Do you manage without a car?

Sontana
By Sontana

Please, I'd like to hear your opinions on this as a lot of people say it is a real hassle without a car of your own but I panic about driving! Especially from what I've heard of the roads in Doha. I've also been told to not bother with the buses. My transport to and from school should be sorted so for the rest of the time with taxis and occasionally hiring a private driver could I make do??

Your own experiences of this would be much appreciated.

By ako_po_si__• 26 Sep 2009 20:42
ako_po_si__

you can manage but its difficult...

car here is necessity rather luxury (except for locals lol)...

By Glorya• 26 Sep 2009 17:58
Glorya

FOR Me ill manage it for how many years since i cannot afford to have a car loan ill go by bus going to/fro office. doing weekends if i have plans to go shopping or visit friends ill go by car lift or taxi.

By cute_ man75• 26 Sep 2009 16:59
Rating: 4/5
cute_ man75

so difficult to be in doha without a car; its very important

MyHotComments

By me and you• 26 Sep 2009 16:56
me and you

What!?!?!? No problem during the day! There are so many muppets on the roads. I have been driving almost 4 weeks now and i have been cut up sooo many times. Especially on the roundabouts where drivers have NO idea what flippin lane to be in for the exit they want. It really angers me how some people even have a driving licence- licence to kill!!!

By mjamille28• 26 Sep 2009 16:55
mjamille28

no thank you.

By anonymous• 26 Sep 2009 16:51
anonymous

i can pick you with my lovely cars,choose 1(honda pilot or honda civic)...

By saeed1990• 26 Sep 2009 16:48
saeed1990

Driving here is only scary late at night when the roads are clear, u shouldnt have a problem during the day

By anonymous• 26 Sep 2009 16:26
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

we can manage without car, we're been here in doha for two years using carlift and taxi only. sometimes if we are going in near place we just walk..

but it also depends in your lifestyle..

MyHotComments

By deerpark• 26 Sep 2009 16:20
deerpark

Get a taxi. It is cheap. You do have to call atleast a day in advance though.

By dayo• 1 Sep 2009 20:50
Rating: 4/5
dayo

220v has a point..it depends on your lifestyle. I know someone who's been here for 5 years or so but doesn't own a car (he can afford to have one).Company car takes him to and from work and hires taxi on weekends to go shopping or visiting some friends although he admits nowadays getting a cab means standing under the heat of the sun for 30mins to an hour or more if you are lucky.

For me,it's a necessity to have a car here in Doha.Just drive responsibly and always..Be careful.

By 220v• 31 Aug 2009 10:43
Rating: 5/5
220v

depending on ur lifestyle,,

my first car is sold,second car is crashed and the third one is just parked in the garage.. cause of its fxxxup gear problem and planing to buy a new one before EID..

as or me...i am a regular with these car proplems..since i am used to driving here for atleast 10 years now...i cant live without a car...so nowadays ,,i am surviving with 1 of my brother's cars to go work and hangout..i fill his tank as an indirect bribe,,,lol..which is not really necessary...

sonata,,rent a car for atleast a month or a week and just notice how ur life really changes... i am sure u will be an addict... but dont get into problems like me...specially in the summer of doha...ayayaya,,

By billy1203• 26 Aug 2009 09:27
billy1203

i can't manage without own car specially when i want to go somehwere here in doha and if there some gatherings to be attended...

It is very difficult.....

By me and you• 26 Aug 2009 09:04
me and you

Stevethetyke, thanks for your good luck wishes and thats something I will have to do. I seem to have the loudest kids in the world who just love to fight in the car so prob best having a go without them.

By Mandilulur• 26 Aug 2009 06:34
Rating: 3/5
Mandilulur

It is very difficult without a car, but truly, Doha is not the place for an inexperienced driver to learn.

Mandi

By Sugar Qtr• 25 Aug 2009 22:42
Rating: 2/5
Sugar Qtr

I cannot depend on others to go to places. If you can afford to buy a car, go ahead. Its an investment in the long run, and you will not regret it.

Good luck.

~*Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret*~

By Bluemountain• 25 Aug 2009 22:38
Bluemountain

I have someone special willing drive for me where i want to go at any time

By stevethetyke• 25 Aug 2009 22:09
Rating: 4/5
stevethetyke

Me and you, Good luck with the driving, I may be stating the obvious but try a few dry runs to the school without the kids loaded first.You dont want distraction like boisterous kids on your first run.

By Sontana• 25 Aug 2009 14:33
Sontana

Most helpful!

By Brownskinned• 25 Aug 2009 12:37
Rating: 5/5
Brownskinned

Nothing is more convinient driving around within and the peripheries of Doha anytime you want..

By _noms_• 25 Aug 2009 12:00
_noms_

Iam more like an handicapped without a Car.

~noms~

-----------------------------------------

"Before God we are all equally wise ' and equally foolish" - Albert Einstein

By silenced• 25 Aug 2009 11:38
Rating: 4/5
silenced

me too, without a car. but have to call friends and bother them at times, taxis can be a problem as you can't easily find one on the roads.

I have managed tho it would be better to have a license soon.

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2009 09:25
Rating: 4/5
mjamille28

yes for me...

By leilany2• 25 Aug 2009 09:23
leilany2

very difficult without a car...

By me and you• 25 Aug 2009 09:20
Rating: 4/5
me and you

Hi there,

I have been in Doha for just over 2 months now and I too was afraid of the driving here as back in the UK people know how to drive..... well most people!

I have used a driver for the time I have been here and as stated already it can be quite expencive but sometimes you have no choice.

I have not found the thought of driving to get any easier since being here but its something I will HAVE to do and you if you want to have any freedom.

My children start school in a week and their school is not near our villa so that will be something that is very hard for me to do.

I wish you well for your start in Doha and if I can be of any more help dont hesitate in sending me a PM. :-)

By stevethetyke• 24 Aug 2009 23:02
Rating: 5/5
stevethetyke

My opinion is you need a car,however just try it for a month without one if it works fine, if not cars are cheap as chips out here and petrol is pennies.

By anonymous• 24 Aug 2009 22:47
anonymous

Barely :(

_______________________________________________________

"You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back."

By flanostu• 24 Aug 2009 22:40
Rating: 3/5
flanostu

i'm close to 18 months without a car but i'm lucky enough to live next to work.

weekends i'm usually intoxicated so can't drive. i have my dedicated driver to pick me up after a binge.

can be expensive but i always end up home even if i can't remember the trip.

By KHATTAK• 24 Aug 2009 22:03
Rating: 4/5
KHATTAK

....yes you can do with the cab service...but it will be a costly affair in the long run.

-------------------------------------------------------

Whenever I find the KEY to SUCCESS...Someone STEALS it.

By aftab.azam• 24 Aug 2009 22:02
Rating: 4/5
aftab.azam

According to my experience self driving is more comfortable, there always risk involve in every thing, drive carefully that you can, any incident going to happen you could not stop that.Either you have a 24 hour driver. one more thing depending upon your mobility, if you planned every thing then its ok,

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