Is cash still widely used?
Rarely. Qatar — particularly Doha — has excellent card infrastructure. Malls, restaurants, hotels, taxis (Karwa), and most shops accept Visa and Mastercard without issue. The country has been investing heavily in cashless infrastructure.
Traditional souqs like Souq Waqif have a mix of cash and card vendors.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are widely available across Doha. Qatar National Bank (QNB) and Commercial Bank ATMs accept foreign cards reliably.
- Fees are around 10 QAR per withdrawal for foreign cards
- Excellent 24/7 availability in malls and on main streets
- The riyal is pegged to the USD at a fixed rate
Card acceptance
Excellent. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at virtually all hotels, restaurants, and shops. Contactless payments are widely supported.
Tips for travelers
- Cards are your primary tool in Qatar
- Carry some riyals for souq vendors and small tips
- The fixed USD peg makes budgeting straightforward
- Karwa taxis and Uber both accept card payments