The shining metro network beneath the desert's surface

It’s fast, fully automated, features a luxurious Gold Class for premium riders, and ranks among the most innovative metro systems ever constructed.

This is the Doha Metro, a state-of-the-art transit system designed to take fans to next year's World Cup matches, and it’s expected to transform transportation across Qatar in the future.

Primarily built underground throughout Doha and its surrounding areas, the metro has been running since 2019, offering a reliable transit option in a city where car dependence and heavy traffic congestion have been long-standing issues.

The first phase of the metro development included the construction of 37 stations, with three key lines—Red, Green, and Gold—spanning a 76-kilometer (47-mile) network.

The fully automated trains, each 60 meters long, can carry up to 416 passengers and are divided into three compartments: Standard, Family (designed for solo women, men, or women traveling with children under 11), and Gold (reserved for Goldclub Travel Card holders).

Modern and spacious, these trains reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour (60 mph), are equipped with CCTV for security, and provide public Wi-Fi. Gold class passengers can even charge their mobile devices through built-in USB ports during their journey.

Where the past meets the future

The stations were designed to embody a vision that blends both progress and tradition, combining elements of regional architecture with modern design principles.

“It was crucial that the design connected with its surroundings, the city of Doha, and the nation of Qatar,” says Ben van Berkel, co-founder of UNStudio, the Dutch architecture firm that collaborated with Qatar Rail’s Architecture Department to create the stations, in an interview with Dinogo Travel.

“We aimed to merge Qatar’s past and future in a single architectural gesture, drawing inspiration from traditional Qatari designs—especially the arch—and reimagining it into what we call ‘vaulted spaces,’” he explains.

“While the exterior design evokes the monumental strength of traditional Qatari architecture, the interiors are designed to convey a sense of lightness, movement, and fluidity.”

Design and planning objectives

Curved shapes and lighting were important design features, but ensuring a distinct architectural identity was equally vital.

Van Berkel mentioned that a significant challenge of such a large-scale project was “designing something that balances both unity and uniqueness.”

“On one hand, you must create landmarks that are recognizable across the entire city, while on the other, each station must possess its own distinct character and respond to its unique environment,” he adds.

The architects approached this by incorporating recurring design elements and materials, such as durable sandstone exteriors and interiors that shimmer with a mother-of-pearl effect—paying homage to Qatar’s rich legacy as a center for pearl diving and trade.

By creating a flexible yet standardized system, the design allowed for a variety of configurations, each tailored to meet the specific needs and sizes of the individual stations.

“The vast scale of the Doha metro network required meticulous planning to meet tight deadlines while minimizing disruption to the city’s existing infrastructure,” says Van Berkel. “As a result, adaptability became a core principle in the design and planning process.”

Main artery

At the center of it all is Msheireb Station, the largest station in the network and a major interchange connecting all three lines.

Spacious and modern, the station spans four main levels and reaches a depth of about 40 meters. Beyond its glowing entrance, triangular arches adorned with hexagonal, pearlescent tiles give it a futuristic appearance that stretches all the way down to the platform areas.

Inside, the station features a variety of commercial stores, while the exterior remains simple with the addition of bicycle racks scattered throughout.

On the outside, commuters and visitors can admire a mural titled “Family Reunion” by Doha-based artist Abdulaziz Yousef Ahmed, along with other pieces of art displayed across the network, including a replica of the iconic Greek statue “Charioteer of Delphi,” which World Cup spectators will encounter upon arriving at Hamad International Airport metro station.

The world’s largest football event is over a year away, but preparations are already in full swing, with the new underground rail system at the heart of it all.

At the Sport City station, massive blue-and-white football posters, marked with arrows, direct passengers towards Khalifa International Stadium, one of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venues.

Sustainability legacy

With over one million visitors expected in Doha for the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world, the Metro system has been designed as the backbone of transportation for the event.

The system provides a direct connection from Doha’s Hamad International Airport to five of the eight World Cup stadiums, with the remaining venues accessible via a combination of rail and bus services.

Organizers state that the Doha Metro, alongside bus and tram networks, will efficiently transport fans between their accommodations, the stadiums, and key city attractions.

“The metro system is highly efficient, electric, and incorporates regenerative braking technology to minimize its carbon footprint,” say World Cup organizers on their official website. “Moreover, all metro stations meet green building certification standards, ensuring their environmental credentials.”

Looking beyond the World Cup, the growing Doha Metro is seen as a crucial part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, the country’s plan to diversify its economy, with long-term benefits for future generations even after the tournament’s final match on December 18, 2022.

“The impact of eco-friendly transportation will be felt by everyone in Qatar long after the World Cup,” says Thani Al Zarraa, mobility director for the event’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.