Budget Travel Tips for Visiting Qatar
The oil-rich Gulf countries aren’t exactly renowned as havens for budget travel. However, while tiny Qatar is estimated to be the world’s wealthiest nation per capita, it doesn’t have to be the most expensive country you ever set foot in.
Is Qatar Cheap to Visit?
Indeed, Qatar can offer affordable travel experiences. Despite a lack of hostels and notoriously pricey drinks that can quickly bump up travel costs, there are plenty of ways to stretch your riyals further. Qatar’s public transport is notably inexpensive, with affordable dining options available, and even alcoholic beverages can be reasonably priced if you know where to go.
Keep an Eye Out for Epic Stopover Deals
Qatar Airways offers remarkably cheap stopover deals in partnership with Discover Qatar. You can secure a stay starting as low as US$14 for one night, which includes four-star accommodation. With a standard four-night stopover beginning at just US$69, it’s a brilliant opportunity to experience Qatar without overspending.
Consider Couch Surfing
If you’re not visiting Qatar on a stopover deal, accommodations may pose your largest expense. Since the hostel scene is yet to flourish in this region, couch surfing can be a practical alternative if you’re on a tight budget. With over 18,000 registered hosts in Qatar, mostly expats, you’ll discover ample options for affordable lodging.
Avoid Qatar’s Peak Travel Periods
Accommodations and regional flight prices typically surge during Qatar’s busy cooler months (November to February), during Eid holiday weeks, and on weekends (which fall on Friday and Saturday). Planning your trip during off-peak times can result in significant savings.
Embrace the Cheap and Efficient Doha Metro
While Uber remains surprisingly affordable in Qatar, it cannot compete with the sleek Doha Metro. Rides cost merely QR2, even for trips to and from the airport, and are capped at QR6 per day. By purchasing a standard Qatar Railcard for QR10 and topping it up in increments of QR5, you can conveniently navigate the capital and the neighboring city of Lusail.
Use Public Buses to Explore Beyond Doha
Visiting attractions outside of the Doha Metro, like the Unesco-listed Al Zubarah Fort, is more economical by public Karwa bus rather than organized tours. Though bus rides may take longer due to speed limits, snacks from grocery stores before your journey will help you stay refreshed during your exploration.
Save Alcohol for Happy Hour
With a typical glass of wine costing around US$15, it’s easy for travel budgets to dwindle quickly in hotels and restaurants, which are the primary venues for alcohol sales. Fortunately, unless it’s Ramadan and bars are closed, you can still enjoy drinks affordably. Almost every bar in Qatar has generous happy hours from 5pm to 8pm, where discounts of approximately 30% on food and drinks are common.
Drink Tap Water and Save Plastic and Money
Qatar’s penchant for single-use plastic bottles is environmentally costly and can be expensive, with some restaurants charging upwards of QR25 for a bottle of water. Nonetheless, Qatar’s tap water, produced from desalinated seawater and groundwater, is safe to drink. Carry a reusable bottle to save both money and the planet.
Feast on Qatar’s Abundance of Cheap Eats
Don’t let pricey hotel menus intimidate you; Doha boasts a diverse culinary scene at wallet-friendly prices. The streets are filled with a variety of cuisines, from authentic South Indian dishes to Korean fried chicken. Souq Waqif is a prime spot to indulge in an authentic Qatari breakfast or sample affordable regional delicacies.
Seek Out Qatar’s Free Cultural Attractions
Although visiting Qatar’s top museums and galleries often requires an entry fee, an expanding array of public art is available at no cost. For instance, take the metro to Katara Cultural Village to view impressive street art, and MIA Park, where you can find several significant public artworks.
Daily Costs in Qatar
- Basic hotel room for two: QR200–300
- Self-catering apartment: QR400–500
- Metro ticket: QR2
- Karak chai (cardamom tea) at a stall: QR2
- Espresso coffee at an international café: QR20
- Takeaway shawarma wrap: QR15
- Dinner for two in Souq Waqif: QR100–200
- Pint of beer: QR35
