The Saudi Arabia-Qatar border is 87 km long and runs from the Gulf of Bahrain coast in the west to the Persian Gulf coast in the east.[1. Wikpedia] Citizens, residents, and visitors in Saudi Arabia can enter Qatar from Saudi Arabia via this land border, which is at a place called Salwa Port. In this article, we have detailed the complete step-by-step guide to traveling from Saudi to Qatar by road.

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📄 Documents Requirement

Passport with Minimum six months validity
Qatar On Arrival Visa – Saudi Expats & Visitors Can get an On Arrival Visa valid for up to 30 + 30 days.
Copy of Exit re-entry visa for Saudi Expats
Original Iqamah of the Sponsor if you’re a Saudi Visitor
Vehicle Isthimarah. If you’re using a rental vehicle, obtain a Letter of authorization from Muroor, KSA.
Hotel Booking is Not Mandatory as it won’t be asked at the border.

💡 Info: Qatar sim is not available at the border. Drive into Qatar to buy one.

💵 Cost of Travel from Saudi to Doha, Qatar by road

The cost of travel varies from person to person depending upon the city which you’re travelling from and the number of people travelling along with you. There’s no Official Saptco Bus from Saudi to Qatar and you have to drive by your own vehicle or a rented vehicle.

For Indian, and Pakistani Nationals On Arrival Visa is Free of Cost.

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

Cost of travel from Saudi to Doha, Qatar by road

📍 Saudi to Doha, Qatar Route Details, Distance and Duration

Depending upon where you are located in Saudi, it takes anywhere about 5 – 22 Hours to travel from Saudi to Doha.

From/to	Distance (km)	Time (Hours)
Khobar to Qatar, Doha	388	5
Riyadh to Qatar, Doha	580	7
Madinah to Qatar, Doha	1407	15
Makkah to Qatar, Doha	1446	16
Jeddah to Qatar, Doha	1529	17
Yanbu to Qatar, Doha	1615	17
Jizan to Qatar, Doha	1718	19
Tabuk to Qatar, Doha	1859	20

Saudi to Doha Distance and Duration

There are very few petrol stations on the route to the Saudi-Qatar border. Therefore make sure to fill your fuel tank and go-to washrooms wherever you find to avoid any inconvenience.
There are almost no street lights on the route till the border. The best is to drive in the morning.

Saudi driving license is valid in Qatar. You can even rent a car with a Saudi license while in Qatar

1️⃣ At the Saudi Side of the Border – Salwa Port

A – Checkpoint Location

Reach the following location

Salwa Passport Control, Saudi Arabia

B – Checkpoint 1 – Saudi Customs

Hand over the Vehicle Istimara to the officer and obtain a car slip in return with your vehicle details and number of passengers mentioned in it. Carefully preserve this Slip until you enter Qatar.

C – Checkpoint 2 – Saudi Jawazaat (Passports)

Hand over the slip you obtained at the first checkpoint with all the passports for verification. The officer will put Saudi visa exit stamp on the passports and return them to you with the verification paper. They may ask for your Iqamah and fingerprints as well.

D- Checkpoint 3 – Saudi Security Inspection

At this checkpoint, there’s just a Quick Inspection of the Car Slip and all the passports. Drive towards Qatar border once you have cleared this checkpoint.

💡 Note: Border clearance at Salwa may even take up to two hours. So be prepared.

2️⃣ At the Qatar Side of the border – Abu Samra

A – Checkpoint Location

Abu Samra Border Crossing Station – Qatar

B- Checkpoint 1 – Qatar Passports Control

At the first checkpoint, Inform that you’re on a new Qatar Visit visa and the officer will ask you to visit a separate building for stamping Qatar Visa

Park your Vehicle and carry all your documents and proceed to document verification
All Adults above 6 years old may be subjected to Eye Scanning/FingerPrint Checks.
Obtain Stamp on the E-Visa paper
Hand over the passports, Stamped E-Visa Paper and Car Slip to obtain Qatar Visa Entry Stamp.

Read the Article: How to drive Saudi to Dubai by Road?

C – Checkpoint 2 – Qatar Customs

Passports will be checked and verification paper will be returned to you. Move ahead for manual vehicle inspection. Obtain a Stamp on the Car Slip after inspection.

D – Checkpoint 3 – Insurance

Obtain compulsory Third-Party Car Insurance for a minimum of 15 days for SAR/QAR 170 for an SUV. For smaller cars, the price may be less. You can pay via Cash or Credit card.