Muscat Travel Guide - Airport

A new terminal is currently being developed to boost capacity from 3 million passengers a year to 12 million by 2010, in the first phase. A further three phases planned by 2050 will aim to increase this traffic to a massive 48 million travellers a year.

For the moment, the airport mainly services flights to the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Thailand, England and a few other major hubs in these areas such as Zurich and Cairo.

The airport is relatively small compared to the likes of Dubai but offers passengers three duty-free shops, bookstores, car rental companies, banking and currency exchange services as well as tourist information on hotels and resorts. There is also a food court, a bar and international chains Costa and Dairy Queen.

Facilities for first and business class passengers are provided by Oman Air and Gulf Air, both of which operate premium class lounges in departures with business centres, refreshments and entertainment.

Airport information: +968 2451 9223/2451 9456

Taxis are available at arrivals and will usually cost between 7 and 10 rials for journeys into Muscat and up to 13 rials for travellers heading straight through the city to popular Bandar Jissah farther east. Make sure to pay at the taxi counter outside arrivals to avoid being taken for a ride.

Car hire options at arrivals are numerous with Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz all operating out of the arrivals hall along with local hire companies.