Living in Old Airport
Affordable, well-connected central Doha living on the Metro Red Line, built on the site of the city's original airport.
Why Live in Old Airport?
Best For
- Families looking for a well-rounded community
- Families with school-age children
- Families seeking outdoor activities and green spaces
- Those who enjoy convenient shopping and dining
- Food lovers who enjoy diverse cuisine
Neighborhood & Lifestyle
Daily Life
The area is well-served by mosques, including Othman Bin Mazoon Mosque (197) and Masjid 794 Sumaya Umm Ammar bin Yasser, ensuring convenient access to prayer facilities. Families benefit from nearby educational institutions including The Playhouse and Educare International Academy. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Car park and Al Matar Qadeem Metro Station for jogging, picnics, and family outings. Shopping is convenient with The Mall Doha and Al Furjan Markets - 33 accessible within minutes. Daily groceries are covered by Lulu Hypermarket - D-ring Road and Family Food Centre. Healthcare is accessible with Al Shefa Polyclinic and other medical facilities in the vicinity. Dining out is a pleasure with popular spots like Papa Johns Pizza and Pizza Hut (rated 4.2★). Stay active at VLCC Slimming | Beauty | Fitness, C-Ring Road or Online Yoga - the best in Doha.
Getting Around
Old Airport benefits from excellent public transport connectivity with nearby stations including Metro, Al Matar Qadeem Metro Station, Ent 1 Oqba Ibn Nafie Metro Station. The area is connected to Doha's road network with easy access to major highways. The Mall Doha and other key destinations are a short drive away. Taxi and ride-hailing services like Karwa and Uber are readily available.
Commute Times
Nearby Landmarks
Historical Context & Architecture
A Brief History
Old Airport, known in Arabic as Al Matar Al Qadeem and locally as Fereej Al Matar, takes its name from the original Doha International Airport, which operated on this site from the mid-20th century until the modern era. Much of the surrounding district was laid out as the city expanded through the 1970s, though development ambitions were scaled back during the oil-price downturn of the 1980s. It grew into one of Doha's most established and densely populated neighbourhoods, and in 1997 it became home to The Mall, the first enclosed shopping centre in the city. When Hamad International Airport opened in 2014 commercial aviation relocated away from the old field, which remains in use for government, military and diplomatic flights.
Architecture & Character
Old Airport is predominantly a low-rise residential quarter, defined by standalone villas and modest commercial buildings laid out on a broadly grid-patterned street network rather than the high-rise towers seen elsewhere in Doha. Its main artery, Al Matar Al Qadeem Street (Old Airport Street), is lined with retail shops, restaurants and service businesses that give the area a busy, workaday character and anchor daily life for the surrounding community. The district is well connected by the Doha Metro red line, with the Al Matar Al Qadeem and Oqba Al Nafie stations serving the area. Under the Qatar National Master Plan it is designated a Town Centre, a status that envisions denser, mixed-use redevelopment over time.
Properties in Old Airport
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What's Nearby
Real places and services within a short distance, sourced from Google Maps. Tap any place to open it in Maps.
Metro & Tram Stations
Public transport stations near this area. Doha Metro and Lusail Tram provide fast, affordable travel across the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it like to live in Old Airport, Doha?
It is a central, affordable and busy residential district with a strong expat character, especially South Asian and Arab communities. Expect dense streets lined with shops, supermarkets and restaurants along the main roads, with quieter villa and apartment back-streets behind them. It is practical and well-connected rather than polished or scenic.
Is Old Airport good for families and kids?
It can be, if your priorities are budget, central location and being near schools and shops. Several schools and nurseries are in the district, and Old Airport Park offers green space, a jogging track and a mosque. The main downsides are heavy traffic on the ring roads, a dense built-up feel and a larger bachelor population than in gated family compounds.
What schools are near Old Airport?
Schools associated with the district include Bhavan's Public School (Airport branch, CBSE/Indian curriculum), Al Hamad International, American Academy, Global Academy International and Rising Stars Kindergarten. Confirm current campus, curriculum and admissions directly with each school, as branches and locations change.
Is there a metro station in Old Airport?
Yes. Old Airport is on the Doha Metro Red Line, served by Al Matar Al Qadeem station, which opened in May 2019. It has step-free access and is fed by Metrolink shuttle buses (M120, M121, M122) and Karwa bus route 11.
What is there to do in Old Airport?
The Mall on D Ring Road (Qatar's first enclosed shopping mall, with shops, dining and a cinema) is the anchor attraction, along with Old Airport Park for walking and relaxing. The area is also known for value shopping at hypermarkets and department stores like Ansar Gallery, Family Food Centre and LuLu, and a wide range of affordable, mostly South Asian and Middle Eastern eateries.
Is Old Airport expat-friendly?
Very. It has one of Doha's more established expat communities, particularly Indian, Filipino, other South Asian and Arab residents, reflected in its supermarkets, restaurants, schools and places of worship. It is one of the more accessible districts for newcomers on a budget.
Is Old Airport quiet or lively?
Both, depending on where you are. The main roads (Airport/Matar Street, D Ring, E Ring, Najma) are lively and commercial with steady traffic, while the residential interior streets are calmer. Overall it leans busy and urban rather than tranquil.
Are there hospitals or clinics in Old Airport?
Yes. Aster Hospital, a 50-bed multi-specialty private hospital with 24-hour emergency care, is located in Zone 45 on Ras Umm Hasat Street, and the district has numerous clinics and pharmacies typical of a dense residential area.
How do I get around Old Airport without a car?
It is one of the more car-optional budget districts: the Red Line metro at Al Matar Al Qadeem connects you across Doha, Metrolink feeder buses and Karwa route 11 serve the neighbourhood, and most daily shopping, schools and services are within a short distance.