Everything you need to ride Qatar's metro system — operating hours, travel cards, station maps, and insider tips from someone who rides it daily.
The Doha Metro is one of the world's fastest driverless train systems, reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h. Opened in 2019, it covers 76 km across three lines — Red, Green, and Gold — connecting 37 stations throughout Doha. Whether you're commuting to work, heading to the airport, or exploring Qatar's cultural landmarks, this guide covers everything you need.
The Doha Metro runs seven days a week. The current operating hours (effective January 1, 2025) are as follows:
The last train departs about 15 minutes before the station closes. If you need to catch the final service, arrive at the platform by 12:40 AM at the latest.
During major events, holidays, and sporting tournaments, Qatar Rail often extends hours. Keep an eye on the official Qatar Rail website or the Qatar Rail app for announcements.
The Doha Metro network has three active lines. A fourth Blue Line is under construction and expected to open by 2027.
Runs north-south from Lusail to Al Wakra, with a branch to Hamad International Airport.
Connects Al Mansoura in the east to Al Riffa (Mall of Qatar) in the west, passing through Education City.
Runs east-west from Ras Bu Aboud to Al Aziziyah, connecting historic sites and major malls.
The Blue Line (City Line) is under construction and will run from Hamad International Airport Terminal 2 to West Bay. It will add approximately 17.5 km and 14 new stations to the network. Expected completion: 2027.
The Doha Metro is one of the most affordable transit systems in the Gulf region. Fares are the same on all three lines regardless of distance.
| Standard & Family | Gold Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Single Journey | QR 2 | QR 10 |
| Day Pass (max daily charge) | QR 6 | QR 30 |
| Travel Card Purchase | QR 10 | QR 100 |
| Card Type | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
Your journey must be completed within 90 minutes from tap-in to tap-out. If you exceed this time, additional charges may apply. A "day pass" gives you unlimited rides from the time of purchase until 2:59 AM the following day.
Children under 5 travel free. Children 5 and above pay the same fare as adults. Kids aged 9 and above can ride alone; younger children must be with someone aged 16 or older.
You need a travel card to ride the Doha Metro. Paper tickets have been discontinued in favour of rechargeable smart cards. There are two types:
For Standard Class and Family Class travel. Buy from vending machines at any metro station, or from these licensed retailers: Al Meera, Carrefour, Family Food Centre, Jumbo Electronics, and Lulu Hypermarket.
For the Gold Class premium experience — more spacious seating, quieter carriages. Only available at Gold Club offices inside metro stations.
You can order a Doha Metro travel card through Talabat Mart and have it delivered straight to your door — no need to visit a station first. Perfect for new arrivals. For more delivery apps, check out our guide to online shopping sites in Qatar.
Both Standard and Gold Club cards work on the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram. Note that Lusail Tram does not have Gold Class, so Gold Club cards are used as Standard on the tram.
If you use the metro regularly, unlimited-ride passes are a much better deal than paying per trip. These passes work on both the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, and activate from the first tap at the gate.
Each pass is valid for the specific duration starting from the date you first tap your card at the gate. If you ride twice a day on weekdays, the monthly pass pays for itself within 10 days.
You can recharge your metro travel card through several channels:
At the station: Use the Travel Card vending machines available at every metro station.
Online: Visit the Qatar Rail website (qr.com.qa) and use the top-up feature.
Qatar Rail App: Download from the App Store or Google Play, register your card, and top up directly from your phone.
Gold Club offices: Gold Club cards can also be recharged at Gold Club offices inside metro stations.
The Doha Metro runs at high frequency throughout the day. You rarely have to wait long on the platform:
Average travel time between stations is about 3 minutes. Trains typically run with 3 cars, but may operate with 6 cars during major events.
Two stations allow you to transfer between metro lines without exiting or paying again:
The central hub of the entire network. Transfer between Red, Green, and Gold Lines here. Located near Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown — it's also a great stop for exploring old Doha.
Transfer between the Red Line and Green Line. Close to Al Bidda Park, one of Doha's largest green spaces.
When transferring lines, you must stay in the same travel class. If you tapped in as Standard, you continue as Standard on the other line.
The Park & Ride scheme lets you park your car for free near key metro stations and continue your journey by train. Over 1,000 parking spots are available across four stations:
The service is completely free and designed to reduce traffic congestion in Doha's busiest areas. During special events at nearby stadiums, some facilities may be temporarily unavailable — check the Qatar Rail app before driving.
Metrolink is a free bus service that connects metro stations to nearby neighborhoods within a 2–5 km radius. There are 60 routes in total. You need your Metro travel card or a Karwa Smart Card to tap in and out. Buses run every 12–20 minutes depending on the route.
MetroExpress is a free ride-sharing service that takes you to and from metro stations in branded vans (seats up to 7 people). Book through the Karwa Taxi app — select the MetroExpress tab, choose passengers, and request your ride. This service is exclusively for metro/tram passengers and must be used alongside a metro or tram journey.
Karwa app users get a 20% discount on rides to any metro station by using the code RAIL when booking a regular Karwa taxi.
The Doha Metro is very family-friendly. Every train has a dedicated Family Class carriage that's separate from the Standard section. Here's what to know:
Under 5 years: Free travel, no card needed.
5 years and above: Requires a travel card (same fare as adults — QR 2 per trip).
Under 9 years: Must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or older.
9 years and above: Can ride the metro independently.
Strollers are welcome on all trains. The Family Class carriage is clearly marked and offers a more comfortable, spacious experience for families with young children.
The Red Line connects directly to Hamad International Airport (Terminal 1). The HIA station is located inside the airport, making it incredibly convenient for arriving passengers.
Take the Red Line from HIA Terminal 1 toward Lusail. Get off at Msheireb for Souq Waqif and old Doha, West Bay QE for the business district, or Katara for the Cultural Village. The ride to Msheireb takes approximately 20 minutes and costs just QR 2.
Buy a Standard travel card from the vending machine at the HIA station (QR 10 for the card + your first trips). If you're heading to Lusail or the Pearl-Qatar area, you can connect to the Lusail Tram at Legtaifiya or Lusail stations.
Planning a visit to the beautiful Venetian-inspired waterfront? Read our guide to Qanat Quartier — easily reachable via the Red Line to Lusail, then a short tram or taxi ride away.
The Doha Metro is known for being spotlessly clean and well-maintained. A few rules help keep it that way:
The metro has free Wi-Fi on trains and stations, so you can stay connected during your ride. All stations are fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and tactile flooring.
These resources will make your metro experience smoother:
Use the Karwa app to plan multi-modal trips combining metro, bus, and taxi. It also lets you generate free QR code tickets for Metrolink buses and book MetroExpress rides.
This guide is maintained by TheBestInQatar.com and updated regularly to reflect the latest changes from Qatar Rail. Information is accurate as of February 2026. For real-time updates, always check the official Qatar Rail website.
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