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I recently had the opportunity to visit Muscat and what a treat it turned out to be. I’ve never seen so many colours of life exiting in the same place at the same time. In Muscat it seems like the present has come to a standstill and the future is creeping up on it, while the past refuses to leave. It is a place where the hot sun rises over the towering mountains and burns itself out each day to sink into the depths of the ocean.
The various pieces of ancient architecture in the city simply took our breath away, even as the happening nightlife kept us energised way into the late hours. From luxurious Middle Eastern lounges to great food, from silently guarding gates to amazing museums, from gardens and mosques to hills and beaches, Muscat had it all! We landed in Muscat with a plan to stay only for a couple of days, but the city literally has so much to offer that we ended up extending our stay by several days.
Although it is difficult to point out the best, my favourite sightseeing places were the Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts, at least among the historical locations. The fort stands by the harbour on the mountain and looks like a brooding sentinel that still continues to keep a watch over the city. Both forts were built during the Portuguese rule and modified several times over the course of history. Tourists are not allowed inside the forts since they are used by the army. However, considering the view from outside and the mixed architecture, they are still worth a visit.
We also visited the Al Alam Royal Palace in Muscat. The palace is truly a magnificent work of art with its walls and columns built in such a way that they reflect the setting sun and the blue sea. Besides palaces and forts, Muscat also had some very attractive mosques. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the third largest in the world and arguably the finest piece of architecture in the whole of Oman. It was completed in 2001 after almost nine years in construction. Due to the prevalent tourism industry of Oman, the mosque is open to non-Muslims on specific days. Although we did not know this at that time but were lucky enough to chance upon it on such a day.
Among the fun things we did while in Muscat, the highlight was the dolphin Boat trip in the Gulf of Oman. One can spend hours on the boats, sipping beverages and watching the dolphins chase each other in the open seas. One entire day we spent on the beaches, surrounded by swaying palm trees and a soothing breeze. The Qurum Beach is a popular tourist spot a little way outside Muscat, while the Bandar Al-Jissah is quite isolated and surrounded by steep rocks.
Although our preconception about Muscat was of a desert city, beaches were not the only thing which stood starkly out of this image. The city has an astounding array of gorgeous parks and gardens. After doing a little research we decided to visit the three biggest parks in Muscat, Riyam Park, Al Naseem Public Park and Quram Natural Park. While the Riyam Park has a stunning view of the ocean, the Al Naseem Park surprised us with an extensive library. I personally also loved the fountains and Rose Gardens of the Quram Natural Park.
Since Muscat is pretty big, we were initially quite confused about travelling. However, a simple search online gave us pretty great deals on Muscat car rentals. The facility is best suited for those who really wish to see as much of Muscat as they possibly can without having to stick to train or bus schedules.
Whenever you are traveling to a foreign country like Oman on a budget holiday, the focus is on getting the best deals and saving money in whatever small way. Traveling has become a common activity amongst people, regardless of the part of world they live in. Exploring different culture and seeing other countries is become easy and affordable, and thus an activity many indulge in. Yet, the inflation and recession has made such pleasure activities difficult. Any travel outside one’s country needs ample planning in terms of booking travel tickets, arranging for the visa, hotel accommodation, internal travel arrangements, etc. However, if the Sultanate is your destination almost all these things can be taken care of online, including budget car hire in Oman.
There are many international car rental companies operating in the country. A majority of them have their official websites on the Internet. All you need to do in order to book a car for your internal travel in Oman is first choose the car you want, fill a simple form including your personal details and dates of hire, and book the vehicle using your credit card in a matter of minutes. In view of the fact that reserving a good vehicle for your travel is so easy and quick, you may do this any time before embarking on your journey. Even if you forget, not much is lost. A number of car rentals have their presence at the Muscat International Airport as well, and you can book the car of your choice once you land in the country. The vehicle will be delivered to you in a couple of hours.
Although there are quite a few options available in terms of companies for car hire, for those of you looking for budget car hire in Oman, the best option may be to look for deals online. Many car rental companies offer special discounts or free insurance for online bookings. And many deals are better advertised on the companies’ websites. Taking advantage of such deals can be a way to save money. To get your hands on the best deal, it may be wise to compare prices, deals and services. Also, book online or on your own personally. This is recommended as going through a travel agency or hotel may cost you a little more. After all, nobody works for free. Hotels as well as travel agencies charge their service fees without doubt.
Traveling in a small group may also be a good way to save money. Sharing the rent for a budget car hire in Oman among four people can turn out to be pretty cheap. Plus, the fuel prices in the country are an added benefit.
Saloon cars or sedans are best known for their stylish looks and comfortable riding experience. When you think of such an automobile, there is a chance a particular car model and make comes to your mind. Now imagine the fun you would have, if you could hire your favourite sedan for your next holiday or work trip to the Sultanate. There are plenty of saloon car rentals in Oman, to choose from. These include international as well as local car rental companies competing for business. The leading car rentals are celebrated for their fleets of cars ranging from modest hatchbacks to luxury limousines, and even mini buses and coaches for large group travels.
In view of the fact that most lone tourists prefer the hatchbacks, and most family vacationers desire the large or mid-size SUVs, the population that hires sedans is mostly limited to business travelers and honeymooners or couples on a romantic getaway. Seeing this, if you are keen on renting a saloon car and at that a make and model that is popular with people of your class, it may be wise to book the vehicle beforehand. Many tourists make the mistake of coming to the country and then looking for internal travel options. Why do this, when resources like the Internet are at your fingertips at all times, thanks to smart phones and computers at almost all offices and homes. You can simply go online, search for a reputable car rental company operating in Oman and book the car of your choice by using your credit card. The procedure is fairly effortless and quick.
When searching online for car rental companies in Oman you will come across many. It is important that you don’t settle for the first name that pops up or seems familiar. The smart thing to do is first find companies that offer the car your desire. Once you have a few companies that do, you can start comparing the rental prices. Car hire is a competitive segment, so the range expected will be more or less the same. Once you have settled on a few companies that have good deals, start comparing the services they provide. Things to look for in this respect should be whether the company offers on-road assistance, whether it has a call center you can call in case of any emergency, whether it provides the type of insurance you need, etc.
There are many companies that offer chauffeur driven saloon car rentals in Oman. This may be a good idea if you do not want to worry about traffic rules and directions. This service is ideal for businessmen as well as vacationers that have concerns about driving in a foreign country.
From business travelers to vacationers that travel the world, in today’s day and age everybody knows how valuable a good and comfortable ride from the airport to the hotel or home is. It is priceless and the long hours spent in flight don’t help either. Imagine the hassles of finally getting your luggage from the belt onto the trolley followed by pushing and navigating that uncomfortable wheeled trolley with bags and finally coming out of the airport only to discover that the battle is only half won. You still need to stand in line and hire an airport cab to go to your destination. Thank god this scenario no longer exists. Nowadays avid travelers hire car rental airport transfers in Muscat, Oman.
Not only is doing this convenient to do, but also gives you the assurance that you will no longer have to wait around at the airport after the long journey. More and more people traveling to the Sultanate of Oman are discovering the benefits of this service. There are plenty of car rental companies offering this service to consumers. You can easily find a few names online. In fact, most international car rental companies have official websites providing all relevant details that you might need to make the booking. The procedures of booking airport transfers are simple and take only about 5 minutes of your time.
The hard part is finding a reliable company. Since there are many local as well as international companies providing this service, comparing the options is important. The factors to keep in mind while doing so are the company’s reputation, the options it offers in terms of types of cars, online discounts and hiring price. In case you decide to hire a car for the term of your visit, other factors like whether the company provides on-road assistance, whether it has a call centre you can call in case of emergency and other services it offers may also be considered. Many international companies offer special online discounts from time to time, so keep an eye out for that.
Airport transfers in Muscat, Oman, are best booked through official online portals, especially if you are entering the country. Plus, you can make the booking well in advance from the comforts of your home and be sure that the car you have chosen will be awaiting your arrival at the airport when you land. In case your itinerary is fixed you can also book your airport drop when you make you pick up booking. If not you can book it through the website later or simply ask your hotel travel desk to make the arrangements for you. You can even let them know if you prefer a particular car rental company.
The Internet has made it fairly easy to find a pick up car hire in Oman. All you need to do is search for car rentals companies operating in the country. Once you have a few names on the shortlist, you can move on to finding which of them have set-ups at the place you wish to be picked up from. Depending on the place you are looking for, the list you have may become considerably smaller. For instance, if you need a pick up from Muscat International Airport, there is a better chance of having a number of company options as compared to a remote village in Oman.
There are quite a few international car rental companies in the country, and it is advisable to consider the reputable names over local service providers. International companies have a proven record for being more professional, while also providing the consumers with a wider selection of cars and giving them better deals. These aspects may be apparent when you visit the official company websites. Some companies also offer special online booking discounts. The procedure for booking a pick up car is simple and quick. All it takes is filling up a relevant form and paying by a credit card.
When you have ample options in terms of types and models of the cars, it is obvious that a little attention in this department may go a long way in adding a cherry to your travel cake. If you are traveling to Oman for a quick business meeting or traveling with a business associate, it may be best to consider hiring a Limousine or luxurious sedan. This will not only make a desired impression on the associate but also give you that extra credit at the meeting. On the other hand, if you are traveling with your family including the kids, it is a good idea to hire a full size SUV that can contain the entire luggage as well as the passengers comfortably. In case you are a lone traveler who wants a budget car, these include no-frills attached hatchbacks. Comfortable yet modest, such cars can be ideal.
Charges for pick up car hire in Oman depends primarily on the type of car you wish to hire and the distance between the points of pick up and drop off. Car rental is a developed industry in the country and the rates that you find online are bound to be competitive. This is the reason, it is imperative to take into consideration factors such as company reputation, availability of the type and model of car you wish to hire, on-road service provided by the company, insurance formalities, efficiency in service and customer relations.
The capital of Oman is a clean and modern city, with well-kept paved roads. You will find that as long as you stick to the speed limit and follow all regulations, driving through the city is easy and trouble-free. Hence before you start wandering the streets with your rent a car in Muscat, you should be aware of the basic laws, maps and directions.
Muscat is a moderately sized city and the main six-lane highway is very easy to navigate. The easiest way to find specific locations is to use the airport as a starting point. After it, all the roundabouts go in the following order: Azaiba, Ghubra (or Bowshar), Al Khuwair, Qurum, Wuttayah, Wadi Adai, Hamriya, Ruwi, Al Burj and Bait Al Falaj. Note this order and you won't have any trouble finding your way around the city.
You may, however, find some trouble understanding the maps due to three main reasons. The first one is that Arabic, when written in Latin alphabet uses phonetic spelling, so you may find different variations in the spelling of street names. Also, the city is full of roundabouts, which can create confusion in the map reading. Finally, you´ll see a lot of drawings around these roundabouts. Don’t let these symbols drive you crazy, they are quite easy to understand. They stand for the huge model sculptures, water fountains or monuments located in the roundabouts, which refer to the place where the roundabout is placed or to the name of the roundabout. Residents who travel the roads regularly are known to have a favourite roundabout.
You should also be careful with the fines. Road rules in Oman can be really different from driving regulations in your home country. You will find a speed camera every 2km; don’t go by the inactive look they have, they all work properly and their tolerance is 19km per hour. Some time ago, speeding was a huge problem in Muscat, causing the government to build foot-over bridges and subways.
There is no tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol and breaking the law will occur in severe penalties. Wearing seatbelts has been implemented as a rule due to different government campaigns to promote road safety. Remember to always carry your documentation, as you will have to produce it in the event of an accident.
Muscat is generally very hot, with temperatures reaching as high as 40°C (104°F) in the summer. The best choice for a car rental in Muscat would be a decent vehicle with AC. If you are staying inside the city limits, a saloon will do, and you’ll get it for a lower price. Outside Muscat, your best option is a 4x4 SUV.
For parking, lookout for the meters located in certain areas of Muscat, especially Qurum and Muttrah. Normally parking is free on Fridays. Driving a rent car in Muscat is pretty hassle-free and convenient and is a great way to see this beautiful city.
Renting a car in Oman is an amazing way of getting to know the country, as it gives you the freedom to explore the amazing places as you wish. You’ll find a wide variety of choices depending on your itinerary. From a simple saloon car for wandering through the city to a top of the line 4x4 SUV for wadi or dune bashing, there is every kind of pick up car hire in Oman.
You can get a pick up car hire in Oman directly at Muscat International Airport, from the multiple car rental agencies at hotels or at their offices located in the capital area and beyond. If you need extras like bicycle racks or children’s car seats, be sure to book in advance.
After reaching Oman, you’ll want to explore the country right away, not spend your time trying to organize a car. A good idea is to get the vehicle organized in advance, so you can land and drive away without wasting any time around the rental counter.
Pick up car hire in Oman can be tricky, so make sure to select the right car according to your plans. You might feel quite adventurous on your first visit and rent a huge 4x4 vehicle to drive it through the desert, but there is no need to spend so much money on a car. You can arrange desert safaris through travel agencies with specially customized desert vehicles and experienced drivers. Additionally, according to the regulations of many agencies, you may not even be allowed to drive outside the tarmac roads. Taking all this into consideration you can reduce your car rental budget by almost 50 percent.
You can also save a lot of money by cutting off the extras. For example, you won’t need a GPS navigation to get around Oman. It is quite easy to get around and paper maps are simple to follow. In addition, all the roads to the main cities are in good condition and well sign- posted.
Look out also for the ‘out of working office hours fee’. Avoid it by picking up your rental car during office hours in main cities or at airports where rental offices work 24x7. You can also save money if you refrain from one way car rentals. It is quite common for visitors to pick up a rental car in Oman, explore Muscat and then head to Dubai and drop off the car there. International car rental will make your car rental budget increase exponentially.
When planning your car rental budget, consider that the petrol cost in Oman is low, 12OR to fill a big 4x4 and 6 OR for a saloon car. When you pick up your rental car, it will be supplied with a full tank of fuel and must be returned the same way. You will be charged for missing fuel. Note that there are many speed cameras on the roads, so watch out for the speed limits if you want to fend off fines and admin fees.
Some car rental agencies include a pick-up service, which includes collecting you at your hotel and bringing you to the offices to fill out the forms. They might also provide Airport pick-ups and drop-offs, but it might involve an extra cost.
Oman has an ever-expanding network of roads and highways, around and even through the mountains, giving you endless possibilities to explore and discover the country. Make sure you arrange your pick up car rental in Oman before arriving, so you can start your road adventure without any delay.
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