Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is renowned for its efficiency and luxury. Whether you have a quick layover or hours to spare, HIA offers a seamless transfer experience with its integrated facilities and rich amenities. Here’s how to make the most of your time at this world-class hub.

Navigating the Airport

 

• Transfer Halls: Upon exiting your aircraft, head directly to the Transfer Halls located at concourses A, B, C, and D. These areas are well-signposted, but if you need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask at an information desk or use the airport map available on digital screens or printed copies.

• Integrated Facility: HIA operates as a single integrated facility, allowing you to arrive, transfer, and depart from the same terminal building. This eliminates the need to change terminals, making your transit process much simpler.

Assistance and Services

 

• Transfer Desks: If you need help with boarding passes, re-scheduling flights, or have general queries, visit one of the transfer desks. These desks are equipped to assist with re-booking missed connections, upgrading travel classes, and more. They can also provide information on visa requirements if you plan to exit the airport.

• Special Assistance: Special assistance travelers, Al Maha customers, and unaccompanied minors receive priority processing and are met at the aircraft or aerobridge upon arrival. This ensures that they receive the support they need throughout their journey.

Exiting the Airport

 

• Exploring Qatar: If you have an extended stopover and wish to explore Qatar, the transfer desks can assist with exit procedures. Ensure you confirm visa and immigration requirements beforehand. Note that a transit visa is not required if you stay within the airport. However, if you plan to leave the airport, check if you need a visa based on your nationality.

• Transit Tours: Discover Qatar offers exclusive transit tours for those with six hours or more of transit time. These tours allow you to explore Doha’s iconic sites like the Corniche, Museum of Islamic Art, and Souq Waqif, or experience unique desert tours where the Arabian desert meets the sea.

Security Check

 

• Baggage Screening: Your hand baggage will undergo security screening for prohibited items. Dedicated security lanes are available for First Class and Business Class passengers, ensuring a quicker and more convenient process.

• Prohibited Items: Ensure your baggage does not contain prohibited items, as these will be confiscated. Check the airport’s Security & Customs page for more information on what items are allowed and what are not.

Things to Avoid

 

• Avoiding Delays: Do not follow the signs to ‘Arrivals’ unless you intend to exit the airport. Approach the transfer desks for assistance instead, as they can guide you through the correct procedures.

• Punctuality: Be punctual for your onward flight, as boarding gates close 20 minutes before departure. Plan your time wisely to avoid missing your connection.

Relaxation and Activities

 

• Airport Hotel: The Airport Hotel offers four-star hospitality for short stays, including massages, swimming, and gym facilities. This is ideal for those who want to relax and rejuvenate during their transit.

• Transit Tours: As mentioned, Discover Qatar offers a range of transit tours:

  • Discover Doha: A three-hour coach city tour that takes you around Doha’s key attractions.

  • Discover the Desert and Inland Sea: A four-hour private tour to Khor al Adaid.

  • Shuttle Bus Service: Visit the Qatar National Museum, Museum of Islamic Art, or Doha Beach Club with a hassle-free shuttle service.

  • Discover Doha by Air: A 45-minute flight over Doha’s iconic sites.

  • Discover Doha Your Way: Explore Doha with a private vehicle and chauffeur.

• Airport Facilities: Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, and access internet kiosks and Mac computers for browsing.

• Dining Options: Choose from more than 30 restaurants and cafes offering a wide variety of global cuisine.

• Lounge Access: You may be entitled to complimentary lounge access depending on your ticket or privilege club membership, or you can pay for lounge access. Relax in one of the quiet rooms that offer recliners and soft lighting.

• Cultural Experiences: HIA is renowned for its art installations. Experience an innovative and immersive visual experience by exploring the airport’s permanent and temporary exhibitions.

• Family-Friendly: There are five activity nodes designed for children of all ages, offering play areas, televisions, internet points, retail stores, and food and beverage options. Parents’ rooms and family toilets are also available for added convenience.

• Duty-Free Shopping: Qatar Duty-Free offers an extensive selection of designer labels, electronics, gourmet foods, and more across 70 retail outlets. Express stores are available if you are in a hurry.

Overall, Hamad International Airport provides a comprehensive and enjoyable transit experience, ensuring that your journey is both efficient and memorable.

Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, has rolled out a series of limited-time airfare deals to enhance travel affordability for its customers this summer. Notably, travelers flying from Qatar can now benefit from exceptionally low one-way fares to destinations such as India and Sri Lanka, starting at just QAR 440 for travel through September 2025.

These attractive rates are designed to encourage more passengers to explore regional and international destinations while keeping costs low.

Key Offers:

• Doha (DOH) to Kochi (COK): From QAR 550*

• Doha (DOH) to Kozhikode (CCJ): From QAR 440*

• Doha (DOH) to Thiruvananthapuram (TRV): From QAR 475*

• Doha (DOH) to Sharjah (SHJ): From QAR 333*

• Doha (DOH) to Colombo (CMB): From QAR 539*

• Doha (DOH) to Tbilisi (TBS): From QAR 855*

• Doha (DOH) to Nairobi (NBO): From QAR 703*

• Doha (DOH) to Karachi (KHI): From QAR 353*

• Doha (DOH) to Chennai (MAA): From QAR 473*

• Doha (DOH) to Dhaka (DAC): From QAR 458*

• Doha (DOH) to Coimbatore (CJB): From QAR 550*

• Doha (DOH) to Bengaluru (BLR): From QAR 382*

Additional 10% discount (up to USD 5) using the promo code BOWG9 on eligible bookings

Promo Codes and Flexibility

Air Arabia continues to reward early bookers with promo codes that reduce overall costs even further. By using the code BOWG9 during booking, passengers can enjoy an extra 10% off applicable fares, offering added value on top of already competitive prices. The current promotions are available for a range of destinations served from Qatar and other Gulf countries, subject to seat availability and specific terms and conditions.

Focus on Accessibility and Value

As travel rebounds globally, Air Arabia remains committed to making air travel more accessible. Its frequent introductory fare sales and easily accessible promo codes provide practical solutions for individuals, families, and businesses looking for affordable travel options without sacrificing quality or convenience.

Booking and Travel Periods

The discounted fares are strictly limited in quantity and apply to specific travel windows. For the latest details or to make a reservation, customers are encouraged to visit Air Arabia’s official website or consult recognized travel platforms for real-time pricing and promotion confirmation.

For more information or to take advantage of the ongoing discounts, visit Air Arabia’s booking platform or official communication channels.

Air Arabia, one of the UAE’s leading low-cost carriers, is set to launch a new direct route from Sharjah International Airport to Munich, Germany, starting December 15, 2025. This exciting development offers travelers an affordable gateway to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, with one-way fares starting at just Dhs794 and round-trip tickets from Dhs1,393.

The timing of the launch is perfect for those eager to experience Munich’s famous Christmas markets, historic landmarks, and cultural highlights such as the English Garden, Oktoberfest festivities, and live football matches at the Allianz Arena. Munich, a key economic and cultural hub in southern Germany, is a strategic addition to Air Arabia’s expanding European network, which already includes destinations like Vienna, Athens, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, Warsaw, and Prague.

Air Arabia will operate daily non-stop flights using its modern Airbus A320neo aircraft, known for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. The airline’s CEO, Adel Al Ali, emphasized that the new route underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to providing affordable, value-driven travel options while supporting long-term growth. He highlighted Munich’s appeal to both business and leisure travelers and expressed enthusiasm about welcoming passengers onboard for a seamless travel experience.

This new service enhances connectivity between the UAE and Germany, complementing existing routes operated by Emirates and Etihad to German cities including Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg. Munich Airport officials have welcomed the route, noting its importance in strengthening ties between the Gulf region and Germany.

Passengers can book their flights through Air Arabia’s website, call center, or travel agencies, and enjoy onboard amenities such as the free SkyTime streaming service and the SkyCafe buy-on-board menu. The launch of the Sharjah–Munich route not only broadens travel choices but also supports tourism, business, and cultural exchange between the two regions, marking a significant milestone in Air Arabia’s European expansion strategy.

Turkish Airlines has expanded its complimentary “Touristanbul” program, offering international transit passengers with layovers of 6 to 24 hours at Istanbul Airport (IST) a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich history and culture without leaving the airport experience behind.

Eligible travelers can choose from six different daily tours, each led by professional guides and including transportation by shuttle bus directly from the airport.

One of the highlights of the program is a visit to Bozdağ Film Studios in Beykoz, a sprawling 200-acre complex renowned for producing popular Turkish historical TV dramas like "Diriliş: Ertuğrul" and "Kuruluş: Osman."

This studio is the largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at life-sized sets that recreate different eras of Turkish history.

Beyond the film studio, the various tour routes cover Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Blue Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Hippodrome, Taksim Square, Grand Bazaar, and the Galata Bridge, with photo stops and guided commentary throughout.

Passengers can also enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine—such as fire-cooked soup and hand-pounded rice pudding—at local restaurants, and participate in cultural workshops like glassmaking and archery.

All meals, museum entrance fees, and transportation are included at no cost, and the tours are available every day of the year, with 19 different routes offered weekly. To participate, passengers must have a Turkish Airlines ticket with a layover of 6 to 24 hours, and must register at the Touristanbul desk at least 30 minutes before the tour begins.

The program is designed to ensure travelers return to the airport with ample time for their connecting flights, transforming what could be idle hours into a memorable cultural experience.

Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, has expanded its highly popular competition, The Extraordinary Challenge, by increasing the total prize pool to over 20 million Etihad Guest Miles following an unprecedented surge in participation.

Initially, the challenge offered 5 million miles to the first member to visit all 15 of Etihad’s newly launched destinations, with second and third place receiving 3 million and 1 million miles, respectively. However, due to overwhelming demand, Etihad has now added 12.5 million additional miles, opening the door for more than 200 winners in total.

The competition, which runs until May 25, 2026, is open to both new and existing Etihad Guest members. Participants must travel to or from 15 specific new year-round destinations, including cities such as Addis Ababa, Atlanta, Prague, and Taipei, within a 12-month period. The race is based on speed and dedication—the fastest members to complete all 15 routes win the largest prizes, while tie-breakers are resolved by the earliest registration date.

In addition to the top three grand prizes, Etihad has introduced "The Extraordinary Milestones" category: the first 100 members to visit five new destinations will receive 25,000 miles each, and the first 100 to reach ten destinations will earn 100,000 miles each. This expansion aims to reward both the most ambitious travelers and those making significant progress, with members able to track their journeys and standings on a live digital leaderboard.

Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest, commented, “We’ve seen an amazing response across the globe since we launched The Extraordinary Challenge, and expect to see over 50,000 member sign-ups as more destinations come online. Having seen the desire and determination of so many, we wanted to reward Etihad Guest members even more by giving flight to their ambition with more prize miles and potential for 200 additional winners”.

Sohar International and its Islamic banking division, Sohar Islamic, have announced a new partnership with SalamAir, Oman’s prominent budget airline, to bring substantial savings to their customers on domestic travel. Under this collaboration, credit cardholders from Sohar International and Sohar Islamic can enjoy up to 40% off, while debit cardholders receive a 15% discount on SalamAir flights within Oman.

The offer covers popular routes such as Muscat to Salalah, Masirah, Duqm, and the newly introduced Sohar to Salalah flights, with bookings available from June 22 to August 31, 2025, for travel between July 1 and August 31, 2025.

To take advantage of these discounts, eligible customers must book their tickets through SalamAir’s official website, applying special promo codes provided by the banks and using their Sohar cards for payment. The partnership was officially launched at a signing event on June 17, 2025, at Sohar International’s headquarters, highlighting a shared vision to blend financial services with lifestyle benefits and support Oman’s national tourism strategy outlined in Vision 2040.

Bank officials, including Abdul Qadir Al Sumali, stressed that the initiative is designed to go beyond simple discounts, aiming to create a more integrated experience for customers by connecting banking with travel. Steven Allen, SalamAir’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted that the airline is committed to making domestic travel more affordable, especially during the busy Khareef season in Salalah.

SalamAir, which operates a growing fleet of Airbus aircraft and serves over 80 flights daily, is also investing in digital upgrades, such as a new WhatsApp ticketing service. The airline has introduced fixed fares for Omani nationals on key routes to further support local travelers.

This partnership not only delivers significant value to Sohar International and Sohar Islamic customers but also contributes to the wider goals of enhancing domestic tourism and strengthening collaboration between Oman’s banking and aviation sectors.