There are many ways to make your holiday in Qatar cheaper. While the lack of hostels and expensive drinks can quickly add up to a holiday budget, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your riyals. Public transport in Qatar is cheap and there are plenty of affordable restaurants. Qatar is known for its luxury, but if you’re looking to spend a holiday in Qatar with your family, here are 10 things to keep in mind.

Look out for stopover deals

Qatar Airways has partnered with Discover Qatar to offer some very cheap stopover deals starting from just US$14 per night, including four-star accommodation. With a standard four-night stopover starting at just US$69, this is a great opportunity to experience the beauty of Qatar on a shoestring.

Consider Coach Surfing

If you’re visiting Qatar on a non-stopover deal, accommodation will be your biggest expense. If you’re on a tight budget, consider Coach Surfing. With over 18,000 registered hosts in Qatar (most of whom are expats), you’ll find plenty of options.
Privately rented rooms and apartments are sometimes cheaper than hotels.

Avoid peak times

Accommodation and local airfares tend to increase during Qatar’s busy winter months (November to February), the two Eid holidays, and weekends, which are Fridays and Saturdays in Qatar. Avoiding these times can help you get around Qatar for a relatively low price.

Doha Metro

Uber is surprisingly cheap in Qatar. But when it comes to the cost, Uber can’t compete with the new Doha Metro. Buy a standard Qatar Railcard for 10 riyals, top it up in 5 riyal increments, and you can travel around the capital Doha and its sister city of Lusail.

Use public transport to get around Doha

Attractions outside the Doha Metro, such as the UNESCO-listed Al Zubara Fort, are cheaper to visit on a public Karwa bus than on an organised tour. But the journey will be slower as buses on major highways have lower speed limits. It’s a good idea to stock up on snacks from a grocery store before you set off, as buying food and drinks at remote attractions can be expensive.

Drink tap water, save plastic and money

Qatar’s obsession with single-use plastic bottles isn’t just bad for the environment, with some restaurants charging up to 25 riyals for a bottle of water. However, Qatar’s tap water, produced by desalinating seawater and groundwater, is safe to drink according to World Health Organization standards. Pack a reusable water bottle and keep it in your hotel room at all times to save a few extra riyals – and the planet.

Visit budget-friendly eateries

Expensive hotel restaurant menus may tempt you, but don’t be fooled. Doha’s streets offer a wide variety of cuisines at low prices, from authentic South Indian thalis to Korean fried chicken.

The sprawling Souq Waqif is a convenient place to sample different flavors. There are plenty of options, from Reggae, a crepe-like bread filled with eggs, cheese and other delicacies, to breakfast at the renowned women-owned restaurant Shay Al Shumouz. Head to Al Adamiya Iraqi restaurant for affordable Mesopotamian food, while Bandar Aden is a great place to try good-value Yemeni manti. In the evenings, women set up stalls selling home-cooked local dishes and French-style crepes at a small plaza on Al Souq Street.

Visit Qatar’s free cultural attractions

Qatar has an ever-expanding array of public art to enjoy without costing a penny. Take the metro to Katara Cultural Village to find two striking works by Argentine street artist Martin Ron, themed around local wildlife, and head to MIA Park to see public art, including 7 by US artist Richard Serra. The Mushairib Museums, spread across four historic houses in downtown Doha, are free to enter.

Use discount apps and websites to get discounts at restaurants and tourist destinations.

Consider buying the My Book or Entertainer apps, which offer a wide range of great deals that you can buy once in Qatar. This includes everything from restaurant meals to desert safari tours, bicycle rentals, and spa treatments. Discount website QGrabs advertises deals on a range of local products and services.

Make the most of Qatar’s parks and promenades

Take a stroll along the 7km (4 miles) seafront Corniche or the wonderfully green Al Bidda Park with its many children’s play areas for a great view of the city and Doha Bay. Head to the Corniche in the evenings and you might even be able to score a good deal on a dove cruise.

Daily expenses in Qatar

• Hotel room for two: QR200–300
• Self-catering apartment: QR400–500
• Metro ticket: QR2
• Karak chai (cardamom tea) at a stall: QR2
• Espresso coffee at an international café: QR20
• Takeaway shawarma wrap: QR15
• Dinner for two at Souq Waqif: QR100–200