Money at Hamad International (DOH)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Doha, Qatar.
Doha uses the QAR (QR). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly QAR 25–70. Card accepted at Karwa taxis; cash otherwise.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Hamad International (DOH)?
Qatar uses the QAR (QR). Airport ATMs dispense QAR directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from DOH to the city cost?
Expected fare on the DOH → West Bay / Downtown route is roughly QAR 25–70. Around QAR 90–120 is already high, and QAR 150+ is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at DOH?
Not expected. Drivers in Qatar don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at DOH?
Card accepted at Karwa taxis; cash otherwise. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of QAR notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at DOH?
Only if you need $10–20 of QAR to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
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