Travel advisory · QatarSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Qatar.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Also named by one government: Strait of Hormuz (New Zealand)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	Increased caution: prepare for disruption and sudden escalation	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Level 3: Reconsider Travel, due to risk of armed conflict	Oct 23, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Exercise a high degree of caution	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	Von Reisen nach Katar wird abgeraten (travel advised against)	Oct 29, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs)	Avoid non-essential travel	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Increased caution: utmost vigilance, no travel restrictions	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

A view of a city at night from across the water

Middle East

Qatar

Doha's museums and souq, a desert trip to the Inland Sea, and local rules that shape how you dress and what you drink.

Start with the essentials Where to stay Plan a trip to Qatar

Qatar is a country of about 3.18 million people on a flat peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its only land border is with Saudi Arabia, to the south, and most of the country is low, flat desert. Doha, the capital, holds more than 80% of the population. Popular stops there include Katara, Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art. Qatar staged the 2022 FIFA World Cup from 21 November to 18 December, a first for an Arab and Muslim-majority country.

Doha pairs a modern capital with old market streets, and the dunes of Khor al Adaid, the Inland Sea, lie in the southeast. Dress modestly in public: women should avoid leggings, miniskirts and sleeveless dresses, and men should avoid shorts and singlets. Alcohol is only partly legal, and some five-star hotels may sell it to non-Muslim guests. Muslims may not drink. Winters are mild, while summers often reach 40 °C. Rain is scarce, mostly from October to March, so outdoor sightseeing works for most of the year.

Five things to know before Qatar

Check the regional travel advice before you book
Iranian strikes have hit locations in Qatar since 8 July, and flights can be canceled at short notice. The UK does not advise against travel to Qatar; Canada says avoid non-essential travel. Check your insurance terms. UK travel advice
Check how many days your passport gets on arrival
British citizens get a visa waiver on arrival for 30 days, while German government advice quotes up to 90 days. Check your own passport on Qatar's official visa pages; six months of passport validity is advised. Visas and entry
Leave vapes and e-cigarettes at home
Qatar bans e-cigarettes and vaping devices, and customs can confiscate them and fine you. Check prescription medicines against the rules before you pack.
Use the Doha Metro between the main sights
The metro runs from Hamad International Airport into the city and links Souq Waqif, the Corniche and West Bay. It is cheaper than taxis and air-conditioned.
Book the Inland Sea with a licensed desert driver
Khor Al Adaid in the far south is reached over soft dunes. Go with a licensed operator and choose the cooler months.

Qatar travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Doha

Museums, Souq Waqif and the Metro, in one city guide

Read the guide Visas and entry

Visa-free stays by passport and the Hayya platform.

Read the guide Travel insurance

What cover to check when regional advice changes.

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data plans that work across the Gulf.

Read the guide Getting around

Metro, taxis and ride-hailing in Doha.

Read the guide Where to stay

Choosing a base by area, not by hotel name.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Qatar

See all attractions in Qatar

Traditional dhow boats on the water near the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha

Sight · DohaDoha CornicheChoose a cooler season for a longer walk; summer heat and humidity can make it uncomfortable.

Beach · DohaDoha Beach ClubConsider reserving ahead for a smoother entry.

Museum · DohaMathaf: Arab Museum of Modern ArtAdmission is free; check the museum website for current exhibition details before you go.

Sight · DohaQatar National LibraryVisit on a weekday to avoid the larger weekend crowds.

Destinations in Qatar

CityDohaExplore

Where to stay in Qatar

Neighborhood first, hotel second.

All stay guides

DohaWhere to stay in Doha: Msheireb, Souq Waqif, West Bay and more

Itineraries

ItineraryDoha in 2 days: museums, Souq Waqif and the Metro by weekdayDoha in 2 days, built around museum closing days: Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, the Corniche and Friday and heat timing.

What a day costs in Qatar

Per person, in QAR

Work out your trip

BudgetQAR 166a day≈ $46 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: QAR 100
Food: QAR 60
Transport: QAR 6
Sights: Free

Mid-rangeQAR 510a day≈ $140 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: QAR 250
Food: QAR 180
Transport: QAR 30
Sights: QAR 50

ComfortQAR 1,200a day≈ $330 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: QAR 450
Food: QAR 350
Transport: QAR 100
Sights: QAR 300

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Youssef HaddadA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Mild, pleasant
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Mild, pleasant
MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Warm
AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low24°Hot
MayClear0 rainy daysHigh37°Low28°Very hot
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh40°Low30°Extreme heat
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh41°Low32°Hot, humid
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh40°Low32°Hot, humid
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh39°Low30°Very hot
OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh35°Low27°Hot
NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Warm
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Mild

Average daily high and low in Doha, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to QatarPut the places you like in Qatar on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Qatar

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 53%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Doha

11:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today33°25°0%Monday: Fog. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue36°26°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 36°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed32°25°3%Wednesday: Clear. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 3%.
Thu36°25°3%Thursday: Clear. High 36°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri35°28°0%Friday: Clear. High 35°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat34°28°0%Saturday: Clear. High 34°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun35°27°0%Sunday: Clear. High 35°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 07:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.64 QAR

Amount

Converted to

QAR · Qatari Riyal

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Qatar

eSIM for QatarGulf data plans comparedRead the guide Travel insuranceCheck cover for disruptionRead the guide Cards and cashRiyal pegged to the dollarRead the guide Visas and entry30 or 90 days by passportRead the guide

Rules for Qatar, checked

Vapes and electronic cigarettes are prohibited in Qatar; do not bring them in your luggage.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Read more British visitors staying beyond 30 days must extend the visa waiver through the Ministry of Interior before it expires.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Read more

Qatar FAQ

Do I need a visa for Qatar?

British citizens get a visa waiver on arrival for 30 days, and the length varies by passport. Check yours on Qatar's official visa pages before you fly; some passports need a visa in advance.

Can I leave the airport on a Doha layover?

Yes, if your passport allows visa-free entry and you have time to clear immigration both ways. Check the rule for your passport on Qatar's official visa pages, and allow for queues.

How many days do I need in Qatar?

Two days covers the Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum, Souq Waqif and the Corniche. Add a day for the desert and the Inland Sea.

Can I drink alcohol in Qatar?

Only in licensed hotel bars and restaurants. Drinking in public or being drunk in public is against the law.

When is the best time to visit Qatar?

November to February, when days are warm and evenings are pleasant. Summer highs pass 40°C with high humidity on the coast.