Is it better to pay taxis in Qatar with cash, or do drivers accept cards or payment apps?
Qatar is very digital-first, and taxis reflect that. Every Karwa taxi I used had a working card reader, and I also paid a couple of times with Apple Pay, which worked fine. The app-based rides are equally smooth with cards. The only thing I’d recommend is still carrying a little cash, just in case a machine malfunctions, but that never happened to me. For taxis, you can absolutely rely on cards and apps in Qatar. It’s efficient and modern.
I used taxis in Doha several times, and cards were accepted almost everywhere. The Karwa taxis in particular are very reliable with card machines. Apps like Uber and Careem also let you pay through your card, which I found convenient. I did keep cash for small purchases, but never needed it for taxis. Qatar has really embraced digital payments, so for tourists it’s super easy. You don’t need to stress about carrying much cash for rides here.
During my stay in Qatar, I never had to pay a taxi in cash. Karwa taxis accept cards without issue, and Uber or Careem rides can be handled entirely on your phone. The country is geared toward digital payments, so cash isn’t really required for transportation. I had some riyals just in case, but every driver I met took cards or apps. Honestly, Qatar is one of the easiest places for a visitor who prefers not to carry much cash.
In Qatar, taxis are very modern and most accept card payments. The state-run Karwa taxis have card machines, and they worked fine with my Visa. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem are also widely available, and those let you pay by card in the app. I carried some riyals in cash as backup, but honestly, cards were the smoothest option. Qatar is very card-friendly when it comes to taxis, and you’ll rarely have a problem paying without cash.