We can’t believe the group stages are coming to an end this week! We’ve been enjoying every moment of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and after spending last week on fabulous Doha, we wanted to give a better insight regarding our experience and thoughts (non-football related) on our trip to Qatar, but most importantly the organization of the tournament itself, which has been up until now, full of pleasant surprises. Read along and let us travel to the Middle East!
Arrival and Lodging
The team from WSNewsNow flew to Doha via London, and since touchdown in Hamad International Airport our World Cup experience began.
A lot of uncertainty was felt a few days prior to the beginning on the tournament, but after we arrived in Qatar we didn’t encounter any mayor delays, and since all visitors were required to apply to a Hayya Card before making the trip, the customs process was quick and agile upon arrival at the airport.
Our flight arrived late at night, so we made our way to our accommodation via Uber, and there was no problem booking a trip and getting picked up in a ride share designated area. The Uber ride was 20 minutes and prices for this, and every other trip during our stay averaged no more than 15 USD depending on the distance of the ride, including downtown.
We arrived at the official FIFA Accommodations we booked through their website “BARWA”, and we found an spacious, tidy apartment village/complex that recently completed construction. The apartment was new and clean, and offered all amenities: kitchen, wash-machine, TV, internet, etc. There were plenty of options for lodging, and we were pretty pleased with the apartment we got. There is ground transportation to and from the village, a nearby supermarket, convenience stores, and even a pizza spot that closes late.
We visited several resorts as well and the views and beaches are amazing, so if you are planning a future trip to Qatar this is a great option for future adventures after the World Cup.
Side note: You can also get free SIM cards with your Hayya Card so you can have cell phone service at a very low cost during your stay.
City Guide
All ground transportation during the duration of the tournament is covered with your Hayya Card, so we made our way to several touristic spots during our trip and we were amazed at the stunning views of the city of Doha, and all the magic that surrounds it.
First of all, everyone we met from drivers, touristic information, guides, staff, volunteers, waiters, were very friendly and with the upmost motivation to assist you any way they can. This has been one of the best experiences surrounding our trip, and we are very grateful for everyone that has made this Doha experience so welcoming.
Some touristic spots we visited were the Souq Wakif, Lusail, Dessert Tour, Corniche, Fan Fest, Sea Walk, and several resorts. Every corner and street you visit in Doha is clean and the city itself is a must visit for every traveller that wants to get to know more of the fabulous Middle East.
A big part of every trip is the food, and we were amazed on the many different worldwide food options Doha has to offer; from classic Middle Eastern local dishes, to Japanese, Peruvian, Turkish, Spanish, Italian, and a lot more surprises. Food prices overall depend on the type of establishment you visit, but overall prices are very accessible and you always have plenty of options to choose from. Food is mayor win in Doha.
Stadium Experience
We wanted to give a little insight first on the city, but the stadium and football experience was the main attraction and purpose of the trip, and after mayor speculation we can say that everything was amazing.
As we wrote earlier, transportation to and from the stadium is free, and even tough all venues are in the same city, some of them are on the outskirts (About 45 min away), but still you can ride the metro, and shuttle buses to every stadium.
One of the main things to mention is after arriving to the venues, every drop off point is still far away from the stadium entrances, so plenty of walking has to be made. At least a 30 minute walk can be expected until you reach your seat, but every pathway to get there is signalled and has a large number of staff members that can direct you, or answer any question. Hence one of the mayor wins of the tournament organizers: METRO MAN.
You can access the venue with physical/app tickets and your HAYYA card, and once inside every stadium is clean and flawless, and several stadiums are even climate controlled (bring a light jacket). Food and Soft Drink options can be found inside and several pre-game attractions such as concerts, DJS, and souvenir shops make up the full experience.
The spectacle before the game is something to witness, and we can certainly say that organization and logistics have been outstanding, and we’ve encountered very minor issues throughout our trip.
Let’s hope everything keeps running smoothly as this will certainly be one tournament to remember. THANK YOU Doha!
You can also read more about the football side of the trip, CLICK HERE to learn more about the stadiums in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
