Airport

Seeb International Airport, the country's main international airport, is 45 km west of Muscat. Facilities include ATM banking & 24-hr money-change, a 24-hr food court (arrivals & departures), a bar (departures) & car hire (most world brands are represented). Also, Turtle's bookshop, a Magrudy's (Dubai) off-spring. New duty-free shops run by Muscat Duty Free in collaboration with Irish group, Aer Rianta, have opened offering, a wider range of quality products at competitive prices. The airport provides business lounge facilities, including Internet, for First & Club class travelers. Internet facilities are also available in the Arrivals food court & Costa Coffee in departures. Ample park-&-pay facilities are available. Salalah is the country's second international airport. Salalah provides all the required facilities for handling international flights & passengers. Oman Airports Management Company manages the now privatized airports, a first in the Middle East. The local-international consortium includes leading airports operator, BAA. For more information refer to the company's website at www.omanairports.com (it has a handy exchange converter & weather information)

Getting Into Town
Taxis hailed outside the terminal charge a minimum of OR5 to locations in Muscat - be sure to negotiate & agree a price beforehand. There are more taxis about 400m away from the terminal, which are much cheaper, but it may not be worth it if you have a lot of luggage to carry around. It may, however, be worth your while considering a hire car, which can cost as little as OR10 a day, since driving in Muscat is easy.Be advised Cars are left hand drive.The larger hotels run their own shuttle service & travel details should be relayed when booking.
Key Areas

Muscat is a long, linear city, stretching more than 50 km from east to west. Its separate districts each have their own distinctive character. The old town of Muscat is the area around the port enclosed by a wall with gates. In bygone days it was a major commercial centre. Today few people live or work there & it is something of a ghost town, containing the Sultan's palace, the harbor & several ruined fortresses. Muttrah, a few km north-west, is the oldest residential area & its chief assets are a handsome Corniche & excellent souk - some say the best in the Arab world.
The biggest concentration of Muscat's hotels is nearby in Ruwi, the capital's major commercial hub. Half a century ago the Ruwi Valley was nothing more