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Qatar has mapped out the route for football fans planning to drive to the global event of the World Cup. Entry rules and procedures for overnight and five-day stays at the sports event through the Abu Samra land border crossing with Saudi Arabia have been confirmed by the nation's Ministry of Interior.

The rules will be in effect until December 23, which includes the full tournament, which ran from November 20 to December 18. Although shuttle flights continue to be the popular mode of transportation, with about 5,000 additional flights by Qatar Airways and flydubai scheduled between the UAE and Doha, several people are ready to spend hours for a long 700km drive through the desert from Dubai and the 600 km trek from Abu Dhabi.

Day visitors to the event will not be permitted to drive into the country unless they have a car registered in Qatar; instead, they must use park-and-ride services at the Abu Samra border and then take a bus for the last 90 km. On October 15, pre-registration for drivers became available. Drivers were obliged to inform the host nation that they would be driving their vehicles. New rules are issued to support several ways to celebrate this big festival in Qatar.

A Hayya card, which serves as an entry visa for football fans at the time of the event, is required to obtain match tickets, but it’s not needed for residents, citizens, or GCC citizens who bring a Qatari ID card and come in a car with Qatari plates.

One-day fan category Hayya cardholders who do not need a hotel reservation and are attending one or more matches within 24 hours must reserve a parking space in advance on the Hayya platform.

The first 24 hours of parking are free; the second day costs 1,000 Qatari riyals. If a car is left parked for more than 48 hours after parking, it will be towed and charged an additional QR1,000.

Fans can take a free bus on a 2-kilometer journey from the Abu Samra checkpoint to the Al Qalayel Friends Meet and Greet Area. They will also be able to travel 90 kilometers by public transportation to Doha Central Station in Al Messila. The parking reservation service is now available.

To prioritize the fan traffic during the event, commercial vehicle entry will be limited between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., in effect from November 15 until December 22.

You can pay for parking with the Hayya app. The Saudi border crossing at Abu Samra has been enlarged to accommodate fans, and it now has better amenities, including free parking, and is ready to handle 4,000 travelers per hour. So far, 1.5M+ people have already applied for a Hayya card.

Drive to Doha without a Qatari car registration

Permits for exceptional vehicles must be requested in advance through the official Hayya platform. You’ll get a link to buy insurance to drive across the nation. Additionally, the driver needs to have five nights of authorized, confirmed lodging with Hayya. There must be a minimum of three and a maximum of six passengers in the vehicle, and they all need to have Hayya cards.

You should pay QAR 5,000 (Dh5,043) within 24 hours to complete the procedure, and it’s a non-refundable amount. Permits are only valid for a single entry, and additional applications are required for subsequent trips. Permits are only valid for a single entry, and additional applications are required for subsequent trips. International fans who already own a Hayya card may invite three additional guests without tickets.

Take a Bus

Fans with a Hayya card, staying in Saudi Arabia will be permitted to board a bus entering Qatar. The central Doha area can be reached by connecting buses after checking in at the arrivals hall.

Rising demand for road trips to the World Cup

Mercedes Basutto, an agent with Travel Counselors who have visited Qatar to find out the demands of supporters and tourists during the event, stated that "many people coming from overseas do not want to take shuttle flights". According to him, it’s not easy to cross the border, which will take around 7 hours. But they’re ready to rent a car and move with this option.

A lot of people haven't booked shuttle flights, and there will be many people who intend to drive across. Hayya cards were extended to permit entrance into Saudi Arabia. According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, holders can enter the country for free with an electronic visa.