FIFA Fan Guide: How to Reach Your Accommodation From Your Port of Entry Into Qatar

By Josephine Justin - October 31, 2022

Ports of Entry

So now that you are in Qatar, how do you get to your accommodation?
Read on for detailed information on how FIFA World Cup fans traveling to Qatar by plane, land, or sea can make their way to their hotels.

Arrival by Air:
All commercial flights will arrive at Hamad International Airport. All chartered flights and private jets will arrive at Doha International Airport.
If you’re coming by air, you will have many transport options to get to your accommodation.

Hamad International Airport (HIA)

Metro

Passengers arriving at Hamad International Airport can take the Red line directly into central Doha from Hamad Intl Airport T1 Metro Station.

Passengers can buy a travel card from any station. From 10 November-23 December 2022, ticket holders can use their digital Hayya Card and the Hayya to Qatar 2022 app, available for iOS and Android, for free travel on the metro.

The metro has elevators, space for wheelchair users and guide dog allowances. Check with Qatar Rail before you travel. Additional information, including hours of operation, ticket prices and details on how to pay for travel, is available on the Qatar Rail website or app, available for iOS and Android.

Taxi, Uber, Careem

Arrivals can access metered Karwa taxis 24/7. Upon exiting the arrivals hall, head left and follow the signs.

You can pay by cash, bank card or mobile payment.

Karwa taxis have accommodations for people with disabilities and/ or limited mobility.

For more information, visit the Mowasalat website or speak to a Karwa airport representative upon arrival.

Uber and Careem provide on-demand services to/ from the airport through their apps, which are available for iOS and Android. Pick-up is available at the short-term car park, which is within walking distance of the arrivals hall.

Rent a car

There are many car rental agents available at arrivals; however, due to high demand, road closures and diversions, it is recommended that you use public transport for all travel within central Doha.

Accommodation Shuttle Buses

Fans arriving at Hamad International Airport have access to a direct shuttle bus service to and from the Fan Villages at Barwa Madinatna, Barwa Barahat Al Janoub and the Cruise Ship Hotels at Doha Port.

This 24-hour service runs every 30 minutes, from 19 November to 22 December. The Cruise Ship service will run from 11 November to 22 December.

Shuttle buses

Most Fan Villages are served by a complimentary shuttle bus service to/ from the closest metro throughout the tournament.

The Cruise Ship Hotels to Souq Waqif Bus Hub-South service (within walking distance of Souq Waqif Metro Station) operates 24 hours a day and will run from 11 November to 20 December.

The Barwa Madinatna and Barwa Barahat Al Janoub services will run from 18 November to 22 December and follow tournament-time metro operating hours:

Sat-Thurs: 6 AM – 3 AM
Fri: 9 AM – 3 AM

Doha International Airport (DIA)

Metro

Passengers arriving at Doha International Airports can take the Gold line directly into central Doha. The National Museum Metro Station is located 800m from the airport arrival terminal.

On your return journey, take the Red line to Al Matar Al Qadeem Metro Station, which is located close to the airport departures terminal.

Taxi, Uber, Careem

Arrivals can access metered Karwa taxis 24/7 upon exiting the arrivals hall.

You can pay by cash, bank card or mobile payment.

Karwa taxis have accommodations for people with disabilities and/ or limited mobility.

For more information, visit the Mowasalat website or speak to a Karwa airport representative upon arrival.

Uber and Careem provide on-demand services to/ from the airport through their apps, which are available for iOS and Android. The airport has dedicated pick-up/ drop-off areas, which are indicated on the apps.

Shuttle buses

Passengers arriving at Doha International Airport have the option of taking a shuttle bus from the arrivals terminal to Souq Waqif Bus Hub-South, where they can continue their journey by metro.

This 24-hour service runs every 30 minutes, from 20 November to 22 December.

Arrival by Land:
Road access to Qatar is via the Abu Samra land border crossing. Fans have multiple options for crossing the border during the tournament.

Abu Samra Land Border
The Abu Samra Crossing is the State of Qatar’s land border. It is located on Salwa Road.

From 1 November to 23 December, you have three options to enter Qatar via the land border:

Cross into Qatar by bus
Visit on Matchday by parking your vehicle at the car park in Qatar designated for visitors
Cross into Qatar with your vehicle as per the regulations and conditions
To enter the State of Qatar, you must have an approved Hayya Card and meet all immigration and customs requirements, such as your passport, which must be valid until 22 March 2023.

Your Hayya Card is your entry permit during the tournament, your stadium access (along with your match ticket), and your key to free public transport.

A reminder: you can apply for a Hayya Card via the Hayya Portal or the Hayya to Qatar 2022 app.

Now, we’ll explain your entry options via the land border in more detail.

Option 1: Cross into Qatar by bus
Your bus operator will drop you at the border terminal.

Once you’ve passed through customs and immigrations, you can choose one of the following options for your onward journey:

Take the free bus from the terminal to Al Messila Metro Station in Doha. This will provide you easy access to other transport options for a seamless onward journey to your matches and accommodation.
If someone is meeting you, you can take the free shuttle bus to Al Qalayel family and friends pick-up area, which is 2km away from the Abu Samra land border terminal.

Option 2: Visit on Matchday
Ticket Holders can visit for 24 hours and park their car at the car park in Qatar designated for visitors.

Register for a Hayya Card for a Visit on a Matchday on the Hayya portal or app.
Book your parking space on the Hayya to Qatar 2022 app.
Upon confirmation, you will receive a QR code to scan at the parking lot entrance.
A free shuttle bus will take you from the car park waiting area to the border terminal.

Travellers are advised to pack light due to bus and metro luggage capacities.

Please note:

Parking is free for the first 24 hours
A fee will apply after 24 hours
After 48 hours, a fine will be enforced and cars will be impounded
Once you’ve passed through customs and immigration, you can choose one of the following options for your onward journey:

Take the free bus from the terminal to Al Messila Metro Station (Green line) in Doha. This will provide you easy access to other transport options.
If someone is meeting you, you can take the free shuttle bus to Al Qalayel family and friends pick-up area, which is 2km away from the Abu Samra land border terminal.
For your return journey, you can catch a shuttle bus back to the land border from Al Messila Metro Station or Al Qalayel family and friends pick-up area.

Option 3: Cross into Qatar with your vehicle as per the regulations and conditions below
You can cross the border with your own vehicle but you must meet the following requirements:

The vehicle must have a minimum of three people and a maximum of six, which includes the driver and passengers
The driver must have booked accommodation in Qatar for at least five nights
If you meet these criteria:

Apply for your car entry permit on the Hayya to Qatar 2022 app.
If your application is accepted, you will receive a link to obtain vehicle insurance.
To confirm your visit, you need to pay for your vehicle entry permit. Payment must be made within 24 hours of finalising your vehicle insurance.
Please note:

The vehicle entry permit is for one-time use
The entry permit has no expiry, no set entry date and is not tied to accommodation booking dates
Reminder – cars will not be allowed to enter restricted areas during the tournament, particularly around the stadiums and in central Doha.

To ensure you follow the latest policies for crossing the border, follow @roadto2022go on Twitter.

Arrival by Sea:
Travel arrangements for cruise ships will be organised by cruise operators.

Cruise Terminal

Chartered cruise ships are scheduled by Qatar Tourism and will be docked at Hamad Port for their stopovers in Qatar. Transport to and from these cruise ships will be arranged by the cruise ship operators. All travel arrangements for cruise ships will be done by cruise operators. Please liaise with your tour operator for further information.