Yes — there is a direct bus from Sharjah to Muscat, and it is a proper scheduled intercity service, not a private hire. Mwasalat Route 203, run by Oman’s National Transport Company (Mwasalat) together with Sharjah’s Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), connects Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah with Azaiba Bus Station in Muscat. It is the cheapest straightforward way to travel between the two cities: one bus, one ticket, no changes. This guide covers the current timings, the OMR 10 fare, the route through Kalba and Sohar, what happens at the border, and the visa paperwork you need before you board.
Sharjah to Muscat Bus — Quick Facts
| Operator / route | Mwasalat (Oman National Transport Company) — Route 203 |
| From | Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah |
| To | Azaiba (Athaiba) Bus Station, Muscat |
| Fare | OMR 10 one-way (quoted as AED 100 by SRTA); round trip OMR 19 (AED 190) |
| Departures from Sharjah | 06:30, 15:30 and 20:30 (updated schedule — see note below) |
| Journey time | Around 8 hours including the border stop |
| Border crossing | Khatmat Malaha (via Kalba) — not Hatta |
| Booking | Mwasalat website/app or the Al Jubail station counter |
Last verified: 2 November 2026
Sharjah to Muscat bus timings (Route 203)
Route 203 launched on 27 February 2024 with two departures a day in each direction (06:30 and 16:00). A revised schedule reported in 2026 increased the Sharjah departures to three a day: 06:30, 15:30 and 20:30. Some older guides still show the original two-bus pattern, which is why timings differ from site to site. Because international schedules change with demand and season, treat the live timetable on the Mwasalat booking site as final before you travel — the departure times shown there are the ones the bus actually runs.
From Muscat, buses leave Azaiba Bus Station for Sharjah, with pickups in Sohar on the way. Reported Sohar departure times on the current schedule are around 07:00 and 13:30, with a Muscat departure in the afternoon — again, confirm the exact return time when you book, as return timings are the part of this route most often listed incorrectly online.
Route: Sharjah → Kalba → Sohar → Muscat
Unlike the Dubai–Muscat buses, Route 203 does not go through Hatta. From Al Jubail it crosses Sharjah emirate to the east coast, passes through Kalba, and crosses into Oman at the Khatmat Malaha border post. Inside Oman it stops at Shinas and Sohar before following the coast road to Muscat, where it drops passengers at several points — including Muscat International Airport and Burj Al Sahwa area stops — before terminating at Azaiba Bus Station. Some services can also pick up at Sharjah International Airport on request when booking; ask at the counter if that matters to you.
Ticket price and how to book
The fare is priced in Omani rials: OMR 10 one-way and OMR 19 return. SRTA announced this as AED 100 / AED 190 at launch; a few websites quote AED 95.40, which is simply the same OMR 10 converted at a different exchange rate — OMR 10 is the operator’s real price, so budget for the equivalent of roughly AED 95–100. Children under 3 travelled free at launch.
You can book in two ways:
- Online: through the Mwasalat website or app — pick Route 203, your date and your boarding point (Al Jubail), and pay by card.
- At the station: the Mwasalat/SRTA counter at Al Jubail Bus Station. Arrive early on weekends and holidays, when this route fills up.
Carry your passport (valid at least 6 months) and your Emirates ID — you cannot board an international service without them.
Border crossing and visa: what to expect
Halfway through the journey the bus stops at the Khatmat Malaha border. Everyone gets off twice: once to exit the UAE, once to enter Oman. UAE residents should also budget for the UAE exit fee of around AED 35, payable at the border.
For Oman entry, many UAE residents qualify for a visa on arrival, but eligibility depends on your nationality, profession and residency status — it is not guaranteed for every resident. The safe approach is to check the Royal Oman Police eVisa platform (evisa.rop.gov.om) or apply online before the trip. GCC nationals enter Oman with their ID/passport as usual. Border formalities are the main reason the journey takes around 8 hours despite the road distance, so do not book a tight onward connection in Muscat.
How to reach Al Jubail Bus Station
Al Jubail is Sharjah’s main intercity terminal, in the Al Jubail area near the central market. If you are coming from Dubai, direct RTA buses run to Al Jubail from Union Square, Al Ghubaiba and other Dubai stations — see our Dubai to Sharjah bus guide for routes and fares. From Ajman, Ajman Transport buses also terminate in Sharjah. Give yourself at least 30–45 minutes of buffer before an international departure, as check-in and document checks happen before boarding.
Sharjah–Muscat vs going via Dubai
If the Route 203 timings do not suit you, the alternative is to travel from Dubai instead. Note that the old RTA Route 201 Dubai–Muscat service (Abu Hail, AED 55) was suspended in February 2023 and has not resumed — several popular guides still describe it as running, so be careful. Today the direct Dubai–Muscat seat is sold by the private operator Al Khanjry Transport (around AED 100, departures from Deira near Abu Hail, arriving at Azaiba), which also lists a pickup at Ajman Bus Station. Our Dubai to Oman bus guide compares both options in full. For anyone starting in Sharjah, Ajman or the northern emirates, Route 203 from Al Jubail is still the simpler journey — no Dubai detour, one ticket, and a border crossing that avoids the busy Hatta post.
Tips for the Sharjah to Muscat bus
- Book the 06:30 bus if you want to reach Muscat in daylight; the evening departures arrive in the small hours.
- Keep OMR cash for the return leg and small expenses — card acceptance at smaller stops is not guaranteed.
- Sit on the right side heading south for the Batinah coast views after Sohar.
- Print or screenshot your ticket — you will show it at check-in, the border and re-boarding.
- Check the return time twice: Muscat→Sharjah times are the most misreported fact about this route.
FAQs
Is there a direct bus from Sharjah to Muscat?
Yes. Mwasalat Route 203 runs directly from Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah to Azaiba Bus Station in Muscat, via Kalba, the Khatmat Malaha border, Shinas and Sohar. No change of bus is needed.
What is the Sharjah to Muscat bus ticket price?
OMR 10 one-way (announced as AED 100 by SRTA) and OMR 19 for a round trip. Some sites show AED 95.40, which is the same OMR 10 fare at a different exchange-rate conversion.
How long does the Sharjah to Muscat bus take?
Around 8 hours, including exit and entry formalities at the Khatmat Malaha border. Delays at the border on weekends and public holidays can add time.
Where does the bus leave from in Sharjah?
From Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah’s main intercity terminal. Book online with Mwasalat or buy at the station counter, and arrive 30–45 minutes early for document checks.
Which border does the Sharjah–Muscat bus use?
The Khatmat Malaha crossing near Kalba — not the Hatta/Al Wajajah crossing used by Dubai–Muscat buses.
Can UAE residents get a visa on arrival in Oman?
Many can, but it depends on nationality, profession and residency status. Check the Royal Oman Police eVisa website before travelling, carry a passport valid for 6+ months and your Emirates ID, and budget about AED 35 for the UAE exit fee.
Does the Sharjah to Muscat bus stop at Muscat airport?
Yes — Muscat International Airport is one of the drop-off points in Muscat before the final stop at Azaiba Bus Station. Confirm when booking, as stop patterns can change.
Related routes
- Dubai to Oman Bus: Muscat timings, ticket price and operators
- Dubai to Sharjah Bus: all routes, timings and fares
- Sharjah to Ras Al Khaimah Bus: timings and fare
Daniyal Sheikh
Transport Editor, UAE Travel Hub
Transport Editor at UAE Travel Hub. Dubai daily commuter covering the Metro, Nol cards, RTA buses and intercity routes across all seven emirates — every fare and timing checked against official RTA, ITC and SRTA sources.