December Flight vs Bus Fares

Qatar flights booked here qualify to take part in the world's only travel vouchers for travel reviews program. Simply email writeup of your trip to cheapflights@southafrica.to we will send you a flight discount voucher.

Book a flight now
 

Ask for Help. Our travel agents are itching to show you the best flight deals to Qatar

Cheap Qatar Flights

With about the same population as Port Elizabeth, Qatar isn't the biggest country in the world, but through the tremendous wealth in its petroleum and natural gas reserves it has the highest GDP per capita in the world. The only direct flights from South Africa to Qatar are from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Doha with Qatar Airways. Use the flight bookings tool on the left to search, contrast and reserve the cheap flight deal.

New Doha Airport opening

On the 30th April 2014 all budget carriers are going to be operating from Doha's new Hamad International Airport, and from the 27th May 2014 all airlines will be operating from there.

From Johannesburg
From Cape Town
From Durban
Visa Requirements
Attractions
When to Go

Visa Requirements

  • 3 October 2016: [This is not effective yet - visitors still need to obtain a Visa before departure.] Qantas has revolutionised their transit visas! Where passengers with layovers exceeding 8 hours could previously appply for a 48-hour visa before travelling, the new system now allows passengers with a layover of 5 hours or longer a free 96-hour visa. Passengers no longer need to apply for this visa in advance, but they would need to present confirmation of their onward journey and completion of passport control procedures on arrival.
  • 16 December 2013. Qatar Airways introduces an online system of applying for a 30 day single-entry tourist visas to Qatar (for its passengers). The starting cost is $55 per passenger. To apply you need a ticket with Qatar Airways and a confirmed hotel booking.

Qatar Airways plane parked at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, South Africa

Visa requirements for South African citizens to enter Qatar include:

  • Passport valid for six months after departure from Qatar

  • Copy of passport

  • Completed application form

  • Two colour passport-sized photos

  • Three months worth of original bank statements

  • Application fee

  • Airticket that includes return or onward travel

  • Hotel booking confirmation

It's possible the requirements have changed since this was written, so for the latest up to date requirements,visit the Embassy of the State of Qatar or contact them at 012-452-1700 or info@qatarembassy.za.net. Their physical address in South Africa is 355 Charles Street, Waterkloo, Pretoria. Note that the Qatar Embassy is closed on South African and Qatar's public holidays.

South African High Commission in Qatar

Keep these contact details handy in case you lose your passport, or something happens in Qatar requiring embassy assistance.

Johannesburg to Qatar

  • Johannesburg to Doha flights (JNB-DOH) with Qatar Airways (direct), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), Turkish Airways (via Istanbul), EgyptAir (via Cairo) or Kenya Airways (via Nairobi).

Cape Town to Qatar

  • Cape Town to Doha flights (CPT-DOH) with Qatar Airways (direct) or Turkish Airways (via Istanbul).

Durban to Qatar

  • Durban to Doha flights (DUR-DOH) with SAA/Etihad (via Johannesburg & Abu Dhabi), BA/Qatar Airways (via Johannesburg) or SAA/Qatar Airways (via Johannesburg).

Currency

The currency used in Qatar is the Qatari riyal.

Languages

Arabic is the national language. Many locals are able to speak basic English.

Attractions

Places of interest in Qatar include:

  • Doha is a city on the make. Its towering buildings, beautiful parks,ancient souqs, splashy malls, and fancy resort boat of a citydrenched in prosperity and fueled by growth. Check out its zoo withmore than 1500 animals, have a blast in one of the many theme parkssuch as Aladdin’s Kingdom, and head over to Souq Waqif for a tasteof a traditional market place.

  • Al-Khor ismuch more laid back than Doha. It isknown for its beautiful beaches as well the Al-Sultan beach resort.The main activities are relaxing and playing cricket or volleyball.The town itself has a variety of historical and modern mosques andmany watchtowers plus the usual opulent malls.

  • Al-Wakrah has become a bedroom community to Doha though its harbor gives it amore relaxed feel. Sites of interest include the Al Wakrah Museum, aformer fort which now is a local history museum and the House ofSheikh Ghanim Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, originally owned by a pearltrader and now fully restored. Visit the Manaratain Mosque too(non-Muslim visitors not allowed inside) and then pop over to thefish market next door to buy a fresh catch and have it cooked on thespot. Take a walk along the harbor to work it off.

  • Khor Al-Adaid is a major attraction in Qatar due to its inland sea—actually asalt water inlet that’s invaded the desert. The sea is surrounded by miles oftowering dunes. Visit in late afternoon for the best view or camp overnight for the ultimate experience.

When to Travel to Qatar

Avoid May to September at all costs as temperatures can rise to 50°C. If you need to travel at that time, Doha is well-air conditioned and you’ll be able to see phenomena such as mirages and heat halos in the desert. The rest of the year is more comfortable with cooler nights and occasional rain. December to January is the most pleasant period.

Qatar’s Public Holidays

You may either want to time your visit to Qatar to coincide with a public holiday and join in the fun, or avoid the date so as to avoid additional travel costs (and possible crowds):

  • 3September (Independence Day)

  • 18December (Qatar National Day)

Floating Public Holidays:

  • NationalSports Day

  • Eidal-Fitr

  • Eidal-Adha

  • Ramadan

Authors of content on this page : &


Ritsgids logo