Driving from
By byebyelancer •
My family and I want to drive from Doha to Dubai. I'm wondering if someone would be kind enough to tell me what I have to go through (visa's insurance etc) and whats the best way to do it.
My family and I want to drive from Doha to Dubai. I'm wondering if someone would be kind enough to tell me what I have to go through (visa's insurance etc) and whats the best way to do it.
Hi,
I have made a trip by car with my family to Abu Dhabi three times.
I am an Indian national. The procedure for the visa's is as follows:
1. Get a UAE visa stamped from the UAE embassy in West Bay. (This may not be applicable for US & Europena nationals)
2. Get a Saudi transit visa. Saudi embassy has appointed agents to take care of this. They do not accept applications in person any more. There was an agent at Old Rayyan Petrol station. It take four days to get this transit visa. It is a double entry visa (to go and come back)
Regarding the trip:
It take approx. 6 to 7 hours by car (from Doha to Abu Dhabi). The distance from Doha to Salwa border is approx. 45 min, however, a lot of road works and diversions on Salwa road slow you down. Doha exit is easy and hardly takes any time. However, the queue at the border will depends on the day you travel. You will find a lot of rush during Eid holidays and weekends.
Once you cross the Qatar border and enter Saudi, the car will be checked. It hardly takes 5 mins for checking. They will probably not search thoroughly for cars with families. Insurance is available at the entry point in Saudi. It was SR 75/- for single trip. Insurance is also available for both ways & different time periods.
The Saudi trip is approx one hour. Saudi has recently laid a new road. and traveling is much easier (earlier they has a single two lane road).
Saudi exit does not take time. For UAE entry you have to get the passport stamped at the entry point and get a security check on your car. Insurance is available at the entry point. It was AED 150/- for one month (I am not sure about the exact amount)
The distance from UAE border to Abu Dhabi is 360 kms and can be covered in three hours.
The actual time you require to travel from Doha to Abu Dhabi or Dubai will depend on your car speed and the time you spend at the border entry & exit points. If there is not much rush at the borders the it take approx. 6 hours for the journey.
I spent QR 1200/- for visas, insurance & petrol for the trip for a family of four persons.
If you require any additional info on the paper work for the visa or any further clarifications, please ask. Thank you.
Saudi visa, your car should be your own (not financed), insuance depends on what u have, check with your insurance company. The best way is the only way - Salwa Road all the way to Saudi Border.