The city covers more ground than a map suggests. The main sights are grouped, but the groups are far apart. Base matters when transit eats into a short stay. The waterfront and business district suits people who want to be central. Staying near the souq puts the traditional side on the doorstep. Purpose-built waterfront districts are quieter and more residential. Airport-adjacent hotels suit brief stopovers and little else. Rail links several main areas efficiently. Gaps remain and get filled with taxis. Combining rail with short taxi rides works well. Ride-hailing apps operate widely. Traditional metered taxis also run and travel guide are often cheaper for longer trips. Car hire earns its cost only for excursions beyond Doha. Driving in town adds difficulty without saving much. The heat rules out longer walks outside the cool months. Within a single area, walking is fine in the cooler months. Pavements and crossings are not always continuous. One part of the city per day works better than crossing it repeatedly. The airport to city journey takes a manageable amount of time. The travellers who spend less of a short trip in transit generally chose their base by what they wanted to do.