Job Discussion Forums

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

Are there lots of taxis in Muscat ?
Are they metered ?

Does anyone know how much it costs to rent a basic car per month in Muscat ?

Roses189 · Joined: 09 Jun 2015 Posts: 21

I've found taxis in Muscat to be expensive and often don't use the meter even if they have one. A basic car such as a Toyota Yaris should cost around RO175 a month but it pays to shop around.

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

175 OR car rental per month ?
How current is that information?
Can I PM you ?

Roses189 · Joined: 09 Jun 2015 Posts: 21

Yes if course. Pm me. I handed my car in last week. Not in Muscat but it should be more competitive there. If not I can give you the details of who I hire from out of town

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

Forget taxis and car rentals in Muscrat...I found travelling in a minivan or shuttle around the city to be easier, healthier and was able to save more money. Just find a place to stay near your college or school and you'll be fine Enjoy Oh Man!!!!

Charlie123 · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 146

Always make sure to agree on the price of the ride before you get in the taxi. Unmetred taxis often charge a different price if you appear to be from a western country. Often, this price is much higher than for other nationalities. It is possible to negotiate, though (BEFORE you get in the cab). Also, it's possible to arrange for a taxi driver to pick you up and drop you off every day for a reasonable price. I know two university instructors who did this for an entire school year. It cost them 40 riyals a month for a 15 minute cab ride, each way. This was in Salalah, but I think Muscat would be similar.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

We South Africans usually get charged less than other nationalities by minivan and Muscrat taxi drivers..I believe this is due to our being considered "Africans" so nationality does play a part in all this in Oh Man. Shocked

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I'm surprised Uber hasn't yet hit Oman.

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

MOD edit

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Except for the airport taxs, there are no meters.
I never negotiate the taxi fare beforehand to avoid the endless haggling that follows.Just ask a couple of (male) students what they pay going from A to B by taxi, that's the price.
Hail a cab, jump in the back and mutter the destination in Arabic. As soon as the cab is there, toss the correct amount of baizas and jump out to be on your merry way.
Most cabbies will accept this technique. If the odd one complains, reply in Arabic that you know the price as you keep walking away.
For regular pick-ups (to work or Arabic classes), get a sub-cab. There are plenty of male drivers from the sub-continent (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh...), who are reliable, cheap and pleasant. If you are a female, Arabic female drivers are an option. Just ask your female students (be discrete) for contact details.
Naturally, these drivers are not legal taxis but if a friend, neighbour or work colleague gives you a lift, its much the same.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

A car creates the following problems:
* No car parking, especially around the workplace as there are hundreds of students and teachers who are in need of parking space.
* Texting and speeding locals who will crash into you and blame you for it as the stranger who has no clue about driving in their country.
* Going out at night and having a few drinks means taking a taxi anyway.
* For travel into the wadis or up the mountains, hiring a 4 wheel drive for the weekend is necessary.
* The cost of the car eats significantly into the already modest salary and won't allow for saving any money.

My suggestion: find a place near work, walk to work or arrange regular transportation with a colleague or cheap illegal drivers, hire a car/4 wheel drive on a day/weekend basis if the need arises and save the monthly 170-180 car rental cost plus petrol, insurance, maintenance, traffic fines, etc.. That's a good 2000 Rials per year which you can use to buy 30 days of extra annual leave and some money to travel outside of Oman.