Are you planning to visit Qatar from Saudi Arabia and witness the live matches of the FIFA World Cup? Voila! The Saudi Arabia borders run 87 KM long from the Gulf of Bahrain coast in the west to the Persian Gulf which is located in the east. The good news is that visitors coming from Saudi Arabia can enter the Qatar boundaries and reach the stadiums to be a part of the live matches. Guests can travel from Saudi Arabia to Qatar by road during FIFA world cup 2022 with a few documents and at an affordable cost while exploring the beauty of Qatar. Want to know more about the documents, distance, and route? Keep reading!
Travel from Saudi to Doha via Road: Documents Required, Route, Cost and More
One can enter the majestic country of Qatar via good road connectivity. Guests can enter Qatar by Salwa Port and Abu Samra with a set of documents. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide for those traveling from Saudi to Qatar by road for a hassle-free experience.
Documents Required to Travel from Saudi to Qatar by Road During FIFA 2022
If you are a Football fan staying in Qatar and want to travel to the neighboring country Saudi Arabia to explore the majestic charm and try amazing activities, you are not far from indulging all of these. All you need to have is a Hayya Card as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are having a shuttle service every day for tourists. You may also drive past the borders if you enjoy driving and wish to go while enjoying every minute and vista. The following documents are a few that must be presented while crossing borders:
- A passport with a minimum validity of 6 months
- On Arrival Visa of Qatar- On Arrival Visa for Saudi Expats and Visitors- Valid up to 60 days (30 + 30 Days)
- Saudi Expats need to carry a copy of their exit, re- entry visa
- Original Iqamah of the Sponsor if you’re a Saudi Visitor
- Vehicle Istimara (A renewal fee and procedure in Saudi Arabia). Obtain a letter of authorization from Muroor, KSA in case of using a rental vehicle
Distance and Time from Saudi Cities to Doha, Qatar
Here is the distance of various places and timings in which the guests can drive and reach Qatar by road from Saudi Arabia during FIFA 2022:
- Khobar to Doha, Qatar –388 KM in 5 HRS
- Riyadh to Doha, Qatar - 580 KM in 7 HRS
- Madinah to Doha, Qatar- 1407 KM in 15 HRS
- Makkah to Doha, Qatar- 1446 KM in 16 HRS
- Jeddah to Doha, Qatar- 1529 KM in 17 HRS
- Yanbu to Doha, Qatar- 1615 KM in 17 HRS
- Jizan to Doha, Qatar- 1718 KM in 19 HRS
- Tabuk to Doha, Qatar- 1859 KM in 20 HRS
Note: Depending upon where you are located in Saudi, it takes anywhere about 5 to 22 Hours to travel from Saudi to Doha.
Cost of Travel from Saudi to Doha, Qatar by Road
Football fans can travel from Saudi Arabia to Doha and witness the live matches during FIFA 2022. Although, there is no official or public bus services but one can drive via their own vehicle or rent a car to reach the borders and enter the country. Here is a list of the approximate cost of traveling from Saudi to Qatar:
- Exit Re-entry visa cost/Person (For Saudi Resident Only), SAR/QAR 200
- Qatar on Arrival Visa, SAR/QAR 0
- Fuel from Khobar to Doha (One Way), SAR/QAR 130
- Compulsory Third-Party Car Insurance, SAR/QAR 170
- The total cost of travel from Saudi to Doha, Qatar by road, SAR 500
Note: For Indian, and Pakistani Nationals, Arrival Visa is Free of Cost.
Formalities Required at Checkpoints of both Countries
If you are a commuting from Saudi Arabia to Qatar to watch the FIFA matches, you will be required to complete exit and entry formalities along with the verification of your vehicle and all the travelers in that vehicle. Here are the formalities that are mandatory for each person coming from Saudi Arabia to Qatar by road.
1. Salwa Port – Formalities at Saudi Arabia
Check point 1. You have to stop at the Salwa passport control, Saudi Arabia, before crossing the border and get yourself checked by the authorities. Handover the vehicle istimara or your vehicle’s registration license to the concerned officer. You will receive a car slip along with your car details and number of passengers travelling. Keep the slip with you.
Check point 2. Handover the car slip along with passports of all the travelers at this checkpoint for verification. All your passports will get the Saudi visa exit stamp and you will get your passport back with the verification papers. You may also get asked to produce your iqama or resident permit and fingerprints.
Check point 3. Your car slip and all the passports will get through a quick inspection at this check point. You may drive towards Qatar border after getting clearance from the authorities.
Suggested Read: Saudi Arabia Guide for FIFA World Cup: All You Need to Know Saudi Fans
2. Abu Samra – Formalities at Qatar
Check point 1 – Reach Abu Samra Border Crossing Station and inform the authorities that you are on new Qatar visit visa. You will be asked to visit a separate building to get the Qatar visa stamp. You will have to park your vehicle and carry all the documents for verification. Keep in mind that all travelers above 6 years of age may be asked for eye scanning or finger print checks. Get the stamp on your e-visa paper. Hand over the stamped e-visa paper, passports of all travelers, and the car slip to get the Qatar visa entry stamp.
Check point 2 – The verification paper will be returned to you after passports of all passengers are checked at this checkpoint. You will the move forward to get you vehicle inspected manually. Get the necessary stamp on the car slip after the inspection.
Check point 3 – You will have to get the mandatory third-party insurance for your vehicle at this check point. Carry cash or credit card with you.
Check point 4 – This is the last checkpoint where you will have to handover the car slip to the concerned officer. After getting the clearance you are at the liberty to enter Qatar and reach your destination.
Keep in mind the fact the whole process takes a lot of time, so reach the checkpoints well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
Suggested Read: Visa for FIFA Ticket Holders: Saudi Arabia to Grant Visas to FIFA World Cup Ticket Holders
So, all the football enthusiasts out there! Pack your bags, fuel up your cars and get ready to travel to Doha via road for a thrilling experience. The mesmerizing journey will let you explore the majestic grandeur of the country, get close to the rich Qatari Culture and witness the live FIFA world cup matches for a fun-filled holiday experience like never before.
FAQs
It can take about 5 to 22 hours to travel from Saudi to Qatar by road depending on where you are located in Saudi. It is the best way to travel apart from flying with the excellent airlines of Saudi and Qatar.
The total driving distance between Riyadh and Doha, Qatar is 577.67 km. The 87 km-long border between Saudi Arabia and Qatar stretches from the Persian Gulf coast in the east to the Gulf of Bahrain coast in the west.
The Salwa Port is located at Salwa road, Salwa 36621, Saudi Arabia. It is at the border between Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a daily capacity of over 24,800 vehicles, 12,096 vehicles on arrival and 12,726 on departure.
Abu Samra in Saudi was previously the only land border crossing Saudi Arabia. The area has one of the few Samr trees in the entire region, that’s why it was named Abu Samra which means “father of the Samr tree”.
The one-way fuel cost from Khobar to Doha is SAR/QAR 130. The driving distance between Al Khobar to Doha plays an important role in your trip due to the amount of fuel that is being consumed during travel.
The driving distance between Jeddah to Qatar is 1529 kilometers. However, the straight-line distance between both places is 1300 kilometers. So, most of the time the actual travel distance between Jeddah and Qatar may vary due to curvature of the road.
The compulsory Third-Party Car Insurance cost for traveling from Saudi to Doha, Qatar is about t SAR/QAR 170. The cost of travel varies from person to person depending upon the city which you are traveling from.
Qatar is one of the most beautiful nations all over the Arabian Gulf and is famous for both luxury and adventure. This nation is a blend of modern amenities and experiences and millennia of Middle Eastern Culture.
