Muscat car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Muscat
The best car rental companies in Muscat are Sixt, Europcar, Hertz. Prices start from €30/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Muscat
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€40/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €380Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €420Min age 22Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€42/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 22Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€38/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €380Min age 22Free cancellationAirport
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €400Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€41/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €420Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€44/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#8
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€30/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#9
Value Plus Rent a Car
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
base rate
View Value Plus Rent a Car deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Muscat
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €30 | Toyota Yaris | 5 |
| Compact | €35 | Nissan Sunny | 5 |
| SUV | €62 | Toyota Fortuner | 5 |
| Large SUV (7-seat) | €98 | Nissan Patrol | 7 |
| Luxury | €115 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Muscat
Airport — Muscat International Airport (MCT)
MCT sits about 7km northwest of the city center, roughly a 15-minute drive via Sultan Qaboos Highway. Oman drives on the right.
Downtown — Muscat (Qurum / Ruwi)
Downtown desks in Qurum and Ruwi suit travelers who want a car mainly for mountain and wadi day trips beyond the city.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | MCT airport pickup |
| 4x4 surcharge | €15–30/day | Upgrading for mountain routes like Jebel Akhdar |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Cross-border permit | €30–60 | Driving into the UAE |
| Refundable deposit | €300–450 | Standard credit-card hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Muscat
- Muscat International Airport (MCT) is about 7km northwest of the city center, roughly a 15-minute drive via Sultan Qaboos Highway, and Oman drives on the right.
- Prices are displayed in EUR for easy comparison, though Muscat's local currency is the Omani rial (OMR), one of the highest-valued currencies in the world and divided into 1,000 baisa rather than 100 cents.
- Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) requires a 4x4 and passes through a police checkpoint that turns away standard sedans — book the 4x4 upgrade in advance if this is on your itinerary.
- Wadi driving carries flash-flood risk during and after rain — never enter a wadi crossing when water is flowing, even if it looks shallow.
- Oman has zero-tolerance drink-driving laws, with strict penalties for any detectable alcohol.
- The historic Nizwa Fort and souq, about 1h30m from Muscat, is one of the most popular self-drive day trips from the capital.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Muscat
Do you need a car in Muscat?
Public transport is limited, so a car is essential for reaching the mountains, wadis, and forts beyond the city center.
How far is Muscat International Airport from the city center?
About 7km, roughly a 15-minute drive via Sultan Qaboos Highway.
Which side of the road do you drive on in Oman?
Oman drives on the right, and most rental cars are automatic.
What currency are prices shown in for Muscat?
Prices are displayed in EUR for easy comparison, though Muscat's local currency is the Omani rial (OMR).
Can I drive a standard rental car to Jebel Akhdar?
No — a checkpoint on the mountain road turns away standard sedans, so you need a 4x4, which most companies offer as a specific upgrade.
Is it safe to drive through a wadi in Oman?
Only when the wadi is dry. Flash floods can appear quickly during or after rain, so never cross a wadi with flowing water.
What is the cheapest car type in Muscat?
Economy cars like a Toyota Yaris start around €30/day. An SUV starts around €62/day.
