Travel Information
LPAR'08 takes place in Doha, Qatar (see map).Getting There and Away
Qatar is easily accessible by air from around the world. The local carrier, Qatar Airways, flies non-stop to some 80 destinations worldwide. About two dozen other airlines fly to Qatar, including British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM and Emirates.
All flights arrive at Doha International Airport (DOH), which is located just South of downtown Doha. The easiest way to go from the airport to your final destination is to hop on one of the many turquoise Karwa taxis waiting just outside of the terminal.
Visa and Immigration
Most travelers will need a visa to enter Qatar. The citizens of some 33 countries can obtain a visa on arrival. Carnegie Mellon University will help citizens of other countries get an electronic visa prior to entering Qatar: such attendees will print the visa at home and present it to the immigration booth. Contact for further information.
Note that the immigration authorities will deny any visa request deemed illegitimate or fraudulent. In the past, requests from sub-Saharan Africa have been the subject of particular scrutiny.
Getting Around
The easiest and cheapest way to travel around Doha is to use the ubiquitous turquoise Karwa taxis (you can also call 458-8888). It is also possible to call for a limousine (e.g., Fox Transport at 462-2777, or QIA at 455-3954). A final option is to rent a car (for those with roundabout experience). The bus network in Doha is under development and currently not a practical transportation option to come to the conference.
Practicalities
Language: The official language of Qatar is Arabic, but English is widely spoken.
Money: The currency of Qatar is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is pegged to the US dollar at an exchange rate of $1.00 = QR 3.65. ATMs can be found everywhere. The cost of living is relatively low.
Telephone: The country telephone code of Qatar is 974. To call out, you need to dial 00 + country code + phone number.
Electricity: Electricity in Qatar is 220-240V. Plugs are of the British type, but converters are readily available.
Weather: Winter in Qatar is very pleasant with average temperatures ranging from 15°C (60°F) at night to 25°C (77°F) during the day. Sunshine is the norm, but it may rain. The rest of the year is another story.
Dangers and annoyances: Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world and crime is practically unknown of. The one thing to be careful of are reckless drivers, typically driving huge Land Cruisers at high speed.
See the Qatar Visitor web site for further information.
Sponsorship
For information on exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at the conference, contact Iliano Cervesato at
Press and Media
For media-related inquiries, contact Noha Al Afifi at
Please send email to for any additional information.