Hamad International Airport Bus Station — Doha Airport Buses, Metro & Transfers (2026)

ByTanveer Hussain

🚌 Hamad International Airport (HIA) is Doha’s air gateway and one of the city’s key public transport interchanges — Karwa buses, the Doha Metro Red Line and taxis all meet at the terminal.

📋 Essential Information

  • Bus routes: L533 (to Al Thumama via Al Matar Al Qadeem, 24 hours), T612 (to Industrial Area Bus Station, 24 hours), T613 (to Mesaieed, 24 hours)
  • Metro: Hamad International Airport station, Doha Metro Red Line
  • Payment (bus): Karwa Smart Card only — no cash on Karwa buses
  • Operator: Mowasalat (Karwa) buses; Qatar Rail metro

🚏 Buses from the Airport

Three Karwa routes serve the airport, and all three run 24 hours a day — the only round-the-clock buses in Qatar. The L533 runs to Al Thumama via Al Matar Al Qadeem Metro Station every 15 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes off-peak. The T612 runs to Industrial Area Bus Station every 30 minutes. The T613 runs south to Mesaieed (for the industrial city and Sealine direction) every 30 minutes. For most of central Doha, the metro is usually faster: the Red Line station is inside the terminal complex.

🎟️ Fares & Payment

Fares are distance-based. Mowasalat does not publish an open fare table, so the figures here are the widely reported consensus (Expat Focus, TicketsToDo, hotel guides): about QAR 2.50-3 for short trips within Doha, QAR 4-9 for longer and out-of-city journeys, with QAR 9 the maximum (the Abu Samra border fare). Confirm the exact fare for your trip in the Karwa Journey Planner app before you travel.

Payment is by Karwa Smart Card only — Karwa buses do not take cash, and boarding without a valid card carries a QAR 10 penalty fare. The cards are: Classic (QAR 30, rechargeable), Limited (QAR 10, two journeys within 24 hours) and Unlimited (QAR 20, 24 hours). Buy and top up at bus stations and authorised outlets.

On the metro, a journey costs QAR 2 with a QAR 6 daily cap on a standard Travel Card (Qatar Rail).

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a bus from Hamad International Airport at night?
Yes — the L533, T612 and T613 all run 24 hours a day, every day.

Can I pay cash on the airport bus?
No. Karwa buses are Karwa Smart Card only. Buy a card at the airport or use the Doha Metro instead, which takes Travel Cards and contactless journey planning via the Qatar Rail app.

Sources: Mowasalat (Karwa) official Routes Guide (June 2024) and Qatar Rail. Page verified October 2026.

More Doha stations

See all Doha stations →