectacular views.

Bottom line

Discover Qatar offers a stopover program with up to 4 nights of stay in several packages, including 4-star hotels, 5-star hotels, or luxury resorts. Entry requirements for Qatar depend on your nationality, but many countries can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival. Must-see attractions in Doha include Souq Wakif, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the National Museum of Qatar. For a unique experience, dune bashing in the Qatari desert is recommended.