Fair prices in Oman — what things really cost

Muscat's orange-and-white taxis are not metered, so agree the fare before getting in. The airport has fixed indicative rates to the main hotels; a Careem or Uber booked on the app is usually cheaper and avoids haggling.

Ride-hailing apps work well across Muscat and show the price up front, which removes the guesswork of taxi bargaining. The city is spread out, so distances and fares add up faster than you expect.

The national Mwasalat buses are clean, air-conditioned and very cheap, covering the main corridors of the city. Slower and less frequent than a taxi, but great value if you are not in a rush.

Indian, Turkish, Lebanese and Omani restaurants offer good-value meals, especially away from the hotels. Look for busy local spots in Ruwi or Al Khuwair rather than tourist-facing seafront terraces.

Shuwa, majboos and grilled mishkak are cheapest at simple local restaurants and roadside grills. A filling plate costs little, and a fresh mishkak skewer from an evening stall is a bargain.

Cardamom coffee (kahwa) served with sticky Omani halwa is a hospitality ritual you will often be offered for free in shops. In a cafe it is inexpensive, and the halwa also makes a classic edible souvenir.

Frankincense is sold by grade and origin, with Omani hojari resin the most prized. Prices are negotiable; buy a small bag of good-quality resin plus a clay burner, and compare a couple of stalls first.

Entry to Nizwa Fort is a set ticket of a few rial, paid at the gate, and covers the fort and its exhibitions. Keep your ticket, and note the souq beside it is free to wander. Combined heritage passes are sometimes offered for several sites in the region.

A private taxi or car with driver from Muscat is the most flexible way to reach Nizwa and costs far more than the bus, so agree the full-day or one-way price before setting off. Sharing the cost between a few travellers, or hiring the driver for a day trip to include Bahla and Jebel Akhdar, gives better value.

The national Mwasalat coach service runs between Muscat and Nizwa a couple of times a day for only a few rial, comfortable and air-conditioned. Buy tickets in advance where possible and check the current timetable, as departures are limited and you will still need a taxi at each end.

Nizwa's taxis are usually unmetered, so agree the fare before you get in. Rides within town are short and inexpensive; for the fort, souq and mosque you can often walk between them. Carry small notes, as drivers rarely have change for large bills.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range or local restaurant is good value, especially Omani and Indian places used by residents. Grills, biryani and shuwa on special days are filling and cheap; ask whether service and tax are already added to the bill.

The souq is the place to buy fresh Omani halwa, dates and local honey. Prices are by weight and you can usually taste before buying. Compare a couple of stalls, and buy vacuum-packed halwa or boxed dates if you want to carry them home.

Small cups of cardamom-scented Omani coffee (kahwa) served with dates, and sweet black tea, are cheap and everywhere. A cafe near the fort costs a little more than a simple stall, but both are normal prices, not a tourist markup.

Salalah Airport is only a few kilometres from the city, but taxis have no meter and drivers often quote a high flat fare to tourists. Agree the price before you get in, and know that an app ride is usually far cheaper for the same trip.

Ride-hailing apps such as OTAXI and Tasleem work in Salalah and fix the fare in advance, removing any haggling. They are the easiest way to avoid tourist overcharging, though you will need local data or wifi to book.

Salalah's sights are spread out and public transport is limited, so renting a car is the most practical way to explore Wadi Darbat, Mughsail and the eastern coast. Book ahead in the Khareef season, when demand and prices rise sharply.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant is good value, especially for grilled fish and Omani dishes. Busy local places usually beat tourist-facing ones, and many venues add a service charge and tax to the bill.

Simple local restaurants serve generous plates of shuwa, grilled fish or harees for modest prices. Salalah's seafood is excellent, so look for places grilling the day's catch, and eat where local families are eating.

Roadside stalls near the plantations sell fresh coconuts opened for their water and bunches of small, sweet Salalah bananas for very little. Buying straight from a farm stall is cheaper and fresher than in shops.

At Al Haffa souq, prices depend on the grade of resin, with the pale, prized Hojari costing the most. Haggle politely, compare a couple of stalls, and buy from established sellers to be sure of quality.