Jazmin Li
Oman has several airports, including Muscat International Airport, Salalah International Airport, Duqm International Airport, Sohar International Airport, and Khasab Airport. Muscat International Airport is the largest airport in Oman, with a large proportion of flights landing and taking off from there. If you have a layover at the airport, there are several things you can do to pass the time. The airport has lounges, restaurants, cafes, a children's play area, currency exchange services, duty-free shopping, and phone charging stations. If you decide to leave the airport, you can visit the Muscat City Center, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, or Al Qurum, depending on how much time you have.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Muscat International Airport |
| Airlines | Air Arabia, Air India, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cham Wings Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, GoAir, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Iran Aseman Airlines, Kish Air, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Pegasus, PIA, Qatar Airways, Qeshm Airways, Regent, SalamAir, Saudia, SpiceJet, Sri Lankan Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines |
| Airport Transportation | Shuttle bus, car rental, bus stop on Sultan Qaboos Highway |
| Visa Requirements | eVisa required for most international visitors, except GCC nationals |
| Currency | Omani Rial (OMR) |
| Currency Exchange | Travelex, Global Money Exchange, ATMs |
| Facilities | Restaurants, cafes, lounges, children's play area, duty-free shopping, pharmacy, perfume shop, jewelry store, newsstands, phone charging stations, water-bottle refill stations |
| Nearby Attractions | Muscat City Center, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Al Qurum, Shatti Al Qurum Beach, Al Qurum Natural Park, Marah Land |
| Dress Code | Modest clothing, loose long-sleeved blouses, loose pants or long skirts for women, pants below the knees for men |
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What You'll Learn
- Muscat International Airport is Oman's largest airport
- There are a variety of restaurants and cafes in the terminal
- The airport has a children's play area, phone charging stations, and currency exchange services
- Nearby attractions include the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Muscat City Center
- Car rental services are available at the airport, and many hotels offer free shuttle transfers
Muscat International Airport is Oman's largest airport
Muscat International Airport, formerly Seeb International Airport, is Oman's largest airport. It is located in Seeb, 32 kilometres (20 mi) from the old city and capital Muscat within the Muscat metropolitan area. The airport serves as the hub for flag carrier Oman Air and Oman's first budget airline, Salam Air. Muscat International Airport features flights to several regional destinations, as well as some intercontinental services to Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The airport is a joint-use military and public facility, acting as the base of operations for the Royal Flight of Oman and the Royal Air Force of Oman. A Royal Terminal and Royal Flight hangars are located adjacent to the old terminal. The airport's newer and significantly larger terminal is located north of the existing terminal and first runway, which opened in 2018. This new building initially brought the airport's capacity up to 20 million passengers a year, with subsequent enlargements aiming to increase this number to 48 million annual passengers. The terminal covers 580,000 sqm and features 118 check-in counters, 10 baggage reclaim belts, 82 immigration counters, 45 gates, and a new 97-metre control tower.
Terminal 2, built in 1970, opened in 1973 as a replacement for the Bait al-Falaj airport. It has been expanded several times to accommodate growing passenger numbers. This terminal features 58 check-in counters, 23 departure gates, four baggage reclaim belts, and several service counters and shops. A new pier was constructed in 2007, with additional shops, restaurants, and outlets opening in 2009.
For those with a layover at Muscat International Airport, there is an on-site transit hotel called Aerotel, where rooms can be reserved by the hour for short sleeps or overnight stays. The hotel features a swimming pool, a business centre, and a fitness suite. First and business-class ticket holders can nap in designated lounges. The airport also features a children's play area, currency exchange services, duty-free shopping, and a variety of restaurants and cafes.
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There are a variety of restaurants and cafes in the terminal
If you're spending time at Muscat International Airport, you'll be pleased to know that there's a wide range of restaurants and cafes to choose from. Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a coffee, or a sit-down meal, the terminal has something for everyone.
For coffee lovers, Costa Coffee has two locations: one in Arrivals and one in Departures (landside and airside). If you're in Departures and feel like something more substantial, you can choose from DQ Grill & Chill, Irish House, or Subway. There's also a food court in Departures, which includes Automatic Restaurant, Curry Kitchen, and idli.com.
If you're in Arrivals, you can also find a food court with similar options, including Automatic Restaurant, Coffee & More, Curry Kitchen, and idli.com. And if you're looking for a sit-down restaurant experience, there are plenty of options both inside and outside the terminal.
For those with a sweet tooth, Papparoti is a luxurious cafe located just outside the airport that serves delicious treats. Alternatively, you can head to the Muscat City Center, located just 3km from the airport, where you'll find a range of cafes and restaurants serving various cuisines, including Chinese, European, American, and Mediterranean dishes.
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The airport has a children's play area, phone charging stations, and currency exchange services
If you're travelling with children, Muscat International Airport—Oman's largest airport—offers a children's play area in the Departures Hall after passport control. There's also another play area in the Oman Air Business Class Lounge, which is available to members and guests.
To keep your devices charged, you can make use of the free phone charging stations throughout the transit halls. These are also available in the Primeclass Lounge, where first and business class ticket holders can rest.
Muscat International Airport also offers currency exchange services. Travelex has four 24-hour locations in Arrivals and Departures, and Global Money Exchange offers services at three Airside and two Landside locations. Several ATMs in the airport also offer foreign currency cash withdrawals.
In addition to these services, the airport provides a range of other facilities, including a variety of restaurants and cafes, a transit hotel, a swimming pool, a business centre, and a fitness suite.
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Nearby attractions include the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Muscat City Center
Muscat International Airport is the largest airport in Oman, and it is located about 31 km from Muscat City Center. The city centre is easily accessible from the airport by taxi, private transfer, or bus. A taxi ride from the airport to the city centre takes about 25 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs around €22.80 (OMR 9.25) for up to four passengers. The local bus, A1, is a more affordable option, running 24 hours a day and making multiple stops in the city.
One of the must-see attractions in Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in Oman. It is located about 22 km from downtown Muscat and covers an area of 416,000 square metres. The mosque was inaugurated by the Sultan of Oman in 2001 to celebrate 30 years of his reign. The interior of the mosque features a stunning prayer carpet that took four years to produce and brings together classical Persian Tabriz, Kashan, and Isfahan design traditions. The mosque also features five minarets, with the main minaret standing at 90 metres tall and four flanking minarets at 45.5 metres. It is open to visitors from 8 am to 11 am, and it is closed on Fridays.
If you are looking for a place to rest during a layover at Muscat International Airport, the Aerotel, an on-site transit hotel, offers rooms that can be reserved by the hour or for overnight stays. The hotel also provides a swimming pool, a business centre, and a fitness suite. Additionally, the airport itself offers various amenities, including a children's play area, currency exchange services, duty-free shopping, and a variety of dining options, such as Costa Coffee and DQ Grill & Chill.
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Car rental services are available at the airport, and many hotels offer free shuttle transfers
If you're looking for convenience and flexibility during your stay in Oman, consider taking advantage of the car rental services available at Muscat International Airport. Several agencies have kiosks onsite in the arrivals hall, offering a range of vehicles to suit your needs. Whether you're seeking a standard sedan for city navigation or an SUV with 4-wheel drive to explore the desert, you can expect to pay around $48 per day on average.
When renting a car in Oman, it's important to be mindful of the requirements and restrictions. While the minimum age to rent a car is typically 21, some agencies may require you to be at least 25. Additionally, a young driver surcharge may apply if you're under 25. You can use your home country's driver's license, but keep in mind that an international driving permit may be required by certain agencies. When it comes to fuel, filling up your tank in Oman is more affordable than in the United States, with a gallon of gasoline costing around 2.14 USD.
To enhance your rental experience, consider add-on options such as GPS for navigation assistance or child seats if you're travelling with young children. If you plan to cross the border into the United Arab Emirates, ensure you have the necessary additional insurance and notify your rental agency in advance.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed approach to transportation, many hotels in Oman offer free shuttle transfers directly to and from the airport. This can be a convenient and cost-effective option, allowing you to sit back and let someone else take care of the driving.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscat International Airport has a children's play area, currency exchange, duty-free shopping, and a range of restaurants and cafes. There are also phone charging stations and water bottle refill stations.
There is a bus stop on Sultan Qaboos Highway, a short walk from the airport terminal. Car rental services are available at the airport, and several agencies have kiosks onsite in the arrivals hall.
Yes, there are several hotels near the airport, including the Aerotel, an on-site transit hotel with a swimming pool, business centre, and fitness suite.
There is no need for foreigners to wear traditional Arabic clothing, but it is important to dress modestly. Pants should go below the knees for both men and women. Women should avoid revealing clothes to prevent unwanted attention. It is also respectful to cover your head when visiting places of worship.
