Karwa Bus Card: Where to Buy One, Prices and How to Recharge
Where to get a Karwa bus card near you, what the Classic, Limited and Unlimited cards cost, how to recharge with Ooredoo Money or a machine, and why your Metro card won't work on the bus.
Karwa buses in Qatar, run by Mowasalat, don't take cash (Qatar Living, August 2026). You pay with a Karwa smart card, or with a QR ticket from the Karwa app on some services.
Where to buy a Karwa bus card
Ticket machines that sell and top up Karwa cards are at:
- Hamad International Airport
- The Pearl
- Mall of Qatar
- The major Karwa bus stations
Partner shops around Doha also sell the cards. This list comes from Qatar's government portal Hukoomi and Qatar Living. Look for the Karwa logo at the counter. Some shops add a small commission.
Which bus station is nearest? Mowasalat lists its bus stations as Msheireb, Al Gharrafa, Al Sudan, Al Wakra, Education City, Industrial Area and Lusail (Mowasalat, 2026). Msheireb is the one in the city centre. Bus stops near me finds the stations and stops closest to you.
The old Al Ghanim bus station, which many older guides still mention, closed in June 2022 (The Peninsula).
Some drivers sell Limited and Unlimited cards on the bus, but not the Classic card. Don't rely on it. If you can't find an outlet, buy a QR ticket in the Karwa app instead.
Karwa card prices
| Card | Price | What you get | Can you recharge it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | QAR 30 | A reusable card with QAR 20 of credit on it | Yes |
| Limited | QAR 10 | 2 single trips within 24 hours | No |
| Unlimited | QAR 20 | Unlimited bus trips for 24 hours | No |
If you live in Qatar or are staying a few days, buy the Classic card: QAR 10 is the card and the other QAR 20 is credit. The Limited card suits a single return trip, and the Unlimited card a day of bus rides.
These prices were first published in 2021 and Qatar Living couldn't confirm them against a current official fare table, so check at the machine or in the Karwa app.
How to recharge a Karwa card
Only the Classic card can be recharged. You can top it up:
- With Ooredoo Money, in the app or by dialling *140#. Choose Karwa Smart Card and enter the first 10 digits of the card number. You can add QAR 5 to QAR 500.
- At a ticket machine at the airport, The Pearl, Mall of Qatar or a major bus station.
- At a partner shop that sells the cards.
Can I use my Metro card on a Karwa bus?
No. The Doha Metro travel card and the Karwa bus card are separate. A Metro card works on the Metro and the Lusail Tram but not on Karwa buses, and a Karwa card won't open the Metro gates.
The exception is Metrolink, the free feeder buses from Metro stations, which you board with your Metro card. See our Metrolink guide and Metro cards and fares.
Using the card on the bus
Tap the reader when you get on and again when you get off. The fare depends on how far you go, so the card needs both taps. Trips within Doha usually cost a few riyals; longer trips out of the city cost more. One card pays for one person.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy a Karwa bus card near me?
At the ticket machines at Hamad International Airport, The Pearl, Mall of Qatar and the major Karwa bus stations, or at a partner shop showing the Karwa logo. Msheireb Bus Station is the one in the city centre.
How much is a Karwa bus card?
The Classic card costs QAR 30, including QAR 20 of credit. The Limited card is QAR 10 for 2 trips, and the Unlimited card QAR 20 for 24 hours.
How do I check my Karwa card balance?
At a ticket machine, or in the Karwa app if you've registered the card.
Is Al Ghanim bus station still open?
No. It closed in June 2022. For central Doha, use Msheireb Bus Station.
I lost my Karwa card. Can I get the balance back?
Contact Mowasalat customer service on +974 4458 8888 about a lost Classic card. Limited and Unlimited cards can't be recovered.
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