· MIDDLE EAST ·
Driving in Qatar as a Tourist – Is it Worth it?
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 15 Jul 2025
Have you been looking at Qatar’s metro and wondered if it will actually get you everywhere it needs to? We were dubious too, so decided to rent a car for our layover in Qatar. It turned out to be an excellent idea – let me explain why!
Recently, we opted for a stopover in Qatar on our way from Bangkok to Istanbul (it was super affordable, so why not?).
Our first question when organising this trip was ‘how do we actually get around’?
It turns out that Qatar has a pretty decent metro system and not that many visitors rent a car – so is it worth driving, and why doesn’t everyone do it?
We, as always, love to drive in foreign countries, especially hot ones. It’s one of those amazing freedoms that allows us flexible access to a destination beyond the public transport system (and also avoids some of the inevitable sweating).
So, we decided to risk it and rent a car in Qatar for the five days we were there! We genuinely didn’t know if it was going to be worth it, but it turned out to be such a great idea and we have no idea why more people don’t do it!
Here, we write about why we think it’s great, what driving in Qatar is like, the things you should know before you go, how to rent a vehicle, and loads more, so you can decide if it’s for you!
IN THIS GUIDE //
Getting around Qatar by Car
1. WHY DRIVING IN QATAR IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA
2. WHAT IS DRIVING IN QATAR LIKE?
3. HELPFUL Driving Rules
4. Renting a car
FINAL THOUGHTs
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1. Why Driving in Qatar is an Excellent Idea for Your Stopover
Getting straight to the point, below are loads of amazing reasons why you should consider getting a car for your trip to Qatar:
Qatar is Hot
Qatar is so hot and humid!
Even in the winter months, it’s uncomfortably warm to be in the sun during the middle of the day (at least to us because we’re British and just can’t cope).
We visited at the beginning of May and found Qatar to feel warmer than Oman, the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia at similar times. Maybe it was just the humidity or something, but it was *hot*.
Walking Distances
Although the Doha metro system is well connected, there are still some areas that are *long* walks from the stations.
For example, from Souq Waqif Metro to the Mina District is around a 45 minute walk, with zero shade. It’s nearly a one-hour, round trip walk to the Museum of Islamic Art from the nearest metro stop. Some areas, like the Pearl, do not have direct metro stops at all.
These kind of distances wouldn’t be much of an issue and aren’t that long (in the city-sightseeing scheme of things), but as we mentioned above, the heat was oppressive and there’s minimal shade from the powerful sun.
Parking is Excellent
There is parking absolutely everywhere in Doha and it’s almost always free of charge. There’s also loads of valet parking – our hotel had complimentary valet and it was incredible (we’ve always had to park our own car before!).
The one place that has sketchy parking is the National Library (it’s way too small for the number of visitors), but other than that, everywhere we visited had a ridiculous abundance of parking.
Going Beyond Doha
By renting a car, you can get out and see the country, beyond the city limits (to be fair, Qatar is mostly flat desert, but still – there are a few cool things to do, like visit Qatar’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site). You can also drive around parts of the city that most people wouldn’t be able to visit otherwise.
We drove well beyond Doha’s city limits and it was really fun.
In the same vein, you can also visit supermarkets much more easily too, if that’s something you like to do (I literally love foreign supermarkets – they’re more interesting than beaches and museums to me, plus they keep costs down!).
Price
It’s quite affordable to rent a car in Qatar, especially compared to the cost of using taxis to get everywhere. However, it’s definitely more expensive than exclusively using the metro, but far more flexible.
Taxis are totally a good option in Doha if that’s your preference, but I’ve read that during certain events, taxis can be very difficult to get – so check that nothing busy is happening during your visit.
Also, petrol is very reasonably priced. As of July 1st 2025, the cost of Gasoline 91 is 1.95 QAR (£0.40) a litre. Since Qatar is pretty small, you’re unlikely to rack up a huge petrol bill!
The Roads
The roads are actually amazing in Doha. They’re all super modern, well signed in English, and smooth. Doha might actually have the best maintained roads we’ve ever driven on, ever.
Also, it’s actually pretty cool to drive through the huge, towering buildings, and across Doha’s amazing bridges. The roadside scenery is excellent.
Time Efficiency
If you’re trying to fit everything you want to see into just a couple of days, it’s honestly best to rent a car.
You’ll be able to see way more of your itinerary in less time, while still not feeling rushed.
2. What is Driving in Qatar like?
Below is a quick lowdown of everything you should know to drive safely in Qatar:
The Roads
We found the road quality in Qatar to be exceptional (especially within Doha). They are impeccable, with no potholes, no fading road markings and no lack of signs.
The roads are often two or more lanes in each direction, with large, common-sense junctions managed by traffic lights. We almost never had to cross oncoming traffic the way we would in Europe.
In fact, most roads we drove in central Doha were one way, making driving in the city particularly easy!
Road Signs and Markings
Road signs are both super clear and in English. The lanes are commonly well marked with locations painted on them, too. We were literally never confused while driving around.
Driving tip | if there is a sign to get in lane for a turning, get in the appropriate lane super quick because the lanes branch off much earlier than their respective junctions, often hundreds of metres before your sat nav will say the junction is. We got caught out by this a few times.
What are Drivers like in Qatar?
In our experience, drivers in Qatar are, honestly, not the best.
They speed like crazy, often forget to use indicators, are impatient and prone to cutting you off. They *really* value their personal space on the road and will not give way to anyone. We said they were like a mix of both Italian and United States drivers (not my favourite combo!).
There are also motorbike drivers (mostly delivery people) to be aware of too. They can be a little erratic and sometimes drive way too fast as well.
Over all, it’s not chaotic driving like Jordan, Saudi or Egypt, mainly because of the well-made and managed roads. However, just be prepared to drive very defensively, purely because some drivers can be a bit obnoxious.
They’ll use their horns in the aggressive way, too, not just the ‘I’m here’ kind of way.
Is Driving in Qatar Safe?
Yes, I’d say that driving in Qatar is safe.
Most (if not all) of your driving within Qatar will be in Doha, where there are very few hazards, like wildlife. There are streetlights everywhere within Doha so driving at night is super easy, too.
The only things to watch out for really are other drivers (especially the ones in monster-sized white SUVs speeding up behind you).
Another issue could be fog, which can occasionally roll in during the early mornings, however we did not experience this during our visit. We have, however, had this happen a few times when driving in Saudi Arabia and it’s incredibly difficult to deal with. We’d recommend avoiding driving during thick fog whenever possible.
Navigating Around Qatar
We used Google Maps for navigation during our trip and it was perfect. There were no issues, at all. I can imagine you’d be able to Waze, too, if that was your preference.
Gas Stations in Qatar
We only had to fill up our car twice during our trip (we did drive around almost the entire perimeter of the country!). Both times were at a Woqod petrol station (you’ll pretty much only see this one).
The gas stations had attendants who pump the petrol for you, spoke excellent English and were friendly. We paid by card both times.
If you decide to take a mini-road trip outside the city, be aware that there are few petrol stations outside of Doha.
CAR HIRE FOR YOUR QATAR TRIP
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. Find out more about why we fully recommend them.
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TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
3. Helpful Driving Rules in Qatar
Below is a quick lowdown of everything you should know to drive safely in Qatar:
Seatbelts
The law in Qatar requires both the driver and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts. Surveillance cameras in Qatar can actually check for non-compliance! Fines for not wearing a seatbelt range from 500-1000 SAR.
Additionally, children under the age of ten are not allowed in the front passenger seat.
Side of the Road
In Qatar, people drive on the right side of the road.
Speed Limits
The speed limits in Qatar are really well signed, so just keep an eye out. Generally, though:
Urban roads are typically 60 or 80 km/h.
Outside of the cities are 80 or 100 km/h.
Motorways reach a maximum of 120 km/h.
Qatar has both fixed and mobile speed cameras. The minimum speeding fine is 500 QAR, with a maximum of 6000 QAR (I’d imagine that XL fine is reserved for those super fast, white monster SUVs we saw).
Are Hands-Free Devices Allowed?
Driving while using or watching the screen of a mobile phone is illegal in Qatar.
In fact, touching a mobile screen displaying any visual content is unlawful while the car is moving. Use of a hands-free kit is the only legal way to call someone whilst driving.
The fine for using a phone whilst driving is 500 SAR.
Drinking and Driving in Qatar
It should go without saying, but do not drink and drink in Qatar.
Driving under the influence will lead to a heavy fine of 10,000 – 50,000 SAR. Additionally it can lead to imprisonment, deportation or both.
4. How to Rent a Car in Doha
So, you’ve decided to rent a car in Doha? Below covers everything you need to know:
What license do I Need to Rent a Car in Qatar?
To rent a car in Qatar, you will require a full, valid driving license from your home country. Additionally, you need to be at least 21 years old and, apparently, certain car types may require a higher minimum age.
If you’re from an eligible country, you do not need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) if renting a car in Qatar for under a week. GCC citizens, for example, can drive for up to 90 days on just their home driver’s license.
However, it may be a requirement to have an IDP as part of the vehicle hiring process. We always travel with valid IDPs when abroad (just in case – we’ve been randomly asked for them before!).
Do I Need Insurance to Rent a Vehicle in Qatar?
You don’t have to get rental insurance while in Qatar, but we recommend you do, just for peace of mind.
We had no accidents or near-misses in the country, however there’s always the chance that:
◊ someone randomly backs into you in a car park
◊ a bike whizzes by and knocks your wing mirror off
◊ a bit of gravel cracks your windscreen
◊ some freak weather damages your vehicle
(We’ve had all of these things happen in other countries!).
Our choice is the insurance from Discover Cars because it’s decent and they’ve paid out fast every time we’ve made a claim. They are also just all-round nice people and their prices are highly competitive.
Can Women Rent a Car in Qatar?
Yes, women are allowed to drive and rent a car in Qatar. You’ll see women driving all over – it’s totally normal.
Our Rental Experience
Our rental experience in Qatar was entirely positive.
Having booked online, we picked up our car from the bottom section of the Doha Airport car park where all the kiosks are located (follow signs from the arrivals area, it’s obvious).
We chose a small sedan and the car came with a full tank of gas.
The attendants all spoke meticulous English, we did a check of the car for damage without feeling any pressure to be quick, and were on our way in just a few minutes.
On our second day, we had a minor issue with the power from the accelerator, so we Whatsapp’d the car company. They immediately brought a new car of the same type to our hotel, instead of having us drive back to the airport, and they picked up the faulty one. It was some seriously outstanding service.
Other than that, our cars were perfect, and we drove all around Qatar, well outside of Doha.
On our way back to return the car, our petrol *just* dropped down below full (our fault for hoping that we could make it to the airport!), and we paid 20 QAR in cash for the petrol deficit. It was all very reasonable.
Also, we got lost trying to get into the airport car park but that’s just because we’re insanely incompetent. It’s well signed, just head for the lowest floor of the car park.
Where to Next?
We hope this post persuades you to consider renting a car in Qatar! It’s a great way to see the city (and country) on your own schedule, while avoiding the scorching heat.
We really enjoyed the freedom and flexibility, and the next time we go to Qatar we will definitely be renting a car again!
If you are planning your trip, take a look at our two-day Doha itinerary for some ideas of what to do, and if you’re into photography, take a peek at our favourite locations to take photos.
Hi, thanks for visiting our blog! If this post has been of help to you, or you’ve just enjoyed our random ramblings and musings, say thank you by buying us a coffee! It helps keep The Restless Beans blog up and running.
Thank you, Claire + Nick
