Is is safe to drive in Qatar?
Driving in Qatar is generally very safe. The roads in and around Doha are generally excellent and the infrastructure has received vast investment. Heading out of the city and away from major highways and routes can result in less than ideal driving conditions and we recommend you plan your journey thoroughly including fuel stops.
Guide to Qatar
Qatar is located on a peninsula which juts out into the Persian Gulf and is per capita one of the richest countries in the world. Many people come to Qatar to enjoy water sports on its splendid coastline or take jeep safaris into the desert. Temperatures here are incredibly hot during the summer and so it is a place to come if you want a guarantee of warmth. It will rarely drop below 12 degrees Celsius and can get up into the late 30 or even 40s.
Qatar Airways offer flights to Qatar from many world wide destinations. Arriving into
New Doha Airport (also known as Hamad Airport) nationals from many countries will have to purchase a visa which will cost around 15 Euros. For some countries getting a visa is difficult and requires them to have a Qatari guarantor before they can come into the country. However some four and five star hotels offer a visa service as part of the package. Unmarried woman under the age of 35 have a hard time getting a visa as Qatar is wary about prostitutes potentially entering Qatar.
If you want to race around the sand dunes on a buggy the place to go is Khor Al Udeid and it is possible to get guided tours of the region by multi-lingual guides. If you head to the beach there are many places to try kite surfing or jet skiing. Qatar is a rapidly modernising Arab country and is home to the Al Jazeera television channel. It is possible to have every type of international cuisine to eat and most of it is excellent. Many of the hotels will offer sushi and there are some Thai restaurants. If you want to try authentic Middle Eastern food head into the souks. These Arab markets may look ramshackle but often there is good food on offer.
There is only one liquor store in Qatar, the Qatar Distribution Centre in Doha. A licence is needed to buy booze here and can be got by obtaining a letter of permission from your employer. There is a deposit for QR1000 to get the licence. Coming from Saudi Arabia is the only way to enter Qatar by road, though driving at night is not advised for safety reasons.
Qatar Factfile
- Qatar is also known as the State of Qatar and more locally as Dawlat Qatar
- The country has been ruled as an absolute monarchy by the Al Thani family since the middle of the 19th century
- Rich in natural resources, oil and gas accounts for more than 50% of the GDP
- The main religion in Qatar is Islam and Muslims make up around 80% of the population
- The currency in Qatar is the Riyal (QAR)