Twenty minutes, four ways — the honest comparison for the most common transfer in Qatar.
West Bay is where most of Doha's business hotels stand, so airport-to-West-Bay is the transfer we run more than any other. Here are the four ways to do it, with real 2026 prices and the trade-offs.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 15 km |
| Time | 20 min (35 at peak) |
| Private | $35 sedan, $60 van |
| Karwa | QAR 60–80 |
| Metro | QAR 2 via Msheireb, 40–50 min |
The options
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | 20 min | $35 sedan · $60 van (fixed) | Name board, flight tracked, child seats free, invoice |
| Karwa taxi | 20 min | QAR 60–80 | Metered; queue at the rank, 5–30 min at peak |
| Uber / Careem | 20 min | QAR 55–110 | Surge at peak; pickup from the app zone |
| Metro Red Line → Msheireb → taxi/Gold Line | 40–50 min | QAR 2 + taxi | Cheapest; awkward with luggage; runs 6 am–midnight |
Which to choose
- Arriving after 11 pm, with children or with more than two bags: private transfer.
- Business travellers who need a receipt in USD/QAR: private transfer.
- Solo, daytime, one carry-on: metro or Karwa.
- Peak December and event weeks: private — taxi queues can pass 30 minutes and apps surge.
How the private transfer works
- 1 Book online or on WhatsApp with your flight number.
- 2 We track the flight; the driver is at arrivals with a name board when you land, with 60 minutes' free waiting.
- 3 Bags loaded, water in the car, straight to your hotel — no meter, no surge.
- 4 Pay online by card or on the day; you receive an invoice by email.
West Bay hotels and drop-off times from the airport
| Hotel | Off-peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Grand Doha | 18 min | 30 min |
| Four Seasons / St Regis | 20 min | 35 min |
| Marriott Marquis City Center | 20 min | 35 min |
| W Doha / Kempinski Residences | 22 min | 38 min |
| Hilton Doha / InterContinental | 24 min | 40 min |
The route
Drivers take Airport Street to Ras Abu Aboud, along the Corniche past the National Museum and the dhows, and into West Bay — you get a preview of the skyline on the way. At peak, the E-Ring/Lusail Expressway is faster; our drivers pick by live traffic.
Returning to the airport
- Book the return with the arrival and we lock the price; the driver waits in the hotel lobby at the agreed time.
- Leave West Bay 2.5 hours before departure at peak, 2 hours otherwise.
- Hotels can call a Karwa; allow 10–15 minutes for it to arrive at busy times.
- The metro from DECC to the airport is 25 minutes and fine with hand luggage in daytime.
Arriving with a group or a delegation
For 4–7 people a van at $60 is cheaper than two taxis and keeps everyone together; for larger groups we run minibuses and coaches with a meet-and-assist coordinator at arrivals, name boards for each party and a single invoice — the standard setup for conference delegations and incoming tour groups.
BookableAirport → West Bay from $35Fixed-price sedan, SUV or van. Meet & greet at arrivals, flight tracking, free child seats.Book the transferFAQs
About 15 km — 20 minutes by car outside rush hour, up to 35 minutes at 7–9 am and 4–7 pm on weekdays.
