The Sultanate of Oman lies on the south eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, with the Arabian Sea on the south and east and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast, the country of Yemen lies to the southwest, Saudi Arabia to the west and the United Arab Emirates to the northwest. Travel to Oman is slowly increasing as more and more intrepid travelers take advantage of the beautiful beaches alongside stunning mountain ranges, vast deserts and the very friendly and hospitable local people!
When travelling to Oman you really have only one option, and that is to fly into the capital city Muscat. However, if you’ve got adventure running through your veins and don’t mind the added time on your journey, you could also consider taking a bus or car from UAE. Actually, the journey isn’t really that adventurous, and just a long stretch of desert and sand dunes! You could also take a car from Yemen (that would definitely be an adventure!), but you’d want to check the very latest travel advice and whether this is in fact possible.
Dubai to Muscat by Bus As mentioned, you can take a bus from the Dubai in United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Muscat in Oman via this regularly serviced international bus route. This six-hour trip, which could of course change depending on the traffic, is mostly a smooth ride, with plenty of desert and sand dunes stretching into the distance. At the border check-post it could take up to an hour and a half before all the passengers are past the immigration and passport checks. Generally, travelers hailing from Western Europe, Australasia and North America are granted a visa on arrival at the Omani border, but it’s always best to check the very latest. Please feel free to use our contact us page to find out more information.
Getting to Muscat (Oman) by CarIf you’re keen on making your own way to Oman with a hire car, or are on a crazy round-the-world adventure in your VW Combi with six mates, and want to clock up the Arabian Peninsula on your trip, then you can enter from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Buraimi, Wajaja and Khatmat Milahah. Visas are usually granted at the entry points, but again, you need to check the latest situation before embarking on your journey.
If on that round-the-world adventure you happen to be coming to Oman by car from Yemen, you can enter at Sarfait, again though, you need to check the latest travel advices as this is bound to change often. Buses are also available but you should contact us for up-to-date information.
Getting to Muscat (Oman) by BoatThere are not really any options to travel via boat to Oman, with the two main ports, Sultan Qaboos and Salalah, dealing mainly with commercial vessels. However, the occasional cruise shop does dock here so if you do your research on cruise lines, you might be in luck!
Flights to Muscat (Oman)Oman Air (WY) is the national airline of Oman, connected with most of the major cities of the world. Major airline operators from around the world also operate flights to and from Oman with these airlines listed below. KLM operates flights from Amsterdam and British Airways operates flights from London.
The airport at Muscat is the Muscat Seeb International Airport. It is located 25 miles (40 kilometres) to the west of the city. Taxis ply to and from the airport to the city. Muscat Seeb airport is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. There is a bank, a currency exchange bureau, a tourist information desk and even a post office. There are also well stocked duty free shops and bookstores, as well as restaurants, bars and cafés.
For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend
Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.
Muscat to Salalah FlightsOman Air operates domestic flights within Oman, with Salalah (SSL) being a popular destination being only one and a half hours away. There are two direct flights per day with a one way fare going for around OR 36 and a return fare for OR 72, though check the latest.
Muscat to and Khasab FlightsOman Air also operate a flight on Thursday (8.55 a.m) and Friday (2.30 p.m) for those wishing to travel from Muscat to Khasab. A one way ticket costs OR 24 while a return costs OR 48. The duration of the flight is one hour and fifteen minutes. If you would like more information about internal flights please send us an email and we’ll let you know the latest schedule.
Getting around Oman by CarVisitors to Oman can drive around the country without any restriction so long as they hold a valid international licence, a foreign driving licence or an international driving permit. Road traffic laws are strictly enforced; right turns are prohibited at red lights and seat belts are mandatory for passengers seated in the front. There are many car rental agencies in Muscat and it is not too difficult to rent a car.
Getting around Oman by Bus & TaxiThe Oman National Transport Company runs inter-city buses which connects the major provincial towns of Oman. Muscat though is the only city in Oman which has its own local bus service. Many foreigners call the buses ‘baisa’, which derived from the few hundred baisa (money) that is charged per journey. These buses have fixed routes along the highway, mostly to and from the Corniche and are pretty much packed to the gills. Don’t forget to enquire about the route before you board a baisa!
There is also an extensive number of taxis. Unlike their counterparts in other Middle Eastern states which wait for their taxis to fill up before they start, Omani taxis leave right away even if there are only a few passengers. They also pick up and drop off passengers on the way. Taxis in Muscat don’t have meters. The taxi drivers are a sharp lot and if you try negotiating a price before the trip, you’ll be giving away your inexperience. The way to get around this smartly is to do your homework and acquire a rough idea of what fares are like beforehand. Hail down a taxi like a pro and when it’s time to pay up, offer a figure that’s at the low end of this approximate fare. In most other cities and towns, microbuses and taxis are filled to beyond their capacity.
Walking the Streets of MuscatIf you love discovering new places on foot, bear in mind that the heat can range from unpleasant to positively dangerous in Muscat, during the period between March and October. December and January are pleasant months, especially during early morning and at sunset. Within the three areas of Muscat proper, Mutrah and Ruwi, it’s easy to stroll around and in fact, is the best option.
