We drove from UAE to catch a World Cup game in Doha the same day - here is how we did it

The first World Cup to grace the Middle East has offered football lovers in the region a golden opportunity to see the thrilling action up close.

Dozens of flights are jetting off from airports across the Gulf each day to offer supporters a flying visit to the tournament.

But that is not the only way to see a match on the very same day you depart.

For those with a sense of adventure, and who don't mind a somewhat longer journey, World Cup 2022 can be an unforgettable road trip.

It is possible to drive from the UAE to Saudi Arabia and hop on a bus to Doha, all on the same day.

The road to the World Cup

I travelled with three friends and we chose to park on the Saudi side of the border. You can park in that specific area for up to 96 hours, free of charge.

To drive the car in Qatar, you would have to pay the much-publicised Dh5,000 fee levied by the authorities to control congestion.

Qatar drops Hayya card requirement for GCC citizens and residents

The car park is next to the bus station, police are on patrol and there are cameras that read number plates.

Buses provided by the Saudi government, also free of charge, will take you through to the immigration area on the Qatar side of the border.

Here’s a rundown of what else you can expect on the way from the UAE to Qatar:

0020: We leave Al Shahama in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, November 27, about 20 minutes after midnight. The plan is to arrive in Doha in time for the match between Costa Rica and Japan. It’s not every day that Google Maps tells you to continue driving for 200km.

0240: We drive past Al Ruwais Industrial City. It is home to one of the UAE’s most important industrial complexes.

0310: The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant can be seen a distance from the motorway. The four domes are impressive even at night, with their red lights.

Richard Chimbiri drove from the UAE to Doha to watch Costa Rica versus Japan. Picture: Richard Chimbiri

0530: Arrival at Ghuwaifat, the border crossing to Saudi Arabia. Formalities are quick. There are only a few cars and we are lucky to arrive a few minutes before a tour bus carrying passengers to Doha, who will all need their passports stamped at immigration.

0620: We have our fingerprints and other biometrics done on the Saudi side of the border. Our passports are stamped and we pay for short-term car insurance. Once all this is done customs and security officers inspect our luggage and the car. Then we are free to go.

The time difference between the UAE and Saudi Arabia is one hour. It’s 6.30am in the Emirates and 5.30am in Saudi Arabia and Qatar at this point. We gain an hour because of the difference.

0530: We leave the border and begin the drive through Saudi Arabia. Google Maps is handy, but it does get us off-route at one point. Best to have at least one phone that is roaming on data and voice calls.

0730: We arrive at Abu Samra, the border between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We have not booked parking on the Doha side, but free parking for up to 96 hours is available about 5km from the border in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities are also providing buses, free of cost, to take all travellers to the border with Qatar.

0735: Off the bus and into the immigration offices.

0815: Smile! We have our faces scanned at immigration in Qatar. Outside there are more than 30 buses waiting to carry passengers free of cost to Doha, about 90km away.

0900: We arrive at the Messila Metro Station in Doha, which is a hub for trains and buses travelling across Qatar. We are here four hours before kick-off. We chose to stay at a hotel apartment in Al Wakrah, so we take the Metro there. Ubers are also available, typically within less than five minutes.

World Cup 2022 — in pictures

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Tips to stay safe during hot weather

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.

Based: Riyadh

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Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

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Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds

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The specs

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On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

At a glance

- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years

- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills

- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis

- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector

- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes

- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government

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SPECS

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Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.