Muscat Taxi Service
To enjoy all that Muscat, the port capital of Oman, has to offer, hop in one of the 10,000 taxis operating all over the city to reach your destination quickly and comfortably. Muscat’s main attractions are quite spread out, so relying solely on public transport might mean missing out on some of the highlights. Wherever you are, you can hail a taxi from the street, walk to the nearest hotel, order one online using available apps, or call an official taxi operator.
Taxis are orange and white and generally seat up to four passengers. In recent years, the Ministry of Transport in Oman has taken many steps to modernize the taxi industry, including adopting a digital meter app to help regulate pricing. This means all drivers should use either the Muscat taxi service app or a traditional meter to calculate all fares.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
24/7 Email & Phone support
How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSCAT CITY CENTER ➙ AL GHUBRAH SOUTH | 8 € | 8 € | 22 MIN |
| MUSCAT CITY CENTER ➙ QURUM BEACH | 4.3 € | 4.3 € | 13 MIN |
| MUSCAT CITY CENTER ➙ SEEB | 18 € | 18 € | 37 MIN |
| MUSCAT CITY CENTER ➙ GRAND MOSQUE | 8 € | 8 € | 21 MIN |
| MUSCAT CITY CENTER ➙ MUSCAT AIRPORT | 22.80 € | 22.80 € | 25 MIN |
| MUSCAT CITY CENTER ➙ NIZWA | 57.40 € | 57.40 € | 1 H 50 MIN |
Muscat Taxi Prices
Muscat taxi rates are regulated by the state and as of 2023, drivers are required to use the taximeter for the entire ride to calculate the final fare. If the driver refuses to use the meter, then the ride is free according to the law. The taxi fare in Muscat applies 24/7 and is based on the distance traveled and time spent waiting:
Base fare – €0.74 (OMR 0.30)
Rate/km – €0.32 (OMR 0.13)
Waiting time per minute: €0.12 (OMR 0.05) – after 5 free minutes
It should be noted that fares for a taxi service in Muscat will vary when rides are taken from outside a hotel, from Port Sultan Qaboos, or from Muscat Airport. In these instances, the base fare is €3.7 (OMR 1.5) and the rate per kilometer is €0.62 (OMR 0.25). Furthermore, the waiting fee won’t come into effect until after 10 minutes.
Read all reviews
How to get a taxi in Muscat
With so many reliable drivers on the road, finding a taxi service in Muscat is easy at any time of day. Official taxis stand out as they’re white with orange stripes and the distinctive taxi sign on the roof. If the sign on the roof or the dashboard is lit, you can wave down the driver; just make sure there’s enough space for them to pull over so they’re not obstructing traffic.
You’ll also find drivers stationed at certain spots, these are most often hotels and shopping centers, as well as popular attractions in the Muttrah and Qurum areas. Most drivers should have now transitioned to the Aber digital taximeter app, which gives passengers an estimate of their fare; be sure that this is in use before starting your ride.
How to get a taxi from Muscat Airport
The official taxi stand at Muscat Airport is located directly in front of the Arrivals Hall exit. Otaxi and Oman Taxi are the two main taxis operating from the airport. Expect to pay around €22.80 (OMR 9.25) for the 25-minute drive from Muscat Airport to the city center.
How to get a taxi from Muttrah Souq
Taxis can easily be found along Muttrah Corniche, the road that runs along the waterfront in front of the souq. If there are no taxis waiting outside the entrance, you won’t have to wait too long at any time of day for one to appear.
How to get a taxi from Sultan Qaboos Grand Central Mosque
Since taxis aren’t allowed to park directly at the mosque entrance, you’ll need to walk to the main parking lot outside the mosque gates, where you should find a few taxis waiting. If there are no taxis in the parking lot, head to Sultan Qaboos Street, the main road near the mosque where you can flag one down.
How to get a taxi from Port Sultan Qaboos
Taxis wait at the port gate for arriving passengers. Marhaba taxis are the approved taxi providers for the port and the rates from here are slightly higher than taking one from the street.
How to get a taxi from Ruwi Bus Station
Taxis are usually parked up in the car park or right alongside the curb at the exit to the bus station. If no taxis are waiting, it’s just a short walk to the Nesto Hypermarket where there will also be taxis waiting.
Most popular taxi apps in Muscat
While there are plenty of taxis on the roads in Muscat, they tend to be concentrated around Ruwi, Muttrah, and Qurum. This means that getting to an attraction by taxi may be simple, but if it’s a little out of the way, the return journey may not be. That’s when booking a service using a taxi app can be useful. The official taxi apps of Muscat are OTaxi and Oman Taxi, with Tasleem Taxi also recently breaking onto the app scene.
For rides to and from the airport, you can book your Muscat Airport transfer in advance with Welcome so that you’re not leaving anything to chance. Plus, you’ll receive a fixed fare price with an English-speaking driver.
Useful taxi numbers in Muscat
Alternatively, you can order a taxi over the phone by calling a Muscat taxi number directly or have your hotel phone on your behalf. Remember that rides taken from outside a hotel are charged at a higher rate than from the street. Some trusted providers include:
- OTAXI: +968 9061 0204
- Oman Taxi: +968 7731 6660
- TaxiPro: +968 9468 1176
- Marhaba Taxi: +968 9061 0932
- Hala Taxi: +968 9399 7755
Pre-book your taxi in Muscat
Traveling between sights and destinations on your trip can be tiring, especially when the public transport network is limited. To avoid unnecessary stress, pre-book your Muscat Airport taxi or in-town taxi with Welcome Pickups and enjoy an elevated travel experience. You’ll be provided the convenience of a professional, English-speaking driver at competitive fixed rates, with impeccable door-to-door service. In just a minute, you can book all your transfers in Muscat — whether it’s to or from the airport or nearby destinations — ensuring a quick, comfortable, and stress-free journey for a truly memorable trip!
Muscat Taxi Tips
- Not all taxi drivers in Muscat speak English so it’s best to have your address written down in Arabic.
- Official taxis in Muscat are metered; make sure that the taximeter is turned on through the Aber app and set to the correct base fare.
- Tipping your taxi driver in Oman isn’t expected or common practice. If you do wish to leave a tip, around 10% of the total fare should suffice if you’re happy with the service.
- It's best to ask for a receipt at the end of the ride in case you leave any personal items behind.
- Only Marhaba and Oman Taxi are licensed to pick up passengers outside hotels.
- Hala, Oman Taxi, Marhaba, Otaxi, and Tasleem apps can be used if you need to be picked up from outside a shopping mall or commercial centers in general.
- If you require more than four passenger seats, booking your ride with an app or through a private transfer company like Welcome is your best option.
- Most taxi companies have their own app that you can use to book a callout.
- Omani taxi drivers (and people in general) are very welcoming of foreigners so feel free to start up a conversation with your driver and learn a little about Muscat during your trip.
- If a taxi beeps at you while you are walking they are indicating that they are free to pick you up.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in Muscat
Infrastructure in Muscat isn’t as wheelchair friendly compared to other tourist destinations in the UAE. Standard taxis can store and transport a foldable wheelchair in the trunk but they aren’t fully accessible to wheelchair users who need to remain seated during the ride. To move around the city in comfort, you can pre-book your Muscat taxi service with a company like Welcome Pickups to ensure a suitable vehicle will be waiting for you on arrival.
Muscat Taxi Safety and Complaints
Taxis in Muscat are strictly regulated in order to ensure a safe and reliable service for both locals and tourists. All official taxis should use a taximeter for the entire ride, otherwise, the customer isn’t obligated to pay for the ride. If you encounter any problems during the ride regarding either the fare or the driver’s behavior, you can contact the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) at +968 2265 0650 and report the issue. Make sure that you have written down the driver’s name, registration number, and license plate, and ask for a receipt at the end of the ride.