Saudi Arabia

Planning to visit Doha from Saudi Arabia? Doha is one of the easiest Gulf getaways for visitors from the Kingdom, whether you want a family break, a romantic weekend, or a few extra days around a conference or exhibition. This guide covers how to travel to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, including visa and entry rules, driving routes from Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah, what to do, and the best time to visit Doha. 

Travel to Qatar from Saudi Arabia: Visa, Driving and Flying 

Qatar visa for Saudi citizens and Saudi residents (السفر من السعودية إلى قطر: التأشيرة والسفر بالسيارة والطيران )

Qatar visa for Saudi citizens: Saudi citizens can enter Qatar visa-free. Carry your valid passport or ID.

Qatar visa for iqama holders:If you live in Saudi Arabia on an Iqama (residence permit) and are not a Saudi citizen, you can apply for a Qatar visa for iqama holders online at hayya.qa before you travel. Check hayya.qa for the latest Qatar entry requirements for Saudi residents. 

Driving to Doha from Saudi Arabia (القيادة من السعودية إلى الدوحة )

Many Saudi visitors drive in through the Abu Samra border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. 

Riyadh to Doha by car

Route planners put the drive at roughly six to seven hours. Allow extra time for border queues, especially on holidays.

Dammam to Doha by car

This is a shorter drive than from Riyadh, and it uses the same Abu Samra border crossing.

Jeddah to Doha: drive or fly?

Jeddah to Doha is a very long drive, so most travellers fly instead. Driving only makes sense if you want a road trip and have several days to spare. Flying is usually the easier choice for a short break. Check airlines and schedules from Jeddah when you book.

Entry requirements for drivers

• Health insurance is required to enter Qatar.

• Drivers also need vehicle insurance, which can be completed electronically through the Qatar Unified Bureau.

• You can pre-register your vehicle through Hayya, which the Ministry of Interior lists as an option.

Flying to Doha
Hamad International Airport is Doha's main gateway. Check airlines and schedules for your departure city when you book.

Before you go

• Valid passport or ID, as required for your nationality

• Health insurance (and vehicle insurance if driving)

• A confirmed hotel booking

Once your dates are set, you can compare hotels in Doha on Booking.com and book your first night before the drive or flight. 

Where to Stay in Doha: Best Areas for Families, Couples and Business Visitors 

Alt Text: Pastel Venetian-style buildings along the canal at Qanat Quartier in The Pearl-Qatar, Doha 

Choose your area first, then your hotel.

Best areas for families

• The Pearl-Qatar: Marina, waterfront dining and a resort feel. A good, easy, and walkable base for families.

• Lusail: The new city, close to the stadium and circuit venues. Useful for event weekends.

Best areas for couples

• The Pearl-Qatar: Marina and promenade dining with a resort feel.

• West Bay: A quiet, polished stay, with quick access to the Corniche.

• Msheireb and Souq Waqif: Heritage, markets and restaurants. Best if you want the old-town atmosphere.

Best areas for business visitors

• West Bay: Skyscrapers, business hotels and quick access to the Corniche.

• Lusail: Close to the stadium and circuit venues, so useful for event weekends.

Tips

• Book early for holidays and event weekends, when hotels fill up.

• Families should check room configurations.

• Look for hotels with pools and kids' clubs in summer.
  

Prices and availability change quickly around holidays, so it's worth checking Doha hotel rates and room options on Booking.com early. 

Things to Do in Doha for Families and Couples 

Doha has plenty for both. Start with the sights everyone enjoys, then pick the family or couples picks that suit your trip.

For everyone: culture and heritage

• Souq Waqif: Traditional market lanes, cafés and evening atmosphere.

• Museum of Islamic Art: One of the city's best-known landmarks, on the Corniche.

• Katara Cultural Village: Galleries, an amphitheatre, a beach and restaurants.

Things to do in Doha with family

Shopping and indoor fun

Qatar's malls double as family entertainment, with dining, cinemas and attractions alongside the shops.

• Doha Festival City: One of Qatar's largest malls, with a strong family focus and attractions beyond shopping.

• Villaggio Mall (Al Waab Street): Venetian-style interiors with an indoor canal and gondola rides.

• Place Vendôme (Lusail): A French-inspired mall known for its luxury wing and fountain show.

• Mall of Qatar: Next to Al Rayyan Stadium, with retail, dining and café options.

• City Center Doha: A large mall near the Conference Centre area, with international and everyday brands.

• Al Hazm Mall (Al Markhiya Street): An upscale mall built in an Italian-inspired style, with shops and cafés around a central promenade.

Air-conditioned spaces for hot days: Old Mina Port, West Walk, Al Hazm Mall.

Family beaches

Most public beaches are a drive from the city centre, so plan a half or full day.

• Al Wakrah Beach: About 25–30 minutes south of Doha. Calm water, shaded seating and playgrounds, which suit families.

• Simaisma Beach: About 30 minutes north (roughly 40 km). Shallow water and soft sand, good for relaxed family outings.

• Sealine Beach: About 40 minutes from Doha city, in southern Qatar.

Things to do in Doha as a couple

Waterfront and city

• The Corniche: A scenic walking route along Doha Bay. Late afternoon is the most comfortable time.

• Old Doha Port (Mina District): A colourful waterfront area with dining and photo spots.

• The Pearl-Qatar: Marina and promenade dining.

Quieter beaches and the desert
Dune bashing and desert safaris are popular, along with the Inland Sea area.

• Katara Beach: In the city at Katara Cultural Village (see the Couples section).

• Al Thakhira Beach: About an hour from Doha, next to mangrove forests, with kayaking and nature walks.

• Al Maroona Beach: Roughly 1 hour 10 minutes from Doha, in the northeast, with golden sands and shallow water.

• Fuwairit Beach: About 1.5 to 2 hours' drive in the northeast. Known for kitesurfing and for turtle watching in nesting season.

• Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid): In southern Qatar, around an hour and a half from Doha, where desert and sea meet.

If you'd like a guide to handle the planning, you can browse desert safaris and Doha tours on Viator.

Adding a Few Days to a Business Trip 

Travelling to Doha for a conference, exhibition or meeting? You can add a few days of leisure before or after it. Saudi citizens enter Qatar visa-free, so the extra time mostly comes down to hotel dates and your journey home. 

How to extend your stay around an event

1. Pick your extra days. One day after the event is enough for the main sights. Two or three suit a couple or a family joining you.

2. Adjust your hotel booking. Book the event nights near the venue, then move to a leisure area such as The Pearl-Qatar or Msheireb for the extra nights, or keep one hotel for simplicity.

3. Change your return. If you're flying, check your ticket's change rules. If you're driving back through Abu Samra, plan the new date around border and holiday traffic.

4. Check how long you can stay. Confirm the permitted length of stay for your situation with the Qatar Ministry of Interior or Hayya.qa before you extend by more than a few days.

5. Plan the extra time. See the one-day itinerary below.

If colleagues or guests aren't GCC citizens

Some visitors need a visa. The Hayya platform offers a Conference and Event Visa (B), shown in the Visit Qatar checker as free of charge, valid for the event's duration, with multiple entries. Event visas normally need a voucher from the organiser, so ask the event team.

One extra day after the event

• Morning: Souq Waqif and the Corniche.

• Afternoon: Museum of Islamic Art.

• Evening: A desert safari or waterfront dinner before the journey home.

If you're attending an event, look for hotels near Doha's venues on Booking.com, and book an evening tour or desert safari on Viator to use your extra time. 

Doha for Couples

Doha suits a weekend for two as well as a family trip. Visit Qatar lists "romantic getaway" and "spa and wellness" among its main travel themes, so there is plenty to build a break around.

What to plan around

• Waterfront evenings: The Corniche at sunset, and the marina and promenade at The Pearl-Qatar.

• Old Doha Port (Mina District): A colourful waterfront area with dining and photo spots.

• Culture: The Museum of Islamic Art, then Katara Cultural Village for galleries and an evening setting.

• Dining and souq atmosphere: Souq Waqif has cafés and restaurants that suit an unhurried evening.

• Spa and beach: Doha's resorts and spas, and the beaches near the city.

Where to stay as a couple: The Pearl-Qatar and West Bay suit a quiet, polished stay, and Msheireb and Souq Waqif suit a heritage feel. Look for hotels with a spa, a sea view, or a good restaurant on site.

For a quiet weekend away, see romantic hotels in Doha on Booking.com, or look at private tours and experiences for two on Viator. 

Best Time to Visit Doha from Saudi Arabia 

Holiday windows

Saudi and wider GCC visits tend to cluster around holidays and school breaks.

• Eid al-Fitr: In 2025, Qatar Tourism reported its highest holiday arrivals in three years: 214,000 visitors over eight days, with GCC visitors making up 49% and hotel occupancy at 77%.

• Summer holidays and Eid al-Adha: Visit Qatar runs its "Hala Summer" campaign for regional families from May to September.

• Saudi National Day (September): In 2026, Visit Qatar offered hotel discounts of up to 40% for the holiday. Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly 30% of international arrivals in September 2025.

Book early for these dates and expect busier borders and hotels.

Weather

Winter (roughly November to February) is cooler and best for outdoor sightseeing. Summer temperatures can pass 40°C, so plan indoor activities in the afternoon. 

Doha events 2026

Sports

• FIP World Cup Qatar 2026 (padel): 2–7 Nov, Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex

• MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix: 6–8 Nov, Lusail International Circuit

• FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026: 19 Nov–13 Dec, Aspire Zone

• UFC Fight Night in Doha: 21 Nov, Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena

• Formula 1 Qatar Airways Grand Prix: 27–29 Nov, Lusail International Circuit

• Samla 200 Race: 3 Dec, Sealine, a 200 km endurance race combining running, swimming, shooting, cycling and kayaking

Food

• Fall Market: 25–31 Oct, The Ned Doha, free, with seasonal food, kids' activities and entertainment

• The Pearl Food Festival: 11–21 Nov, The Pearl-Qatar, free

Business and exhibitions

• Hospitality Qatar 2026: 12–14 Oct, Doha Exhibition & Convention Center, free

• Food Qatar 2026: 12–14 Oct, Doha Exhibition & Convention Center

• Milipol Qatar 2026: 20–22 Oct, Doha Exhibition & Convention Center

• MWC26 Doha: 8–10 Nov, Doha Exhibition & Convention Center

Concerts

• Abdulaziz Louis Live in Doha: 8 Oct, Qatar National Convention Center

• TJ & KZ, In Between Middle East Tour: 9 Oct, Qatar National Convention Center

• Angham Concert: 16 Oct, Qatar National Convention Centre

Doha events 2027

• Qatar International Food Festival: 13–23 January 2027, Lusail Stadium (free entry listed)

• Halal Expo: 29–31 March 2027, Qatar National Convention Center (trade exhibition)

Sample Itineraries

Doha 2-day itinerary: a quick family break

• Day 1: Check in and rest after the drive or flight. Late afternoon on the Corniche, then dinner at Souq Waqif.

• Day 2: Morning at the Museum of Islamic Art, lunch and shopping at a mall, an evening at Katara or Old Doha Port.

Doha 3-day itinerary: culture, shopping and desert

• Day 1: Arrival, the Corniche, Souq Waqif.

• Day 2: Museum of Islamic Art, Katara, an evening on The Pearl-Qatar.

• Day 3: A desert safari (morning or late afternoon), then a final mall visit before the drive or flight home.

Doha 2-day itinerary: a romantic weekend

• Day 1: Check in, sunset on the Corniche, dinner at Souq Waqif.

• Day 2: Museum of Islamic Art, lunch at Katara, an evening on The Pearl-Qatar or Old Doha Port.

One extra day after a business event

• Morning: Souq Waqif and the Corniche.

• Afternoon: Museum of Islamic Art.

• Evening: A desert safari or a waterfront dinner before the journey home.

To fit this plan together, book a desert safari on Viator and find a hotel for your stay on Booking.com.