IKEA??? Has anyone ordered from them??

I've read many people's different experiences about driving to the UAE and there seems to be a lot of confusion about what is required to drive through Saudi to get there from Qatar.  I know this topic has been discussed before but I fear the old conversations may be out dated.

Do you know the latest requirements in regards to visas, permits, insurance, etc for driving through Saudi to UAE? (assuming I own my vehicle and have a Qatar RP and ID)

The reason not to go to Riyadh is a)you know the place, I don't b) you probably speak Arabic, I don't c) Saudi visit visa is a pain in the a%%, and Saudi transit visa is as easy as.

And after all if I go to Abu Dhabi, I might as well stay there for a couple of days and enjoy the beach and the city, which I can't say about Riyadh.

Btw. I am moving to a furnished apartment and will be selling all my IKEA furniture which I bought 6 months ago... so watch the classifieds :)

There is a Ikea in Riyadh so why not go there? I lived in Riyadh a few years ago and shopped in Ikea once or twice. When I started work in Doha, I drove my car "full" from Riyadh to Doha. It is quite interesting with all the dunes -- more interesting than the drive to Abu Dhabi/Dubai (long-line of endless run-down shops, etc.)

Hello,

Are there any good furniture shops in Qatar that offer reasonably priced Arabic furniture?

Thanx.

Think2

8 hours from Doha to Abu Dhabi (with all border crossings). There is an IKEA in Abu Dhabi, so you don't have to go to Dubai (1,5-2 hours more).

Basically we left at 5:00, by 7:00 we were on Saudi border, by 10:00 we were on Emirates border, by 13:00 parked in our hotel in Abu Dhabi.

I'm all for being open minded !!!

"The trouble is, with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and try to put things in it" - Terry Prachett.

Yes

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I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

you have to drive over the Saudi border to get there?

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"There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out". - Richard Dawkins

That sounds like the best idea, do you remember the milage or how long it took you to get to Abu Dhabi Ikea and back (to qatar)

I simply went to Abu Dhabi, loaded my car (a 4x4 Ford Explorer) with boxes from IKEA (actually you can fit in a lot!) and took it to Qatar.

There is also a new PAN Emirates furniture store on Salwa Road, close to the flyover over the D-Ring.

Otherwise it is all Louis XIV style furniture to fill the ghastly 10 bedroom villas to be rented out for 60.000 QAR a month....

Indeed, no Ikea in Qatar... but one will certainly open witin the next years.

If you REALLY want Ikea furniture, indeed, the best is to buy it from Dubai (email adress given before)... with the risk to find damage stuffs, and how to prove how's mistake??

But of course, everything can also arrive in a very good shape with an external shipping company (quid about the cost?)

Second solution, you forget Ikea (at least for 2 years), and yes, I think also it's better to buy here. I will add Home Center stores (one in City Center, one near Jeidah Bridge). All my furniture is coming from there and since 2 years I have noticed no problem.

Follow The White Rabbit

I have used Ikea once, and will never again. Appauling service. Had some damaged goods that they REFUSED to accept was delivered that way.

Take my advice, purchase WITHIN Qatar or you'll have a hassle.

I will recommend two places for general furniture.

King Koil and Outdoors.

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I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net

http://www.ikeadubai.com/content/contactUs.asp

If you go to Dubai's AKEA they will arrange delivery to Doha. I have no idea of the cost.

No IKEA in Qatar :(