The airport is one of the busiest in the world, yet it operates from justone terminal, which is spacious and very easy to navigate.

The old airport terminal is not used for passenger check-in.

The central check-in hall has an arrivals level on the ground floor, whilst departures are located on the first floor.

Beyond the security checkpoint, the terminal is divided into four sections, known as ‘Concourses’: A, B, C, D and E. These concourses converge in a central area featuring shops and food courts.

The central area is dominated by an iconic yellow bear holding a lamp.

To reach the furthest departure gates, D and E, you can use the free automated train from the central area after security, which runs 24/7 every 3 minutes.

The distances from the security checkpoint are approximately as follows:

• Departure gates A – 5 to 10 minutes’ walk
• Departure gates B – 5 to 10 minutes’ walk
• Departure gates C – 5 to 15 minutes’ walk
• Departure gates D and E – 5 to 10 minutes by automated train or 15 to 20 minutes on foot

Security and passport control

Security and immigration checks at Doha Airport are usually very efficient.

On arrival, expect queues at passport control lasting between 5 and 30 minutes.

Queues for security and passport control before departure usually take no longer than 10 minutes.

Find a hotel near Doha Airport

Connecting flights

Doha mainly serves transfer passengers, and the airport is designed with this in mind.

The transfer process is very efficient and straightforward. After disembarking from the aircraft, you will first be directed to security screening, through which you will proceed directly to the departures transit area.

There is no passport control during a transfer.

Even at peak times, queues for security checks never exceed 20 minutes.

Please note, however, that you are not permitted to carry containers of liquids larger than 100ml through security when transferring flights. However, if you purchase liquids in the transit area of the airport and they are packed in a sealed plastic bag from Duty Free, you may pass through security even with larger containers of liquids.

If you have a tight connection with Qatar Airways, staff will be waiting for you as soon as you disembark the aircraft and will guide you through the fast-track lane straight to your connecting flight.

Book a flight via Doha on qatarairways.com

The minimum connection time is 45 minutes; for flights to the US ,it is 60 minutes. It alldepends on the airline, but any connection on a single ticket is sufficient.

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Airport map

Maps of individual parts of the terminal are available to download from the airport’s official website.

City tour

A 6-hour layover between flights should be enough to explore the city, though ideally you’d want more time; and if you’re keen to get to know Doha better, plan for one or more day-long stopovers when booking your flight. 

You can obtain a visa for Qatar free of charge upon arrival at Doha Airport, valid for 90 days.

Spending the night at the airport – opening hours

Both the public and transit areas are open 24/7.

However, you cannot go through security until at least 3 hours before your flight, as this is when check-in opens for most airlines.

You won’t find any comfortable areas or seats for spending the night in the public area.

Although there are plenty of seats in the transit area, they all have armrests, so sleeping there isn’t comfortable.

Find out where to stay comfortably in a hotel at the airport.