Money & Payments in Muscat (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Muscat is moderately card-friendly. Muscat is less card-friendly than Dubai or Doha but improving.
Carry OMR 10–20 when exploring.
The city is spread along the coast, so you will likely need a mix of card and cash depending on which area you are visiting.
While cards are widely accepted in urban areas, cash is still necessary for small businesses, traditional markets, and remote regions.
Omani bank ATMs work reliably with foreign Visa and Mastercard.

ATM Fees

Overview: Most bank ATMs in Oman do not charge any ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders.
Banks With Fees: There are a couple of bank ATMs that charge OMR 1.5 to OMR 2.1 ATM fee per transaction (Omani Rial).
Conversion Fees Warning: In Oman, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in OMR). If you 'Accept' – ATM converts your money at ATM's set exchange rate and you pay an extra fee. If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.). So, to avoid extra fees, select 'Decline/Without' Conversion or 'Charge in OMR'.

Banks With No Fees

Bank Muscat (free withdrawals at own ATMs)
National Bank of Oman (free cash withdrawal at NBO ATMs)

ATM Access

Availability: In major cities like Muscat, Salalah, and Sohar, ATMs are widely available, especially in commercial districts, shopping centers, and near bank branches.
Operation Hours: Most ATMs operate 24/7 but cash availability at ATMs can vary by location.
Withdrawal Limits: ATMs in Oman have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of OMR 300 to OMR 1,500, with most common being OMR 1,500 (Omani Rial).
Card Types Accepted: Majority of the foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Oman. They commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus cards.

Locations In Muscat

Bank Muscat and NBO ATMs in the arrivals hall at Muscat International Airport (MCT).
Mutrah: Bank Muscat ATMs near the souq entrance and along the Corniche. Ruwi: Multiple bank ATMs on Ruwi High Street. Qurum: ATMs at malls and bank branches.

Tipping Norms

Tour Guides: Tipping your guide or drivers 1-3 OMR a day is good practice.
Overall Attitude: It is not customary to tip in Muscat, especially in less expensive establishments. Upscale restaurants tack on a service charge to your bill in lieu of a gratuity, though it is not for the wait staff per se.

Restaurants

Mandatory: No
Service Charge: In Muscat, restaurants sometimes add a service charge. If not, 10% is appreciated for good service.
Customary Amount: In restaurants, a 10% tip is customary. Taxi drivers and tour guides also appreciate tips, but the amount is discretionary.
Note: In hotels and restaurants, a service charge is usually already included in the bill, again it is up to your discretion if you want to give an additional tip.

Taxi Drivers

General: Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest half-rial.
Alternative View: While we did not take any taxis in Oman, it is said that tipping is not necessary unless the taxi driver goes above and beyond in service.

Hotel And Service Staff

Porter Example: Hotel porters: OMR 0.500–1 per bag.

Exchange Rates

Note: OMR is pegged to USD at a fixed rate

Local Currency

Code: OMR
Name: Omani Rial
Subdivisions: The Omani rial has 1,000 baisa subdivisions.
Denominations: Bills are 100 and 200 baisas, and 1/2, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 rials. Coins have value of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 baisas, and 1/4 and 1/2 rials.

Card Acceptance

Amex

Acceptance Level: limited
Description: Amex has limited acceptance (international hotels and a few upscale spots).

Visa Mastercard

Contactless: Contactless payments work at newer terminals.
Acceptance Level: Widely accepted
Description: Card acceptance has improved significantly in Muscat. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most modern establishments.

Where Accepted

Hotels, malls, and modern restaurants accept cards reliably.
Supermarkets and petrol stations
Royal Opera House (tickets by card online)

Cash Required Venues

Mutrah Souq vendors, smaller local restaurants (cafeterias), and neighborhood shops prefer cash.
Mutrah Souq vendors (frankincense, silver, textiles, souvenirs). Local cafeterias serving Omani and Indian food. Some taxi drivers (though OTaxi app takes cards).
Public bus fares range from OMR 0.200 to OMR 0.500. Pay with a Mwasalat bus card (buy at terminals) or cash (exact change helpful).

Banking

Setup For Expats: Information on specific account-opening procedures and requirements for expats could not be verified at this time. Recommendations: contact major Omani banks (National Bank of Oman, Bank Muscat, Bank Dhofar) directly or through your employer's relocation assistance for current requirements, typical documentation needed, and resident visa requirements.
Note On Sourcing: No verified current sources on expat banking account setup in Muscat were found at the time of research.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Muscat

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Muscat