Sleeping in Airports

Muscat Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Muscat Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

The only place that was comfortable was Costa Coffee which had some softer chairs and two sofas – my tip would be to get there fast and bag a sofa. We weren’t quick enough the first time round! – Gillycat

MCT Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Muscat International Airport.

What to Expect

Passenger services at Muscat Airport (Code: MCT) are provided in a brand new (2018) terminal with 45 gates, though with reportedly few shops, eateries or other amenities. WiFi is available to help pass the time. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first class lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below.

muscat airport guide
(Photo courtesy of a Guest traveller / June 2019)

Sleeping in Muscat Airport

Recent reviews have mentioned plenty of good couches to stretch out and have a rest, most seem to be located Airside. If you have tried to sleep in this airport please share your experience by writing a review to help future travellers! For uninterrupted sleep, there is an airside hotel at the airport and others nearby. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Muscat Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Primeclass Lounge – Location: Airside, 5th Floor. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Majan Lounge – Location: Airside, International Departures, 7/F.  Hour: open 24 hours.  Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

  • Oman Air First Class Lounge – Location: Airside • Oman Air Business Class Lounge – Location: Airside.

Related Pages: Muscat Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in Muscat airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel inside the airport and several nearby hotels:

Hotel inside Muscat Airport

Aerotel Muscat – Located Airside, Level 5. The Aerotel offers double beds and rooms can be rented for as short as 3 hours. » Check Rates

More nearby hotels

  • Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb – No airport shuttle.  Day use rooms are available.  » Check Rates
  • Novotel Muscat Airport – No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Radisson Collection Hotel, Hormuz Grand Muscat –  No airport shuttle. » Check Rates

Several hotels and resorts have information desks onsite in the Arrivals Hall: Al Nahda Resort & Spa ▪ Al Sawadi Beach Resort ▪ Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa ▪ Intercontinental Hotels Group.

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Muscat, search deals and read traveller reviews.

wifiAirport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Muscat Airport for 2 hours. You will need to either A) provide your local mobile phone number in order to receive a password via text or B) go to an Information Desk where they will scan your passport and boarding pass and provide you with a password. Reviewers mentioned you can re-connect when your time runs out, with a new password most likely.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Some machines dispense for foreign currencies. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.

Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge. If you require a porter, the rate is RO1.500.

Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Location: Airside, Departures Hall, after passport control. There is another play area available to members and guests of the Oman Air Business Class lounge.

Currency Exchange – Travelex has four 24-hour locations, located in Arrivals and Departures. Global Money Exchange offer services at three Airside and two Landside locations. Several ATMs in the airport offer foreign currency cash withdrawal.

Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available at five airside locations. In addition, a pharmacy, perfume shop, jewelry store, and three WHSmith newsstands are located throughout the airport.

Family Services – Strollers are available for free once you are Airside. There are drop-off points at the gates for easy return.

Food & Drinks – At the time of this update it is not known if there are any 24 hour food concessions available. Food options available include:
» Arrivals: Costa Coffee ▪ Food Court (Automatic Restaurant, Coffee & More, Curry Kitchen and idli.com)
» Departures: Costa Coffee (landside and airside) ▪ DQ Grill & Chill (airside) ▪ Irish House (airside) ▪ Food Court (airside – Automatic Restaurant, Curry Kitchen and idli.com) ▪ Subway (airside)

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Luggage Trolleys – Available free of charge. If you require a porter, the rate is RO1.500.

Luggage Wrapping – Fast luggage wrapping service, available for a fee. Location: Landside, Departures Hall, before Check-In

Medical Care – Urgent and emergency medical care is available in the Landside Medical Clinic. Fees apply. The airport also offers First Aid stations (North Pier Departure and Arrivals level and the departure level of the South Pier) although it is not known if there are fees associated. Hours: unknown.

Mobile Charging – There are phone charging stations available throughout the transit halls and are free to use.

Mobile Phones – Nawras and Oman Mobile have kiosks onsite in the Arrivals Hall.

Prayer Area – Ablution area, restroom, and female prayer room are available at the airport mosque, located just outside of the Arrivals terminal exit doors. Male and female prayer rooms are available Airside in Departures (A Pier and B Pier) and Landside on the Food Court Level.

Pharmacy – Muscat Pharmacy has a Landside location (near the Near Oman Air Business Class Lounge Gate) and Airside (near Gate B). Hours: unknown.

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers –  Available in the Primeclass Lounge. See Airport Lounges above.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Smoking Room – A designated smoking room is available Airside, Departures Transit Area.

Spa Services – Be Relax Spa offers a full range of spa services. Location: Airside, near Gate A3. Hours: 24 hours.

Tourist Information Desk – Tourist information, including leaflets, brochures and maps. Location: Baggage Claim.

Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Muscat and need local arrangements or help planning a really last minute trip abroad, there are a number of travel agencies with offices at the airport that can probably be of assistance. Marmul Travel, OUA Bahwan, Travel City, Safeer Travel, Majan Travel and Mezoon Travel.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

airlinesAirlines

Muscat airport is served by the following airlines: Air Arabia • Air India • Biman Bangladesh • British Airways • Cham Wings Airlines • Egyptair • Ethiopian Airlines • Emirates • Etihad Airways • flydubai • GoAir • Gulf Air • IndiGo • Iran Aseman Airlines • Kish Air • KLM • Kuwait Airways • Oman Air • Pegasus • PIA • Qatar Airways • Qeshm Airways • Regent • SalamAir • Saudia • SpiceJet • Sri Lankan Airlines • Swiss • Thai Airways • Turkish Airlines • US-Bangla Airlines.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

There is a bus stop on Sultan Qaboos Highway, a short walking distance from the airport terminal building.

Car Rentals

Car rental service is available at MCT airport. Several agencies have kiosks onsite in the Arrivals Hall.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update we were unable to find any hotels that provided an airport shuttle.  See also Airport Hotels above.

Oman Air Chauffeur Service

Door-to-door private airport transfers are available for first and business class passengers on Oman Air. Arrangements can be made through a travel agent or Oman Air customer service.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available at the airport, and can be booked online, by phone, or booked and prepaid at the Muscat International Airport Taxi Counter, located outside of Arrivals. If hiring a taxi privately, agree on a fare beforehand.

Airport Photo Gallery

Related Pages: Muscat Airport Photos

Last updated: 2024-02-07

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.