Layover guideDoha · DOH

Staying connected in Doha

Visitor SIM/eSIM on arrival from Ooredoo kiosks in the Arrivals Hall; free terminal-wide wifi (#HIAQatar).

Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Ooredoo sells a Visitor SIM (physical or eSIM) on arrival: at the Qatar Duty Free store in baggage claim, at kiosks by Exits 2, 3 and 4 in the Arrivals Hall, and online with the eSIM issued instantly. Tiers run 7, 14 or 30 days; the data allowance is local-use only, not valid while roaming.

The airport itself lists SIM card sales and mobile top-up booths at the east and west ends of the Arrivals Hall, so buying on landing is straightforward.

Terminal wifi is free throughout the passenger terminal: search for the #HIAQatar network and sign in. Free internet kiosks with screens and keyboards are dotted through the terminal and gate areas.

Ooredoo Qatar (operator) · checked 2026-08-18
Hamad International Airport (airport operator) · checked 2026-08-18

The rest of Doha

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Getting out of the airportKarwa taxis from the Taxi Pavilion, or the Metro from the station at Terminal 1.Ride-hailingUber, Badrgo and Ryde are the only authorised airport pickups; the zone is in the car park via Gate 3, not at the kerb.Local laws that catch crew outPublic drunkenness carries up to six months in prison, and photographing someone without consent can cost you QAR 100,000.WeatherExtreme heat June-Sept (45C-plus, humid); mild Nov-Feb; a legal midday outdoor-work ban runs 1 June to 15 Sept, 10:00-15:30.Eating near the crew hotelsSouq Waqif is the traditional eating quarter (on the Gold Line metro); Katara Cultural Village is the beachside restaurant cluster.What to buySouq Waqif covers the category buys: gold jewellery, Arabic spices and dates, and the Falcon Souq.TippingService charge is usually already in the bill; 10-15% on top is appreciated, not expected; carry cash for it.