Qatar Money

Currency: Qatari Riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams. Notes are in denominations of QR500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 dirhams; however, only the 50 and 25 coins are in wide circulation, minting of the rest ceased in the 1970s and smaller denominations are becoming ever-scarcer.

Note: The Qatari Riyal is tied to the US Dollar.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency. Israeli currency, however, is prohibited.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Riyal against the Dollar and Sterling:
Date May '04 Aug '04 Nov '04 Feb '05
£1.00= 6.50 6.71 6.91 6.87
$1.00= 3.64 3.64 3.65 3.64

Banking hours: Sat-Thurs 0730-1330.