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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Finding a pick up car hire in Oman


The Internet has made it fairly easy to find a pick up car hire in Oman. All you need to do is search for car rentals companies operating in the country. Once you have a few names on the shortlist, you can move on to finding which of them have set-ups at the place you wish to be picked up from. Depending on the place you are looking for, the list you have may become considerably smaller. For instance, if you need a pick up from Muscat International Airport, there is a better chance of having a number of company options as compared to a remote village in Oman.

There are quite a few international car rental companies in the country, and it is advisable to consider the reputable names over local service providers. International companies have a proven record for being more professional, while also providing the consumers with a wider selection of cars and giving them better deals. These aspects may be apparent when you visit the official company websites. Some companies also offer special online booking discounts. The procedure for booking a pick up car is simple and quick. All it takes is filling up a relevant form and paying by a credit card.

When you have ample options in terms of types and models of the cars, it is obvious that a little attention in this department may go a long way in adding a cherry to your travel cake. If you are traveling to Oman for a quick business meeting or traveling with a business associate, it may be best to consider hiring a Limousine or luxurious sedan. This will not only make a desired impression on the associate but also give you that extra credit at the meeting. On the other hand, if you are traveling with your family including the kids, it is a good idea to hire a full size SUV that can contain the entire luggage as well as the passengers comfortably. In case you are a lone traveler who wants a budget car, these include no-frills attached hatchbacks. Comfortable yet modest, such cars can be ideal.

Charges for pick up car hire in Oman depends primarily on the type of car you wish to hire and the distance between the points of pick up and drop off. Car rental is a developed industry in the country and the rates that you find online are bound to be competitive. This is the reason, it is imperative to take into consideration factors such as company reputation, availability of the type and model of car you wish to hire, on-road service provided by the company, insurance formalities, efficiency in service and customer relations.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Rent Car In Muscat – A Traveller’s Lifeline


The capital of Oman is a clean and modern city, with well-kept paved roads. You will find that as long as you stick to the speed limit and follow all regulations, driving through the city is easy and trouble-free. Hence before you start wandering the streets with your rent a car in Muscat, you should be aware of the basic laws, maps and directions.

Muscat is a moderately sized city and the main six-lane highway is very easy to navigate. The easiest way to find specific locations is to use the airport as a starting point. After it, all the roundabouts go in the following order: Azaiba, Ghubra (or Bowshar), Al Khuwair, Qurum, Wuttayah, Wadi Adai, Hamriya, Ruwi, Al Burj and Bait Al Falaj. Note this order and you won't have any trouble finding your way around the city.

You may, however, find some trouble understanding the maps due to three main reasons. The first one is that Arabic, when written in Latin alphabet uses phonetic spelling, so you may find different variations in the spelling of street names. Also, the city is full of roundabouts, which can create confusion in the map reading. Finally, you´ll see a lot of drawings around these roundabouts. Don’t let these symbols drive you crazy, they are quite easy to understand. They stand for the huge model sculptures, water fountains or monuments located in the roundabouts, which refer to the place where the roundabout is placed or to the name of the roundabout.  Residents who travel the roads regularly are known to have a favourite roundabout.

You should also be careful with the fines. Road rules in Oman can be really different from driving regulations in your home country. You will find a speed camera every 2km; don’t go by the inactive look they have, they all work properly and their tolerance is 19km per hour. Some time ago, speeding was a huge problem in Muscat, causing the government to build foot-over bridges and subways.

There is no tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol and breaking the law will occur in severe penalties. Wearing seatbelts has been implemented as a rule due to different government campaigns to promote road safety. Remember to always carry your documentation, as you will have to produce it in the event of an accident.

Muscat is generally very hot, with temperatures reaching as high as 40°C (104°F) in the summer. The best choice for a car rental in Muscat would be a decent vehicle with AC. If you are staying inside the city limits, a saloon will do, and you’ll get it for a lower price. Outside Muscat, your best option is a 4x4 SUV.

For parking, lookout for the meters located in certain areas of Muscat, especially Qurum and Muttrah. Normally parking is free on Fridays. Driving a rent car in Muscat is pretty hassle-free and convenient and is a great way to see this beautiful city.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Tips for Pick up Car Hire in Oman


Renting a car in Oman is an amazing way of getting to know the country, as it gives you the freedom to explore the amazing places as you wish.  You’ll find a wide variety of choices depending on your itinerary. From a simple saloon car for wandering through the city to a top of the line 4x4 SUV for wadi or dune bashing, there is every kind of pick up car hire in Oman.

You can get a pick up car hire in Oman directly at Muscat International Airport, from the multiple car rental agencies at hotels or at their offices located in the capital area and beyond. If you need extras like bicycle racks or children’s car seats, be sure to book in advance.

After reaching Oman, you’ll want to explore the country right away, not spend your time trying to organize a car.  A good idea is to get the vehicle organized in advance, so you can land and drive away without wasting any time around the rental counter.

Pick up car hire in Oman can be tricky, so make sure to select the right car according to your plans. You might feel quite adventurous on your first visit and rent a huge 4x4 vehicle to drive it through the desert, but there is no need to spend so much money on a car. You can arrange desert safaris through travel agencies with specially customized desert vehicles and experienced drivers. Additionally, according to the regulations of many agencies, you may not even be allowed to drive outside the tarmac roads. Taking all this into consideration you can reduce your car rental budget by almost 50 percent.

You can also save a lot of money by cutting off the extras. For example, you won’t need a GPS navigation to get around Oman. It is quite easy to get around and paper maps are simple to follow. In addition, all the roads to the main cities are in good condition and well sign- posted.

Look out also for the ‘out of working office hours fee’. Avoid it by picking up your rental car during office hours in main cities or at airports where rental offices work 24x7. You can also save money if you refrain from one way car rentals. It is quite common for visitors to pick up a rental car in Oman, explore Muscat and then head to Dubai and drop off the car there. International car rental will make your car rental budget increase exponentially.

When planning your car rental budget, consider that the petrol cost in Oman is low, 12OR to fill a big 4x4 and 6 OR for a saloon car. When you pick up your rental car, it will be supplied with a full tank of fuel and must be returned the same way. You will be charged for missing fuel. Note that there are many speed cameras on the roads, so watch out for the speed limits if you want to fend off fines and admin fees.

Some car rental agencies include a pick-up service, which includes collecting you at your hotel and bringing you to the offices to fill out the forms. They might also provide Airport pick-ups and drop-offs, but it might involve an extra cost.

Oman has an ever-expanding network of roads and highways, around and even through the mountains, giving you endless possibilities to explore and discover the country. Make sure you arrange your pick up car rental in Oman before arriving, so you can start your road adventure without any delay.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Desert Safari Car Rentals in Muscat


If you are thinking about hiring a car for your desert safari, car rentals in Muscat may be the ideal way to go. First of all, hiring the vehicle directly from the source can end up saving you quite a lot of money. On the other hand if you are lazy about the whole thing and decide to leave this chore to your hotel or travel agency, you could be looking at the rental price of the vehicle plus their commission and maybe even extra service charges. Why pay more, especially when hiring a car in the country is one of the simplest procedures ever. All you have to do is log onto the World Wide Web, search for ‘car rentals in Muscat’, and choose a well-known name from the list that pops up. It may be better to opt for a car rental company you know from back home, which also operates in the country, as this ensures good service as opposed to local service providers that are unknown to you. Many official car rental company websites today also have provisions for you to book the car you desire, online by using your credit card and filling up a short form for details.

Muscat has quite a few car rental companies, so you can rest assured that the prices are competitive and you won’t find much variation between two companies of similar standard. This means that you can put price comparison as a secondary factor in the decision making process and concentrate primarily on the services provided by the various companies. Some of the things you should be looking for are whether the company has on-road service assistance, 24 hrs call center, insurance that covers UAE, the car you desire, well-maintained cars, good personalized service, and extras like chauffeur service or GSP navigation systems, safety features, etc. While zeroing in on the ideal company, you could also keep an eye out for some special deals some car rentals offer from time to time such as free insurance on a week long rental, special discounts on the rent, online discount, free add-on safety features, and so on.

If you want to rent a car especially for desert safaris and off-road travel, the best bet would be a four wheel drive SUV. There are many obvious advantages to renting an SUV for such undertakings. The SUV provide more width and height compared to any other car, which makes it spacious and gives passengers a feeling of safety. The height also allows the driver to have better field of vision, and the four wheel drive aspect allows for better traction and road handling. Most modern high-end SUVs in the market today are packed with safety features like air bags, making them the right choice even for adventurous cross-country travels. If you love driving off-road and yearn for a sense of adventure, this may be your ticket. You could consider renting the SUV for the whole term of your stay in the country, rather than just for the desert safari.

Once you have your desert safari car rentals in Muscat, you can be on your way to witness the mesmerizing beauty of golden sands. The best time to witness the magic of the desert is at sunset. With the SUV, you could drive from Muscat to the Hajar Mountains and take the dirt track from there to Wadi Abyad, see the water pools and proceed to the desert to watch the sun set over the horizon. The whole drive and back would be about six to seven hours depending on how long you spend at each place. So, do plan accordingly.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Saloon Car Rentals in Oman


It is all about luxury nowadays. People are used to the comforts of their lifestyle and don’t want to let go of them even when they are on a business travel or holiday. This may be the reason these days saloon car rentals in Oman are one of the most popular segments in rented cars. After all, saloon cars are also known as luxury vehicles. While luxury vehicle is lightly used marketing term, that includes car segments like sedan, coupe, hatchback, station wagon, convertible SUVs and many more, there was a time when this term was used only to emphasize the features of saloon cars. Today this term points at any cars that provide luxury, pleasant and desirable features beyond necessities, comfort of a high standard, better performance, good design, features that exude an executive image, and smooth driving, which are still characteristics mostly seen in saloon cars.

The Sultanate of Oman is a fast developing nation that has a large number of people visiting the country each month for either business activity or holidaymaking. Even though the purposes for visit are different almost all who visit this magnificent country, instantly fall in love with it and yearn to explore its many hidden marvels. Despite the fact that the country has very good public transport facilities, for the most part tourists and visitors prefer hiring self-driven or chauffeured cars to enjoy their journeys in comfort and privacy. Oman is quite widespread and going from one region to the other can take long hours of driving. This may be the primary reason why most visitors prefer renting saloon cars instead of small hatchbacks or large SUVs that can sometimes be uncomfortable for long journeys. Plus the safety features on sedans are much better compared to other models, making them safer for travel in a foreign country. Other benefits of such a car are that it handles easily, has less rollover risk, secure to drive because of the lower center of gravity, and gives better gas mileage even though in Oman gas is extremely cheap.

To rent a saloon car for your next trip to the country, visit a few official car rental company websites online. You might be amazed at the number of companies present in the country. If you are flying into Oman for business, chances are that Muscat is your first stop. This holds true for most tourists as well. If the case is so, it may be better to opt for a company operating in Muscat itself. The advantages of doing so are that first of all the city has the most number of international car rental providers, which translates into companies you know from back home and feel comfortable to rely on. Secondly, the rental car can be at your doorstep or hotel as soon as you land in the country. And thirdly, there are more companies to choose from, putting you in a better position. Once you choose the company you want to hire from, you can simply fill in a few details and book the car you desire by using you credit card through a safe and secure transactional system.

In case you do not find the time to book the car in advance, don’t fret. All you have to do is ask your hotel to get you in touch with a reliable car rental company. Saloon car rentals in Oman are readily available, so the only thing you need to worry about is hiring from a reputable company that provides good on-road assistance, well-maintained cars, extra navigational features in case you want them, 24 hrs emergency numbers or call center numbers, etc.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Car Lease in Muscat


Oman is beautiful, scenic, and fast-becoming a top priority on most world travelers’ list of places to visit. A huge part of the credit for this shift goes to the government of the country that is promoting it in a big way to the rest of the world. Today the Sultanate’s Capital plays host to thousands of visitors each month, but not all of them are here to witness the beauty or enjoy a holiday. Muscat also welcomes a great number of businessmen and professional each year, thanks to the active development in industrialization and privatization. There are many corporate and commercial companies springing up here that have foreign employees that need to stay in the city for long periods of time. For such employees big companies prefer getting a car lease in Muscat.

Buying a vehicle in a foreign country does not make sense, particularly if you do not intend to stay there permanently. Even for a business establishment, investing big bucks in a vehicle for an employee goes against good judgment. Thanks to car leasing service provider companies in the country, such companies and individuals have discovered a fine solution to their problem. Today the car lease service provided by some international car rental companies is become highly popular. While you are bound to think of a couple of well-known companies right now, make sure you do not settle for just a heard-of company. Car lease is serious business and you need to make certain that you have found the best deal available in the market.

While the best way to find and do a little background check about a car lease company is by thoroughly going through its official online website, you could also ask family, friends or colleagues for recommendations. You might be surprised at how many people you know who have a leased car or have had one at one point of time. It is important that you look for an exceptional company, to ensure that you get the best possible service and also a good deal. Things that you might want to keep an eye out for should include a company that provides vehicles of your choice that also suit your budget, arranges timely renewals of insurance and registration, provides a replacement vehicle in case of an accident or if the car is taken away for repairs, a buy-back facility, etc.

Car lease in Muscat can be hassle-free if you just take time out to find yourself a reliable and celebrated car rental company. Those of you working in a corporate set-up or well-established company can also ask your company for help, as some businesses have tie-up with car rentals for short term rentals and long term leases. This can get you an even better deal than you had hoped.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Find Car Rental Locations - Muscat

Muscat is the Capital of Oman. A modern city with good roads and some amazing sightseeing locations, Muscat attracts hordes of tourists every year. While driving is pretty much hassle free if you stick to the traffic regulations and speed limits, car rental locations in Muscat may be baffling due to the sheer size of the city.

It is interesting to note that what is now collectively known as the city of Muscat is actually three different towns which grew, merged and over-lapped each other with time. The central city was the original ‘Muscat’, the city of kings and their royal palaces. The town is sometimes referred to as the ‘walled city’. The next one was Mutrah or Matrah, depending on where you read about it, was originally a small fishing village. It houses the famous labyrinth of Matrah Souq. The last city is Ruwi, which is the commercial capital and home to diplomats, government officials and ambassadors. This division of the modern day Muscat is sometimes confusing for travellers and tourists. The primary reason for most of their inconvenience is the long distance between historical sites and other famous monuments, which are scattered through the 3 areas.

As you may now understand, it would be prudent to do a little research in advance and determine the best car rental locations in Muscat. The location should be central to the city and provide good options to make travelling easy for you. Since most of the premier car rental agencies now have their own websites, it has become quite simple to do one’s homework. Search for good car rental locations in Muscat on the internet and you will get a good comparative view of your options. Additionally, you can also find the contact details of these agencies on their websites. Give them a call or write to them inquiring about their location, services and their proximity to prominent places in Muscat.

The ‘proper’ Muscat city is not very big, and travelling by road here is made easy by the flashy six-lane highway. Car rental locations in Muscat close to this highway pose a great benefit. However, if you were to go to Qurum, the road divides into many pieces, overlaps itself and criss-crosses between the country side and the mountains. Here, you will need to have a vehicle which is in top-notch condition and a map or guide to navigate you to your destination. Taking the airport roundabout as your focal point is always a good idea. After that you will come across Azaiba, Ghubra, Al Khuwair, Qurum, Wuttayah, Wadi Adai, Ruwi and Al Burj on your way to Bait Al Falaj. Keeping in mind these roundabouts helps you form a mental map of the city and reduces the chances of getting lost or taking a wrong turn.

Due to improper translations of Arabic, the map which you may possess may or may not be that great. Make sure your car rental agency provides you with a good map of the city. An easy way to memorise car rental locations in Muscat is through the drawings that appear on the map. Drawings of boats, books, fish, coffee, etc on the map indicate the nature of that area. If the local names are too difficult for you to remember or pronounce, you can recognise locations through these model sculptures. For instance a book roundabout indicates that there is a school or university nearby while a fish roundabout indicates its closeness to the coast.

Car rental locations in Muscat are not difficult to find. The World Wide Web makes it even easier for modern day travellers. However the most easily available location may not be the best for your needs. Make sure you find out everything about the area before zeroing in on the best and call in advance to make your bookings.
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