Muscat is the capital of Oman, a low-rise coastal city of white buildings set between the Gulf of Oman and the rugged Hajar Mountains. Its old harbour district of Mutrah, the vast Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House and a string of quiet beaches make it one of the Gulf's most relaxed and culturally rooted capitals.
- Public
- Mwasalat city buses run on a small set of routes (airport, Ruwi, Muttrah, Qurum, Seeb) at modest fares, but Muscat stretches about 50 km along the coast, services thin out after evening and there is no metro or passenger rail
- Taxi
- Licensed taxis are now booked through regulated apps such as OTaxi or hailed at hotel ranks; fares are metered or app-quoted, and airport pickups run through Mwasalat and approved operators
- Rental
- The best option for day trips: roads are excellent, fuel is cheap and the main sights (Nizwa, Wadi Shab, Sur) are 1.5 to 2.5 hours away; a 4WD is needed only for Jebel Akhdar and the Wahiba Sands
- Walking
- Walkable in pockets only: the Muttrah Corniche and souq, Old Muscat and Shatti Al Qurum promenade; distances between districts are long and summer heat makes walking impractical from May to September
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 2/5
- Taxi
- 4/5
- Rental
- 5/5
- Walking
- 2/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Muscat taxis are orange-and-white cars. Since April 2025 licensed taxis operate through regulated apps, with OTaxi the most widely used, and a flag-fall of about OMR 1.5 (USD 3.90) plus a per-kilometre rate. Street-hailed taxis still exist; agree the fare first if the meter is not running. A typical cross-city ride (Muttrah to Shatti Al Qurum) costs OMR 3-5 (USD 8-13). Pay in cash (Omani rial) unless the app handles payment. Only Mwasalat and approved operators serve arrivals at the airport rank.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Muscat is a long, low-rise city stretched along the Gulf of Oman coast between Muttrah and the airport district of Seeb, with a mountain backdrop that limits road links. The sights are spread out, public transport is limited to Mwasalat buses, and there is no metro or passenger train, so most visitors use a mix of taxis (booked by app) and a rental car. A rental car is also the practical way to reach the major day-trip destinations such as Nizwa, Wadi Shab and Sur.
Airports
Muscat International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Rent a car for day trips: a compact car costs about OMR 10-15 per day (USD 26-39) and fuel is roughly OMR 0.25 per litre (USD 0.65), so one car for two or three days costs less than daily taxis
Since 2026 Mwasalat Muscat city buses accept contactless bank cards only; carry a Visa or Mastercard with a tap function because cash is no longer taken on board
Install the OTaxi app before arrival and confirm the fare shown before the ride starts; taxis hailed in the street charge by meter or by negotiation and the first quote is often high
For the airport, the cheapest option is the Mwasalat airport bus at about OMR 1.0-1.5 (USD 2.60-3.90); a taxi to Muttrah or Ruwi costs about OMR 8-10 (USD 21-26)
Book Mwasalat intercity seats (Muscat to Sur, Salalah) online at tickets.mwasalat.om or at the Azaiba (Athaiba) headquarters; services are few and run once or twice daily
A 4WD vehicle is compulsory for the paved-but-steep Jebel Akhdar road beyond the police checkpoint and is checked at the gate; saloon cars are turned back
Allow for Friday: many bus services run reduced timetables on Friday mornings and public holidays
Emergency number for police, ambulance and fire across Oman is 9999