Cheap flights from London to Doha

December is the cheapest month in the price calendar, and fares are listed for every month of the year, so you can compare them side by side before you commit. Doha is at its most comfortable from late autumn through early spring, while the summer months are extremely hot — worth knowing if you plan to spend time outdoors rather than in air conditioning. Midweek departures are usually quieter and cheaper than weekend ones, and dates around the festive period and school holidays fill up early. If your plans are flexible, start with December and work outwards from there.

No carrier flies this route non-stop, so every ticket involves at least one change. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus connect through Istanbul, Etihad Airways through Abu Dhabi, Oman Air through Muscat, Gulf Air through Bahrain, Royal Jordanian through Amman and Egyptair through Cairo. Pegasus, Air Arabia and Indigo are low-cost, which usually means a lower fare but no checked bag unless you add one. Saudi Arabian Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Egyptair and Gulf Air are full-service and normally include a checked allowance and meals. Compare the total cost of the trip, not just the headline fare.

You land at Hamad International Airport, Qatar's main international gateway and the airport that serves Doha. It sits a short drive east of the city centre, so a taxi or ride-hailing car gets you to the corniche hotels quickly outside peak traffic. The Doha Metro also links the airport with the city, which is the simplest option if you are travelling light and arriving during the day. On the way home, allow extra time — check-in and security at Hamad get busy in the evening, and some connecting itineraries mean clearing immigration and re-checking your bag.

Currency

QAR (QR)

Power sockets

Type G · 240 V

Language

Arabic

Emergency number

112, 999

Driving side

right

Calling code

+974

Internet domain

.qa

Population of Doha

1.2 M (2020)

Time zone

UTC+03 (Asia/Qatar)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport you fly from, because Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Luton and Stansted are far apart and transfers between them take time
• Confirm your baggage allowance if you book a low-cost carrier, since a checked bag usually costs extra
• Make sure a connecting itinerary is on one ticket, or leave a long gap if you are booking the legs separately
• Check the entry rules and any visa requirements for Qatar before you pay
• Look at the price calendar around December, the cheapest month, and compare a few days either side
• Pack for both ends of the trip, because London winters and Doha summers ask for very different clothes