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Getting to Muscat by bus leaves much to be desired on account of the unavailability of metro and railway lines in the city. The city is serviced by Baiza buses which have been so called for the lower denomination of the Omani Rial, the baisa – an adaptation of the Indian paisa. These buses are relatively inexpensive and serve all the major roadways, as well as the wide and loose network of smaller byways in the greater metropolitan area of Muscat. Getting to Muscat by bus implies picking up and dropping off passengers at any location. Less popular and slightly more expensive are the larger public buses –red and green in color. Getting to Muscat by bus is seldom easy with the service of the larger public buses limited to major roadways and point-to-point travel routes between Oman's major cities and towns. The bus fare is settled by means of negotiation. However, it is advisable to find out about the normally accepted or prevalent fare with the driver before getting into the vehicle. Unlike most of the bus drivers in the Gulf, those in Muscat are indigenously Omani. There are microbuses available to tourists – depending on whether they are private or engaged. Getting to Muscat by bus has been cooperative of the visa regulations of the government. Oman relaxed its legislation in late 2001. However, visas are still required, except if you happen to be a citizen of the other Gulf countries. Tourist visas obtained through the embassies of the Sultanate of Oman abroad are valid for a maximum period of three weeks. Visas are still obtainable through the bigger hotels and tour companies of Oman. You can obtain extension of a week from the Immigration and Passports Directorate in Al-Khwair in Muscat. Browse AsiaRooms.com for information on Transportation in Muscat .
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