Qatar Travel Guide – Things to know before travelling to Qatar

Qatar is one of the richest countries in Western Asia and is well-known to be a tourist hotspot. The Gulf nation is also very welcoming to its tourists. However, every country in the world is different, has varied practices, a different way of life and more. This is why, if you are planning your next trip to Qatar, then here’s a travel guide for a smoother trip.

List of things that you must know before you leave for Qatar

Here are some of the things that will help you when you go to Qatar:

Qatar’s official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken

As soon as you arrive in the small Gulf country, you will see all the signage is in Arabic, which can end up confusing travellers from India. Arabic is the official language of the country, which means everything will be in that language. However, you should not fret because there is a huge population in Qatar that speaks English. In addition, everyone associated with the travel industry speaks English, so you will not have much difficulty in getting by.

Read more: Why should you activate Airtel international roaming on your next trip abroad?

The official currency is Qatari Riyal

The official currency is the Qatari Riyal and is pegged to the US Dollar. As a result, it is very easy to get Qatari Riyal in exchange for dollars. 1 Qatari Riyal equals ₹23 approximately and $0.27. You will find plenty of foreign currency exchanges all over the country. You should also carry currencies that are more common, such as dollars and euros, instead of the Indian Rupee.

Tourists are expected to dress appropriately

If you wear shorts or tank tops on the streets of Qatar, you will not be stopped. Neither will someone ask the women with you to wear hijabs in order to cover their hair. However, it is expected that tourists use their common sense and do not wear outfits that might make the locals feel uncomfortable. Ideal clothes to wear in Qatar should not be overly tight, or too revealing.

Read more: How to keep my Airtel SIM active while travelling abroad?

Qatar experiences extreme climates

Because of the country’s location, extremes of climate are commonplace in Qatar. Therefore, you should plan your visit wisely, considering the weather conditions. Qatar experiences a desert climate, so hot and dry is how you can expect the days to be. However, it is not sweltering all year round. The cool season is between the months of December and February, with the average temperature between 14-25 degrees Celsius. Thus, this is by far the best time for you to visit Qatar.

There are specific places to consume alcohol in Qatar

Muslim countries are usually very strict on drinking alcohol, but Qatar is unlike them. However, there are specific locations, and you are permitted to drink only there, nowhere else. Drinking is ideally allowed in restaurants and bars, but it will be very expensive. Moreover, you are not allowed to enter Qatar with alcohol in your luggage. It is also considered a crime if you cause an inconvenience while being drunk in public.

Purchase an international roaming SIM card before you go

When you buy an international roaming SIM card, you can start using your mobile data and calling features right away. You won’t have to get local SIMs, that are notorious for their high prices, unclear plan benefits and extra inconvenience. An Airtel international roaming SIM card can be purchased from the Airtel Thanks app itself. You can also keep track of your data usage, know what your plan benefits are, and you get to keep the very same phone number.

Read more: How to activate international roaming?

What are some important tips for travelling to Qatar?

Here are some important travelling tips that will ensure that your trip to Qatar is even better:

• Tourists are expected to tip. It is not a hard and fast rule, but as a tourist, people will expect you to tip up to 10-15% of the total bill.
• Doha shuts down on Friday mornings for prayers. Local cafes and restaurants will not be open until 1 or 2 pm.
• Doha is extremely safe for solo female travellers, but many establishments are ‘men only’
• Couples must follow particular rules and social customs in Qatar
• There is a huge population of Indians, Bangladeshis and Nepalese in Qatar, and expats make up 87% of the local population.
• Qatar drinks tea, quite heavily.
• Do not drink tap water in Doha.
• Crossing a street may take up to 10 minutes. The pavements are also deserted during the daytime.

We hope this Qatar travel guide helped you to plan a better trip to the Gulf nation.