Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Oman, or should I carry local cash?
During my trip to Salalah and Nizwa, taxis were cash-only everywhere. Oman is quite modern in many aspects, but the traditional taxi industry hasn’t adopted card machines yet. It’s not difficult to find ATMs, but keep in mind you’ll need smaller notes for fares. I also recommend agreeing on a price before setting off because taxis don’t usually run on meters. While Oman overall is card-friendly, taxis remain one of the last places where cash is the standard.
My personal experience in Oman was that every taxi I took required cash. The drivers were polite, but they were very clear that rials were the only option. I tried asking about credit cards, and the driver shook his head immediately. What I found useful was withdrawing smaller notes from the ATM, since drivers rarely had change for 20-rial bills. Apps are becoming more common, but for now, if you’re hailing a taxi directly on the street, you’ll absolutely need cash.
From my visit to Muscat, I’d say cash is the only way to pay taxis. The drivers I dealt with didn’t accept cards and weren’t interested in US dollars either. Oman is generally an easy country for card use in malls and restaurants, but taxis are an exception. If you prefer not to carry cash, try using apps like Otaxi or request a car through your hotel, since those services sometimes allow card payments. Regular street taxis are still strictly cash-based.
In Oman, taxis almost always expect cash. I traveled around Muscat and Salalah, and none of the cabs I used had card machines. Some hotels and apps allow you to arrange transfers where you can pay by card, but the standard orange-and-white taxis definitely prefer Omani rials. It’s wise to withdraw cash before heading out because drivers usually don’t carry much change. Oman is slowly modernizing transport, but for now, taxis remain one of those things where cash is still king.