Muscat Layover Guide (MCT)

What are you looking for in MCT?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Muscat Airport (MCT) is an international airport located in Muscat, the capital of Oman. It’s situated about 32 km (20 miles) from downtown Muscat. The airport officially opened in 1973. Muscat is the largest city in Oman and a major gateway to the Arabian Peninsula. It is known for its stunning coastal scenery, traditional architecture, and rich cultural heritage, making it a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers.

Can you leave Muscat Airport (MCT) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Transit passengers at Muscat International Airport (MCT) may apply through their airline for a 72-hour airport transit visa, with fee applicable, via the Oman e-Visa portal to clear immigration and explore Muscat during layovers. Without this visa, travelers must remain airside and cannot exit the terminal. (more info)

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Marvel at the intricate Islamic architecture, grand prayer hall, and serene gardens of Oman’s iconic mosque. Free guided tours highlight history and craftsmanship. A spiritual oasis in bustling city. landscape. (Time required: 1.5 hours / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 min / Public bus Route 10 to mosque)
• Mutrah Souq Explore winding alleys laden with vibrant textiles, aromatic spices, and handcrafted souvenirs at Muscat’s oldest market. Engage with friendly vendors, sample dates, and haggle for treasures steeped in local tradition. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi ~25 min / Mwasalat bus Route 13 to Mutrah Souq)
• Mutrah Corniche Stroll along the picturesque waterfront promenade overlooking calm waters and traditional dhow boats. Enjoy panoramic views of the mountains, vibrant gardens, and charming cafés. Perfect for a leisurely seaside respite. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi ~25 min / Bus Route 13 to Mutrah Corniche)
• Royal Opera House Muscat Attend a guided tour of Oman’s premier performing arts venue showcasing stunning contemporary design, opulent interiors, and acoustics. Visit museum exhibits and relax in landscaped courtyard cafes amidst artistic elegance. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 min / Bus Route 25 to Al Kharijiyah)
• Al Jalali Fort Discover the historic hilltop fortress overlooking Muscat Harbor, with stone walls and commanding sea vistas. Learn about its role in Omani defense and enjoy sweeping panoramic photography opportunities from ramparts. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi ~25 min / Bus Route 13 to Mutrah Fort)
• Qurum Beach Relax on golden sands with gentle waves lapping the shore at Muscat’s pristine beach. Swim safely in designated zones, rent paddleboards, and stroll through adjacent parks to relish coastal tranquility. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi ~25 min / Bus Route 25 to Qurum)
• Bait Al Zubair Museum Immerse yourself in Oman’s rich heritage at this museum featuring traditional costumes, intricate jewelry, and historical artifacts. Wander through recreated village scenes and learn about Bedouin culture and ancient crafts. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 min / Bus Route 25 to Ruwi, short walk)
• Qurum Natural Park Escape to lush gardens and picnic areas at Qurum Park, a oasis in the city. Admire exotic plant species, feed colorful parrots, and unwind along tranquil walking paths among palms. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi ~25 min / Bus Route 25 to Qurum Park)

Things to Do in Muscat Airport (MCT)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Muscat International Airport features two main lounges: the Oman Air First & Business Lounge and the Primeclass Lounge, both on Level 5 post-immigration, open 24/7, offering buffet dining, shower suites, prayer rooms, family and private suites, spa services, game and cinema zones, baggage storage, and free Wi-Fi access. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Aerotel Muscat, a 3.5-star transit hotel within the departures area on Level 5, offers 90 sound-proofed rooms with pillow menus, rainfall showers, 43-inch TVs, laptop-friendly workspaces, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and front desk, plus an onsite restaurant and cafe ideal for short stays and quick naps. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Free sleeping seats are available at the end of the departure hall on a first-come, first-served basis. The terminal also provides male and female prayer rooms, ablution facilities, mobile phone kiosks, a landside medical clinic and pharmacy, and a 24-hour Be Relax spa near Gate A3 for passengers needing rest or refreshment

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Muscat International Airport provides complimentary Wi-Fi for two-hour sessions in departure gates and duty-free areas. Oman-registered users enter a local number for an SMS password, while international passengers present their boarding pass and passport at information desks for login credentials, renewable via repeat login for continued connectivity.

SIM/eSIM Card: In the arrivals hall, kiosks for Omantel, Ooredoo and Renna Mobile operate 24/7 selling visitor SIMs and eSIMs. Omantel’s Tourist Pack starts at OMR 5; Ooredoo’s Visitor SIM includes 2 GB data and 50 local minutes for 10 days; Renna offers MVNO plans. Passport and payment are required for purchase. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Metered airport taxis are available 24/7 from counters in the arrivals hall, offering fixed-rate door-to-door service across Muscat. Fares to Muttrah take 25–40 minutes; ride-hail apps like OTaxi, Uber and Careem also operate. Pre-booking private transfers via providers ensures meet-and-greet and transparent pricing.

Train: No direct rail service serves Muscat Airport. Oman Rail, headquartered in Al Qurum, plans a national network linking ports and GCC markets, with the first 207 km line from Buraimi to Sohar under development. For future updates, visit the Oman Rail official site.

Bus: Public bus service by Mwasalat connects Muscat Airport via routes A1 and 8. A1 runs between Al Mabela and Muscat Airport roughly every 30 minutes (00:15–02:45 Sun; 03:15–02:45 Mon–Thu), while Route 8 links Al Mouj and Al Khuwair with airport stops. (more info)

Shuttle: Muscat International Airport does not operate an official shuttle service; travellers rely on hotel-provided shuttle transfers or private shuttle operators. Many off-airport hotels offer complimentary or paid round-trip transfers—arrange these in advance. Private shared-ride and minibus shuttle services can be booked online or via concierge.

Car rentals: Car hire desks for Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget and local providers operate 24/7 in the arrivals hall. Vehicles from economy to luxury are available, with online pre-booking and on-site reservations. Drivers must present an international licence or Omani permit; age and deposit policies apply. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Multi-level and surface parking is available close to the terminal for short-term and long-stay. First two hours are free; thereafter hourly rates apply. From April 30 to September 30, 2025, long-term P5 parking is OMR 1/day. Payment kiosks accept cards; parking attendants and valet services are on site.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Storage & Go baggage storage is located on the 4th floor of Departures (Entrance C), offering secure lockers and seal-and-go services with 24/7 CCTV. Rates start from OMR 2/day, with vault options for valuables. Trolley and porter services are also available for handling luggage. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Muscat Airport (MCT) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks