Job Discussion Forums

[metalval]

I was trying to buy a ticket from Muscat to Salalah by Oman Air and it didn't approve my card. I don't know why - maybe because it is in USD but website wants it in OMR.
Does anybody know if I can buy a ticket right on the spot?
I'm arriving to Muscat at 1:30 am, so I wonder how I can do that at this time? Or anybody knows the website where I can buy in USD?
I've found one - nedorogo.com - btu the price there would be like 150$ higher than usually.

[veiledsentiments]

I would imagine that there would be no trouble buying it at the airport as long as there are open seats. But, the price may be higher.

VS

[jdl]

Yes you can purchase a ticket at the Oman Air office at the airport. The office should be open before the first flight leaving to Salalah. Get your frequent flyer 'Sinbad' card while you are at it to get credit for your flight. It does add up. Sleeping in the airport are we?

[jdl]

You may want to try your credit card option again. I use my card to purchase on line with Oman Air. Could be a temporary 'glitch'. But cash always works too. In fact, you will find that cash is the currency of choice in Salalah; kinda refreshing really. Be prepared to save a pile of money in Salalah.

[SUZUKI]

I've successfully used a non-Rial (and non-USD) VISA credit card on the Oman air site. They required me to "Verify by Visa", though.

Maybe a glitch. have you contacted your card company?

Btw, three ONTC buses a day call at the airport en route to Salalah. The fare is a few rials and the journey from the airport takes 11 or 11 1/2 hours.

[metalval]

[SUZUKI]

Greedy *beep*, charging you for a "failed attempt'. These people work hard to figure out new ways of bleeding us.

The buses are not super but not bad. In Oman things tend not to be maintained. (Don't forget, this is a "developing country" or whatever you want to call it.) On the buses the toilet might be locked or otherwise not working, and seat adjustors/belt anchorages are often broken. (If you've travelled by bus in other developing countries, you'll have seen better and you'll have seen worse.) There are adequate rest stops, with decent food available, and all in all you can do quite a lot with the money saved after a family bus journey, compared with what's needed for a family air journey.

Other than taxis (not the shared minibus variety, as in the capital area) there is no public transport in Salalah, a lack said to be due to the strength of the taxi-driver lobby. A taxi costs 500 baizas for a journey of up to about 3-4 kilometers, and one rial for anything longer. The majority of taxi drivers here (and I say this on the basis of sufficient personal experience) are dishonest, however, and may well simply refuse to take you for the correct fare.

Good luck.

[jdl]

metalval,

will be interested in 'your take' on everthing once you arrive. Keep us posted.