Should I get a car in Doha or are buses okay?

my girl-friends take the bus also at every opportunity they can find. saves a lot of money. and safe.

kadaut...

Cammy, I really have to say I haven't seen any women on buses since my arrival in 2007 - perhaps that's a compliment to my keeping my eyes on the road LOL when I'm driving.

So to the OP, there are a number of women who travel safely by bus obviously from what Cammy and JasmineJasmine have posted.

As has also been noted, the summer temperatures while waiting for the bus and the smell of BO may be deterrents. That's for you to decide.

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

Hey Messam,

totally unrelated to your topic, but my wife and i are a young couple (in our 20's) who just recently moved here from Ottawa, Canada. Its difficult to make friends here with the like. Give us a shout if you want to be shown around or hang out.

[email protected]

- Alan

On the route I take there are 4 ladies on the same bus everyday and sometimes a Qatari lady, her mother and kids.

Cammy, when you travel on the bus, how many other women are usually (on average) on the same bus with you?

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

I also take the bus to work on a regular basis and don't know how nobody has ever seen a woman on a bus here. The posts so far seem to be generalisations from people who do not take/want to take the bus. I personally think it's great. It takes 30 minutes from the airport to al sadd. I'm far less likely to be in an accident and do not have to waste my time sitting in traffic...I can be productive at the same time. I read, get on with some work or take my laptop with me. It's actually quite therapeutic to sit and look out the window sometimes too. I think everyone should try it at least once. I think the most annoying thing for me is when someone starts playing music or whistling along to the radio! The other thing is that I avoid taking the bus at the weekend as it's normally packed.

I'm not saying that messem should take the bus but at least be a bit more informed...look up the timetable on their website or find the nearest stop and check the times, then get on the bus and see how it works out for you. Marhaba still has the best map for the bus routes.

Disagree with bus routes as described by a previous poster - they do indeed go on smaller roads (often a bone of contention with me in my car). I do have to say I have never seen a female on a bus but maybe JasmineJasmine and I do not live in the same neighbourhood? I have seen females on buses in UAE but that was several years ago.

Good luck

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

Should you opt to own a car, than I recommend a second hand a pick up truck. Chances of geting knocked from behind is great here in Qatar.

there are filipino drivers that is doing partime lift. you can even pay them every end of the month so this helps you budget your money.

Ay'up love, I would suggest you get a car, busses are bastards to drive and park at the best of times, never mind around the streets of Doha.

Good luck, let me know how you get on.

***************************************************

I say what I like and I bloody well like what I say

I am indeed a woman, have lived here for 3 years and use the bus almost daily. I can't believe you didn't see me! I wish i was the only one, I get a little irritable first thing in the morning having to talk to the ladies beside me, as a 35 year old with no children I am a target for insults. Did you use a bus while you were here? And although I don't earn a great deal, as a white western woman, I don't imagine that I am the "low paid" type you are referring to. I am not saying it is perfect but I am a real person and I have been using the buses!

I recently spent 10 days in Doha and discovered that if you live there you MUST have a car! Their city guide book states that their buses have a section for women, but I never saw a woman on any of the buses. Sorry, but everyone told me that the buses are only used by lower paid workers.

And even if you were brave enough to ride a bus, the buses don't take you inside the smaller streets and rodes where most of the schools and other places of work are.

And the traffic in Doha is murder! Bumper to bumper traffic 24/7 in many areas.

I couldn't find a car rental for less than $2,000 a month.

Good luck

i missed the long bullet train rides :(

it's nowhere near that immaginary hazzard posed by passengers unto you, especially ladies... because they have seats prioritized for them upfront and nobody else can sit beside them if they insist not to.

but the big problem is the "pungent smell" permeating in the air during rush evening hours...

but hey, if you can live with that, i think you'll be fine with the buses :)

about driving own cars, it is now getting nastier and highly stressful seeing accident happened here and there. even if you are a defensive driver does'nt qualify you to be risk free. you just have to view the recently posted Al-waab accident to know what i mean... and we are not yet mentioning here the hasles brought about by tough penalty on traffic violations, the humongous parking problems etc etc etc.

so it's up to you to weigh the options ...

all the best :)

Yano, you are so right. If the interior of the bus is green, do NOT get on it at busy times. Green buses are so old and worn out they take the AC fuse out to make it go faster and the smell can be bad. If it's yellow inside, the extractor and AC deal with the smell. I HATE green buses and these are the ones they send to Dukhan, after an hour on it, my clothes smell.

I agree with you about allocated seats, they just push the men out so ladies can sit.

With the very greatest respect to all the QL users and please don't feel I am being rude, but i do find that most of the people who told me that the bus is too dangerous had never actually been on a bus in this country. Have you ever been on a London bus? I have never felt more vulnerable than when sitting behind a group of people smoking crack, or what about the time someone got stabbed right in front of my eyes. Here, if anyone so much as looks at me, the men on the bus leap to my defence. In London, the guy who was stabbed was lurching up and down the aisle, begging for help. We all just looked at the ground and pretended not to see him, we were too scared.

I would recommend trying it, at east once. Sometimes it is actually more convenient.

riding in a bus per se will not be a problem. i do it everytime if my destination has a bus route from our place. but be aware that in the afternoons, sweaty workers are taking the bus in going home and their body odors can get to you:-)

mo lang!

although the country here is very safe and full of police cars all around, I don't suggest busses as we can not predict the passenger's culture or mentality....so I suggest hiring a taxi, as there is alot of them, that can deal with you on a monthly basis rate...

Good Luck

I quite Agree with all the above suggestions of going for a car, if you are able to get ur own car, you could go for a small car with low monthly instalments, cars are not that much of high maintenance here ...

Or you could rest a car/lease a car.. Rentals can go down to 1000 QR and sometimes less.. Many car companies have started leasing brand new cars on yearly basis so you could actually get a Nissan Altima 2008 for 1500 QR or Tida for much less...

Or as many have said you can get a designated driver to take u to and from work on daily basis, plus i am sure you will not be the only person staying where u are from the company you could probably car pool.

U got Karwa, which u can call to pick you up or get off the road and there is a "higher level" Taxi, they are standard high class black cars called Fox Limosine.. you will find stands for them in the malls and you can get their numbers and coordinate with them...

WYSIWYG

As a female in the same age range as you, I 100% agree with the first few responses that don't advocate walking or taking public transport. Even in the Al Gharrafa area, which is fairly new and not too creepy, you likely wouldn't feel comfortable walking alone when it is dark (and it is dark by 4:30 p.m. in the winter...).

If you don't care to drive (as it can be intimidating for some), perhaps you could try to set up a carpool with someone else at your place of work. I'm assuming by your info that you'll be at QCS or CNA-Q, and they usually set up your accommodations so that you'll be in a compound or apartment building with some of your colleagues.

Stacey

Discussion is worth ,thank all,esp QL.

I live and work in AlGharaffa area. It is a pleasent place in doha, fairly new with nice, wide streets and less jammed than the center of Doha. you can easily manage your transportation as there are many options you can choose from until you settle.

best of luck, but be prepared for thr the 40+ temp.

If you are a Woman, be very careful, and do not smile the way you do in canada on the streets..save em' for people you get to know and accept well.

Riding with the bus is not easy here in doha, you have to get their schedules and wait after sometimes. most of the times you will have those peaople inside the bus with bad smells; specially this coming summer time.

I suggest if you would able to find a private transportation for you for permanent and you can pay them for a monthly basis, like in Karwa or if you can post here in QL that you are in need of transportation they will contact you if they find availabe wth your schedule. dont just ride any private cars outside or from the street its not that safe because i heard some bad issues before.

in the meantime i suggest you look for a private transportation that you can be trusted until you find yourself established here in Doha. dont just walk in the street and ride in any public transportation.

Have a safe stay here in Doha...

If you have a pale complexion and look Western, you will be fine. Always carry a mobile phone at the ready. Tell your Dad not to worry, but be sure to keep your wits about you!

If you have canadian driving license than it is easy to get driving license here without going for test etc. My daughter got on the basis of australian driving license.

Second hand Land Cruishers are avilable at throw away prices in Dubai. If your salary is in excess of 10K then bank can give you loan after showing three months bank statement.

You mean those brick 'sidewalks' are bike lanes??

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

Mary Catherine is right, I only use the routes I know inside out and only wait at a stop when I know exactly when the bus is due. Apart from anything else the drivers don't always stop when they see me waiting, they assume I am waiting for something much more important than a bus! The new drivers are sometimes shocked that I take the bus and ask why I don't drive instead. I love the bus journey though, I sit back, relax and watch Friends on my ipod. The only other piece of advice is that the buses that have the green interior are old and smell, yellow ones are much nicer.

You can't teach experience...

I have a friend who rides a bike to work...if your office is nearby.

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

You can't teach experience...

JasmineJasmine has first hand experience of bus commuting - which sounds fairly positive. As a white western woman you will not be subject to the kind of regular harrassment Asian women face (an unfortunate fact of life here in the Gulf). Also, as a white western woman you will be taken seriously should there be any "discussion" with any authorities. Again, an unfortunate fact of life here in the Gulf.

In my experience here in the Gulf, you are much safer here than anywhere in Canada - however, you may be uncomfortable with the staring and occasional cat calls that you will be subjected to.

There are many "unofficial" taxis (they are not licensed to take fares and therefore may take more liberties than the regular Karwa taxis.

I don't know where you will be living or where you will be working but figuring out the bus system here (if that is your choice) would have to be done carefully before you decide that it is your preferred method of transport. JasmineJasmine could advise you better than I can on that point.

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

For security sake, My sugeestion is a car. Depends on yr budget and with a car you can go anywhere any time you want......

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

yeah buy a car and make sure its big enough a land cruiser or a hummer will do.... and pull up the antena to the maximum if you want some respect on the roads.....thats how it works here.

Aana free, jaana free,

Pakde gaye tho khana free.

Riding a bus or in a bicyle or even walking alone in Qatar is not advisable, you do not have to compromise ur safety ,why not share a ride with your collegue to and pro from your work and am sure they are willing to help you.

One thing

do NOT get in unmarked 'taxis'

do NOT

do NOT

that can be really dangerous

taxis are sea blue colour and called karwa

I have used the bus to get to work for 2 years and I only have 2 complaints. First is it is too hot to wait for a bus in the summer months and second are the men who think it is acceptable to stop their cars while you are waiting and expect you to hop in for whatever they imagine you are selling.

I have never been late for work and always get a seat to myself on the bus and the drivers are very protective of women travelling alone, particularly western women. The only rude and aggressive people i have encountered have been women. I have not encountered any of these problems from Qataris, either men or women.

There are buses, and their numbers are growing. They are, however, not perhaps as frequent as you will be used to, and are used predominantly by male workers (although will be wholly safe, I'm sure).

Walking anywhere is difficult: pavements are broken/disrupted by constrution/obstructed by parked cars. Walking to/from anywhere normally results in dusty, orange shoes, hot feet and a sweaty brow!

As as been noted, you will not have to buy a brand new car the moment that you arrive. Cars can be rented short-term from the usual companies (Avis/Hertz/Sixt/etc) as well as local companies for rates that are reasonable, if not cheap. The rates decrease (per day) if you commit to a longer priod (i.e. a few months) although this is best negotiated in person. My partner drives a good small European city car for approx 1800 QR/month which, on a teacher's salary and with accommodation provided, is a comfortable expense. She rents from one of the above-mentioned and has committed to 6 months, paid monthly.

There are companies such as SelectQatar that operate longer term leases (1,2,3 yrs) which offer attractive rates for new or used cars if you take it for the longer term.

Your first stop should be to head to City Centre and get a limo car from the front desk, and take the driver's card. These limo taxis are much cheaper than hotel limo;s and will do local call and collect runs also. Plus, the driver will know in which building you live, so he will find you again! This will help you get your bearings, and allow you to have a taxi number in your phone 'for emergencies'. You can then start taking the Karwa taxis that operate. There are not enough of them on the road to hail down at will (unlike in the UAE, or other major world cities etc) but they have proved reliable when booking in advance. They are cheap and efficient, if not easily available. You can then consider buying a second hand car once you have some savings.

And tell your father not to worry! It is very safe over here, thank goodness. The police are effective, and people are friendly. There is a vibrant expatriate commnity and you will settle in just fine. There is little opportunity to 'roam the streets' as you'll be too busy at parties and bbq's and having fun, and likely travelling everywhere in a taxi! In any case, I drove home from work at 1:00am this morning (don't ask...) and the Corniche was still fairly busy with men and women walking along it, enjoying the last few weeks of pleasant weather.

Good luck with the move.

Car is the Best Option.

You are nothing if you dont Have Car here.

its quite cheap to run a car here and when you get here I am sure it will be easy to find someone to help you buy one...

the best places to buy are the supermarket notice boards and this website.

Wow marycatherine thank you SO much for all the info. You've really helped me out! I guess I have some serious thinking to do, because things are definitely not as I thought they'd be. I am also surprised by your info about the weather as I did not realize it was so extreme. 50 degree days will for sure rule out going for a midmorning run haha. I guess my options seem to be renting a car or hiring a driver.... I will look into that now. Thanks again!

Well, i dont have drive license and using a lot bus here in my city.

Hope that i dont get in trouble over there!

:)

Tried to delete - can't - do not intend to imply OP is stupid (just me becaue I can't delete this!!!!)

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

Item 1 - if you arrive between May and October the daytime temps are 40 - 50C

Item 2 - cyclists are seen as targets - you do not have any right to the road

Item 3 - buses are available - I have never seen a female on one in 2 years in Doha - not because they are not allowed. I imagine a lot of it has to do with reliable schedules (not happening) and the BO factor due to the heat.

Item 4 - car prices are not negotiable (much) you take or leave what the dealer offers. They don't care. Negotiation comes into the equation if you buy second hand.

Item 5 - penalties for harrassing (and that includes staring, whistling, general cat calls) are severe here. So long as you have a mobile phone with a camera (not expensive) and make a point of taking a picture and "talking" on the phone (supposedly to the police) in extreme situations, you won't have any problems. I've lived in the GCC for 10 years, only once have I felt uncomfortable.

Item 6 - you can always get a regular driver to take you to and from your place of employment and on an ad hoc basis (grocery shopping etc.) for a fairly reasonable rate.

The weather here between May and October is good (it's sunny) but it is also VERY hot (40-50C during the day with 100% humidity) even at night it only gets to the mid 30s and still 100% humidity.

Depending on your employer, you may be able to get a car loan fairly quickly. A rental will cost you about QAR1700/month for a Honda City, Toyota Tiida etc. If you have never driven in the GCC before, it can be very intimidating - no allowances for timidity here and no allowances for adhering to the rules of the road as we know them in Canada.

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

the buses are awful over here.

My thoughts are my own, but I doubt my Mum would agree with some of them.