Transpor

Buses
A new public bus service was launched in October 2005, but has been shunned by women, students and families because of the amount of construction workers who use it to get to and from work. Trains are still some years away, but there are proposals for train lines running through Qatar and linking it to both the upper and lower Gulf. There are also plans for two new causeways – one linking Qatar to Bahrain, the other linking the country to Abu Dhabi, thus eliminating the need to drive through several kilometres of Saudi Arabia in order to reach the UAE. Most people’s reaction is ‘the sooner the better’, as the journey by road will be quicker, easier and subject to less restrictions – for example, a woman cannot travel by car through any part of Saudi Arabia with a man to whom she is not either related or married.

Car rental
As a visitor, you can rent a car and drive on a national or international licence for seven days from the date of your entry to the country. After that, a temporary Qatari licence, which can be arranged by the hire company, is needed. If you’re not used to driving on the right, or driving in the Gulf – where speed limits are frequently ignored and lane discipline is something of a myth – then you’re probably better off letting someone else take you around.

If you’re driving and have an accident (even if it’s minor and there are no injuries), you have to report it. If no-one is hurt, and the drivers involved agree on responsibility, you can leave the scene and take the vehicles to the traffic police to be inspected, and accident reports to be made out (not even a scratch can be repaired without an accident report). Many drivers, however, choose to stay put at the scene, without moving the cars, and instead call out the police. It prevents any hassles if the other driver first accepts, then refuses, liability. Motorbike riders need a separate licence – a licence to drive a car will not suffice, and it is not possible to rent bikes in Doha.
Try one of the following car rental companies: Avis (466 7744), Budget Rent A Car (462 2678), Hertz (467 7329), National Car Rental (487 1995), Terraco (557 6575), Thrifty (462 1180) and Europcar
(466 0677).

Driving to and from Saudi Arabia
Visitors will need to organise their own transport to travel to Saudi Arabia, as there are no bus connections. Driving across the borders is straightforward for nationals of GCC countries, while foreigners can drive across international borders provided that they have valid visas for each location. If you have hired a car in Saudi Arabia or the UAE, you should check first that you are allowed to take it into Qatar.

Taxis
Even though the country has changed over from its old individually owned and operated, orange and white, metered taxis, to the Transport Company’s turquoise and silver ‘Mowasalat’ taxis (you’ll see they have ‘Karwa’ written on the side), you’ll be hard-pressed to actually find one. There’s a severe shortage of taxis around town; the shortage is so bad that even if you order one in advance, there’s a chance it might not show up. If you’re moving around town at peak hours, allow yourself plenty of time to both find a taxi and negotiate traffic.

The Mowasalat taxis are new and therefore in good condition. Mowasalat have uniformed drivers, and to order one phone 458 8888. Alternatively, you can book yourself a hotel taxi. These will cost a great deal more than regular taxis, but the drivers know the roads and they’re willing to negotiate a daily rate.

Walking
You can walk around downtown Doha and the old souk areas quite easily and safely, though walking far is uncomfortable in the height of summer. Cycling round town is a hazardous experience, which is best avoided.