taxis in doha are more expensive than in dubai. You will find it nearly impossible to hail a taxi anywhere except concentrated areas like malls. You usually have to call for a limo service which, at the best of times is erratic, plus you have to be able to direct the driver to where you are... so if youre new to an area... forget it. Taxis usually fall into 1 of three groups.
1. Orange private taxis - cheap but unclean, unsafe condition of vehicles.

2. Karwa- govt owned, seem to be everywhere till u need one.. plenty at the airport.. more expensive.. dont bother calling cos they wont pick up the phone.

3. Limo service. Usually call for pick up... cleanish cars... expensive (about 2 riyals a km)

there is a bus service... there are routes but i have no idea what the routes are or how reliable they are. One thing i do know is that i have yet to see a bus with a female passenger on board.

When i came here, i lasted about a week before i decided that renting a small car for about 1600 QAR/month was the best option for me.

Road conditions comapred to dubai is like comparing burj al arab with a bed and breakfast. Roads here are absolutely terrible and getting worse daily as they close off more and more major thoroughfares. Road surfaces will shake your tooth fillings out and traffic jams are the worst i have ever seen.

The public works department have done for town planning what Dr Crippen did for medicine.

hope that helps

GIASI