As the busiest airport in Qatar, Doha-based Hamad International Airport (DOH) serves as an important link for travelers moving through the region.
Hamad International Airport (DOH) replaced the older Doha International Airport (DIA) in 2014, so you’ll find modern amenities and facilities with plenty of space. The airport has one terminal that is divided into five concourses that are all connected to each other.
A monorail connects Concourses A and B to Concourses D and E, with Concourse C linking the two areas together. Knowing where to relax, eat or shop in the airport can help you take advantage of your time during a layover.
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Airlines serving DOH Airport
Hamad International serves as the primary hub for Qatar Airways, the national carrier airline. There are a number of other airlines that serve DOH, to help deliver passengers across the world.
- Air India Express
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines
- Himalaya Airlines
- IndiGo
- Nepal Airlines
- Pakistan International Airlines
- Regent Airways
- SriLankan Airlines
- US-Bangla Airlines
- Cham Wings Airlines
- Iran Air
- Jazeera Airways
- Kuwait Airways
- Middle East Airlines
- Oman Air
- Pegasus Airlines
- Royal Jordanian
- SalamAir
- Syrian Air
- Turkish Airlines
- British Airways
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Philippine Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
Doha Airport Lounges – luxury and relaxation
When you have a layover at DOH Airport, you’ll be glad to find a wide selection of Doha Airport lounges ready to help you rejuvenate and recharge. Take a look at some of the options below.
Al Safwa First Lounge
If you’re flying in first-class on Qatar Airways or another oneworld airline, you have access to this luxurious lounge. Its simple design using sandstone and marble lends the lounge an air of tranquility, and rotating art installations from the Museum of Islamic Art provide an intriguing focus.
The waiter-service restaurant in this lounge can serve 250 guests, offering both Arabic and international choices. A media room is available for those wanting to watch movies. If you need to get some work done, the full business center is at your disposal.
The QSpa is a full spa offering body work of all kinds, as well as manicures and pedicures. A dedicated relaxation room lets you unwind, or soak in the Jacuzzi tub to unkink sore muscles after a long flight.
Al Mourjan Business Lounge
Passengers flying business-class on Qatar Airways or any oneworld airline have automatic access to this lounge. Economy passengers on Qatar Airways may purchase admission to the lounge, which has the appointments of a five-star hotel.
Visitors to the lounge can choose between waiter-service dining and a lavish buffet. A globally inspired deli, a patisserie, and a full bar serving top-shelf liquor are also available. High ceilings and a sense of spaciousness continues throughout, thanks to the 10,000 square meter space, add to the sense of relaxation this lounge provides.
Private shower suites are available to help you freshen up, and quiet rooms are offered for those who need to nap. A dedicated family area offers private rooms with TVs and games, and a children’s nursery is also available.
Business travelers can use private conference rooms for meetings, and a full business center provides private workstations with free Wi-Fi.
First and Business-class Arrivals Lounge
Qatar Airways first-class and business-class passengers arriving in Doha don’t even have to go through customs to get to their first lounge opportunity. A small lounge featuring comfortable seating and a cold buffet awaits you as soon as you deplane and before you even get through customs. To make your wait shorter, there’s a premium-class dedicated immigration line for guests of this lounge.
Once you’re through baggage claim, you can take advantage of the first-class arrivals lounge. Private TV rooms give you a chance to relax on your own, while the dining area features a well-supplied buffet. A dedicated smoking room and shower suites are also available.
At the business center, you’ll find rows of iMacs for your use, including some in private work rooms, as well as two conference rooms.
Al Maha Services Lounge
This lounge offers a lounge for any passengers transiting through DOH Airport. Passengers who avail themselves of Al Maha’s Meet and Assist services have automatic access to the arrivals lounge, and others can use the lounge for a small fee.
The lounge offers a self-service buffet offering hot food, deli choices, and sandwiches. Wine and beer are available as well.
At the lounge, passengers can use the business center or take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. Reading materials and a television area are available to help you while away the time waiting for a connection, and shower facilities help you freshen up after a long flight. The lounge also offers a prayer room.
Oryx Lounge
Think of this lounge as essentially the business-class lounge for all airlines other than Qatar Airways. You can gain access to the Oryx Lounge, sometimes frequented by airline crew members, for a small fee.
While this lounge is relatively small, the seating is comfortable, with a TV viewing area. The buffet offers salads, sandwiches, soups, and breads, and dessert tables are scattered throughout the lounge. While there’s a cappuccino machine, you won’t find any alcohol in the lounge.
The business center features plenty of iMacs, and a spacious game room. You can doze off or enjoy a quiet respite on the recliners in the quiet room.
Doha Airport shopping – designers and duty-free
Whether you’re looking for a duty-free gift, a treat for yourself, or a new designer outfit to prep for that big meeting, Hamad International’s dual duty-free shops along its five concourses offer more than a few top-notch choices.
Duty-free shops
Excellent local handicrafts are available at several shops within the Duty Free Plaza South and Duty Free Plaza North. Pick up vases, incense, and scarves at Bazaar, luxury versions of traditional Arabic clothing at Al Motahajiba, or souvenirs at the Qatar Museums gift shop. Also at Bazaar, you can find a wide range of falconry gear (no, they don’t sell falcons).
An entire area is devoted to perfumes — look for your favorites from Bulgari, Chanel, Dior, and more. If you want to take some treats to your hosts, stop by the Marmalade Market, and pick up baklava, coffees, dates, nuts, spices, and Persian candy floss. QDF Express, 24 Seven, and other duty-free shops sell a wide selection of alcohol. At the Cedar Room, you can find fine cigars for sale, including Cuban cigars.
And if you’re shopping for fine clothing, don’t ignore the many designer boutiques lining the shopping aisles at DOH Airport, including:
- Hermes
- Rolex
- Bulgari
- Harrods
- Bottega Veneta
- Chopard
- Dior
- Burberry
- Coach
- Chanel
- Giorgio Armani
- Ermenegildo Zegna
- Hugo Boss
- Omega
- Jo Malone
- Michael Kors
- Swarovski
- TagHeuer
Concourse shops
Very little shopping is available in the departure and arrival concourses. In Concourse A, you can pick up any travel-related accessories at Detour Travel, and those famous little blue boxes tempt you at Tiffany & Co. in Concourse B.
The Oryx Airport Hotel at DOH Airport
If you have a significant layover or you really need to beat that jet lag by getting some sleep, you can book a hotel without even leaving the passenger terminal. The Oryx Airport Hotel allows stays for as short at five hours. You can pre-book a reservation, or just show up and make a reservation in person.
Room service is available if you want to dine in privacy, and family rooms and lavish suites give you a little more space to spread out. If you want to move your body after being cooped up on a plane, take advantage of the Vitality WellBeing & Fitness Center, which includes a full gym, a golf simulator, a swimming pool, and two squash courts, with massages and facials also available.
The hotel can also arrange for you to check your baggage and get your boarding pass to make your post-sleep boarding easier.
Dining at DOH Airport – global and local tastes
Doha Hamad International Airport offers everything from familiar fast food options like Burger King and Starbucks to gourmet eateries. Find a spot that suits your schedule, your budget, and your appetite from among the following:
- Argo Tea: Sandwiches, wraps and a wide selection of fragrant teas await you at this casual spot.
- Caviar House and Prunier: Enjoy a little pre-flight decadence at this bar that serves up oysters, prawns, smoked salmon and, yes, caviar. Of course Champagne is available to compliment your meal.
- Eat Street: If you’re in a rush, the options at this food court will keep you happy and well-fed. Stop for Indian dishes at Azka, or pick up sandwiches and smoothies at Camden Food. Negroni serves up Italian favorites including a variety of pastas and pizzas, and Red Mango shakes your thirst with juices, coffees, and frozen yogurt.
- Jamocha Cafe: These grab-and-go stands on Concourses B and C provide tasty choices if you want to take a meal aboard your flight.
- Le Grand Comptoir: Sit inside, and you may feel like you’re in a real Parisian brasserie. Choose from French classics while you listen to the live pianist, or drop in for breakfast to indulge in French pastries.
- Marche: Even with 600 seats available, this 24-hour dining option gets crowded. Choose from Arabic, Asian, European, and Indian favorites at this market-style as you keep your eye on the departure screens.
- Qataf Cafe: This spot brings Qatari hospitality to the airport, serving local favorites including dates, mezze, and various sweets.
- Red: This kid-friendly spot is where to head if you’re craving a work-of-art burger made with USDA prime beef. Asian-style salads and crab cakes fill out the menu.
- Soprafino: If you’re craving some natural sunlight, head to this Italian restaurant that sits under a glass roof. It’s also one of the few places in the airport where you can order wine or beer.
DOH Airport facilities – helping to ease your trip
If you need to pick up cash, ATMs are scattered throughout the airport, and four foreign exchange kiosks (two in the Departures Hall, two in the Arrivals Hall) help you change money. In addition, a branch of Qatar Islamic Bank is open 24/7 to handle banking needs.
Prayer rooms are also available throughout the airport, and a public mosque sits just outside the passenger terminal.
You can book a luxurious hotel room in Doha without leaving the airport. Look for the hotel desks representing four and five-star hotels including Marsa Malaz Kempinski, St. Regis Doha, W Doha Hotel and Residences, and Retaj Al Rayyan.
Children’s activity centers, parent rooms, and family toilets are located throughout the airport for parents needing to care for or entertain their children. Strollers are also available to make transiting through the airport a bit easier.
Whether you’re arriving or departing, your trip is always made more pleasant when you don’t have to worry about getting to and from the airport. Book a reliable Blacklane car service to connect you to your home or hotel in Doha, and complete your journey in comfort and style.
