How to transit at Doha International Airport is certainly valuable information for those of you who are not used to traveling alone. The difference in language and atmosphere is clearly a distinct nuance when you travel to another country. As one of the international airlines with the widest coverage, it is not impossible that you will use Qatar Airways someday.
Landing at Doha International Airport
When you land, you will generally be directed out toward a bus waiting outside. The bus will take you to the gate that has been prepared for arrival or transfer.
Follow the path that has been determined. If your flight transfer time is short, there will be an attendant waiting for you with a special sign.
The officer will call out the name of the flight. Usually this happens because the flight is about to depart/boarding has begun.
If you have trouble getting a flight with the proper transit time, pay attention to the officers. The fastest time require for transit at Doha airport is 45 minutes.
This applies to Qatar Airways international connections. Most flights to the US and Canada could take at least 1 hour transit, but there are also flights that take 1 hour 25 minutes for transit window. Compared to other global hubs of this size, you should know the transit window time. If you are traveling with baby, or children under 5 years of age, best bet is to take 4 hours transit time at Doha airport.
Exit the Plane, Board the Bus, Transfer and Security Check
For those of you who fly with Qatar Airways and transit to use another flight, please pay attention to the steps.
Once off the plane you will take the bus. The bus will take you to the place of arrival/transfer (arrival/transfers). If Doha is not your last destination, step down on Transfer/Connecting terminal. The next thing you will pass is the security check.
Security check takes time, anticipate it may take at least 1 hours.
After you pass the security check, your next task is to find the “gate” for your next flight.
An easy way to find the next flight gate is through the screen provided.
The screen will clearly tell the gate what your next flight is. If you will have a flight in the next 1 hour, the gate information will appear on the television screen. Your job is only to find the gate info and immediately go to the gate.
If your next flight is 3 or 4 hours away, usually the gate info hasn’t appeared on the screen. To find it you can go to the information desk that is located at many points.
Information Desk
Your main task when having connecting flight at the Doha airport is to find the next gate. If there is no info on your gate at the screen, ask the officer at the information desk.
Just ask “where is my gate?” and show your boarding pass.
Check Through Flights
Usually you will have check through baggage when transiting at Doha airport, especially when you fly with Qatar Airways from the previous flight. What this means is that you don’t have to bother moving your luggage from one plane to another. Airport staff already understand this when you check in at the previous airport.
The important thing is that you use the same airline when transiting in Doha. The check through process will be done automatically if you fly using the same airline (qatar airways) when transiting in Doha.
Suppose you fly from Europe to Asia using Qatar Airways. Your baggage only needs to be dropped off in Europe when you check in and pick it up at the Asia’s airport when you have passed the immigration process in the arrival terminal.
That is how to transit at Doha international airport. Flying solo using Qatar Airways should not worry you.
Remember the steps to transit at Doha International Airport:
- exit the plane,
- bus,
- arrival terminal,
- follow the “transfer” sign,
- security check, and
- find your gate through the screen provided or through the information desk.
Read: Doha Airport Hotel
