Getting Around

As a rapidly expanding city, transportation options in Doha are steadily advancing. Taxis are much easier to find than in years past, when it was common to find yourself waiting up to an hour for one. The public bus service, introduced by the Mowasalat company in 2005, has also introduced a cheap and effective means of getting around the city. Traffic can be heavy, due to the rapidly expanding population of the city and the number of automobile owners.

Taxis

The most common mode of transportation in Doha is the taxi. The majority of cabs are operated by the Mowasalat company under the Karwa brand, and can be recognized by their distinctive green color. These taxis tend to be relatively new and honest. The main alternative to the Karwa taxis are unmarked  'limousine' taxis. These are unmetered and tend to be more expensive, so use them at your discretion.

Personal Transportation

If you want to drive during your visit to Doha, be warned: In its 2007 Qatar Crime and Safety Report, the US embassy compared driving in Qatar to an extreme sport. Traffic fatalities have frequently been among the leading causes of death in Qatar, and although the government has been trying to crack down, it is still dangerous. If you feel up to the challenge, it is not difficult to rent a car in Doha, and foreign driver's licenses are valid up to a period of one week. Cars drive on the right hand side of the road in Doha, and defensive driving is strongly recommended.