Doha Airport: Smooth Transfers Without Security Checks

Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha is a major hub for transit passengers, serving over 35 million passengers annually. The airport has been designed to make transferring between flights as easy as possible, with all arrivals, transfers and departures taking place in the same terminal building. However, passengers transferring between flights will need to go through security screening, which may slow down the connection process.

Security screening for prohibited items

Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha is an integrated facility, meaning passengers can arrive, transfer, and depart in the same terminal building. This makes transferring to your connecting flight easy and simple.

Your hand baggage will be screened for prohibited items before you can enter the passenger terminal. You will also be required to pass through a metal detector.

Prohibited items include but are not limited to:

• Weapons, firearms, and ammunition
• Toys replicas of weapons and firearms
• Sharp items with a blade longer than 6 cm
• Explosives and incendiary substances and devices
• Liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) over 100ml are not permitted to be carried as hand luggage on board

If you are transferring through HIA, your hand baggage will be screened for restricted items before you can enter the passenger concourse.

Tips for a Smooth Transfer

• Follow the signs to the Transfer Halls on the concourses. Directional signs are available in English and Arabic, and some even have estimated walking times.
• If you need to collect a new boarding pass, go to the transfer desk, and a staff member will assist you.
• Check the screens in the Transfer and Departures Halls for your next flight number and corresponding gate number.
• Proceed to your gate. You can use the shuttle train service inside the airport for some concourses.
• Remember that gates close 20 minutes before departure time.
• During peak seasons like holidays, expect some delays in security screening.
• A safe margin for transit time would be three hours. Shorter durations, like 1.5 to 2 hours, may be doable but can be risky.

Transit visas

If you are transiting through Doha Airport and not planning on leaving the airport, you do not need a transit visa. However, if you are planning on leaving the airport during your layover, you will need to check the visa requirements for your nationality.

Citizens of over 102 countries are eligible for a visa-free entry to Qatar, for varying lengths of stay. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) have freedom of movement to Qatar and are eligible for a single-entry visa on arrival.

If you are not eligible for a visa on arrival, you will need to arrange a visa before travelling to Qatar. This can be done at Qatari embassies around the world, or by enquiring with a hotel you have a booking with in Qatar. The visa fee depends on your nationality and type of visa.

If you are flying with Qatar Airways, you may be able to arrange a visa on arrival by booking a hotel stay for the duration of your visit. The normal visa processing time is about two weeks, while the fast-track service takes about five to six days.

If you are transiting in Hamad International Airport for a minimum of five hours, you are eligible to apply for the Qatar Transit Visa, regardless of your nationality. This visa is free of charge and valid for up to 96 hours (four days). To apply, you must submit a scanned copy of your passport and an onward-travel ticket and visa for your destination country (if required). Both your inward and outward flights must be operated by Qatar Airways.

Boarding passes

Most airlines will issue you both boarding passes at the first check-in point (i.e. your country of origin). If you already have the boarding pass for your next flight, you can proceed to the Departures Hall.

However, if you do not have the boarding pass for your next flight, you will need to collect it at Doha Airport. In that case, go to the transfer desk, and the staff will assist you. The staff at the desks can answer any questions you may have. They can also help you reschedule or rebook flights, upgrade seats, obtain boarding passes, and exit the airport if you plan a stopover.

If your next flight's boarding pass is issued at your origin, proceed directly to security and your gate. Otherwise, collect it from the transfer desk.

If you have missed your connecting flight, contact the transfer desk. The staff will assist you with re-booking a later flight and provide any other necessary support.

Transfer desks

Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha is an integrated facility, meaning passengers can arrive, transfer and depart in the same terminal building. This makes transferring to your connecting flight simple and straightforward.

Upon exiting your aircraft, make your way to the Transfer halls located at concourses A, B, C and D. Follow the signs, ask at an information desk or use the airport map to find your way. If you need assistance, all Al Maha customers, special assistance travellers and unaccompanied minors are met at the aircraft or aerobridge on arrival.

If you need any help with your onward flight, including boarding passes, re-scheduling or general queries, visit one of the transfer desks. The transfer desks can also help if you have an extended stopover and want to exit the airport to visit Qatar before your next flight. However, it's important to

Transfer halls

Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha is an integrated facility, meaning passengers can arrive, transfer and depart in the same terminal building. The terminal has three levels and five concourses: A, B, C, D, and E. Each of these has several passenger gates connected to jet bridges.

Upon exiting your aircraft, follow the signs to the Transfer Halls on the concourses. Directional signs are available in English and Arabic, with some even providing estimated walking times. There is also plenty of Qatar Airways ground handling staff around the terminal to help you find your way.

An internal train operates within the terminal, reducing a 9-minute walk to just 90 seconds.

Once you arrive at the Transfer Halls, you may have to go through security screening. This is compulsory for passengers arriving from certain flights. It is not clear which flights are subject to this extra security. However, many inbound flights from the European Union are included.

If you need any assistance with your onward flight, including boarding passes, re-scheduling, or general queries, visit one of the transfer desks.

Frequently asked questions