Taxis & Rideshare in Muscat (2026) - Grab, Uber & More
Taxis and rideshare in Muscat: local taxi apps, Uber, Grab, typical fares, and tips for safe, affordable rides around Oman.
Safety Tips
Only use orange-and-white taxis with roof-top taxi signs and a visible taxi plate starting with 'T', these are the licensed Muscat taxis. Unmarked private cars offering rides are illegal.
Licensed taxis are required to use the meter. If the driver claims it's broken, politely insist or exit, most drivers will switch it on once you show you know the rule.
Locals rely on OTAXI and Careem for rideshare. Both show driver and car details in-app and allow ride-sharing with trusted contacts.
For solo or late-night trips, sit in the rear, share your live location via OTAXI or Careem, and ask to be dropped at well-lit hotel or mall entrances rather than quiet side streets.
Common Scams to Avoid
Drivers at Muscat International Airport sometimes insist the meter is "broken" and quote inflated flat fares into the city. Insist the meter be used or walk to the official taxi rank outside arrivals where metered cars queue.
Taxis parked outside major hotels in Qurum or Shatti Al-Qurm may quote tourist prices that are double the metered rate. Step onto the street and flag a passing cab instead, or ask hotel staff to call a radio taxi.
Some drivers take unnecessarily long routes through the Sultan Qaboos Highway loop when heading to Muttrah or Old Muscat. Track the route on your phone and politely ask to use the shorter coastal road via Al Bustan Street.