Doha, done in style
Striking architecture, the Museum of Islamic Art, the lanes of Souq Waqif and golden dunes that roll down to the sea — Qatar makes a stylish short break or an easy stopover on the way to Asia and Australia. Expect luxury hotels, superb dining and warm winter sunshine only a few hours from the UK.
Where to go
Waterfront promenades, dhow cruises and the skyline of West Bay.
Spice stalls, falcon shops and one of the world's great museums, side by side.
Dune-bashing and sunset where the desert meets the sea.
A UNESCO-listed fort and historic pearling town in the north-west.
Marina strolls, waterfront dining and Qatar's newest city.
Culture and customs
Qatar is a conservative Muslim country with a warm tradition of hospitality, and visitors are expected to respect local customs and laws.
Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees in public — the dress code is strictly enforced in government buildings, healthcare facilities and banks.
Alcohol. Alcohol is only sold in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars, the legal drinking age is 21, and drinking or being drunk in public is illegal.
Public behaviour. Public displays of affection can lead to arrest, and swearing, rude gestures or insulting posts online are treated as offences.
Vapes and drugs. Vaping and e-cigarettes are illegal, and there is zero tolerance for drug offences. Some medicines legal in the UK are illegal in Qatar, so check before you pack them.
Photography. Don’t photograph or share images of people without their consent. Drone use, including aerial photography, is regulated.
During Ramadan. Avoid eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public in daylight hours (including in your car), and avoid loud music in public.
How far is Qatar from you?
Distances are great-circle estimates and flying times are typical, not timetabled. Message us for live fares and routes.
Qatar, month by month
Hover overTap a month for average day and night temperatures and rainy days.
Long-term averages from national weather services (Doha International Airport). Actual weather varies year to year.
Ready-made holidays, coming soon
We’re adding Qatar packages you can browse and filter by trip type, length and budget. Until then, tell us what you’d like and we’ll send ideas and prices — usually the same day.
Tell us about your Qatar trip
Holiday, flights only or just a hotel — send us the details and our team will come back with options and prices, usually the same day during opening hours.
- Flights issued by our own IATA-accredited team
- Internal flights, transfers and tours arranged
- Visa and passport help from our documents team
- One team to message before, during and after
Read the full official entry requirements
See the official GOV.UK entry requirements for Qatar.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Updated automatically from GOV.UK travel advice.
Travelling to Qatar — quick answers
Can’t see your question? Send us a message or WhatsApp us.
Do I need a visa for Qatar with a British passport?
Not in advance for a holiday. On a full British Citizen passport you get a tourist visa waiver on arrival for up to 30 days; for longer stays you must extend it through the Qatar Ministry of Interior before it expires, and buy health insurance from a registered provider before travel. You need a visa in advance for any purpose other than tourism, or if you hold another type of British passport. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from arrival.
How long is the flight from the UK to Qatar?
About 6½ to 7 hours nonstop. Qatar Airways flies to Doha from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, and British Airways also flies from Heathrow.
When is the best time to visit Qatar?
November to March, when days are warm and sunny and evenings are pleasant for the souqs and the desert. April and October are hotter, and from May to September temperatures are very high.
Is it safe to travel to Qatar at the moment?
GOV.UK does not advise against travel to Qatar, but it notes that regional tensions in the Middle East remain unpredictable, with strikes in the region including Qatar since July 2026. Flights may be cancelled or airspace closed at short notice, so keep an eye on GOV.UK travel advice and sign up for its email alerts before you go.
Can Travel Style book a Qatar stopover or holiday?
Yes. We're IATA accredited, so we issue flights ourselves and can add hotels, desert safaris and transfers — or build a Doha stopover into a longer trip — with one team to message throughout.
Please note: the information on this page is a general guide, checked when it was published. Entry rules, health advice, weather, seasons, flight routes and local conditions can change at any time and vary from person to person, so we can’t accept responsibility for changes or for decisions based on this page alone. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and official travel health advice before you travel. It is your responsibility to check the entry, health and travel requirements that apply to you before you travel. See our terms and conditions.