Qatar 2022 - Air/Car/Train/Boat Travel

Discussion in 'USA Men: World Cup Fans & Travel' started by wixson7, Jan 19, 2022.

  1. GoalGoalUSA

    GoalGoalUSA Member

    Apr 15, 2016
    New York
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Sure, it’s possible, but everything would have to go in your favor. Remember to expect long security lines as well. Also, you’ll miss the pre-game festivities :)
     
  2. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Was looking at similar... but don't forget the stadium is at least 45 minutes away by car.. no traffic. So assume 1 hr with fans.

    1 hour to deplane and customs and car rental (best case)
    1 hour drive

    So if everything aligns perfectly you get to stadium at 8pm. Absolute best case scenario.
     
  3. Fevernova99

    Fevernova99 Member

    May 3, 2003
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Qatar also plays on the 25th so keep that in mind for potentially more delays.
     
  4. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    yeah, its a tough schedule....the B group was about as bad as i could have hoped for to fit my personal schedule!
     
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  5. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    do we think landing at 3.30 on the flight from IAD gives enough time to be confident?
     
  6. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Has to be enough time. That's 6 and half hours before kickoff. We know there will be snafus and delays but if it takes 6 hours to get thru customs, rent car, and drive to stadium then there will be much bigger issues.

    Will say that we waited at least 2 hours in rental car line in Jo'burg in 2014... it was like they'd never had customers before.

    Have to say you'll be fine at 330p.
     
  7. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    yeah, then its just a matter of spousal approval to leave from IAD which means leaving NYC middle of day thanksgiving.

    im still weighing out the drop bags off at hotel/take uber versus renting a car in terms of whats easiest and quickest.

    my main hotel reservation doesnt start til the 27th so may be scrambling for two nights
     
  8. GoalGoalUSA

    GoalGoalUSA Member

    Apr 15, 2016
    New York
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I persoanlly think you have time to drop bags and grab a quick bite. The main concern should be the residual jet lag!
     
  9. soccer_23

    soccer_23 Member

    Feb 6, 2014
    I think you should grab a taxi or Uber to your accommodation (assuming it’s somewhat on the way). Drop the bags and then take an Uber out to the stadium. A still better option would be if the Qatar airport offers any luggage storage service, which might be a possibility.

    The traffic going to the stadium will be the same whether you’re driving or someone else is. And the Uber/taxi drop off point is likely to be closer to the stadium than self-parking. You also wouldn’t need to waste time picking up the rental car, which can be a long process.

    A 3:30pm landing puts you on the road during the Qatar match, which should mean emptier roads.
     
  10. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    great point....as of now Doha airport doesnt have a luggage storage service unfortunately....hoping they add one!
     
  11. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    For those going to Dubai, Qatar Airways just listed super low pricing from Doha to Dubai. $198 round trip. The hours aren't optimal but 6p dep and 5a (or 11p) return. This is a nice 2-3 day trip in between US games.
     
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  12. GoalGoalUSA

    GoalGoalUSA Member

    Apr 15, 2016
    New York
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What dates? I’m trying to get tix the other way
     
  13. silicus

    silicus Member

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Feb 26, 2008
    Silicon Valley, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
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  14. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Well... looks like one way from Dubai to Doha on Qatar Air (from Nov 24th on) is dramatically reduced now. $395 one way. Anything before Nov 24th still looks to be $1000. It's progress though.
     
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  15. PabloSanDiego

    PabloSanDiego Member+

    West Ham United
    United States
    Jan 18, 2014
    San Diego, CA
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the one thing you guys are all forgetting is the way things are now, we must also pick up the physical Hayya card at the airport or other spot after arrival. You will not be able to get into the stadium without the card.

    My friend who scouted things at the Arab Cup thinks that could be a real time waste as the process was a nightmare at the Arab Cup with much smaller crowds. Of course, they should have recognized this and made corrections so it's more efficient for the WC but I'm just saying, consider that in your timing.
     
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  16. soccer_23

    soccer_23 Member

    Feb 6, 2014
    Good point. Though my understanding is the Hayya card will be available in physical and digital formats (a QR code in the Hayya app). However, that doesn’t rule out an in-person verification process to activate it.

    The Fan IDs for Russia were done fully beforehand (it was mailed to you and you showed up at immigration with it and went on through). But the Arab Cup is probably a more accurate precedent in this case.
     
  17. PabloSanDiego

    PabloSanDiego Member+

    West Ham United
    United States
    Jan 18, 2014
    San Diego, CA
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'll look it up but it was my understanding the physical Hayya card is required to enter stadiums. You may very well be right, I'm going from memory which is a dangerous thing for me!

    Yeah I went to Russia and they did mail the Fan ID to us before the tournament. As WC22 is still over 6 months away and my Hayya card is approved you'd think they just mail the damn thing to me.

    EDIT: I had to edit my post as I initially said there is no digital Hayya which is pretty stupid as I have one already on my phone! as I said, my memory is shit!
     
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  18. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Bit the bullet on the UAE to Doha flight. Needed just the 1 way.

    Flying out of Sharjah (30 minutes away from Dubai city center vs 15 minutes for Dubai airport). Qatar Air at 11am (finally decent hours). $800. Better than the $1200 from Dubai at 5am.

    I assume they'll add a ton more flights and maybe the prices drop.. or they increase... or they stay the same... who knows. But that's my final piece of the whole trip. Can finally sit back and relax.
     
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  19. Hamburgler03

    Hamburgler03 BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 31, 2000
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    And just did all of my flights as well.

    • PHL to Abu Dhabi (by way of Zurich) on 11/17 (arriving 11/18) using Oneworld points. Doing the F1 race the weekend before the tournament
    • Abu Dhabi to Doha on Ethiad on 11/21 - this was the ugly one around $800. Had booked this one previously
    • Doha to PHL (non-stop) on 12/5 without airline points
    Other than add-on fees (seat selection), ended up out of pocket of about $1800.
     
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  20. GoalGoalUSA

    GoalGoalUSA Member

    Apr 15, 2016
    New York
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We pretty much have the same itinerary, F1 and all. However, I am still holding out on the Abu Dhabi to Doha flight and hoping prices become more reasonable
     
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  21. Hamburgler03

    Hamburgler03 BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 31, 2000
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Nice. Might need to coordinate an F1 get together. I think we are in the grandstands.

    I bit the bullet on the Abu Dhabi to Doha at $800. Buddy just tried to book same flight and it's over $1400 so hope they just find a way to add flights.
     
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  22. Palermo10

    Palermo10 Member

    Apr 7, 2005
    San Diego
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm currently eyeing direct flights on Turkish Air LAX to Istanbul 11/17, stay a night, then nonstop on Qatar Air to Doha 11/19.

    Returning 12/5, but because I don't trust the 1hr50 connection time in Istanbul, will again stay a night and fly back to LAX 12/6.

    Any red flags I'm missing?
     
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  23. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Big airfare decreases from UAE to Doha on Qatar Air right now $290 to $390 one-way. Same cruddy times (5a and 11p) but this is a significant drop. This is for all dates in the tournament.
     
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  24. PabloSanDiego

    PabloSanDiego Member+

    West Ham United
    United States
    Jan 18, 2014
    San Diego, CA
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No red flags that I can see. In fact, I'm doing that exact same thing on my return, except it's the day after the Final. You would be fine with a 1hr50m layover, I often do shorter connections than that internationally. But I'm overnighting because I want to see just a bit of Istanbul. I realize 24 hours won't allow me to really see anything at all, but I plan to just hang out in the city center and have a really nice dinner.

    The Qatar Air flight on Monday morning departs at 7:55 Am which is a decent time. Although that'll mean getting up pretty early, at least it's not a 3AM departure. And it gets me to Istanbul at 12:25 PM so a decent amount of time to do some exploring, grab a few drinks and a meal. I was able to use miles to fly back to the US via Lisbon on Turkish Air and TAP Portugal.
     
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  25. Palermo10

    Palermo10 Member

    Apr 7, 2005
    San Diego
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I booked through Istanbul, although slightly different than originally planned.

    SAN-LAX-AMS-IST get in around 4pm 11/17

    Will book to Doha or UAE for 11/19, so that will give me all of 11/18 to explore Istanbul and load up on doner kebabs.

    Returning 12/6 IST-CDG-SLC-SAN. Kind of random but for the price I didn't want to hesitate.
     
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