Long layover in Doha...What to do?
 

Hi guys, next February I´m visiting a few countries in Asia but I'm flying from Amsterdam in Qatar Airways and will be laying-over over in Doha both ways.

My question is the following, I have a 18 hour stopover in Doha when I´m returning home, arriving around noon in Doha and then departing early in the morning (around 7am) to Amsterdam, is it worth visiting the city in one afternoon/night and staying in a hotel outside the airport or should I just book the transit only hotel in Doha?

Thanks in advance for everyone who will contribute to the thread.

Personally I'd always take the opportunity to see the city, but I guess that's just me.

Even though Doha doesn't seem the most exciting of places at least I'd go into town to get something to eat (drink might be a bit more difficult there?).

This would likely get better responses in the Destinations forum. You should also review the Qatar Airlines forum.

There really is not much to see in Doha, but it beats hanging around in the airport. Depending on your interests and budget, I would book a room in a nice hotel (Kempinski for example, but there are many) and enjoy the beach.

There is old Doha ~fifteen minutes from the airport with its Islamic museum, etc.

The airport itself offers free ~three hour tours.

If you have lounge access, that helps break the tedium as well - but the Al Mourjani and Al Safwa lounges, the superior options, are reserved strictly for Qatar Airways First and Business passengers, respectively. There are of course other lounges.

FlyerTalk is organized in a certain way due to its size and scope. The Qatar Airways | Privelege Club forum and Middle East including Egypt forum should be helpful to you with further information.

There's nothing to do in Doha. Hubby said there's only one kinda-good-mall to go to. I wish your layover is in Dubai so you could go shopping.