Oman is a majestic country with spectacular natural landscapes ranging from pristine beaches and rugged mountains to vast sprawling deserts and dream-worthy swimming holes known as Wadis. Its people are incredibly hospitable, and their rich culture and heritage are evident in their warm welcomes and colourful traditions. After visiting Oman, you’ll be stunned that this country is not higher on everyone's travel list as it offers much to experience.
This guide will tell you everything you must know before travelling to Oman. From what’s the best way to get around to how safe the country is to travel, giving you peace of mind that you know what to expect before you travel.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Oman?
Oman has a subtropical, dry climate with summer monsoons and hot, dusty winds. The temperature throughout the year ranges from 17°C (63°F) in the winter months to a scorching 50°C (122°F) in the summer, so choosing the right time to go is essential.
The best time to visit Oman is between October and April when the temperature is comfortably between 17°C 35°C. June to September is summer in Oman and the hottest months, reaching between 40°C and 50°C. It is best to avoid visiting during this time as the temperatures can become unbearable. Many desert camps tend to close during this time for this exact reason.
Money in Oman
The currency in Oman is the Rial (OMR). 10 USD will get you roughly 3.80 OMR. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted everywhere in Oman.
What Languages Are Spoken in Oman?
The official language in Oman is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood in the main cities and tourist areas. We also found a vast Indian presence in Oman, which speaks Hindi.
Main Airports in Oman
Oman has four international airports and one domestic airport. Muscat International Airport (MCT) is the largest and accommodates the most airlines.
Other airports are:
- Salalah International Airport (SLL)
- Duqm International Airport (DQM)
- Sohar International Airport (OHS)
- Khasab Airport (KHS)
Find Flights to Muscat
Getting to/from Muscat International Airport
Muscat International Airport is around 32km from Muttrah (the leading tourist destination in Oman). There are two ways to get there: a taxi or a bus.
Taxi (quickest)—A taxi can be picked up as you exit the arrivals and offers the fastest way to reach your destination. The state regulates official Muscat taxis, which operate at fixed rates using a taximeter. The total fare will depend on distance and traffic, but expect to pay around 11 OMR (29 USD) for the 30-minute trip to Muttrah.
Bus (cheapest) - Muscat International Airport is directly connected to the rest of the city by bus and offers a cheap and easy way to get to your hotel. They run regularly on weekdays and weekends from 6 am to 8 pm, with some services running at night. There are various routes to reach Muttrah, but the quickest (1 hour 35 minutes) of these is to get the A1 service to Ruwi Bus Station and then change to either the 4 or 2 services to Muttrah Souq_2. You must buy a ticket for each part of your journey, but these are relatively cheap. The airport to Ruwi will cost 1 OMR (2.60 USD), and Ruwi to Muttrah Souq_2 will cost 0.3 OMR (0.80 USD). You can find the full timetable and pricing on the Mwasalat website.
Pro tip: Uber is unavailable in Oman, but they have an alternative service called OTaxi. Unfortunately, OTaxi is not allowed to pick up passengers from the airport. However, you can get an OTaxi to the airport, which is much cheaper than a regular taxi, costing around 6 OMR (16 USD).
Vaccinations
Yellow fever (Required*) - Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for travellers aged nine months and over who arrive from a country with a high risk of yellow fever transmission.
Other recommended vaccinations that are not required are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, and Tetanus.
It is always advisable to consult your doctor or travel health professional before you travel to get the most up-to-date advice and ensure you have travel health insurance to cover healthcare abroad.
Internet and Mobile
Oman has three mobile internet providers: Omantel, Ooredoo, Renna, and Vodafone. Omantel is the best of these, based on 4G/5G coverage and price. Sim Cards can be purchased at all the major airports and Shopping Malls in Muscat.
Buying A SIM Card At Muscat Airport
SIM cards can be purchased at Muscat Airport 24 hours a day for all the major providers. There is a Vodafone stand after you go through immigration in the baggage collection area, with Omantel, Ooredoo, and Renna found in the arrivals hall as you pass through customs.
Cheapest Mobile Plan
If you need the bare minimum of data, Ooredoo offers a SIM card package for OMR 2 (USD 5.20). The package includes 1GB of data, 500MB of social media, and 50 minutes of local calls, and it is valid for one week.
Although 1GB of data may get you connected, it won't last long, especially if you upload photos of your travels as you explore Oman. For this reason, we recommend getting a plan with more data.
Best Mobile Plan
Ooredoo and Omantel offer the best one-week plans, which cost OMR 5 (USD 13). They both include 7GB of data and 50 minutes of local calls, valid for one week.
Of the two, we recommend Omantel as they have the best 4G/5G coverage in Oman.
Large Data Packages
If 7GB isn't enough or you are looking for a plan that will last longer than 7 days, Omantel has the best-priced large data packages.
For example, for 12 OMR (USD 31.20), you can get 15GB of data and 300 minutes of local calls, valid for 4 weeks.
Can I Drink Tap Water in Oman?
While drinking tap water in the capital (Muscat) is generally safe, it is not recommended. Most Omanis drink bottled water, so you probably should, too. All water served in hotels and restaurants is bottled or filtered.
Is Oman Safety?
We found Oman one of the safest countries we have ever travelled to. We walked around late at night with our cameras and always felt safe. During one of our first interactions with an Omani, they said, “You could walk around with your money on your head, and no one would touch it”. This seemed accurate, and we instantly felt safe and secure, even when walking around Muscat, the capital city.
That said, you should always be vigilant when visiting a foreign country and maintain a certain level of safety and awareness, especially when travelling with valuables.
Note: During our research, when writing this, we were shocked that contradictory information about Oman and safety is available online. We can only speak from our own experience and never do so from others. Whilst our experience was positive, always exercise caution and only do what makes you feel comfortable.
Plug Type
Oman uses the Type G plug, which has three rectangular pins in a triangle pattern, the same as they use in the UK. Oman operates on a 240v supply voltage and 50Hz. A travel adapter with surge protection is highly recommended.
How to Get Around Oman
There are four main ways to get around in Oman: taxi, Otaxi, car hire and public transport.
OTaxi
Uber and Lyft are unavailable in Oman, but a similar service is called OTaxi. Using the OTaxi app, you can book a car to wherever you want, just as you would with Uber. OTaxi is significantly cheaper than regular taxis in Oman but has some limitations. OTaxi is prohibited (at least their more affordable cars) from doing pick-ups at more prominent hotels that offer “hotel taxis”. The same can sometimes be true for more tourist locations.
When you try to book an OTaxi at these locations, the app only allows you to book their “Luxury” service. The luxury service is around five times the price of a regular OTaxi and even more costly than a hotel taxi.
However, you can avoid this by setting your location pin 200 metres outside your hotel/pickup point and meeting the car there. We have done this several times and never had any issues, and we were able to book the more affordable cars.
Android App - Otaxi
iPhone App - Otaxi App
Taxi
Taxis are abundant in Oman, and you can hail one from practically anywhere. Trust me, they will see you before you see them; just listen out for the constant beeping of horns.
The state regulates official Muscat taxis and uses a taximeter to operate at fixed rates. However, always ask if the taxi you are getting into will use a meter before you get in. Twice, we indivertibly got into an unofficial taxi that didn't want to use the meter. In this case, you can politely decline, get out of the taxi, or negotiate a fixed price before leaving.
If you are happy to pay a fixed price, haggle. You will undoubtedly get a “foreigner price”, and we have found that you can easily get a final price of around 40% less than the original.
Car Hire
Everything in Oman is very spaced out, so transport is generally required to get from place to place. For this reason, our number one recommendation for getting around is to hire a car, even if it is just for the days you want to explore further outside the city. Whilst car hire is relatively expensive, fuel is some of the cheapest anywhere in the world. The roads in Oman are also fantastic; you’ll find ample parking wherever you go, and driving from A to B is a breeze. Just be aware they drive on the right side of the road.
Hiring a car gives you the flexibility to discover places on your own. Our number one place to go that is not far from Muscat is the majestic Wadi Shab.
Public Transport
Muscat has a moderately good bus system operated by Mwasalat. It covers most tourist areas and is very affordable. Ticket fares depend on the Zone: 300 Baisa (0.50 USD) for Zone 1, 400 Baisa (1.04 USD) for Zone 2, and 1 OMR (2.6 USD) for airport services.
There is a Mwasalat app that you can use to check the timetables, track buses, buy tickets, and validate your tickets. However, it does not have the best reviews, and bus tracking should be taken with a pinch of salt. Hopefully, this will improve over time.
The public transport system does not serve remote areas such as the Wadi’s, Desert or Mountains, which is what most people come to see. This is where hiring a car will be more appropriate.
Android App - Mwasalat
iPhone App - Mwasalat
Visa Information for Oman
Citizens of 103 countries – including the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and most EU and EEA nations – can visit Oman for up to 14 days without a visa. The Foreign Ministry of Oman website has a complete list of up-to-date visa-exempt countries.