Cash or Cards???

Son70
By Son70

Yipeeeee, I finally got my visa to come to Doha!!

Should I bring some cash with me for when I first arrive in Doha or will it be easy enough to use my cash card?

Are there cash matchines at the airport and in the hotels?

Thanks for any advice.

By novita77• 4 Oct 2007 09:22
novita77

have a safe flight to Doha ... :)

By skdkak closed 1708224867• 4 Oct 2007 09:19
skdkak closed 1708224867

Why do u want cash the moment u land here. isnt ur sponsor sending a car for ur pic up.. and aslo ask for hotel accomodation from ur company for some days.. u can anytime get advance from ur comp.. and no need to get cash if u have checked all these prior to coming here.

Welcome to Doha

By namabiru• 29 Sep 2007 08:10
Rating: 4/5
namabiru

Oh, okay okay. I've never been over on the other side of the "fence". I've been met by Al Maha both times and whisked away from baggage to where a driver was waiting for me. Then I've gone straight out of the airport, to the car.

I was thinking of the arrivals area BEFORE you go through the x-ray for appearances' sake process, as that's what I've seen.

Cheers for confirming that I haven't gone completely nutter, just haven't seen the public area of arrivals yet. (^^).

By t_coffee_or_me• 29 Sep 2007 08:06
t_coffee_or_me

one is in the waiting area.just at the side of costa coffee

If you can't change your fate, change your attitude.

By namabiru• 29 Sep 2007 07:59
namabiru

That's really strange-- where is the ATM in the arrivals lounge? Dead serious, in the two times I've flown through I've not seen it. I don't mean to sound like an idiot (although I inevitably have... ha!), and I totally believe you, as I also thought it a bit odd that there was no cashpoint, but I haven't managed to see it.

By aak• 27 Sep 2007 11:02
Rating: 5/5
aak

The arrival lounge has ATM, you can withdraw cah from there... Also the hotels also have the ATMs

...You can't mean what you say unless you can say what you mean...

By namabiru• 26 Sep 2007 03:48
Rating: 3/5
namabiru

Mmm... well, I can see your point there. However, as you're just arriving in the country, no one is expecting you to have riyals ready to distribute. Or I'd hope not.

Besides, the ATM spits out bigger bills than you'd tip to a driver (as in every country, UK included). So then you'd have the trouble of having to get one broken down.

If you're going to the hotel, and you really want to tip the driver, just ask him to wait for a second. Run in, tell them what you want to do, and change a bill. Or borrow 10 riyals from the bellhop, tell them you're changing money in just a second, and then give it back after you've changed money.

Truthfully, though, I wouldn't sweat it too much. You'll have other things to occupy yourself with.

Which hotel? The Intercon is quite nice. The breakfast buffet is gigantic. Literally 15 kinds of bread (at least). Fresh fruit juices. A whole long table filled with fruit and cheeses.

By Son70• 25 Sep 2007 23:06
Son70

Thanks for your comments and advice.

The company have arranged limo to collect me and my son from the airport and to take us to the hotel. I was not sure if I would need to tip the driver or not.

I think that I will just use my card to withdraw cash from my UK bank account when I first get to Doha so that I have some cash to use for small purchases and I will pay for larger purchases with my card.

Thanks again for your help.

By namabiru• 25 Sep 2007 20:36
Rating: 5/5
namabiru

You can most certainly use your cash card, providing it's hooked up to a world ATM network (Cirrus, etc.) or has a credit card symbol. I was not charged a fee by QNB (Qatar National Bank); only by my home bank (which I fully expected).

As for an ATM in arrivals, unfortunately, I've not seen one. I may have missed it, though, as I've been wisked through by the greeting service both times.

If you are going to a hotel first, you can either use an ATM or take cash and exchange it. I did this (exchanged cash) the first time at the Intercon(tinental) without difficulty. Just ask when you check in.

If you are going to your accommodation, malls and shops are open late now with it being Ramandan (1 am or so). Ask your driver for advice. City Center Doha (the big mall), which I live across from, is like this. 10 minutes and the money problem is solved.

Established shops will take a credit card should you need to make a purchase before you can get to the ATM. However, Doha is pretty wired. You can find an ATM. Fee or no fee, who cares the first time--at least you've got money to operate on.

By althaf22• 25 Sep 2007 16:48
Rating: 5/5
althaf22

Welcome to doha, may your stay yield fruitfulness and prospects in your career. I believe your company men will arrive at the airport to pick you up.

call Taxis are identified as "KARWA" in here. There's no regular practice in tipping for taxis in doha Qr.2+ will do, however if you dont prefer there's no harm.

People who deserve tips

1. Runners(who serve you parcels while you are on car) for small

restaurants.

2. Petrol fillers.

3. Private car cleaners

4. The lists are endless, you will identify once you arrive in here...

5. road side guys selling news papers on hot weather.

best of luck.

By Son70• 25 Sep 2007 16:03
Son70

Thanks aak.

My flight has booked by the company that I will be working for.

So hopefully I just have to turn up.

(Famous last words!)

I will finally be arriving in Doha on Saturday morning.

What about tipping in Doha??

Is it usual practice to tip taxi drivers in Doha?

What about tipping in general, who to tip and how much?

This is my first time in Doha and the Middle East so don't want to make any mistakes or offend/upset people.

Thanks again for any advice.

By aak• 25 Sep 2007 14:15
Rating: 4/5
aak

Cash or card.. anything goes here

ATMs are all over, shops accept cards...

Dont worry.. worry about your flight...

...You can't mean what you say unless you can say what you mean...

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