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Hamad International Airport Guide (DOH)

Hamad International Airport Guide (DOH)

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Concourses A to E, free quiet rooms, transit hotels, 24-hour food and the metro into Doha: everything for a departure, arrival or long layover. Ask a question
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In short

Doha's Hamad International spreads across Concourses A to E and is open 24 hours, with free airside quiet rooms and recliners near several gates for long layovers. The metro Red Line covers the 15 km to central Doha in about 30 minutes; Karwa taxis and ride-hailing fill the other hours. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

By the bookingMentor Travel Desk · Updated · How we research

Whether you have a short connection, an overnight wait or are just passing through, this guide covers the services inside Hamad: quiet rooms, transit hotels, lounges, WiFi, showers, 24-hour food and the way into Doha.

Please note: Hotels near the airport and car hire on this page can be booked directly on bookingMentor. We list places on merit, and bookings never affect what we say about them.

What to expect

Hamad International Airport (DOH) is Qatar's international airport, on the eastern edge of Doha about 15 km from the city centre. It is the hub of Qatar Airways, which also operates it for the owner, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, and one of the world's busiest transfer airports.

The airport opened to passengers on 30 April 2014, replacing the old Doha International Airport 5 km to the west. Departures use one terminal with five concourses: A and B (opened 2014), the large Concourse C, and D and E, extended in 2025. A central expansion opened in 2023 with The Orchard, an indoor tropical garden of 10,000 m².

Hamad is built for long connections: it is open 24 hours, with free quiet rooms, two transit hotels, sleep cabins, more than 50 places to eat and short guided tours of the airport and the city from the transit area.

How Hamad International was built

Planning for the new airport began in 2003 and construction in 2005, with an opening target of 2008. Costly delays pushed that back to 30 April 2014. Bechtel led the development and HOK designed the terminal and concourses. The site covers about 3,600 hectares, half of it reclaimed from the sea.

Two parallel runways, 2 km apart, allow simultaneous take-offs and landings: one is 4,850 m long, and the other 4,250 m. In 2025 the airport handled 54.3 million passengers, up 3 per cent on 2024. Skytrax named Hamad the World's Best Airport and the Best Airport in the Middle East in 2024.

The 2023 and 2025 expansions

The airport was enlarged in two phases ahead of and after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, to keep pace with Qatar Airways' growth. Phase A opened on 10 November 2023 with a central concourse, nine wide-body stands, The Orchard and a 268 m water feature. Phase B extended Concourses D and E and was completed in March 2025, taking the airport's capacity above 70 million passengers a year.

The terminal is also home to Lamp Bear, a bronze teddy bear about 7 m tall with its head inside a lamp, by the Swiss artist Urs Fischer. It was bought at a Christie's auction for US$6.8 million.

Landside and airside

Throughout this guide, landside is the public area before immigration: the departures and arrivals halls and the transport pavilions. Airside is the transit area after security, with the concourses, Duty Free Plazas, quiet rooms, transit hotels and most of the food. Transfer passengers stay airside throughout.

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Good to know

  • IATA / ICAODOH / OTHH
  • Terminals in useConcourses A · B · C · D · E
  • Open24 hours
  • To city centre~15 km
  • Fastest to the cityDoha Metro Red Line · ~30 min
  • Free WiFiYes
  • Lounges7
  • Left luggageAvailable
About this guide

How we research this airport guide

This guide is written and maintained by the bookingMentor Travel Desk. We check terminal, transport and service details against the airport's own information and the published sources listed here, and update the page when something changes.

Last updated . Prices for lounges, sleep cabins, tours and transport are as published by our sources and can change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Hamad International Airport passenger informationSleeping in AirportsDoha Metro and Mowasalat

See all 6 sources
  1. Hamad International Airport passenger information
  2. Sleeping in Airports: Doha Hamad guide
  3. Doha Metro and Mowasalat (Karwa) information
  4. Reports from bookingMentor travellers
  5. Hamad International Airport: metro
  6. Qatar Rail: Red Line

Flight board

Departures and arrivals listed on bookingMentor for Hamad International Airport.

No departures from DOH are listed yet Search the airlines' fares for your dates instead. Search flights from DOH

Times are from the flights listed on bookingMentor, not a live departure feed. Always confirm with your airline before travelling.

Flight routes

Direct routes from the airport, each with its airlines, aircraft, flight time and travel tips

Direct routes

International3 destinations

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Airlines at this airport

Airlines with scheduled passenger flights at DOH.

Domestic carriers

1 airline

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International carriers

53 airlines

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Airport lounges

Most lounges are open 24 hours. Al Maha lounges sell entry at the door, and Al Mourjan sells walk-in visits to Economy passengers.

Al Mourjan Business Lounge South

Duty Free Plaza South · 24 hours

Pay at the doorShowersRest zone24 hours

Access: Walk-in QAR 450 (US$125) for Economy and Business Lite passengers

Al Mourjan Business Lounge, The Garden

Northern expansion, by the free sky train · 24 hours

Pay at the doorShowersRest zone24 hours

Access: Walk-in QAR 450 (US$125) for Economy and Business Lite passengers

Al Maha Lounge North

Airside, Departures Hall North · 24 hours

Pay at the doorShowers24 hours

Access: Pay at the door

Al Maha Lounge South

Airside, Departures Hall South · 24 hours

Pay at the doorShowers24 hours

Access: Pay at the door

Al Maha Departure Lounge

Landside, Departures Hall · 24 hours

Pay at the door24 hours

Access: Pay at the door

Al Maha Arrival Lounge

Arrivals Hall (landside) and before immigration (airside) · 24 hours

Pay at the doorShowers24 hours

Access: Pay at the door

Al Safwa First Lounge

Transit area

ShowersRest zoneAirline lounge

Access: Qatar Airways First Class passengers only

Water, showers & mobile charging

Drinking water

Free drinking water fountains are airside near Gates A5, B3, C10, D7 and E4, and landside near the South Plaza restrooms.

Showers

Be Relax Shower & Spa in Concourse A (South and North Nodes) sells 10- and 25-minute showers. Sleep 'n Fly at the C gates and the Oryx Airport Hotel's fitness centre also have showers, as do the Al Maha and Al Mourjan lounges.

Mobile charging

USB outlets and charging points are spread through the terminal, many next to seating. Qatar uses type G sockets at 240 V (type D also found).

Luggage storage & lockers

Free baggage trolleys are available throughout the terminal and luggage wrapping is in the departure areas. Left-luggage lockers and rates are not published; ask at an information desk.

Left luggage rates by bag size
Bag sizeServiceNotes
Baggage trolleysFree, throughout the terminal
Luggage wrappingDeparture areas

WiFi & connectivity

Free WiFi
Yes
Time limit
Unlimited
Registration
None
SIM cards
Arrivals

Free, unlimited WiFi covers the whole airport on HIAQatar Free WiFi.

Food & drinks

There are more than 50 places to eat, most of them airside, and many are open 24 hours.

Harrods Tea Room
Airside
Afternoon tea and light meals
Open 24 hours
Gordon Ramsay Burger
Airside
Burgers
Open 24 hours
Jwala
Airside
Indian dishes
Open 24 hours
Evergreen Organics
Airside
Salads, bowls and juices
Open 24 hours
Spizzico
Airside
Pizza
Open 24 hours
KFC
Airside
Fried chicken
Open 24 hours
Starbucks
Airside
Coffee and pastries
Open 24 hours
Coffeeshop Company
Airside
Coffee and cakes
Open 24 hours
Illy Caffè
Airside
Coffee
Open 24 hours
Chac'Late
Airside
Chocolate and desserts
Open 24 hours

More airport information

Search for what you need: try "quiet", "shower", "pray", "tour" or "medical".

ATMs and currency exchangeSome ATMs give several currencies.
Car hireDesks in the Ground Transportation Centre across from Arrivals.
Luggage wrappingIn the departure areas.
Medical centres24 hours, in arrivals and departures; 24-hour pharmacy.
Prayer roomsThroughout the terminal.
Quiet roomsFree, 24 hours, near Gates A3, B2, C11 and D5.
ShowersBe Relax in Concourse A, Sleep 'n Fly, the Oryx fitness centre and lounges.
Sleep cabinsYawn and Sleep 'n Fly, by the hour.
Smoking roomsSmoking only in the designated rooms.
The OrchardIndoor tropical garden of 10,000 m² in the central concourse.
Transit hotelsOryx Airport Hotel (South) and Oryx Garden Hotel (North), airside.
Transit toursDiscover Qatar desk, Duty Free Plaza South: 1-hour art tour (QAR 36) and 3-hour city tour (QAR 115), October 2024 prices.
Water fountainsNear Gates A5, B3, C10, D7 and E4.
WiFiFree and unlimited on HIAQatar Free WiFi.

Airport hours

Terminal
Open 24 hours
Overnight access
Open to all (airside: boarding pass)

The terminal, quiet rooms, lounges and many food outlets run around the clock. The metro does not: it runs 6:00–23:00 Saturday to Wednesday and from 14:00 on Fridays.

Arriving and departing, step by step

What happens between the aircraft door and the metro, in order, so nothing catches you out.

Arriving

From the plane to the city

  1. 1
    Transfer or arrive?

    Connecting passengers follow the transfer signs and stay airside; everyone else follows the signs to immigration.

  2. 2
    Immigration

    Clear immigration in the arrivals hall. Do not pass immigration if you want the airside transit hotels.

  3. 3
    Baggage and customs

    Collect your bags and pass customs into the arrivals hall.

  4. 4
    Arrivals hall

    The metro station is on Level 1, buses leave from the Bus Pavilion to the right of Arrivals and official taxis from the Taxi Pavilion to the left.

Departing

From the kerb to the gate

  1. 1
    Check in

    Check in at your airline's row in the departures hall; Al Maha has a landside lounge here.

  2. 2
    Passport control and security

    Then you are in the transit area with the Duty Free Plazas, The Orchard and the concourses.

  3. 3
    Concourse

    Concourses A to E are large; check how far your gate is and allow walking time.

  4. 4
    Gate

    Be at the gate when boarding opens.

Getting to & from the airport

The airport is on the eastern edge of Doha. The metro Red Line is the cheapest way into town by day; at other times use the official Karwa taxis or ride-hailing. The Doha Metro Red Line is the cheapest and simplest way into the city. The airport branch opened in December 2019 with a station at the terminal, and the station is a short indoor walk from arrivals. The airport says trains run every three minutes. The Red Line runs from Al Wakra in the south to Lusail in the north through central Doha. Mowasalat buses link the airport with bus stations in the city and the Industrial Area; the airport publishes the route maps. Check Qatar Rail's journey planner for the first and last trains if you land late.

Car hire

Best for: Driving around Qatar
Book on bookingMentor
DesksGround Transportation Centre
LicenceIDP or GCC licence
CardCredit card needed

Car hire desks are in the Ground Transportation Centre across from Arrivals. You need an International Driving Permit or a GCC licence, a credit card valid for three months and a copy of your Qatar entry stamp. Compare and book car hire on bookingMentor.

Book car hire on bookingMentor

Doha Metro Red Line

Best for: Daytime trips on a budget
Budget
FareQAR 2
To Msheireb~30 min
Hours6:00 – 23:00 (Fri from 14:00)

The Red Line station is at Terminal 1, Level 1, with direct trains to central Doha. It does not run overnight.

Bus

Best for: Tight budgets
Budget
FareQAR 5
To the city~40 min
StopBus Pavilion

Karwa bus R704 (Mowasalat) runs to the city from the Bus Pavilion to the right of Arrivals; regional lines also serve the terminal.

Taxi

Best for: Late arrivals and bags
Mid-range
OperatorMowasalat (Karwa)
RankTaxi Pavilion
Availability24 hours

Use only the official Mowasalat taxis from the Taxi Pavilion, outside the left end of Arrivals. They can be booked in advance on the Karwa website.

Ride-hailing

Best for: Fixed app prices
Budget
Typical fare~QAR 29 to the centre
BookIn the app
Availability24 hours

Ride-hailing is available; the source quotes about QAR 29 to the city centre.

Limousine

Best for: Families and business trips
Premium
BookMowasalat desk
PickupArrivals
PayCard or riyals

Limousines are booked through Mowasalat or at its desk in Arrivals.

Sky train

Best for: Reaching the North Node
Free
CostFree
BetweenSouth terminal · The Garden
RunsAirside

A free sky train links the south of the terminal with the northern expansion and the Al Mourjan Garden lounge. Otherwise allow walking time between concourses.

Security & safety

Hamad is safe and well staffed, with 24-hour medical centres. Still, keep your bags locked and close, even when they are beside you.

1Keep bags lockedLock your bags and keep valuables on you, especially in the busy quiet rooms.
2Official taxis onlyUse only the Mowasalat taxis from the Taxi Pavilion.
3Mind the transit-hotel rulesDo not pass immigration if you plan to use the airside transit hotels.
4Medical helpMedical centres in arrivals and departures and a pharmacy are open 24 hours.
Pro tip: the enclosed quiet rooms are darker and quieter than the open ones, and bring a layer, as they can be cool.
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Sleeping at the airport

Hamad is one of the easiest airports for an overnight wait. Free quiet rooms airside have cushioned recliners, with separate areas for men, women and families; carpeted areas suit floor sleeping. Some travellers find the quiet rooms crowded and cool at peak times, so bring a layer.

Landside sleep spots

LandsideArrivals and departures halls

Open 24 hours, but the comfortable rest options are all airside.

Airside sleep spots

AirsideQuiet Room, Concourse A

Near Gate A3. Free, 24 hours, recliners.

AirsideQuiet Room, Concourse B

Near Gate B2. Free, 24 hours, recliners.

AirsideQuiet Room, Concourse C

Near Gate C11. Free, 24 hours, recliners.

AirsideQuiet Room, Concourse D

Near Gate D5. Free, 24 hours, recliners.

Rest & relaxation zones

The quiet rooms airside near Gates A3, B2, C11 and D5 are free, open 24 hours and have cushioned recliners, with separate areas for men, women and families. The newer enclosed rooms are darker and quieter. Lounges such as Al Mourjan also have quiet recliner areas.

Cots for sleeping

Cots are not known to be handed out; ask your airline's desk if you are stranded. Qatar Airways passengers with long connections may be entitled to a free hotel; if your flight is cancelled, ask your airline's transfer desk.

Sleep pods, day rooms & transit hotel

When a recliner is not enough, these are the paid options for a bed, all in the transit area, without passing immigration.

Nearest hotel
Airside (transit)
Sleep cabins & pods
Yes
Day rooms
Yes

Oryx Airport Hotel Airside

Transit area near the Lamp Bear, South Node

For transit passengers with an onward boarding pass who have not passed immigration; checked bags are not allowed.

Day roomsFitness and spaTransit only

Oryx Garden Hotel Airside

Transit area, North Node, end of Concourse C

The second transit hotel, at the north end of the terminal.

Transit only

Yawn sleep cabins Airside

Near the Lamp Bear (South Node); opposite C30/C31 and C40 (North Node)

From US$76Pod, 2 hours

Pods and cabins by the hour with a 2-hour minimum: pod US$76, double cabin US$120, family cabin US$179 for 2 hours.

PodsDouble and family cabinsBy the hour

Sleep 'n Fly Airside

C gates, North Node, lower level, opposite C30/C31

Sleep cabins and showers about 100 m from the C-gates food court.

Showers

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Layover planner

Tell us how long you have and whether you can leave the secure area.

How long is your layover?

Immigration, security and Doha traffic are already factored in.

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Need help?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying through Doha.
Checked against the airport's information and the sources listed below.

Getting there

Yes. The one thing that stops overnight is the metro, so after about 23:00 the way into Doha is an official Karwa taxi or a ride-hailing car.