Western AsiaOman is on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula. Its capital is Muscat, and visitors come for historic forts, mountains, deserts, beaches and welcoming people.
Why go
Explore historic forts in Muscat and Bahla.
See the huge desert dunes at Wahiba Sands.
Visit rugged mountains and wadis, which are valleys that can carry water.
Discover long stretches of coastline and sea turtle breeding beaches.
Take a trip on a dhow, a traditional fishing boat.
Getting there
By air
- Most international flights arrive at Muscat International Airport. Salalah also has regional international flights.
- Oman Air connects Oman with destinations in the Middle East, India, Europe and Asia.
- Many large Middle Eastern and European airlines fly to Muscat. Dubai is a frequent connection point.
By land
- Mwasalat runs regular buses from the United Arab Emirates to Oman, including services from Sharjah, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Kalba.
- Al Alkhanjry runs three daily departures from Dubai to Muscat and Sohar. The Dubai–Muscat fare was 90 UAE dirhams in January 2026.
- Mwasalat has a ticket counter at Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah, but none in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain. If its website fails in one browser, try another; app booking did not work in January 2026.
By sea
- Cruise ships call at Muscat's port.
- Regular ferries and fast boats connect Masirah Island with Shannah port.
Customs
- Do not bring firearms, narcotics or pornographic publications into Oman.
- Non-Muslims may bring two litres of alcohol through Muscat International Airport only.
- You cannot bring alcohol across a land border in a private car.
Getting around
Plane
Oman Air flies regularly between Muscat and Salalah.
Bus
Daily buses connect major cities, including Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Sur and Nizwa. Mwasalat is the state-operated public transport company. There are also bus services from Muscat to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Car
Drive on the right. A rental car makes it easy to explore much of Oman. A typical rental includes 200–250 km per day. Ask about extra-distance charges; some monthly rentals include unlimited distance. Keep the car clean. Driving a visibly dirty car is illegal and can lead to a fine. Expect speed cameras, especially in Muscat. Stay alert for fast drivers, people crossing and camels on the road. Some stretches between Muscat and Sur have no mobile signal. Maps may also show roads that are unpaved or unfinished.
Four-wheel-drive vehicle
A four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly advised for unpaved wadi routes. Some routes require serious off-road driving. Never go off-road alone. Travel with at least two or three cars of the same make, and leave your route and return plan with a friend. Check the vehicle and carry recovery tools, two spare tyres, a powerful air pump, enough fuel and extra water. Take at least 25 litres more water than you expect to need for drinking. Carry a satellite phone if you can get one. If rain starts or dark clouds appear, move to high, dry ground and stay there. Never cross floodwater that reaches the red section of a wadi marker pole.
What to see and do
Jalali and Mirani forts
These early 16th-century forts stand at the entrance to Muscat Bay.
Bahla Fort
This World Heritage Site sits below the Djebel Akhdar highlands. It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries and has seven miles of walls.
Wahiba Sands
Huge desert dunes stretch as far as the eye can see.
Oman's mountains and wadis
Rugged mountains and remote valleys offer striking scenery. Some routes are unpaved and need a suitable vehicle.
Masirah Island
Four species of sea turtle breed here.
Explore off-road
Off-road routes reach some of Oman's outstanding sights. Travel with other vehicles and prepare carefully for remote conditions.
Food and drink
Qabuli
The national dish combines spiced rice, lamb or chicken, split peas and caramelised onions.
Shuwa
Spiced lamb is wrapped in banana or palm leaves and cooked underground overnight. It is often served with plain rice.
Harees
A thick dish of cracked wheat, ghee, chicken or beef, and spices.
Fresh fish
Freshly caught fish may be served with salad and rice.
Shawarma
Chicken or lamb is shaved from a rotating grill and served in a wrap with vegetables, pickles and sauce.
Falafel
Deep-fried chickpea and bean balls are sold at street-corner cafeterias.
Money
Omani rial (OMR); one rial equals 1,000 baisa.
- Cash machines are available at the airport, in Muscat and in main towns. Some do not accept foreign cards.
- Bank Muscat and NBO cash machines accept foreign credit and debit cards.
- You can exchange foreign money at airport counters and money exchanges around Oman.
- Card payments in shops are unreliable, so carry cash. Small notes are useful for bargaining but can be hard to find.
Typical costs
- A 500 ml bottle of water generally costs 100 baisa; a 1.5 litre bottle costs 200 baisa.
- Petrol rated 95 octane cost about 0.25 rials per litre in December 2025.
- The Sharjah–Muscat bus cost 10 rials or 95 UAE dirhams in December 2025.
- Genuine kuma hats cost from 80 rials.
- A good-quality khanjar, the traditional dagger, can cost more than 700 rials.
Language
- Arabic is the national language, with Omani, Gulf and Dhofar dialects.
- English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas.
- Hindi and Urdu are understood in some urban areas.
- Jibbali is spoken in southern Dhofar.
- Swahili and Baluchi are spoken by minority communities, especially in Muscat.
- Malayalam is widely spoken among residents from Kerala.
Staying safe
- Emergency medical services, police and fire department968
- Emergency medical services, police and fire department112
- Flash floods can quickly turn dry wadis into rivers and sweep away vehicles. Seek high, dry ground when rain threatens.
- Night driving is especially hazardous because some drivers do not use headlights. Watch for pedestrians and camels.
- Long, empty desert roads can make drivers sleepy. Stay alert behind the wheel.
- Never explore remote desert routes alone. Vehicle failure can become life-threatening without water, fuel and recovery equipment.
Local customs
Do
- Dress modestly and respect local customs.
- Women should cover their shoulders, knees and midriff, and avoid tight clothing.
- Men should wear shorts mainly for outdoor activities; shorts reaching the knee or below are acceptable in cities.
- Bargain politely when shopping.
- Treat Islam and the country's leaders respectfully.
Don't
- Do not insult people or use name-calling. Insults can lead to court action.
- Avoid negative comments about the Sultan or Omani politics.
- Do not make comments that insult or degrade Islam.
- Avoid discussing Israel or homosexuality, which are sensitive topics.
- Do not assume staring is an insult; it may reflect curiosity about visitors.
Staying healthy
- Oman is warm all year, and summer temperatures can reach 54°C from May to October. Carry drinking water and watch for dehydration.
- Bottled water is easy to find. Tap water is generally safe, but the source recommends bottled water as a precaution.
- Remote desert travel needs careful preparation. People attempting solo crossings in rented four-wheel-drive vehicles have died or needed rescue.
- Check your vehicle before a desert trip. Carry extra water, fuel, spare tyres and recovery tools, and travel with other vehicles.
Phone and internet
- Prepaid SIM cards are sold at counters in the airport arrivals area. You need your passport details to register one.
- Staff can often help activate your SIM card when you buy it.
- Omantel, Ooredoo and Vodafone run mobile networks. Omantel and Ooredoo have the best coverage across the country.
- Friendi uses Vodafone's network. In January 2026, it offered a free SIM card and 1 gigabyte of data for one week for 1 rial, suitable for towns and main roads.
Where to stay
- Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to basic desert huts made from date palm leaves.
- Muscat has both luxury hotels and budget options.
- Budget accommodation also exists outside Muscat, but some areas have only higher-priced hotels and resorts.
Trips to Oman
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in Oman
Oman has huge desert dunes, rugged mountains and long stretches of quiet coastline. Outdoor options include off-road driving, turtle watching, scuba diving and cruises on traditional boats.
Wahiba Sands desert driving
More to doCentral Coastal Oman
Explore the dunes by four-wheel-drive vehicle. Travel with at least two to three cars of the same make, and leave your route and expected return time with a friend.
- Never go off-road alone. Check your vehicle before leaving.
- Carry recovery tools, two spare tyres, a high-capacity air pump and enough fuel.
Mountain wadi driving
More to do
Explore dry wadis, or valleys, by vehicle. Many have roads, often without a paved surface. Others require demanding off-road driving.
- Never go off-road alone. Travel with at least two to three cars of the same make.
- Check your vehicle and carry recovery equipment, spare tyres, extra water and fuel.
Masirah Island turtle watching
WildlifeCentral Coastal Oman
Visit Masirah Island's beaches to look for turtles. The island is a breeding location for four sea turtle species.
- Carry drinking water and watch for dehydration in the heat.
Scuba diving off Masirah
Scuba divingCentral Coastal Oman
Go scuba diving off the coast of Masirah Island.
Traditional dhow cruise
Sailing
Take a cruise aboard a dhow, a traditional Omani and Emirati fishing boat.
Airports, metros and trains in Oman
Airports with scheduled flights
- DQMDuqm International AirportDuqmMain international airport
- MCTMuscat International AirportMuscat/SeebMain international airport
- SLLSalalah International AirportSalalahMain international airport
- OHSSuhar International AirportSuharMain international airport
People and safety in Oman
Religion
Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.
- Muslim86%
- Christian7%
- Hindu6%
- Other1%
- Buddhist<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are illegal
- The law allows up to 3 years in prison.
- Legal gender change is not recognised.
Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.
Women travellers
Ranked #58 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
90% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 79 of 198 countries can visit Oman easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required76
- Freedom of movement3
- eVisa44
- Visa required74
- Admission refused1
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Europe38 of 46 countries
- Asia25 of 49 countries
- Americas13 of 35 countries
- Oceania2 of 14 countries
- Africa1 of 54 countries
Questions
Will I manage if I only speak English?
English is widely spoken, especially in major cities and tourist areas. Most English-speaking travellers should have little difficulty communicating.
Can I pay by card everywhere?
No. Card payments in shops are unreliable, so carry cash and small notes.
Can I buy a bus ticket without booking online?
Mwasalat has a ticket counter at Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah. It does not have counters in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain.
Do I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
A regular rental car can cover many main roads. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly advised for unpaved wadis and off-road routes.
What should I wear?
Dress modestly. Women should cover shoulders, knees and midriff; men can wear shorts reaching the knee or below in cities.
Is the tap water safe?
Tap water is generally safe, but bottled water is recommended as a precaution. It is widely available in shops.
Can visitors drink alcohol?
Some restaurants and large hotels serve alcohol. Drinking alcohol in public is prohibited.
Is budget accommodation available?
Yes, Muscat and some places outside the capital have budget options. Some areas offer only higher-priced hotels and resorts.
Will my usual calling apps work?
As of 2026, Zoom, Google Meet and WhatsApp messaging work. WhatsApp video calls, FaceTime and Signal are blocked.
How does Ramadan affect visitors?
Drinking anything in public is prohibited, even for foreigners. Shop opening hours are restricted, so do not rely on shopping after the evening meal that breaks the fast.
Reviewed by @snuck