Qatar
ูุทุฑ
Doha is highly digital after the World Cup. Uber and Karwa cover rides; Snoonu and Talabat split food.
๐Rideshare & Taxi
All apps โ
The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Main rideshare in Doha; Karwa taxis are the alternative.
๐บ๏ธNavigation & Maps
All apps โ
Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Strong.
๐ฑMessaging
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The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
Universal for hotels, drivers, and tour operators.
๐ฑFood Delivery
All apps โ
Qatar's home-grown food delivery, often faster than Talabat.
Qatar's home-grown food delivery, often faster than Talabat.
Dominant food delivery in Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain.
Larger restaurant selection.
Is Qatar one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- G
- Voltage
- 240V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type G: Three rectangular pins. The British plug, used in UK, Ireland, HK, Singapore, Malta, much of Africa and Middle East.
British plug.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; many restaurants add a 10% service charge, in which case extra is optional. For good service, rounding up or leaving 10-15% for waiters, taxi drivers, and hotel staff is welcome.
CurrencyQAR
Arabic you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
โ Do
- Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees; this is especially important for women and at malls and mosques
- Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and giving or receiving items
- Accept Arabic coffee (gahwa) and dates when offered as a gesture of hospitality
- Greet with "As-salamu alaykum" and ask permission before photographing locals, particularly women
- Be respectful during prayer times and the holy month of Ramadan, when eating in public during daylight is restricted
- Wait for a local of the opposite sex to extend a hand first, as not everyone shakes hands across genders
โDon't
- Don't show public displays of affection such as kissing or hugging, which can lead to legal trouble
- Don't drink alcohol in public or appear intoxicated; alcohol is restricted to licensed venues
- Don't show the soles of your feet or use your left hand to hand over items
- Don't dress revealingly or wear swimwear away from pools and private beaches
โ ๏ธ Common scams to know
- Unmetered taxis or drivers refusing the meter and quoting inflated flat fares; use Karwa taxis or ride-hailing apps
- Souq vendors in Souq Waqif heavily marking up prices for tourists, expecting bargaining
- Fake tour operators or "desert safari" deals collected online with no real booking
- Overpriced currency exchange or shortchanging in informal money-changing
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us โ here's how we check.