Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely used.
Currency: The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR), which divides into 100 dirhams. The Riyal exchange rate is pegged to the US Dollar at QR 3.65. Money and travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks, the airport and exchange dealers. To avoid additional charges it is best to take travelers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. The main bank branches are on Grand Hamad Street in
Doha. Banks are open Saturday to Thursday 8am to 1pm and some are open into the evening. ATMs are available on the
main streets of the cities and towns, at banks and in shopping malls and most shops, hotels and restaurants accept international credit cards.
Time: Local time is GMT +3.
Electricity: Electrical current is 240/415 volts AC; 50Hz. Round pin plugs with grounding and rectangular blade plugs are in use.
Communications: The international access code for
Qatar is +974, and the outgoing code is 0, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 027 for
South Africa). City/area codes are not necessary. There are numerous Internet cafes in Doha. The country is well covered by the Q-Tel GSM 900/1800 mobile phone network.
Duty Free: Travelers to Qatar do not have to pay duty on tobacco products and perfume for personal use. Alcohol may not be imported under any circumstances. Prohibited items include wild birds, without an import authorization from Ministry of Agriculture and Municipal Affairs (MMAA).
Tourist OfficeQatar Tourism Authority, Doha: +974 441 1555 or www.experienceqatar.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 999/118
Embassies
Embassy of Qatar,
Washington DC,
United States (also responsible for
Canada).: +1 202 274 1600.
Embassy of Qatar,
London, United Kingdom (also responsible for
Ireland): +44 (0)20 7493 2200.
Embassy of Qatar,
Jakarta,
Indonesia (also responsible for
Australia and
New Zealand): +62 (2)1 251 0751.
Embassy of Qatar,
Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 452 1700.
United States Embassy, Doha: +974 488 4101.
British Embassy, Doha: +974 496 2000.
Canadian Embassy, Safat,
Kuwait (also responsible for Qatar): +965 256 3025.
Australian Embassy in
United Arab Emirates and Qatar,
Abu Dhabi: +971 (0)2 6346100.
South
African Embassy, Doha: +974 485 7111.
Irish Embassy,
Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia (also responisible for Qatar): +966 (0)1 488 2300.
New
Zealand Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (also responsible for Qatar): +966 (0)1 488 7988.
