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Muscat Bus 4: Best Complete Guide – Ruwi to Al Alam Palace via Muttrah Souq

Ruwi Bus Station ⇆ Al Alam Palace
Muscat
Operator
Mwasalat
Fare
200-500 Baisa depending on distance
Frequency
Every 15-30 minutes
Journey time
~20 minutes, 14 stops
Stops: Ruwi Bus Station → Al Alam Palace
Ruwi Bus Station
Muttrah
Port Sultan Qaboos
Muttrah Corniche
Muttrah Souq
Muttrah Fish Market
Riyam
Old Muscat
National Museum of Oman
Al Alam Palace
Return: Al Alam Palace → Ruwi Bus Station

Same route, opposite direction. Fare and frequency are the same as the outbound trip above.

Al Alam Palace
National Museum of Oman
Old Muscat
Riyam
Muttrah Fish Market
Muttrah Souq
Muttrah Corniche
Port Sultan Qaboos
Muttrah
Ruwi Bus Station
Route map
Standard fare
200-500 Baisa depending on distance
Notes & additional info

Muscat Bus 4: Best Complete Guide – Ruwi to Al Alam Palace via Muttrah Souq

Muscat Bus 4 is Mwasalat’s most tourist-friendly route, connecting Ruwi Bus Station to Al Alam Palace by way of Muttrah — Muscat’s historic old port district. Muscat Bus Route 4 passes nearly every major heritage site in old Muscat, making it genuinely one of the best budget options for sightseeing in the city.

About Muscat Bus 4

Route 4 starts at Ruwi Bus Station and heads into Muttrah, stopping near Port Sultan Qaboos — a common cruise ship arrival point — before continuing along the scenic Muttrah Corniche. From there, it passes Muttrah Souq, one of the oldest and most atmospheric markets in the Arabian Peninsula, and the adjacent fish market. The route continues through Riyam and Old Muscat before reaching the National Museum of Oman and finally Al Alam Palace, the ceremonial residence of Oman’s ruling family.

With just 14 stops and a total trip time of around 20 minutes, Route 4 covers an impressive concentration of Muscat’s most significant landmarks in a short, affordable ride — a rare combination for public transit anywhere.

Muscat Bus Route 4 Stops and Timing

No. Stop Highlight
1 Ruwi Bus Station Route start
2 Muttrah Historic port district
3 Port Sultan Qaboos Cruise ship terminal
4 Muttrah Corniche Scenic waterfront
5 Muttrah Souq Historic market
6 Muttrah Fish Market Local seafood market
7 Riyam Coastal park area
8 Old Muscat Historic city center
9 National Museum of Oman Major cultural institution
10 Al Alam Palace Route end

Muscat Bus Route 4 Fare and Tips

Standard Mwasalat fares apply, generally 200-500 baisa payable in cash to the driver. If you’re arriving by cruise ship at Port Sultan Qaboos, Route 4 is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to reach the souq and old city sites without a taxi. Note that Mwasalat buses aren’t always perfectly on schedule, so build in some buffer time if you have a fixed return time to your ship or hotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Route 4 stop at Muttrah Souq?
Yes, it’s one of the confirmed stops on the route.

Is Route 4 good for cruise passengers?
Yes, it stops near Port Sultan Qaboos and is widely recommended for reaching Muttrah’s attractions from the cruise terminal.

Does Route 4 go to the National Museum of Oman?
Yes, the museum is a direct stop near the end of the route.

How many stops does Route 4 have?
14 stops, with a total trip time of about 20 minutes.

Does Route 4 stop at Al Alam Palace?
Yes, it’s the final stop on the route.

Nearby Routes and Connections

For a connection from the airport, see Muscat Bus Route A1 to Ruwi, then transfer to Route 4. See the Muscat bus routes hub for the full list. For live updates, check Mwasalat’s official website.

Muscat bus route 4, Ruwi to Al Alam Palace bus, Muttrah Souq bus route, National Museum of Oman bus, Muscat Corniche bus, Sultan’s Palace bus Muscat

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