Your guide to Saudi Arabia to Qatar by road
It is easy to drive from Saudi Arabia to Doha and get back, all on the same day. The trip is relatively short—about 5 to 6 hours from Riyadh to Salwa border—and it’s much cheaper than taking a 40-minute flight! Just make sure to get your car insurance and have all your documents ready before you set off.
Whether you’re going for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, here’s everything you need before travelling from Saudi Arabia to Qatar by car.
| Route | Distance | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh → Salwa Border | 460 km (shortest & most common route) | 5 – 6 hours | Via Sa’d – Kharis – Hofuf – Salwa road |
| Dammam → Salwa Border | 215 – 320 km | 2.5 – 3.5 hours | Distance varies by route. The shortest is via the Salwa–Khobar coastal road (Highway 95). |
| Abu Samra Border → Doha | 90 – 110 km | 1 – 1.5 hours | Abu Samra is the Qatari side of the border opposite Saudi’s Salwa crossing. |
🪪 Qatar entry requirements
| Traveler Type | Required Documents | Notes |
| Saudi National | National ID or Passport | Must have +3 months validity. |
| Saudi Expat | Passport Copy of Exit/Re-entry Visa Qatar entry visa (if needed) | Passport must have +6 months validity. Apply for Qatar entry permit via Hayya.qa You get a visa on arrival if you have a Schengen, UK and US visa. |
Required papers for entering Qatar by car
| Document | Requirement | Notes |
| Isthimara (Vehicle Registration) | Mandatory | Must be valid. |
| Qatar Car Insurance | Mandatory for all non-Qatari cars entering Qatar | buy it online from (🔗Qubinsurance) to avoid border delays. |
| External Authorization | If the car is not registered in your name (rental, company, or family-owned). | Get a external authorization from 🔗Absher. |
🚗 Car insurance for entering Qatar
- Third party insurance is required for all non-Qatari vehicles entering Qatar.
- Your Saudi car insurance doesn’t cover accidents that happen outside Saudi Arabia. That’s why you’re asked to buy car insurance before you enter Qatar.
- Prices start from around 140 QAR , depending on your car type and how long you plan to stay in Qatar.
- You can pay for your car insurance directly at the Salwa border crossing — offices are open 24/7.
- Or, to save time, buy Qatar car insurance online before getting to the border.
What to expect — the drive
Salwa border is Saudi Arabia’s gateway to Qatar. At Salwa Qatar border, you’ll present your passport (or ID), vehicle registration (Istimara), and car insurance papers. Sometimes customs will also do a quick vehicle inspection.
Once your documents are stamped, you can proceed to enter Qatar.
Useful tips for travelling to Qatar by road
To make your drive from Saudi Arabia to Qatar as easy and stress-free as possible:
✅ Do
- Travel early in the morning or midweek (Sunday–Wednesday) to avoid holiday or weekend traffic.
- Get car insurance online before you arrive to avoid queues at Abu Samra border.
- Find a gas station before using the new Salwa road — services are still limited on the new road.
- Check tire condition and check pressure before you hit the road.
- Use cruise control to avoid overspeeding and potential fines.
❌ Don’t
- Drive at night as there are no street lights and the sand moves into the road, turning 2 lanes into 1.5 that you share with trucks
- Drive a leased car without external authorization
- Speed or break any rules in Qatar! Saudi Arabia and Qatar share a unified traffic violation system, so if you get a speeding violation in Qatar — it will appear on Absher!
🧾 Check if your Saudi insurance covers you in Qatar
Some Saudi insurance companies include a GCC coverage with their comprehensive car insurance. This coverage should protect you if you get into an accident while in Qatar.
If you have it, your insurance will cover:
- Car repair (or pay the car value if it can’t be repaired)
- Towing or car transport costs back to Saudi Arabia (if needed).
To check, look for terms like “Geographical Extension,” “Cross-border coverage,” or “GCC Coverage” in your car insurance documents.
Don’t see GCC coverage in your insurance?
No problem. You can contact your insurance company to have the feature added before your trip. Having this feature will save you from paying extra at the border for every trip & ensure you have comprehensive coverage across all Gulf countries, not just Qatar.
For the best car insurance deals in Saudi Arabia—especially if you’re buying comprehensive car insurance—be sure to compare online offers from providers known to offer the GCC extension, such as Takaful Al Rajhi, Saico, Tawuniya, Malath, Medgulf, and Wataniya.
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