Muscat Transportation

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I was surprised to see that taxi drivers were locals; I didn't think Arabs stooped to such low jobs. It turns out that Oman has a law that only local nationals can be taxi drivers. Taxis here do not have meters, so you must negotiate your price before getting in the taxi. Ask a local or your hotel concierge so you don't overpay. My experience with taxis in Oman was positive; no problems as long as I negotiated the price first.

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Muscat International Airport, known as Seeb Airport until 2008, is located about 18 miles west of Muscat, the capital of Oman. The hub of Oman Air, Muscat Airport handles about 6 million passengers each year. The airport offers connections to 18 Middle Eastern cities, 8 European airports, 3 African locations, and 27 Asian destinations. The airport is undergoing a three billion USD expansion that will grow the capacity to 12 million passengers a year.

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I changed planes here on my way to and from India. Going my connection time was 75 minutes. I had no problems at all, the aircraft arrived on time and transfer directions were clearly sign posted. The only slight hold up is the scanning of hand baggage.

On returning I had over 4 hours before my connecting flight. The airport is clean and tidy with lots of seating areas. To change money there are bureau de change and an ATM. To spend your money there are duty free & souvenir shops, to make UK visitors feel at home there's a WH Smith. There's also a wide range of eateries, fast food, coffee shops etc. The airport also has a bar.

Taxi to old Muscat from Mutrah takes 10 minutes and costs 2 rials (5 USD). The trip pass through Mutrah Fort, beautiful landmarks and viewpoins along the sea. There is also a narrow mountain road to this place called "Riyam Street". Ask the driver to drive different ways to and from. Inside Old Muscat you probably drive on Bab Al Mathaib Street to the gate of Old Muscat. And you will see Al Mirami Fort, Al Jalali Fort, Al Alam Palace and the famous, cleanest square in the world.

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I flew with Oman Air on a nightflight from Frankfurt to Muscat. The trip on WY114 took 6 hrs. I also flew from Muscat to Dubai. The flight attendants were mostly from foreign countries, some europeans and maybe some Malaysian. I didn't see any women with an arab appearance. The inflight service was about average. A LCD display on each seat offering many different movies made the impression better. A nice surprise was also a free pack with eye patching, toothbrush/toothpaste and some warm socks.

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Muscat is a city with scattered settlement between the different parts of the city. A car is must to move around. Some areas has few taxis and other areas have many taxis, like Mutrah. The prices goes down when many taxis are offering tours. From Mutrah to Al Qurm beach was 3 rials, but another taxi driver asked me for 7 rials to get back. He was the only taxi there at the moment. I bargained the price to 5 rials, and he agreed to that price when a new taxi came into the taxi stop.

All taxis in Muscat are white and orange coloured. The Taxi drivers are only local people, and not like it is in Dubai where 90% of the drivers are Pakistanis. The Omani taxi drivers are good business men and want the highest price. But they are honest, give good service and keep to the agreed price.

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Muscat International Airport Taxi Service's counter is just outside the arrival hall. All taxis from Muscat airport are fixed priced. Taxi to the city costs 8 rials, and taxi to Al Qurm beach costs 7 rials. Give the receipt voucher to a taxi driver, and that's all...

Taxi from the city to the airport is normally cheaper. Especially if you are in an area where it is many taxis, like Mutrah. The driver asked me for 6 rials, but I bargained the price to 5 rials. (One rial is 2,7 USD).

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Muscat International airpot (MCT), formerly known as Seeb airport, is the main airport in Oman and the hub for Oman air. It is a small airport, but it is under expansion. The airport stakes a lot on beeing a large airport for the region. The airport is located at GPS 23° 35' 30" N 58° 16' 45" E, 37km from Matrah in Muscat.

Arrivals: All passengers disembark from the flights at tarmac and take bus to to the arrival hall. Follow the sign to the Visa-couter and get your visa on arrival. Make sure to be one of the first because it will be a queue here.... Pay 6 rials (or 20 USD / 15 Euro). You can also change money here. Then go to the immigration, show your passport and the visa-receipt. The immigration officer may ask you how long you will stay and the name of the hotel. So have your hotel ready - or just say a hotel name. Stamp your passport. Then walk towards the customs. The baggage are X-ray screened before you can enter the arrival hall. Then just walk outside and go to the taxi couter. Taxi to the city costs 8 rials, to Al Qurm beach is 7 rials.

Departure: The departure hall is on the right side of the ground floor. Go inside the terminal and line up in queue for a ticket/security check (see picture 4). There are two lines, one fast track for VIP or business passengers and one for all the others. Try to get to the fast track and you may save up to 30 minutes. If you look decent and have little baggage, the chances are good. The you walk towards the X-ray and screen all your baggage (see picture 5). The check-in counters are right behind. After check-in, walk up the stairs to the gates. There are no departure tax from Muscat.