= ₹22.18 
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 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.
📄 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, but you may be asked to provide your address of stay (Read here). If you’re looking to book a hotel, Visit here
💡 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 |
📍 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 |
- 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
Recommended Read: A Brief Guide to New Saudi Visa Stamping VFS Tasheel
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.
E- Checkpoint 4 – Security Check
Handover Car slip Paper provided by Qatar Customs and enter Qatar.
Congratulations on your successful entry from Saudi to Qatar by road!
From the Qatar side of the border, it takes about 1.5 Hours (95km) to reach Doha. Congratulations on your successful drive!
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Do I need to take Jawazat appointment for Salwa border crossing?
Why Jawazat Appointment? Carry required documents and you can visit.
Because I was reading one article that we should take Salwa border appointment through absher. As I never travel to Qatar through Salwa border, I don’t know whether this information is correct or not.
Have your ever travelled through Salwa border, or do you know anyone who travelled? and can confirm that we need or do not need appointment.
can i take my company car under my authorization to qatar from saudi arabia?
Yes You can
What are the travel requirements for visit visa holders travelling to Qatar by road
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.
Read more here: https://indianinsaudiarabia.com/saudi-to-qatar-by-road/
Do we have to do the hotel bookings from a specific site if travelling by road ??
No need. But you may be asked your address of stay. You can visit Agoda to book your hotel. (Affiliate Link)
Is it fine to book in agado because qatar have some affiliate website for Indians to book hotel.?
Thank you for providing such thorough details and explanations on this topic. I am considering taking my parents to Qatar during the Eid holidays in 2023. Will the documentation requirements mentioned apply to our travel? I hope that these requirements are applicable for the year 2023. If you have any additional information on traveling with parents, please share as it would be greatly appreciated. Once again, thank you for your informative blog and best wishes.
Dear Brother, Please let me know this “Compulsory Third-Party Car Insurance” from where i can get this?? also is there any requirement for international driving license ?
Above u mentioned “On Arrival Visa is Free of Cost” is this still valid as i read on some websites regarding the Fees 100 QAR ?
You will get the insurance at the border.
Visa is Free for 30 days. Check here:
https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/practical-info/visas
Dear Abu Aishah, thanks for posting this blog. It is very helpful. May Allah bless you and your family with sound health, abundant happiness and success in all the worlds
Aameen
Can I take my friend’s car to the QATAR
I am iqama holder and i have sponsered my wife for saudi visit visa. Can she travel with me for qatar as tourism?