18 Hour transit in Doha. Please help !!
By aftabkhan812 •
I will be travelling to India next month from the UK and on my return journey (Qatar Airways), I have an 18 hr transit at Doha. I am a bit lost on what options I have for these 18 hours, can someone please advise me on any cheap accommodation available nearby the airport to kill time at ? Also how easy is it to get a transit visa (Indian nationality) ? Thanks in advance.
PS - As per my info, the airlines has stopped offering any transit accommodation services or visa assistance.
i thought if the connection flight (with no option) is more than 10 hours, the airlines must provide you with the hotel?? At least that's what Turkish Airline has done to me. There was not option, but 12 hours connection flight, and I was admitted in the very nice hotel, including breakfast :) I also spent around 8 hours exploring Istambul :)Who booked for you such jerky flight without providing accommodation??
There is a rest / sleep room with horizontal 'sleepchairs' or whattcha call them! Tried them once - take a pillow and blanket and enjoy a good sleep!
not exactly the biggest or the best airport on the planet to spend 18 hours in transit!...good luck!...
ok, here is a tip....we have established that you can't leave the airport. I was in that situation once, and the nice man at the counter felt pity for me and booked me, free of charge, a 1st class flight, which enabled me to stay in the first class lounge at the airport and continue me flight in 1st class. Make sure you dress very well, and behave accordingly, maybe you'll get lucky!
Do what the rest of us do when we travel and we are in transit - sleep - eat - read- walk- wash - talk to other people; it will pass ;-/
the amount ur saving is worth the wait ... or else please change ur flt else u will not be able to bear it... if it was Dubai Airport, i would'nt mind it... its massive.. may be down the line when New Doha Intl Airport is full functional u can..present situation.... the airport is so small... and very crowded almost all the time.. suffocating environment....once again.. i hope ur saving an amount worth the ordeal...
I have no idea about transit visa but expect it is not simple. If you stay in the departure lounge you could pay to enter the Oryx Business Lounge (upstairs opposite the coffee shop) I do not know how much it costs but probably cheaper than a hotel. Inside there are comfortable seats (no beds), showers, TV and free sandwiches and drink.
since u will not get a transit visa, it is advisable for you to re-sched ur itinerary with the change of your connecting flight from Doha.Either you can opt for Emirates from UK to India, as their frequency is higher than Qatar Airways. Or,Fly on Qatar Airways that arrives with minimum connection time to India from UK to Doha and or use another airline from Doha to India, such as Jet Airways or Indian Airlines. -You could do the same on your return.Or the best option would be, use British Airways or British Midland or Air India that flies directly from UK to India... :)Choose your options.
get you aticket with an 18 hour layover???
If you do it through gulf air they at least put you up in hotel...
you are not allowed to come here.
How intelligent are some people in qatar Living that they dont even know that during transition period u cant leave the airport anyhow.....
If not your screwed...
18 hours at DOHA Airport with nothing to do .... I am sure he will be dead soon.
Chingee - he can't leave the airport!
Assalamu Alaikkum dear Aftaab,I would like to tell you one good thing. Go to Al-fanar Islamic center. It is very near to Airport(only 1 k.m) you will get Taxi(dont go for Airport Taxi they will ask 40 riyal) outside taxi will buy u only 10 riyal. Go to Al-fanar and you will get more books to read. spend your time there and read good books, audio CDs, video CD's and you can take rest. If you are coming here on friday, then you can hear the Qutuba in english and can meet more reverted muslims here.Jazaakallah.. May God's peace and blessings be with you.
1- U can sleep in transit lounge2- U can sleep in well carpet lounge3- U can sleep in bathroom4- U can sleep near the windows5- U can sleep by standing in a corner6- U can try meditation sleep7- U can do sitting sleeping8- U can do snoring sleeping... List goes on as u cant get transit visa or visitor's visa... It is helpful to u becoz here they want u to not to see that if u go 100 miles four directions the sea will come and u will come to know how small is this place.So stop sleeping becoz u r going to sleep here in Transit lounge for 18 hours...heeeeee heeeee
The Ramada is close to the airport and western friendly.
And a pillow
Bring a good book!