All about travelling from Dubai to Qatar for World Cup 2022
- Travel from Dubai to Qatar
- Commercial Flights
- World Cup Charter Flights from Dubai to Qatar
- Travel by Road
- FAQs
The biggest football tournament in the world starts later this month. The excitement is unprecedented as it’s the first FIFA World Cup held in the Arab World. Interestingly the UAE is also playing host to many World Cup-going fans. Some people will travel from Dubai to Qatar for World Cup 2022 via special flights; others may opt to use the excellent road connectivity and drive across the border.
So, if you are one of the lucky ones travelling to Qatar from the UAE, read on as we discuss the entire air and land travel requirements.
HOW TO TRAVEL FROM DUBAI TO QATAR FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2022
The UAE has announced a special multi-entry tourist visa for World Cup 2022. Match goers can fly to Qatar on match days and return to the UAE before flying again for the next match they have tickets for. Special accommodation packages and flights have been arranged for football fans.
Also, visitors with valid Hayya cards or participants of the Hayya With Me scheme will be able to travel to Qatar. The fee for the Qatar visa is AED 100. It is valid for 90 days and can be applied via the ICP website.
Once you have the visa, there are two options to travel.
AIR TRAVEL FROM THE UAE TO QATAR
Many airlines will operate daily flights from the UAE to Qatar during the World Cup. There are charter flights as well if your budget permits.
COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS
Fans can opt for shuttle flights from different emirates:
- Fly Dubai: 30 flights a day at a starting price of AED 947.
- Qatar Airways: Multiple daily flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
- Etihad Airways: Two direct daily flights from Abu Dhabi and multiple connecting flights via Dubai.
- Egypt Air: Daily flights from Sharjah.
Once you have entered Qatar’s Doha International Airport, there will be multiple transport options, including the Doha Metro, shuttle buses, taxis and ride-hail services (Uber and Careem). Details about the routes and timetable of shuttle buses are available on the Mowasalat website.
Hayya Card will be checked before departure. So make sure to register as soon as you buy the match ticket.
CHARTER FLIGHTS
Since demand for commercial flights is at an all-time high, it might make financial sense to book a charter flight to travel to and from Qatar. Depending on the number of passengers and city of departure, it might be the more cost-effective option.
The DC Aviation Al-Futtaim is offering special charter flights. Different types of aircraft are available:
- Falcon 2000 (10-seater)
- Bombardier Challenger 604 (9-seater)
- Pilatus PC-12 (8-seater)
- Cessna Citation Mustang (4-seater)
You can book a charter flight with tour operating companies like Tahseen Aviation, Sam Chui and Chapman Freeborn. The cost for a 4 to 6-seater may average at AED 66k; for a 10 to 12-seater, it can be around AED 110k.
If you are travelling from Dubai World Central (DWC), public buses will be operating round the clock from DWC to Ibn Battuta and Expo City Metro Stations. Baggage allowance is limited to cabin baggage only. Strollers and wheelchairs will be accepted as checked-in luggage.
TRAVEL FROM DUBAI TO QATAR FOR FIFA 2022 WORLD CUP BY ROAD
You can also travel by road from the UAE to Qatar for FIFA 2022 World Cup. The journey to the Abu Samra border crossing will take five to six hours from the capital and six to seven hours from Dubai. However, please note that there are certain restrictions when travelling to Qatar during this period.
Qatari citizens, residents and GCC nationals holding Qatari IDs and driving vehicles with Qatari number plates will be allowed to drive into the country. They do not need a Hayya card.
Special permission can also be granted to fans if they meet certain criteria. That includes:
- Confirmed accommodation approved via the Hayya platform for 5 nights minimum for the driver.
- Each vehicle should have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 individuals, all carrying a Hayya card.
If you meet the criteria, you can apply for a special permit via the official Hayya card platform. Once the application has been approved, you will receive an email link guiding you on how to get vehicle insurance.
Once the insurance has expired, the applicant has to follow up within 24 hours and obtain the permit again by paying AED 5,043.
Please note that the permit is valid for one day only and cannot be used for multiple entries. Visitors are prohibited from driving in restricted areas such as A-Ring and B-Ring roads and all roads and intersections leading there).
ONE DAY VISITOR
Fans can also visit Qatar to attend a single match or multiple matches within 24 hours. They don’t need a hotel booking to be eligible. The Qatar World Cup offers this unique opportunity due to the short distance between stadiums. Nevertheless, certain conditions have to be met.
- Visitors should carry a Hayya Card
- You must park your vehicle in the border parking space. Reservations have to be made before your arrival via the Hayya platform.
- Parking is free for 24 hours from the time of vehicle entry. However, if the car is parked for more than 24 hours, a charge of AED 1,008 will have to be paid. After 48 hours, the vehicle will be towed away, and an extra charge of AED 1,008 will be added. Payment can be made electronically via a link which will be emailed when registering on the platform. Parking spaces will be available from 1st November onwards.
- From the Abu Samra checkpoint, fans can travel via buses to Doha Central Station (Al Messila) or Al Qalayel.
TRAVELING VIA BUS FROM THE UAE TO QATAR
Those travelling by bus have to follow this procedure.
- Carry a Hayya Card.
- Reach the checkpoint and complete the entry procedures.
- Take the bus from there to Doha Central Station (Al Messila) or Al Qalayel.
FAQS
WHAT ARE THE COVID-19 RELATED REQUIREMENTS WHEN TRAVELLING TO QATAR?
From November 1st, the Qatar government has scrapped the COVID entry test requirement. Hence, visitors don’t have to present a negative PCR test when entering the country. Similarly, there are no quarantine requirements or a mask mandate either.
However, when visiting a healthcare facility, you must wear a mask and show your status on the government-run contact tracing application Ehteraz.
WHAT IS A HAYYA CARD?
Hayya card is a multi-entry permit for those planning to attend FIFA World Cup 2022 matches. Cardholders will be eligible for free transportation. Additionally, with the Hayya with Me (1+3) campaign, cardholders can invite three individuals to Qatar who don’t have match tickets.
All Hayya card holders can apply for the UAE’s multi-entry visa scheme. You can apply for Hayya cards via the official Qatar 2022 website.
WHEN DOES THE WORLD CUP START?
The tournament begins on November 20. A total of 64 games will be played across four weeks. Two finalists will compete for the winner’s trophy on Sunday, December 18.
CAN I STILL GET WORLD CUP TICKETS?
Yes, you can still buy FIFA World Cup tickets via the official website and plan a trip on your own. Dubai’s first football-themed hotel can be your home during the World Cup. If you’ve got match tickets, feel free to book World Cup tour packages from Dubai.
CAN FANS VISIT QATAR WITHOUT MATCH TICKETS DURING THE WORLD CUP?
Yes, as per the latest announcement made fans without match tickets can visit Qatar from the 2nd of December. However, they still have to apply for a Hayya card. They will be able to enjoy the World Cup atmosphere with fans travelling from around the world.
This concludes our guide on how to travel from the UAE to Qatar for World Cup 2022. From November 14 to December 18, dedicated shuttle buses will travel around Doha, giving visitors a chance to become part of events, activities, and the official FIFA Fan Festival.
For those who are staying back home, here’s a list of places you can watch the football World Cup in Dubai with fellow supporters. It will be a super exciting tournament with all the top global superstars fighting it out for the biggest prize in football.
Keep following MyBayut for more updates about the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Disclaimer:
Please remember that travel information can change. Visitors must check their chosen airline’s requirements and the latest guidelines issued by the Qatar government before travelling.
