Exactly 100 days to go until the start of the Qatar World Cup . This Friday (12), the most awaited competition in the world of football enters a new countdown. The games will be between November 20 and December 18, 2022 and the destination expects to receive more than 1 million tourists.
And it’s in Hamad International Airport in Doha, capital of the country, that these fans will disembark and begin their adventures.
Unlike the last World Cups, which hosted games in distant cities, spread across the country that hosted them, the locomotion of the Qatar Cup it will be a little simpler. That’s because the stadiums are closer and to get from one place to another is by land. One hour is the estimated time to get anywhere in Qatar from Hamad.
Opened on April 30, 2014, it is located four kilometers from Doha and was designed by an American company. With efficient, modern and easy-to-use facilities, it was elected the best airport in the world by the SKYTRAZ World Airport Awards in 2021 and 2022 .
What will be found there?
A lot of luxury and sophistication will be seen by tourists when they disembark at the place. High ceilings and spacious lobbies give the feeling of grandeur. The site is divided into 1 terminal, with three floors and 51 gates.
The gastronomic options are also diverse – 30 restaurants and cafes in all. The space also has a spa, gym, squash courts, baby rooms, as well as one of the largest areas for duty free of the world.
Transport from the airport
When disembarking, one of the biggest concerns in unknown countries is which type of transport to use to reach the place of accommodation. What is more expensive? What’s cheaper? Which apps work?
Leaving Hamad are some options available. The first one is the traditional taxi. taxi call Karwa – a kind of cooperative -, they work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can pay by cash, apple pay, google pay or credit card. There is an option to make a reservation through the application, which bears the name “Karwa”, available on IOS and android.
The second suggestion is apps. In Qatar, both Uber when the careem work well. To use them, just download them on your cell phone and fill in the requested information. Charges are made via credit card.
If you intend to use public transport, there is a metro option. Just take the red line that goes straight to the center of Doha. Passengers can buy a travel card at any station. It has elevators, space for wheelchair users and licenses for guide dogs. Additional information can be found on the Qatar Rail website.
Public buses can also be found. Also on the “Karwa” line, they serve the airport and will have expanded service during the event. Smart cards to use it will be available at the airport.
There is also the option of car rental. At the airport, there are many services available, but the recommendation is to avoid them. Due to high demand, closing of entries and deviations may happen. The best option in these cases is public transport.
Interesting numbers from Hamad Airport
0 – Internal flights the tourist will have to take to watch the FIFA World Cup games.
1 – Giant teddy bear. The Swiss artist’s public art exhibition Urs Fischer It’s a big hit with travelers. Incoming football fans will also notice the Dutch artist’s work. Tom Claassen who produced a series of sculptures of the Oryx, an antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula, in the Arrivals Hall.
Passengers will also find a variety of other works of art, including paintings, sculptures, electronic and interactive installations, for an innovative and immersive visual experience.
25 – Estimated minutes from HIA to downtown Doha, just 16 km away.
29 – Size of Hamad International Airport in square kilometers. The airport has two squash courts, a gym, a 25-metre swimming pool, saunas and a spa, in addition to 70 retail stores and 30 cafes and restaurants.
30 million – It is the number that the airport handles per year. The expectation is that in 2022 the 66 million mark will be reached.
35 – Airlines that flew to Doha until 2021, with emphasis on Qatar Airways, Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, among others, which connect to countries in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
60 – It is the estimated number of minutes to get anywhere in Qatar after landing at HIA.
75 – Soccer fields in the FIFA standard would fit in the new airport terminal building.
100 – Rooms offered by the Airport Hotel, the Oryx Airport Hotel.
141 – It is the number of cities that the national airline Qatar Airways flies to around the world.
Source: CNN Brasil
