Muscat cruise port – fast facts
– Cruise ships dock in Muscat.
– Walking in port is strictly prohibited.
– Cruise port is about 1,2 mile from center of town (Muttrah).
– There is a hop on hop off bus.
– Plenty of official taxis available for tours or short rides.
When you look from a higher deck you are able to see your cruise ship’s docks in an industrial port. Oman has tries to make it as convenient as possible to welcome cruise guests in this destination. There is no walking allowed in port and therefore a shuttle service is offered to Muttrah, one of the most attractive areas of Muscat that lies right in front of the port.
These are the taxi prices as they are displayed at the port. Taxis do not have a meter and therefore you will need to negotiate before getting in. Please know they advice you a taxi tour should be about 10 Omani rial per hour for the first 3 hours and for extra time 7 Omani Rial per hour.
In the Muscat cruise terminal building you’ll find shops, internet and security. The building is located right on the dock.
Cruise Port Guide Muscat – Oman: docked at the Port of Sultan Qaboos
In Muscat cruise ships usually dock at Port of Sultan Qaboos, berth 4 and 5. This is the official port of Muscat that lies in front of Muttrah. There is no tourist information and no maps available on the dock. There is a terminal building which is not always open. The cruise dock is wheelchair accessible.
Walking in the port is prohibited and therefore there is a shuttle bus provided by the ship. This shuttle bus usually goes to the port gate and to the Mutrah souk. It is wise not to get off at the port gates, because in general you will only find taxis waiting for you there and nothing else. If you choose to be dropped off at the Mutrah souk you are in one of the three most interesting areas in the city.
Muscat is located between mountains and sea. It compromises a long string of suburbs, spread over 60 km. Muscat is sometimes referred to as the “3 cities”. This is referring to these 3 area’s:
– Mutrah. This is where the cruise shuttle bus will drop you off. It is about 2 km / 1,2 mile from the port. Here you’ll find the famous Muscat corniche, the Mutrah souk, the Bait Al Baranda Museum and the Incense burner.
– Ruwi. This neighbourhood is about 6 km / 3,5 miles from your cruise port. You could consider this as “downtown” Muscat.
– Old Muscat. About 7 km / 4,5 miles from your cruise port. This is definitely one area not to miss on a visit to Muscat. Amongst others you’ll find Al Jalali fort, Al Mirani fort, Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace and Bait Al Zubair museum here.
Transportation in Muscat
Muscat facilities are pretty good. Keep in mind that the city is quit spread out and therefore you’ll need some form of transportation. Find out underneath what your options are.
Public bus system
There is a public bus service in Oman. You’ll find there are white/green busses and red busses. Although you rarely see them and therefore you’d might just want to skip this form of transportation in Muscat.
Taxis in Muscat
The official taxis of Oman are white and orange. They do not have meter. You need to negotiate on a price before you step into the taxi. Most taxi drivers will take US dollars or Euro.
Taxi fare for tours through Muscat area at the rate of R.O. 10 per hours for the first 3 hours and for extra time to be R.O. 7 per hour. The minibus fare is double than the Saloon Taxi if the passengers are more than 4 person.
One way rides can be quite expensive in Oman. For example one way from the port to another neighbourhood is probably 15 US dollar or from the port to the Grand Mosque will probable be around 40 US dollar or 17 RO.
To the left is a photo of a sign at the port with the taxi prices on them. This will give you a good idea of what it should costs, but in real life you notice that if rare to get the price as you’ll find it on the sign. Expect that you pay about 15 dollars for a 15 minute taxi drive. Prices like 15 dollars one way per taxi to the Qurum area and 40 dollars one way per taxi to the Grand Mosque are reasonable.
Hop on hop off bus
There is a hop on hop off bus available in Muscat. This red double bus will be waiting for you at the Mutrah Corniche, often at the same spot as where the cruise shuttle bus will drop you. Sometimes these busses also come onto the pier, but it depends on the kind of arrangements your cruise line has made for them.
The Hop on Hop off bus is pretty expensive compared to other places, but Muscat is spread out and therefore Hop on Hop off is already a nice choice just for practical reasons. They do change their facilities every now and then, make sure to check their shuttle bus services with them.
Destination and distance from cruise port
In town:
Mutrah (with the corniche, souk, incense burner, bait al brand museum)
2 km / 1,2 mile south of the port (where shuttle bus drops you off)
Ruwi
6 km / 3,5 miles south west of the port
Old Muscat (with Bait Al Zubair museum, Royal Palace, Al Jalali fort, Al Mirani fort)
7 km / 4,5 miles south east of the port
Al Bustan Palace 12 km / 7,5 miles south of the port
The Grand Mosque 25 km / 15,5 miles west of the port
Out of town:
Nakhl fortress 110 km / 68 miles south west of the port
Ain Thowarah 110 km / 68 miles south west of the port
Nizwa 180 km / 112 miles south west of the port
Jabrin Castle 205 km / 127 miles south west of the port
FAQ about Muscat as cruise destination
– Are taxis allowed on the pier?
No, they are not. Unless the taxi has arranged special permission from the port authority. You’ll find taxis at the shuttle bus drop off location.
– Are there maps available on the pier?
No, they are not. But you’ll find you can buy a map for about 8 dollars in town.
– Will taxis take Euro or US dollars?
Yes, most of the times they do, but they will change you in Rial.
– Will the shops in the souk thake Euro or US dollars?
Yes, they often do, but also they will give you change in Rial.
– Is Muscat safe?
Yes, Oman is one of the safest countries in the world.
– Is Muscat clean?
Yes, it is about as clean as Singapore is.
– Where can I ride a camel in Muscat?
You cannot. This simply is not an attractions in Muscat.
– Is there a dresscode to enter the Grand Mosque in Oman?
Yes, there is very strict policy! Men should cover their arms and can not wear shorts. Women should cover up their entire arms, legs and hair.
– Can you make pictures in the Grand Mosque?
Yes, even photo’s with flash are ok to make.
– Where is the nearest car rental?
The nearest car rental is at Ruwi. You’ll need about a 15 dollar taxi drive to get there. This is where you’ll find a street with all kinds of car rentals on it.