Big Bus Muscat City Tour

Muscat stretches for miles along the coast, and public transport for visitors is limited, so the Big Bus City Tour is a genuinely useful way to see the main sights in a day without arranging taxis. The red-route buses start at Stop 1 by Mutrah Souq and run along the corniche and through the city, passing landmarks such as Mutrah Fort and Al Alam Palace, with air-conditioned lower decks and pre-recorded commentary in six languages. There is one important catch: the hop-on hop-off service only runs on days when cruise ships are in port. On other days the company runs two non-stop panoramic tours from Mutrah Souq, in the late morning and the mid-afternoon, each lasting about an hour and three quarters. Both formats give you a good overview of the city’s layout and history, and the panoramic tour is a relaxed introduction on your first afternoon. Tickets are flexible, and can be bought online, at most Muscat hotels, at Stop 1 or on the bus.

How it works: the City Tour runs from about 8:15am to 5:15pm, with buses every 30 minutes on hop-on hop-off days. Tickets come in 24-hour and 48-hour versions, and you activate them in the Big Bus app with your booking reference on the day. Prices are mid-range, with child tickets for ages 3 to 11, and dates can be changed if you ask at least 72 hours before.

What to expect: on cruise-ship days you can get off at the stops that interest you, such as the souq or the old town, and catch a later bus. On non-cruise days, the panoramic tour leaves Stop 1 at 10:30am or 2:30pm and loops the city without stops. Check the service information page before you buy so you know which format you will get.

Making the most of it: use the bus on your first day for orientation, then go back by taxi to the places you liked most. Sit upstairs for the views along the corniche, but bring a hat and sunscreen, as the sun is strong even in winter. The museums and the Grand Mosque have their own rules and hours, so plan those visits separately.