Flights to Qatar: cheap international plane tickets

Qatar is open to international tourism

Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either visa-free, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on their nationality.  Arrivals to Qatar are not required to quarantine, or present evidence of a negative Covid test result.

Transit through Hamad International Airport in Doha is permitted without acquiring a visa, as long as you are not leaving the airport.



Arriving in Qatar

  • If you are flying to Qatar from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportDoha (Hamad International Airport DOH). If you are transiting to a connecting flight, follow the signs or ask at an information desk to find your way to the gates.

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Qatar. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Qatar, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Qatar Airways, Gulf Helicopters, and Qatar Executive. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Qatar can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Air Arabia, Air India Express, FlyDubai, Indigo, Pegasus Airlines, and Salamair. If you have a layover in Qatar and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Qatar

Best airports to fly into Qatar: Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Qatar has 4 airports, including the main airport – Hamad International Airport DOH in Doha. In 2014 it replaced the previous main airport - Doha International Airport DIA (now in a semi-retirement state). According to Skytrax's World Airport Awards 2022, HIA is currently the world's best airport. It consists of one large terminal building, with 5 concourses - A, B, C, D, and E - and two central plazas in the middle section to connect them. HIA is the operating base for the national carrier Qatar Airways, which starts here its daily flights to all six continents of the globe.
Things to know before flying to Qatar
Airlines flying to QatarAir Algerie, Air Arabia, Air Cairo, Air India, Air India Express, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Bulgaria Air, China Southern Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Finnair, FlyArystan, FlyDubai, Gulf Air, Himalaya Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jazeera Airways, JetBlue, Kuwait Airways, LATAM, Malaysia Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Regent Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Salamair, Saudia, SriLankan Airlines, Syrian Air, Tarco Aviation, Thai Airways, TunisAir, Turkish Airlines
Airlines of QatarQatar Airways, Gulf Helicopters
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €750 – €1100 (from Europe)
✈ $959 – $1300 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Main airports in QatarHamad International Airport (DOH) — Doha
Doha International Airport (DIA) — Doha
Al Khor Airport
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Qatar (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Qatar

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

The cheapest time to fly to Qatar

Middle East countries, like Qatar, have a desert climate and are extremely hot from April to September. June, July, and August – traditionally the hottest months of the year – should be avoided at all costs. It’s not unusual for the mercury to soar to 42° Celsius (!).

The cool season comes in December and lasts until February – with temperatures averaging 14°-25° C most days. However, if you plan your trip for the winter you must know that these are the best months for tourists – the country sees a sharp spike in tourist footfall, so make sure to reserve your flights, hotels, and rental car well in advance.

Oryx hotel inside the Doha airport

Airside of the Hamad International Airport in Doha there’s a conveniently located Oryx hotel, offering transiting passengers a choice of six different room types. You can make a booking for a night, but the hotel also accepts bookings by the hour – great for a little nap during the layover.

All guests are offered complimentary access to the Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre during their stay, with the choice of spa, massage treatments, fitness, and squash activities.

As the rooms tend to be often fully booked (with only expensive suites left) we recommend booking in advance.

Know your time zone

When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket and boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.

Qatar has only one time zone – it observes  Arabia Standard Time (AST) all year, which is GMT/UTC+3 time zone. There are no daylight saving time clock changes.

Qatar is 8 hours ahead of New York, and 8 hours behind Sydney. Arabia Standard Time is also used by Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

Download a VPN app

Qatar is known for its repressive laws and censorship. There is no freedom of speech in Qatar and online content is censored – various websites and online services have been banned temporarily or permanently, including  WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, and Telegram. There are also growing concerns regarding online surveillance.

Solution? If you want to keep access to your favorite websites and avoid being spied on while traveling around Qatar, you should download a VPN app for your smartphone and laptop. By hiding your location, it will allow you to bypass government censorship and freely access all blocked content.

Make sure to install it before you arrive – VPN websites are often also blocked (however, using a VPN is not illegal).

Next tips

Flights to Qatar from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Qatar. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Qatar, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. There are plenty of direct flights from the US/Canada to Qatar operated by Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Iberia, and JetBlue. Direct flight fares start at $700 if you depart from the East Coast (~13 hours flight), and $1100 from the West Coast (~15 hours flight).
  • Qatar is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Qatar with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
  • The best airlines to fly to Qatar from the US and Canada are: American Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Saudia. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

Qatar from US & Canada.
Ticket prices in March 2024.

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Long waiting times when calling the helpline?

Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, and others).

When it comes to Twitter, there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@qatarairways”). The customer care team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.

Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports

Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Qatari airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.

It is always a good idea to bring cash to Qatar. Plan ahead and exchange some money for Qatari riyal at home, or use one of the many ATMs at the airport and in almost every city.

Next tips

Flights to Qatar from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Qatar — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Qatar is well-connected with Europe with numerous direct flights to Doha DOH. The Qatari airport serves as a major transit hub where Europeans move to their connecting flights to popular destinations in Asia. With Qatar Airways you can fly non-stop to Doha from nearly all major cities in Europe (Athens, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, and Vienna, among others). Additionally, British Airways has direct flights from London and Manchester, Finnair from Helsinki and Copenhagen, and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul.
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Qatar include Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Bulgaria Air, and Finnair.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Qatar from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
  • These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Qatar: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in the Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

Qatar from Europe.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

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Check different departure airports

Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.

For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Qatar will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.

Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

Last-minute flights to Qatar. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Qatar almost always never works out.

Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Qatar is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Airlines of Qatar

Qatar has only one main airline, the national flag carrier Qatar Airways. With the base of operations in Hamad International Airport, it’s flying to over 150 international destinations across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, using a fleet of more than 200 aircraft (including Airbus A380, A350-1000 and Boeing 777).

According to the consumer-aviation website Skytrax, Qatar Airways holds the status of the World’s 5 Star Airline since 2011, and in 2022 has been awarded the title of World’s Best Airline. It keeps the perfect 7/7 score for both safety and services onboard. Even in economy class, it offers the combination of top-notch service, delicious cuisine, comfortable seats, and a clean, spacious cabin. On all flights, passengers receive complimentary refreshments and the choice of nearly 20 special meals for those who require them. Travelers who book their flight on the airline’s website can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi on board (available on select flights only).

Flights to Qatar from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand offer robust flight networks to key APAC locations, Qatar included. While domestic carriers like Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand provide solid options, several major international airlines also serve these routes. These include ANA, Cathay Pacific, EmiratesGaruda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways — expanding your choices for travel between Australasia and Asia.

    There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Qatar. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
    Currently, only Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have direct flights from Australia to Qatar. Non-stop routes connect Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide with the only international airport in Qatar - Hammad International Airport DOH in Doha. There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Qatar though - you’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
  • Airlines have different pricing strategies for different routes. A flight to Qatar could be significantly cheaper from Sydney than from Melbourne, depending on airline partnerships, demand, and even time of year. Compare fares from different international airports in Australia: Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, Darwin DRW, Hobart HBA, Alice Springs ASP, and in New Zealand: Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, Dunedin DUD, and Hamilton HLZ.
  • If you’re looking to save, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a primary Asian hub, then catch a connecting flight to Qatar with a regional budget airline such as Air Arabia, Air India Express, FlyDubai, Indigo, Pegasus Airlines, and Salamair.

    For the initial leg of your trip, full-service airlines such as Qantas or Virgin Atlantic offer premium comfort and exceptional service, albeit at a premium price. However, many Asian airlines, including budget carriers, operate out of Australia and frequently feature sales and promotions. For instance, AirAsia runs deals to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Cebu Pacific to Manila; Scoot to Singapore; VietJet Air to Ho Chi Minh City; Jetstar to Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo; Bamboo Airways to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing; Batik Air to Jakarta and Singapore.

Australia & New Zealand to Qatar.Flight ticket prices today.

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Booking group flights to Qatar

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Qatar can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.

Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:

  • free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
  • free checked baggage allowance
  • dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
  • cabin crew who speak your group’s language
  • flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)

Booking group flights to Qatar is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Qatar and can help with logistics and scheduling.

“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Qatar, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.
Next tips

Flights to Qatar from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Qatar look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Qatar will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Qatar and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
  • Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Qatar — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

Qatar from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.

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Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips

Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to Qatar by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.

For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.

“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?

Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Qatar now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Fly Now Pay Later, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.

BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.

Fly now pay later - delayed payments for flight reservations
Fly Now Pay Later works with numerous popular travel brands to provide delayed payment options

Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.

Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Qatar can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.

Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Qatar to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Qatar and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)