THE AIRPORT
Muscat Worldwide Airport (MCT)
THE FLIGHT
WY0405 to Cairo
THE ARRIVAL
The nation’s major worldwide airport is positioned in Seeb, to the west of sprawling Muscat. It is about 40 minutes from Mutrah, essentially the most picturesque a part of the town, with its fascinating souq and conventional structure. Taxis and ridesharing apps together with Careem run alongside the coastal metropolis. Transit passengers wanting to depart the airport between flights can pre-book an e-visa by way of the Royal Oman Police web site, evisa.rop.gov.om. The 24-hour visa prices OMR5 ($20).
THE LOOK
Glittering purple lighting and palm bushes line the folks movers, so you are feeling such as you’re whooshing down an arabesque catwalk. The brand new terminal opened in 2018, and it nonetheless appears 1,000,000 rials at this time. Simply as importantly because the look is its odor – the nation’s signature scent is aromatic frankincense, harvested within the Dhofar desert, and its fragrance surrounds the airport. Shows by the Nationwide Museum of Oman inform the story of this often-overlooked Center Japanese nation, Omani-themed murals result in immaculate loos and there are many comfortable sofas for visitors.
SECURITY
Screening is quick, environment friendly and nearly nice – Muscat’s airport employees had been nominated finest within the Center East within the current Skytrax awards. Workers are positioned all through the airport to reply questions and direct travellers.
CHECK-IN
As I am on an extended transit between flights, my luggage are already checked by, however though passengers are splitting off for flights to Paris, London, the close to and the far East, there is a marked absence of panic. Nonetheless working at lower than half its capability of 20 million – in contrast with Dubai’s 98 million capability – the airport’s so calm, it is nearly surreal.
FOOD AND DRINK
Heaven is a cup of karak, the Arabian model of Indian chai: candy, milky and spiced with pepper, cardamon, cinnamon and cloves. The airside Arabian-style café Khawaji spikes its karak with saffron – the world’s costliest spice – elevating a staff’ drink to rockstar standing. It isn’t low-cost, although: a cup prices round $9. Savour it. In any other case, strive a Turkish espresso within the arrivals corridor at Selamlique Istanbul. The standard US fast-food chains are additionally right here.
RETAIL THERAPY
Oman’s calling card is the heavy, luxurious scent of Amouage, at one level the most costly fragrance on this planet, so take a run by the testers for a fast masterclass in Arabian perfume. Enjoyable buys embrace the distinctive Omani kumar (cap), floaty kaftans, cleaning soap with myrrh, rose-infused cosmetics from the fields on Jabal Al Akhdar and frankincense, which is wrought into physique oils and face lotions, and even a breath-freshening chew. Snap all of it up within the Souq of Oman reward retailers.
PASSING TIME
To make use of the free WI-FI, it’s essential to get hold of a code from one of many machines across the airport, which scans your passport earlier than issuing the code. Painful if there is a queue. For lengthy transits, you can bunk down on the Aerotel, on the highest ground of the terminal. Nonetheless, the charges skyrocket throughout native holidays, so it could be cheaper to take a taxi to one of many close by inns. I booked a six-hour day keep on the close by Novotel Muscat Airport, which has a pool and affordable day charges. People who smoke are accommodated in pungent, air-conditioned glass rooms sponsored by cigarette corporations, avoiding the 42 diploma temperatures exterior at 11am. A brilliant kids’s playcentre and day spa spherical out the choices.
THE VERDICT
Positioning itself as a substitute for the Center Japanese hubs of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, luxurious little Muscat has all of the swish and comfort, with out the schlep of its a lot bigger counterparts – carry on the direct flights from Australia.
OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE
★★★★½
Belinda Jackson travelled at her personal expense.
