Car rental in Muscat

Muscat, the capital of Oman, delights tourists with vibrant markets, grand mosques, spacious parks, and modern museums. If you want to explore notable attractions in the surrounding areas, car rental in Muscat is your best option.

Renting a car allows you to easily reach famous forts, visit historic palaces, experience local markets, and explore nature parks—all without spending money on taxis or adjusting to public transportation schedules.

Why Localrent Car Rental is Convenient and Beneficial

Renting in Muscat through the Localrent booking service means:

1. Transparent fixed pricing. After selecting all rental options, you'll immediately see the cost of your chosen vehicle. The final price, with no hidden fees, is calculated before you make the advance payment.
2. User-friendly interface. Even if you're renting a car for the first time, you won't encounter any booking difficulties. Vehicle cards contain detailed information about each car, form-filling tips are provided, and support staff is always available to assist you.
3. Filters for precise vehicle selection in Muscat. You can find the best car at a reasonable price and choose models by various parameters, such as transmission type and engine power. Filters allow you to select affordable rental vehicles.
4. Minimal advance payment. When booking, you pay only 15-20% of the total cost by card on the website.
5. Wide selection of rental vehicles. The Localrent car rental service offers diverse models, from budget compact cars to luxury vehicles. You can find a car for any purpose: family vacation, trips with friends, or business travel.

Before booking a car, review the detailed rental terms in the vehicle card.

What You Need for Car Rental

Requirements for car rental in Muscat:

• Driver's passport
• Valid driver's license (Category B)
• Bank card for advance payment

You can pay the remaining balance when picking up the vehicle, either by card or cash, depending on your rental terms. All companies set minimum age and driving experience requirements, which vary by vehicle. Check the information in your selected vehicle's card.

Local Traffic Regulations

Muscat is a major city and capital, so traffic is dense. Some roads are located in mountainous areas. For travel through these regions, it's better to rent an all-wheel-drive vehicle with a powerful engine.

The country has right-hand traffic. Most road signs are similar to European ones, making them understandable for tourists. However, there are some unusual signs, such as warnings about approaching streams or sand dunes.

Speed limits in Muscat:

• 60-80 km/h in populated areas (follow posted signs)
• 90 km/h outside cities on public roads
• 120 km/h on highways

The driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts. Using a phone while driving without a hands-free device is prohibited. Special attention is given to drunk driving. There is no minimum permissible limit—any amount of alcohol in the blood will result in fines.

Local residents rarely follow child safety regulations. However, we recommend transporting children under 12 years old and under 135 cm tall only in appropriate child restraint systems.

Note that Muscat has many traffic police officers, and speed cameras are frequently encountered.

Gas Stations

Muscat has numerous gas stations, most operating on a self-service system. Near the airport, there's a hydrogen station—the first in the Middle East.

You can pay for fuel at stations with cards or cash. Many stations have shops and cafes.

Parking

Most parking areas in central Muscat are paid. In some paid zones, you can leave your car for up to 2 hours on average without payment. Payments are accepted in cash and by card. Booking parking in advance allows you to use reduced rates.

How to Book a Car in Muscat Properly

To arrange car rental in Muscat through the Localrent service:

1. Choose your pickup location and rental dates. At the top of the form, specify where to rent the car and in which city to return it. When selecting dates, keep in mind that rental is charged daily.
2. Use filters to select a suitable car for trips around Muscat and to neighboring cities. Filters allow you to sort models by parameters such as engine type, transmission, year of manufacture, mileage restrictions, cost, and more. For example, if you want to rent a car cheaply, set a price range. If you're planning long mountain trips, rent a car with a powerful engine.
3. Add additional options, such as a second driver or extended insurance policy.
4. Fill in the main driver's details. Provide full name, date of birth, phone number, and email for contact. You can optionally add a comment field for the rental company manager.
5. Check the price. After adding all options, the system will calculate the total rental cost, including the rental price, cost of additional paid options, and deposit (if applicable).
6. Pay the advance. Use a bank card to make an advance payment of 15-20% of the total rental cost.

After paying the advance, you'll receive a voucher by email. Save it on your phone or print it out to show the rental company manager when picking up your vehicle in Muscat.

Where to Go in Your Rental Car

There are many interesting places to visit near Muscat. We suggest exploring the following attractions:

1. Daymaniyat Island Reserve. This is a group of nine islands located 40 km from the capital. Diving and snorkeling are popular activities here. You can admire colorful reef fish, whale sharks, and turtles. From Muscat, drive your rental car to Barka first, then take a motorboat to cover the 18 km by water.
2. Hajar Mountains. These are protected areas with hiking trails and beautiful fields. Roses used in the perfume industry are grown here, along with pomegranate trees.
3. Nakhal Fort. This small village features palm plantations and hot springs. You can have a picnic, walk through the ancient fort, or fish in a small stream.
4. Al-Sahwa Garden. This public park is located in the capital's suburbs. It attracts tourists with perfectly aligned walkways and benches where you can rest among green shrubs. There are walking routes, jogging tracks, and fountains illuminated at night.
5. 25-meter Burj Al Sahwa Clock Tower. Built 30 years ago, it's decorated with mosaic frescoes illustrating the country's history. A large clock sits at the top. A square with benches surrounds the clock tower.

Keep in mind that many attractions in the Muscat area are located in mountainous terrain. To reach them, you'll need a car with a powerful engine. During your journey, choose only paved roads—insurance does not cover unpaved tracks.

Best Places to Rent a Car in Muscat

When booking a car in Muscat, you can choose a convenient pickup location:

• Rental company office
• Muscat International Airport
• Central station
• Any address in the city

The availability and terms of vehicle delivery to different locations depend on the rental company. Some only offer pickup at their office. When selecting a car, use the "Specify location" filter to choose a convenient pickup point.

Helpful Rental Tips

Here are several useful tips to help you rent a car in Muscat and avoid unexpected difficulties.

Some Vehicles Can Be Booked Without a Deposit

A deposit is a refundable amount paid when picking up the car and returned after the vehicle is returned. Some models don't require a deposit. To select these, use the "No deposit" filter during your booking search.

Basic Insurance Is Often Included in the Rental Price

Extended policies are available for some vehicles. When booking, pay attention to the "Insurance" section in the card, which indicates what insurance is included in the rental.

Return the Car with the Same Fuel Level

The fuel policy requires clients to return the car with the same fuel level as when received from the manager. If you don't have time to refuel, you'll need to compensate for the difference at a higher rate when returning the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions