My flight on Oman Air from Zurich to Delhi included a day's layover at Muscat, giving me an opportunity to visit Oman for the first time.
I realized that majority of passengers actually transit in Oman, with few tourists stepping into the country. Within the airside, there were plenty of people. But once passed immigration, there were much less people in the terminal building.
In the main terminal accessible to the public, there were plenty of seating on both levels. On level 2, there were comfortable benches for me to lie down and take a nap while waiting for my flight out of Muscat. That was what I did after doing a day tour of Muscat and arriving back at the airport.
Anyway, after this expensive turkish coffee at the landside cafe, I went to look for the airport bus. The stop was located one level below the main terminal. Fortunately, I did not have to wait long for the bus. It provided a cheap, comfortable ride to the main bus station in Muscat downtown. There were plenty of vacant seats on the bus.
Arriving at the bus station, I noticed a burger king outlet nearby, so decided to have my breakfast there. Turns out, I was the first customer. I tried to open the door but it was still locked. It's not yet opened for business that day! Thankfully, the manager saw me at the entrance, unlocked the door and let me in. So I need not wait in the heat. The menu was typical of other burger king outlets at a reasonable price. The toilet in the restaurant was kept clean, likely because it was in the morning.
I had my meal at the outlet for about an hour and was the only customer for that time. After that, I took another bus to get to the Muscat souq.
Arriving there, I chanced upon the city tour bus at the stop, departing in thirty minutes time. I purchased ticket with the attendant and boarded the bus. While waiting, I was offered tea by the kind driver. I was the only passenger on the entire route lasting 2.5 hours. Yup, just me and the driver. The attendant didn't follow the bus. I didn't alight at any stop as the next bus is not coming any time soon. There was a stop where the driver announced will be 5 minutes, so I hurried down for a quick photo before getting back on the same bus.
Being the only passenger on the tour bus was great ! What's even better is the beautiful scenery en-route. The pictures below say it all.
The tour ended at the same stop as I boarded. From there, I crossed the road to wait for the bus back to the bus station and then another bus back to the airport.
I reached the airport plenty early for the flight, so decided to have a nap on the second level landside. A few hours before departure, I went through immigration and was shortly airside.
I had a lounge pass for the plaza premium lounge which indicated Muscat as one of the airport locations. Unfortunately, it is only in the old airport. The new airport doesn't feature plaza premium lounge.
With no lounge access available for me, I walked around the airside area in search for a reasonable priced dinner. This new Muscat airport features wide walking paths. There were duty-free shops and a fast food area with limited seating. This will serve as my dinner.
After dinner, I went in search of a comfortable spot to lie down and take a nap. The airport terminal is really spacious and there are plenty of seats, benches and loungers with power ports near the departure gates. I found a great spot with few passers-by and had some rest before heading for my flight.
In conclusion, Muscat is a city worth visiting for its scenery. The frequency of the tour bus can certainly be made better so that tourists can actually get down and visit an attraction without having to wait too long for the next bus. The city is also convenient to get around by public bus from the airport.
Muscat's new airport is definitely way better than the old one, based on what I have researched online. Spaciousness and clean facilities are an advantage. Majority of passengers are transiting in Muscat, much like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar's passengers at dubai, abu dhabi and doha. However, Oman Air operates a smaller global network than the ME3 carriers, with no link to the U.S., so the airport does not feel as crowded.
Among the global hub carriers, if travelling between Asia and Europe, I certainly prefer taking Oman Air and transiting at Muscat airport, if the price is right. In addition, Oman Air regularly has business class sales, so next time I might just try out its business class seats on the aircraft and its hub lounge at Muscat airport.
Mutrah Souq is the marketplace in Muscat
I realized that majority of passengers actually transit in Oman, with few tourists stepping into the country. Within the airside, there were plenty of people. But once passed immigration, there were much less people in the terminal building.
In the main terminal accessible to the public, there were plenty of seating on both levels. On level 2, there were comfortable benches for me to lie down and take a nap while waiting for my flight out of Muscat. That was what I did after doing a day tour of Muscat and arriving back at the airport.
Anyway, after this expensive turkish coffee at the landside cafe, I went to look for the airport bus. The stop was located one level below the main terminal. Fortunately, I did not have to wait long for the bus. It provided a cheap, comfortable ride to the main bus station in Muscat downtown. There were plenty of vacant seats on the bus.
Muscat public bus
Spacious interior of the Muscat airport bus
In Muscat, buildings are mostly in sandy colour to reflect the desert environment
Arriving at the bus station, I noticed a burger king outlet nearby, so decided to have my breakfast there. Turns out, I was the first customer. I tried to open the door but it was still locked. It's not yet opened for business that day! Thankfully, the manager saw me at the entrance, unlocked the door and let me in. So I need not wait in the heat. The menu was typical of other burger king outlets at a reasonable price. The toilet in the restaurant was kept clean, likely because it was in the morning.
In Muscat's burger king outlet
I had my meal at the outlet for about an hour and was the only customer for that time. After that, I took another bus to get to the Muscat souq.
Arriving there, I chanced upon the city tour bus at the stop, departing in thirty minutes time. I purchased ticket with the attendant and boarded the bus. While waiting, I was offered tea by the kind driver. I was the only passenger on the entire route lasting 2.5 hours. Yup, just me and the driver. The attendant didn't follow the bus. I didn't alight at any stop as the next bus is not coming any time soon. There was a stop where the driver announced will be 5 minutes, so I hurried down for a quick photo before getting back on the same bus.
Being the only passenger on the tour bus was great ! What's even better is the beautiful scenery en-route. The pictures below say it all.
There were 2 cruise ships docked at Muscat on that day
Muscat Opera House
Not sure where that road leads to ?
Took this photo while waiting for the bus opposite Mutrah Souq
I reached the airport plenty early for the flight, so decided to have a nap on the second level landside. A few hours before departure, I went through immigration and was shortly airside.
I had a lounge pass for the plaza premium lounge which indicated Muscat as one of the airport locations. Unfortunately, it is only in the old airport. The new airport doesn't feature plaza premium lounge.
With no lounge access available for me, I walked around the airside area in search for a reasonable priced dinner. This new Muscat airport features wide walking paths. There were duty-free shops and a fast food area with limited seating. This will serve as my dinner.
After dinner, I went in search of a comfortable spot to lie down and take a nap. The airport terminal is really spacious and there are plenty of seats, benches and loungers with power ports near the departure gates. I found a great spot with few passers-by and had some rest before heading for my flight.
In conclusion, Muscat is a city worth visiting for its scenery. The frequency of the tour bus can certainly be made better so that tourists can actually get down and visit an attraction without having to wait too long for the next bus. The city is also convenient to get around by public bus from the airport.
Muscat's new airport is definitely way better than the old one, based on what I have researched online. Spaciousness and clean facilities are an advantage. Majority of passengers are transiting in Muscat, much like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar's passengers at dubai, abu dhabi and doha. However, Oman Air operates a smaller global network than the ME3 carriers, with no link to the U.S., so the airport does not feel as crowded.
Among the global hub carriers, if travelling between Asia and Europe, I certainly prefer taking Oman Air and transiting at Muscat airport, if the price is right. In addition, Oman Air regularly has business class sales, so next time I might just try out its business class seats on the aircraft and its hub lounge at Muscat airport.
