Taking a Taxi in Doha
Qatar’s capital city, Doha, boasts a very efficient and modern public transport system, however, taking a Doha taxi is still the easiest way to get around and the best way to save time for your sightseeing adventures.
The government-run company, Mowasalat, is responsible for the 3,000 Karwa taxis that are available throughout the city. You can either flag one down, pick one up from a taxi stand, book one over the phone or via a Doha taxi app, or pre-book a transfer with a trusted company like Welcome.
Regular sedans can seat up to four passengers, and larger taxis with room for up to eight passengers are available for families or those with extra luggage. Your taxi in Doha should be turquoise with a rooftop “TAXI” sign and a digital taximeter should be used to calculate your fare.
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DOHA TAXI PRICES
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOHA AIRPORT TO LUSAIL STADIUM | 19.2 € | 21.6 € | 30 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO DOHA AIRPORT | 12.40 € | 13.50 € | 15 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO ZUBARA FORT | 43.70 € | 52 € | 1 HR 20 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO KATARA | 4.8 € | 5.60 € | 15 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO AL THAKIRA BEACH | 28.50 € | 34 € | 1 HR |
Doha taxi prices
All Doha cabs are metered, which means your Doha taxi fare will be calculated based on the exact distance to your destination, as well as any time spent waiting – either idly or in traffic.
The official Doha taxi tariffs which were last updated in 2023 are:
Base fare: €1.85 (QAR 7)
Day rate (05:00-21:00) per/km: €0.42 (QAR 1.60)
Night rate (21:00-05:00) per/km: €0.50 (QAR 1.90)
Waiting time per/hr: €4.20 (QAR 16)
A minimum charge of €2.65 (QAR 10) will be applied to all rides and any road tolls will be added to the final fare. Moreover, Doha taxi rates for passengers departing from Hamad International Airport have a base fare of €6.60 (QAR 25).
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How to get a taxi in Doha
The easiest way to pick up a taxi in Doha is to hail one off the street or walk to the nearest taxi stand. Mowasalat’s fleet of “Karwa” taxis is contemporary, clean, reliable, efficient, and air-conditioned. To flag one down, simply hold out your arm to indicate that you need a ride.
Otherwise, you can jump in a taxi at a designated taxi stand which can generally be found outside major hotel chains, city landmarks, shopping centers, and transport hubs. Karwa taxis stand out thanks to their bright turquoise color, yet the color of the roof indicates which company they are affiliated with. This helps to know that you are only using an official taxi.
Taxi stands are often marked with a large black and white “TAXI” sign, often with “KARWA” also written on it. In case there aren’t any taxis available, look for a larger freestanding turquoise sign that may be in place at certain stands with a QR code that will direct you to a booking platform.
How to get a taxi from Hamad Airport
Official Karwa taxis can be taken from the Taxi Pavilion located on the ground floor outside the Arrivals Hall; as you exit the building, take a left. You can expect a journey from Doha Airport to the city center to cost around €12.40 (QAR 47), depending on the traffic and the time of the day.
How to get a taxi from City Center Mall
There is a dedicated pick-up zone for taxis and ride-hailing services near the main entrance of this large shopping center. Look for the signs or the row of taxis in front of the car park.
How to get a taxi from Souq Waqif
An official Karwa taxi stand is situated near the front entrance to the souq, with access from Jassim Bin Mohammed Street. So long as the souq is open, there is usually a long line of vehicles waiting.
How to get a taxi from Msheireb Station
From the platform, follow the signs towards the exit which will lead you to a designated taxi stand right in front of the station entrance.
Most popular taxi apps in Doha
If you don’t want to walk or wait outside under the hot sun, you can use a Doha taxi app to book a ride instead. This way, a vehicle will come straight to you, which is especially useful if buses don’t run between where you are, and where you want to go.
There are plenty of apps to choose from, including well-known ride-hailing service Uber, and some more local ones such as Karwa Technologies, Badrgo, Zoom Ride, and Ryde. Keep in mind that there can still be lengthy wait times and that there may be sign-up issues for overseas visitors.
If you want to ensure that a vehicle will be waiting for you at a time and place of your choosing, we recommend pre-booking your ride with Welcome Pickups. That way, you can relax knowing you’ll be picked up right on time with an upfront fixed fare price.
Useful taxi numbers in Doha
For less tech-savvy travelers who aren’t staying within the city center, arranging a call-out over the phone may be more convenient. Since the entire fleet of Kawa taxis operates under Mowasalat, you only need to remember one Doha taxi number: +974 4458 8888.
You can also ask your hotel reception staff or a restaurant/cafe to book one for you.
Benefits of booking a Doha transfer with Welcome
Welcome Pickups offers a fleet of clean and comfortable vehicles specially designed to help you make the most out of your holiday. Our friendly English-speaking drivers are handpicked and trained to give you the best advice about the city and transport you to your destination in a safe, professional, yet relaxed manner.
If you’d rather spend your time wandering around Souq Waqif than squeezing onto local public transport, then opt for a Doha Airport transfer with Welcome instead.
Doha taxi tips
- In Qatar, tipping a taxi driver is not obligatory, but it is considered a nice gesture. A tip of 5-10 riyals is highly appreciated.
- Several companies offer “limousine” taxi services. These are privately owned and only offer fixed fare prices at higher rates than regular metered taxis. Generally, this type of taxi can’t be taken from the street, so you will need to book one directly.
- If your driver doesn't turn on the taximeter, you are not obligated to pay.
- Official taxis have a yellow license plate with the letter T and there should be a tariff sticker displayed on the side windows for passengers to view.
- Avoid unlicensed taxis that have a white license plate as they are more likely to overcharge you or take you to the wrong destination.
- Check that the meter has been reset to the base fare before starting your ride.
- In recent years, taxis in Doha have been completely digitalized, so it is more common to pay for your Doha taxi with a credit card than cash. Before getting in, be sure to check the preferred payment method with your driver.
- Always ask your driver for a receipt on arrival in case you leave any items behind.
- If you wish to use a larger family taxi with room for six people, the base will be set to €3.20 (QAR 12).
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Doha
Qatar is generally considered an accessible country so it’s no surprise that the state-owned company, Mowasalat, has specially designed taxis that are wheelchair friendly. The taxis feature electric ramps, safety locks, and non-slip floors, and can transport up to two or three wheelchairs. To arrange an accessible Doha taxi service, you can phone +974 4458 8733; it’s best to book 1-2 days in advance to ensure availability.
Safety and complaints for Doha taxis
As well as being equipped with the latest technology including GPS tracking and multi-language tools, Doha taxi drivers must meet certain requirements set by the local governments. This makes taking a Doha taxi very safe and with the “no meter, no pay” policy, you can trust that you won’t be overcharged easily.
That being said, while the majority of drivers are friendly and polite, if you happen to come across a driver who refuses to turn on the taximeter or you feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any point, you may report it. Note down the driver’s registration number, and the taxi license plate, and contact the associated company, or if you wish, head to the nearest police station to file a complaint.