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Getting There By Air:

Seeb International Airport (MCT)
Tel: 24 519 223 or 24 519 456.
Website: www.omanairports.com

Seeb International Airport is 37km (23 miles) west of Muscat city center. It is a small airport currently undergoing major redevelopment and the building of a second runway.

Airport facilities: These include ATMs and a 24-hour bank (currently the only money-changing facility at the airport); a somewhat surprising duty-free shop on arrival (before luggage collection), and a left-luggage counter (in the departure section). Turtles bookshop sells guides and maps of Oman and several major car hire operators (including Avis and Hertz), hotel groups and tour operators are represented in the small arrivals hall. Eating and shopping options are limited to a couple of coffee shops, fast-food outlets and souvenir stands. Business facilities are only available in airline lounges in departures.

Transport to the city: As there is no regular public bus service from the airport, the most convenient form of transport to the city is a set-price airport taxi.

Getting There By Road:

Oman has a modern infrastructure of roads that link most cities in Oman with Muscat. The speed limit on major highways is 120kph (74mph), reduced to 100kph (62mph) within the city limits, and enforced by speed cameras. Road accidents are depressingly common but most drivers follow the rules. While the June 2007 hurricane caused extensive damage to many of the city’s byways, the major arteries have been repaired.

Most people fly into Muscat but a growing number of visitors are choosing to drive from Dubai and other destinations in the UAE, attracted by easier border crossing formalities. From Dubai, Muscat is a six-hour drive across desert landscape through the border at Wajajah, passing the coastal towns of Sohar and Barkar. Extra insurance is generally needed to take a UAE hired car over the border and the car has to be returned to base. An international driving license is required to hire a car though often a UK driving license is accepted.

Emergency breakdown services:
Assistance in case of breakdowns may be sought from the Royal Oman Police (tel: 9999) but beware that many roads outside the capital area are infrequently used and waiting times could be long. Always travel with plenty of water and stay with the car if you get stuck in remote areas.

Public transport is provided by Oman National Transport Company (ONTC) (tel: 24 708 522; website: www.ontcoman.com) with buses that connect Muscat with all parts of the country from the main station on Al-Jaame St in Ruwi. The ONTC runs a daily service between Dubai and Ruwi bus station (tel: 24 701 294) in Muscat. The six-hour daily ONTC service between Abu Dhabi and Muscat travels via the town of Buraimi.

Getting Around:

Muscat is sprinkled along a narrow strip of land between the mountains and the sea and comprises a number of car-oriented suburbs linked by a dual carriageway. As such, it’s difficult to get around the city, including the beaches, most of the hotels and the museums, without transport. The only exceptions to this are the old quarters of Mutrah and Muscat. These relatively compact areas can be enjoyed on foot.

Public Transport
Transport around Muscat is provided by private minibus operators. A major hub for these minibuses is opposite the ONTC bus station in Ruwi.

Taxis
Taxis are the most common way for people to travel around the city and fares are generally inexpensive. Hello Taxis (tel: 24 607 011) and Comfort Line (tel: 24 702 191) are two reliable firms.

Car Hire
Given the large distances involved in traveling around the city, car hire is a convenient option. All road signs are in English as well as in Arabic and brown signs indicate major tourist attractions. There are plenty of modern petrol stations with well-stocked shops and toilet facilities across the city. All petrol is unleaded and there’s a fine for having a dirty car! If driving beyond Muscat, especially to off-road destinations in the mountainous or desert interior of Oman, a 4-wheel drive is necessary. All car hire outlets cater for this.

Car hire is available from Avis (tel: 24 400 888; website: www.avisoman.com); Budget (tel: 24 510 816; website: www.budget.com) and Hertz (tel: 24 566 208; website: www.nttoman.com). A reliable local firm is Mark Tours (tel: 24 562 444; website: www.marktoursoman.com).

Bicycle Hire
Riding a bicycle in Muscat is not recommended and there is nowhere to hire a bike.

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	Oman City Guides: Muscat City Guide