travel to oman from uae by car

Dubai to Oman by Road: Driving Across the Border (2024)

Planning a trip from Dubai to Oman by road ? Based on my many trips from UAE to Oman by road I put together this extensive guide that will help you prepare for a road trip from Dubai to Oman by car.

Whether you are renting a car in Dubai or driving your own vehicle , getting from Dubai to Muscat by road (or elsewhere in Oman ) is pretty straightforward.

Nonetheless, there is some important information that you need which I share in this post: UAE-Oman border crossings and procedures , required documents to drive through UAE Oman border by rental car and private car , including car insurance (orange card), driving times and distance from Dubai to Oman (and from other emirates in the UAE) and last but not least, how to get Oman visit visa both as a tourist in Dubai (UAE) and as a UAE resident .

This guide covers absolutely everything you need to know before you go traveling from Dubai to Oman by car . Also read this post, if you are going from Abu Dhabi to Oman, or from another Emirate.

Disclosure :  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase by clicking a link. This helps to keep my blog growing and filling up with detailed honest travel advice for you. 

Dubai to Oman by road requirements: everything you need to know in 2023

Uae to oman by car: a quick checklist.

• A car- if you are looking to rent one, then I recommend checking Discovercars and Rentalcars car search aggregators for the best car rental rates in the UAE .
• Car registration card ( Mulkiya ), car insurance in Oman-orange card, driver’s license. 
• An International Driving Permit might be required when renting a car in UAE as a tourist.
• NOC certificate for a rental car or if you are driving a borrowed or leased car. 
• For vehicles registered in Dubai -Certificate to Use the Vehicle Outside the UAE for Tourism Purposes (UAE-expats only).
• Oman tourist visa (obtained online or at the border, subject to nationality).
• You need a passport to enter Oman from UAE by road.
• For UAE visitors going to Oman: your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after the visa issue date. 
• For UAE expats going from Dubai to Oman : UAE residency should be valid for at least 3 months and passport for at least 6 months after the visa issue date.
• Advisable  Travel Insurance .  I always take out one on my trips to Oman to have peace of mind.

Is a road trip from Dubai to Oman by car worth it?

Traveling to  Oman by road from  Dubai  (or Abu Dhabi, or any other Emirate)  is the best way to visit the Sultanate. Roads in UAE and Oman are in excellent condition and driving from Dubai to Muscat or elsewhere in Oman is a breeze.

Whether you are a UAE resident or visiting Dubai as a tourist, you can easily go on a road trip not only to  Muscat , but also visit nearby  Musandam , head on a long drive to Salalah , or just about anywhere else in  Oman  from any Emirate in the UAE either for a weekend or longer. 

Although the distance from Dubai to Muscat by road (the most popular Dubai-Oman route) is almost 500 kilometers and takes 5 hours to drive, do not get discouraged. The drive is long but pleasant: along the way, you will be blessed with the otherworldly landscapes of the Hajar mountains, the beautiful Gulf of Oman coastline, and rolling desert dunes. Moreover , petrol in UAE and Oman is cheap making it yet another great reason to go on a road trip to Oman from the UAE.

If you are already in the Sultanate of Oman, and wondering if you should rent a car in Oman and drive, then you will find my guide to Renting a car and driving in Oman useful.

Dubai to Oman by Road: driving your own car from UAE to Oman

Can i take my car from dubai to oman.

Yes, as a UAE resident, you can drive your own car from Dubai to Oman.

What documents do I need to drive my car from UAE to Oman?

To drive your car from UAE to Oman you need the following car documents:

• Driver’s license
• Car registration card ( mulkiya )
• Orange card – car insurance policy for driving in Oman
• For vehicles registered in Dubai -Certificate to Use the Vehicle Outside the UAE for Tourism Purposes.

How to get an orange card for Oman?

When driving your car from UAE to Oman, make sure to obtain a so-called  orange card  from your insurance company. This card serves as a car insurance policy that covers your car while driving in Oman. It is always required when traveling in the GAIF (General Arab Insurance Federation) countries (which includes Oman).

If you purchased a car insurance policy that already covers Oman territory (many bigger insurance providers include Oman), you will get an orange card free of charge. Otherwise, you can request your car insurance provider to include coverage for the Sultanate of Oman and issue an orange card for an additional fee.

Important! Make sure to contact your car insurance company and request to issue an orange car a few days before your trip.

Good to know: Whenever I request an orange card for my Dubai to Muscat trips, I usually receive it the next day via email from my insurance company. However, in some cases, you might have to collect it in person and it takes a couple of days for the insurance company to issue an orange card.  Therefore, the best is to call your insurance company and ask for all the details about the orange card processing times and costs (if any).

Getting Oman car insurance policy at the UAE-Oman border

If you are already heading from UAE to Oman by road and forgot to obtain the orange card, do not worry. You can get a car insurance policy covering driving in Oman at the border. According to the latest information I have, it costs 105 AED for 5 days which is the minimum number of days you can purchase insurance at the border.

IMPORTANT: Orange card purchased at the UAE-Oman border only covers damages caused by the Insured to a Third Party in a foreign GAIF member country (including Oman in this case). That means damages done to your car will not be covered.

Can I use a UAE license to drive in Oman?

If you are a UAE resident, you can use your UAE driving license to  drive in Oman .

Certificate to Use the Vehicle Outside the UAE for Tourism Purposes.

If you are driving a Dubai-registered vehicle from Dubai to Oman, according to RTA (Roads & Transport Authority), you should obtain a Certificate to Use the Vehicle Outside the UAE for Tourism Purposes.

Documents required for the certificate:

• Original Emirates ID.
• NOC from the Automobile & Touring Club of The UAE if you are a UAE-expat (this does not apply for GCC citizens).

The service costs 170 AED in total.

From my personal experience, I was never asked for such a document when driving from Dubai to Oman my Dubai-registered car. I found out about this requirement only recently but apparently, it was in place for years.

Moreover, I have been to Oman dozens of times. I went to Musandam , Muscat , and Salalah using different borders, and I was never asked for this certificate. People I know who also travelled to Oman from Dubai with their vehicles were never asked for one either.

I got to know about this particular certificate accidentally when I was looking for an NOC form for a borrowed car (more about it in the section below) on RTA website.

Nonetheless, if you are driving a Dubai-registered car, you can apply for this Tourism Purpose certificate through RTA, more application process here (as I understand you cannot do it online, you must go to one of the RTA centers).

Dubai to Oman by Road: can I drive a borrowed or leased car from UAE to Oman?

If you want to drive to Oman in a vehicle that is not in your name, below are the two most common scenarios and what to do to successfully cross the border.

Can I drive my friend’s, spouse’s, or company’s car from UAE to Oman?

Yes, you can drive someone else’s car as long as you have the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner (written permission to drive their car across the UAE-Oman border) along with car registration documents, and, of course, insurance covering the territory of Oman (orange card).

I would also recommend obtaining a Certificate to Use the Vehicle Outside the UAE for Tourism Purposes discussed above if you are borrowing a Dubai-registred car.

NOC for the car to Oman format

If you are borrowing a car from a friend, spouse, or your work car, you can ask them to write down a free-style format NOC letter. It has to state the owner’s name, EID, residency visa number, and passport number and that they have no objection to you (make sure to include your name) taking/using the car from UAE to Oman. You should also attach a photocopy of the car owner’s ID along with the letter.

IMPORTANT: I received a letter from a reader who said they had problems at the Hatta-Al Wajajah border with taking a borrowed car because a free-form NOC issued by the car owner was not accepted. This is the first time someone complained about not being able to pass the border with a borrowed car because of an invalid NOC letter. I contacted RTA (The Road and Transform Authority in UAE) to check if they can provide a formal NOC form that the car owner has to fill in. The RTA representative confirmed that there is no need to come to their premises and that the owner can actually issue a free-form NOC letter. I suspect (this is only my assumption), that the problem was not an NOC of the vehicle owner. It could have been the Certificate to Use the Vehicle Outside the UAE for Tourism Purposes was also required for a borrowed vehicle that is Dubai-registered.

What if my car is still on the mortgage, can I drive it to Oman?

I drove my leased car from Dubai to Oman through the Hatta-Al Wajajah border without any issues. Nobody asked me any questions related to the lease. Neither did I contact the bank to ask if I needed any special permission to drive across the border between UAE and Oman.

In general, according to my research, people were allowed to cross the Hatta-Al Wajajah UAE-Oman border with their cars which are on a mortgage.

However, I would recommend contacting your bank and requesting a No Objection Certificate from them to have complete peace of mind.

Good to know: many people reported (and I second them from my experience) that the easiest UAE-Oman border to cross with borrowed car is Hatta-Al Wajajah. Folks at this border are laid back and they never even ask for the NOC even when you are driving somebody else’s car. Meanwhile, other Oman-UAE borders are stricter and they most likely request NOC.

Dubai to Oman by Road: Can I take a rental car from Dubai to Oman?

Yes, you can take a rental car from UAE to Oman. Nonetheless, before renting a car in Dubai (or elsewhere in UAE), make sure to check that the specific agency allows you to take the car across the UAE-Oman border. For example, with  Discovercars  or  Rentalcars , before making a reservation, you can always check if taking a car to Oman is permitted by the rental company.

On Discovercars website you can click on Rental Conditions->Cross Border policy to see if driving a car through the border is allowed.

UAE Car rental companies that allow taking rental cars to Oman

To help you save some time, I found out that the following car rental agencies permit border crossing from Dubai to Oman: Aurostrad, Dollar, Avis, SIXT. All can be booked through Discovercars and Rentalcars (it is cheaper to book through car search aggregators than directly through the company).

Find the best rates for renting a car in UAE with Discovercars

Dubai to oman by road: required documents to drive a rental car from uae to oman.

To drive a rental car from UAE to Oman you need the following car documents:

• Driver’s license (the driver must be the same person who rented the car)
• NOC certificate provided by the insurance company
• Car insurance policy for driving in Oman provided by car rental company

NOC: written permission to take UAE rental car to Oman

If you plan to go to Oman from UAE in a rental car, one of the most important documents you have to obtain is a No Objection Certificate (NOC) that you will request from your rental company.

Whether you booked a car through Discovercars or Rentalcars, or directly with a company, make sure to contact the agency directly at least 2-4 days ahead of your trip (depending on the company). The rental company will request your driver’s license and passport copy in order to process the required documents (NOC and also additional car insurance which I talk about in the next paragraph).

Good to know: UAE-based rental companies specify that not all their vehicles can be taken to Oman from UAE. Therefore, you might change your booked vehicle in case it does not fall under the permitted vehicles category.

Car insurance policy for Oman

To drive to Oman from the UAE you will also have to purchase an additional car insurance policy for Oman. This policy must be issued by your car hire in UAE company. Any other car insurance that you have purchased elsewhere will not be valid. Note, that you cannot obtain Oman car insurance at the border when you are driving a rental car.

The cost of a car insurance policy for Oman is combined with NOC issuance cost and varies across the companies.

As a reference, I found on the Avis website, that cost of the NOC certificate and additional insurance is combined:

• 1 to 3 days- 450 AED, and 100 AED for an additional day
• 7 days – 750 AED, and 100 AED for an additional day
• 1 month- 1500 AED, and 100 AED for an additional day

You will receive your NOC certificate and insurance upon collection of the rental car. Keep this with you to show at the border if requested.

Extra costs for taking your rental car from UAE to Oman

Also, note that all rentals in UAE and Oman have a mileage cap of around 200-250 km/day (calculated as a total for your rental period). Exceeding the allowance means you have to pay an extra of around 1 AED per kilometer. Oman is around 4 times bigger than the UAE, and it is very easy to finish the mileage allowance when driving from Dubai to Oman.

Sign up HERE to receive a FREE downloadable OMAN MINI GUIDE !

Is an international license valid in UAE and Oman? 

If you are a tourist visiting the UAE and are also planning to drive to Oman, you have to have a driving license issued in your country of residence, matching the residency stated on your passport.

Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in UAE and Oman as a tourist?

When driving in UAE and Oman as a tourist you may be required to have International Driving Permit (IDP). However, nationals of some countries are exempt from this requirement if their Passport and driving license is issued from the same country.

This applies to the following countries: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, Finland, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, Turkey, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, France, United Kingdom, Norway, Romania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Serbia, Lithuania, United States of America, Canada, Japan, Australia, Singapore, People’s Republic of China, South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South Africa.

Nationals from all other countries and those whose passports and Driving licenses are not from the same country must hold an international driving license accompanied by their original driving license.

Related articles: Plan your trip to Dubai with my 7 Days in Dubai Itinerary

Driving from UAE & Dubai to Oman routes and UAE-Oman border crossings

UAE and Oman share several borders. The route you will take depends on where in Oman you are going to and which UAE emirate you are driving from/to.

Important:  there are specific borders that are open for everybody: tourists, GCC residents, and GCC citizens. While some of the UAE Oman borders are open to GCC citizens and Omani nationals only but not to UAE expats and tourists. 

Below is a list of the UAE-Oman border posts open for tourists, GCC residents, and GCC citizens:

• Hatta-Al Wajajah Border Crossing in Hatta;
• Mezyad-Hafeet border crossing in Al Ain;
• Khatam Al Shiklah in Al Ain;
• Al Dhara Border Post-Musandam (Westside coastal Khasab road);
• Dibba checkpoint – Musandam East coast (north of Fujeirah Emirate);
• Khatmat Malaha Border Post in Kalba (Eastern Sharjah, Gulf of Oman side).

Following is detailed information and recommendations on which UAE-Oman border to take based on your location in UAE and destination in Oman.

Hatta – Al Wajajah Border Crossing

Hatta Al-Wajajah border is one of the most popular crossings for travelers from Dubai to Muscat by road. It is also the closest to Dubai UAE-Oman border that is open to everyone including UAE expats and tourists. The time spent to cross this border is usually around 30 min to 1 hour depending on how busy it is. People tend to travel more during public holidays and weekends, thus allow extra time for crossing this popular UAE-Oman border.

Cross Hatta-Al Wajajah border if:

• You are driving from Dubai to  Muscat  or to the Eastern part of Oman. It is 140 KM from Dubai to the border and takes approximately 1 HR 40 MIN to drive from downtown Dubai to the Hatta Al Wajajah border. 
• Hatta-Al Wajajah is also the closest border to cross if you are driving from other emirates except for Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. That being said, when driving from Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain to the East of Oman Mainland, the closest border is Hatta-Al Wajajah.

You can also take this border if you want to drive from  Dubai to Salalah along the coast , but it will be a much longer route than through the border in Al Ain.

Important!   When driving from Dubai to Hatta Al Wajajah, take Sharjah-Kalba road E102 followed by the new Hatta road (there is no need to reach Shawka). DO NOT get confused if you are coming via E44 through Al Madam. This route will bring you to a border near Al Madam in Sharjah. Currently, it is closed (or only open for GCC citizens). 

Tip: once you are in Oman, and heading to Muscat from Hatta border, set your navigation to take you to the newly built highway which runs in the hinterlands of Oman. This is a much nicer and slightly faster route than the one that runs along the coast (you don’t actually see the coast).

Mezyad-Hafeet border crossing in Al Ain

Located in Al Ain, the Garden City of UAE, Mezyad-Hafeet border crossing is convenient if you are driving from the capital Abu Dhabi, or if you are headed to Nizwa, Jebel Shams, Jebel Akhdar, or Salalah.

Cross the Mezyad-Hafeet border if:

• You are driving from Abu Dhabi to Mainland Oman. It is 190km and around 2 hrs drive from Abu Dhabi to the Mezyad-Hafeet border crossing in Al Ain. 
• You are driving from Dubai to Nizwa, Jebel Shams, and  Salalah  in Southern Oman. The Meyzad-Hafeet border is 160km and 2 hours drive from Dubai Downtown. 
• You are driving from other Emirates (Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain) to Nizwa, Jebel Shams, and  Salalah  in Southern Oman.

Tip: if you are doing a road trip to Oman that starts in Muscat but finishes in Nizwa, you can use Mezyad-Hafeet border to come back to UAE.

Check this  Dubai to Salalah road trip planner  if you are thinking of driving to Salalah.

Khatam Al Shiklah border in Al Ain

This is the other UAE-Oman border in Al Ain which is mainly used by trucks. However, regular cars can also use it as an alternative to Mezyad-Hafeet. It takes a similar amount of time to get to this border as to the Mezyad border. 

I have used this border before and it was very quiet with barely any cars.

Note:  the distance between Khatam Al Shiklah control posts on UAE and Oman sides is around 30km. Thus, don’t get confused, it’s a long drive in no man’s land. 

Al Dhara Border Post-Musandam (Westside coastal Khasab road)

Use this Al Dhara Border Crossing if you are driving to Khasab in the  Musandam Peninsula  on the west side.

Located at the Northern tip of Ras al Khaimah emirate, the Al Dhara border crossing connects UAE to Oman’s exclave Musandam Governorate, Westside. 

It takes 2 hours to reach the Musandam Al Dhara border from Dubai and 3.5 hours from Abu Dhabi.

Planning on going from Dubai to Musandam, Oman? Here is my  detailed  Musandam Travel Guide   which includes border procedures and the best things to do in Musandam for a day, two, or more.

Dibba checkpoint – Musandam East coast (north of Fujairah Emirate)

Use the Dibba checkpoint crossing if you are going to the East side of Musandam, Oman.

Dibba border is essentially a military checkpoint rather than an official border crossing. There is no official checkpoint on the Oman side, only on the UAE side. Also, there are two checkpoints next to each other- one for GCC citizens only, and the other for tourists and GCC residents.

If you are visiting the Musandam Peninsula from the Dibba side, you can use a tour operator or stay at Six Senses Ziggy Bay Resort, or Dibba Resort to be able to cross this checkpoint visa-free. Tour operators or hotels will arrange an entry permit for you if you have a booking with them.

However, if you are planning to go on hiking in Wadi Khub al Shamzi, or mountain biking in that area, you can still use an Oman visit visa to cross the Dibba checkpoint. 

Just before the lockdown back in 2020, we crossed the Dibba checkpoint with an Oman visit visa for GCC residents when we were going hiking on the East side of Musandam, Oman. We did not know about permits being arranged by tour operators. Also, the officers at the border did not question us. We explained that we are going for a hike and they let us through.

To plan your visit from Dubai to Muscat, the capital of Oman. Find out The best things to do in Muscat: 1-3 days itinerary.

Khatmat Malaha Border Post in Kalba (Eastern Sharjah, Gulf of Oman side)

Use this border crossing:  if you are driving from Fujeirah or Kalba (a town that belongs to Sharjah Emirate on the East side of UAE).

Attention!  Information about this border crossing is not very clear. According to my research, it looks like it is open to GCC residents. However, some people reported that they could not cross the Khatmat Malaha border with a rental car even when they have NOC and insurance. You will be directed to the Hatta border.

In case you are traveling from Fujeirah to Oman as a tourist, you better head directly to Hatta- Al Wajajah border crossing.

FUN FACT:  Did you know you can visit Oman from UAE without a visa or permit? Even more, you can also visit UAE inside Oman. A small territory that is an exclave of the Musandam Governorate is called Madha. This tiny piece of land belongs to Oman and is an enclave of the UAE near Khor Fakkan town on the East Coast. What is even more fascinating is that you can cross the UAE-Oman border twice, and find Nahwa in the middle of Madha. Nahwa is an enclave territory that belongs to the UAE and is surrounded by Madha from all sides.  You do not need any permit or visa to enter Madha!

UAE-Oman border crossing procedures: waiting times, formalities, and exit fees

UAE-Oman border crossing procedures may appear somewhat confusing if you are travelling from Dubai to Oman by car for the first time. Hence, I share the step-by-step procedures and formalities that you have to go through at UAE Oman land borders. The bellow described procedure is exactly what you will have to do at the Hatta-Al Wajajah border. However, other UAE-Oman borders have similar steps.

UAE to Oman by car border crossing step-by-step

1. pay uae exit fee.

At the first drive-through counter on the UAE side of the UAE-Oman border, you will be asked to pay the exit fee of 35 AED plus 5% VAT per person. Collect the receipt and show it at the next window together with your passports where you will get an UAE exit stamp.

You can pay in cash or by card. Nonetheless, I always recommend having cash (UAE dirhams) just in case.

Note that when leaving UAE by land through any border to Oman you must always pay 35 AED exit fee per person, and only then you can get an exit stamp on your passport. 

2. Present your Oman visit visa (or obtain an Oman visa on arrival) and get entry to Oman stamp

After exiting UAE, you will have to proceed with a visa check and entry stamp to Oman. Also, your car registration documents, insurance, and NOC (if applicable) will be checked.

On the Hatta- Al Wajajah border, you have to drive for around 1 kilometer until you reach the Oman border post. Park your car and enter the building to get your Oman entry stamps there. If you already have Oman e-visas prearranged, it will save you time. Otherwise, you will have to fill in the immigration application form and make payments for the Oman visit visa on the spot.

IMPORTANT: Oman visa on arrival is subject to nationality. The good news is that an Oman visit visa might even be FREE if you meet certain criteria. Continue reading this post to find all the information about Oman visit visas for both UAE visitors and UAE residents.

Once your Oman visa is set and passports are stamped with Oman entry, you will be handed a small sheet of paper that indicates the number of passengers traveling to Oman. Keep it safe as you will have to show it when driving through the passport control gate and during a car inspection.

3. Pass Oman passport control

Once your Oman visa is sorted, proceed back to the car and drive to the passport checkpoint where you will be asked to show your passport with the Oman entry stamp.

4. Stop at the vehicle inspection point

After passing the passport control window, you will have to stop for a car inspection. The border control officer will inspect the interior and the boot of your car and if all is good, will stamp a small sheet of paper that you have earlier received at the Oman visa checkpoint. Keep it safe, as you will have to show it at the last checkpoint before entering Oman.

5. Pass the last checkpoint before entering Oman

After finishing your car inspection, you will drive a few hundred meters until you reach the last police checkpoint. Give the officer a small sheet of paper that was stamped at the car inspection place.

And that is it. Welcome to Oman!

How long does it take to cross the UAE-Oman border?

From my personal experience, with all the documents ready (printed e-visa, passports, and car documents in place), all the checking procedures, without queues (only a few vehicles at the border), it still takes almost an hour to pass Hatta-Al Wajajah border when driving from Dubai to Muscat. 

It is much faster (when there is no queue) at Al-Dhara (Khasab) border when travelling to Musandam, Oman. You can expect to spend around 30 minutes on Al-Dhara border.

Good to know : Public holidays and weekends are known to be notorious when it comes to queueing at UAE-Oman borders. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours at the border during peak times.

Driving back from Oman to the UAE

The procedure of returning to UAE from Oman by car is similar just in reverse. The only difference is that you do not have to pay any exit fees from Oman and the car inspection on the UAE border side is much stricter. I have driven from Muscat to Dubai with my car boot loaded with photography equipment and suitcases. The offers on the UAE side did a thorough check-up and asked many questions about what and why I was carrying.

Exiting Oman

On the way back to the UAE to Oman, you will be given a small piece of paper when crossing the Oman border (an exit stamp of some sort). Keep it safe as you will have to present it when driving through the next checkpoint on the UAE border side.

Arriving in the UAE

On the UAE side, you will again have to park your car and go to the immigration post (at the Hatta border it was a separate building for UAE residents and tourists, while GCC citizens could drive through the checkpoints.

In the arrival hall, you will have to show your passports. If you are a tourist returning back to the UAE, then your UAE visa will also be checked (refer to the Oman visa requirements section for more information).

Oman to Dubai vehicle inspection point

After UAE passport control, you will have to drive through an x-ray scan, and then stop at a dedicated checkpoint where the contents of your car will be inspected thoroughly.

Collect a stamped small piece of paper from the officer. You will have to hand it over at the last drive-through checkpoint window. And that is the last step.

Welcome back to the UAE!

UAE to Oman by road visa requirements

In this section, you will find all the necessary information about UAE to Oman by road visa requirements both for UAE visit visa holders and UAE residents.

Oman Visa for UAE residents traveling by road

Visa-free entry for uae residents visiting oman for less than 14 days.

According to the latest news , UAE expats and GCC residents are eligible for visa-free entry from UAE to Oman by road (and by air) if they are traveling to the Sultanate for less than 14 days. *

The other great news is that the former requirement for the UAE residency to be on a list of specific professions has been removed. UAE residents of all commercial professions are now eligible to enter Oman.

IMPORTANT: the UAE residency must be valid for at least 3 months prior to arrival to the Sultanate, while the passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

*I recently traveled from Dubai to Muscat by road via the Hatta-Al Wajajah border and encountered UAE residents who still had to pay 5 OMR (50 AED) for their visit visa. Those were Sri Lankan residents to be specific. Out of curiosity, I have asked officials at the border why not all UAE residents are getting visa-free entry. The officials explained that it depends on the nationality of each visitor. Also, not everyone is entitled to a visa on arrival. For example, Nigerians who are UAE residents are still required to fill in e-visa applications online, while Sri Lankans can get a visit visa at the border. I could not find a full list of specific requirements per country, but it is certain that EU, UK, US, Australia, Canada nationals who are residents in the UAE can travel visa-free to Oman.

Oman E-visa for UAE residents staying longer than 14 days

As a UAE resident, if you are traveling to Oman from UAE by road and planning to stay for longer than 14 days in the Sultanate, then you must apply for an Oman e-visa or get one at the border if your nationality is eligible. However, Oman authorities encourage us to obtain a visit Visa online to save time at the border.

You can apply for an Oman visa online on  Royal Oman Police’s official website here . Click on the “Apply for Tourist Visa” section and create an account.

Make sure to pick the correct visa type:

• As a GCC resident,  in most cases, you will need to fill in the form  29A GCC Resident Visa  valid for 30 days (unless you are looking to apply for a long-term multiple entry visa).
• 30-day Oman tourist visa for GCC residents costs 5 OMR (50 AED).

Dubai to Oman by road: entering Oman with the UAE visit visa (tourist)

As a tourist holding the UAE visit visa you either have to apply for an Oman e-visa or you can get it on arrival if your nationality is eligible. You may also be allowed to travel to Oman visa-free if your nationality falls under the Dubai-Oman Joint Visa countries ** list (see below for more info).

Oman e-visa for tourists in the UAE

• If you are traveling to Oman from Dubai by road holding a UAE tourist visa, and fall under G1** countries list , you can get a visa on arrival for 10 days which costs 10 OMR (100 AED) . If you intend to stay longer, then you should apply for a 26B visa online valid for 30 days which costs 20 OMR (200 AED) .
• Travelers who do not fall under the G1 countries list  must either be a spouse or a child of the G1 countries national to be able to apply online for an e-visa (choose 26F visa).
• If a traveler is not from the G1 countries list but they have a valid Schengen visa or a valid visa to one of the following countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia or Japan) they can apply for 26M type of visa (if their country is in the list of allowed nationalities).
• 26F and 26B visas cost 20 OMR (200 AED) and allow 30 days stay in Oman.

In other cases, travellers might have to obtain an Oman visit visa via the Oman embassy in their country of residence. Alternatively can use visa application services on  ivisa .

IMPORTANT:  Passport holders who do not qualify for a UAE visa on arrival, must have a multiple-entry UAE tourist visa. Single-entry UAE tourist visa holders will not be allowed to enter Musandam. 

**G1 countries as per Royal Oman Police .  Europe:  Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Rep., Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican, Ukraine.  South America:  Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.  Other Countries and Regions:  Australia, Brunei Dar al-Salam, Canada, French Guiana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, Macao, Special Administrative Region of China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, United States, Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Kazakhstan

Passport validity

All passports must be valid for at least 6 months during your visit to Oman. 

Dubai/Oman Common visa for tourists in the UAE

21A Dubai/Oman Common visa  is a free Oman tourist visa on arrival available for UAE tourist visa holders who fall under a list of  Dubai-Oman Joint Visa countries** . The requirement for this visa is that your UAE tourist visa must be valid for at least 21 days before entering Oman. You must also enter Oman through the Hatta-Al Wajajah border.

However, I am not sure how many days you can stay in Oman with the Dubai-Oman Common visa. I would guess that up to 10.

**Dubai-Oman Joint Visa Countries:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, and Vatican City.

IMPORTANT INFO! You may find information online that you may not need a visa to travel to Oman if you are a passport holder of one of the 103 countries and regions that are exempt from entry visas for stays shorter than 14 days. This information is provided by Foreign Ministry of Oman .

I have contacted the Royal Police of Oman to clarify additional information about the above and it turned out that in order to enter visa free for 14 days you must provide valid hotel reservation, valid health insurance, and a return flight ticket . Thus, this type of visa is only applicable if you are traveling to Oman by air as opposed to driving from UAE.

Good to know: If you still have pending questions regarding visa requirements or types, you can always reach out to Royal Oman Police by email at [email protected] . I have communicated with them on several occasions and they are quite responsive.

Oman e-visa processing times

Oman e-visa processing times on average are 24 hours, but can take up to 4 working days. From my experience of applying several times, you can get an Oman visa in a few minutes, hours, or days. Therefore, apply a week before your trip to be on the safe side. It never took me longer than 5 days to receive an Oman e-visa. 

What if I do not get my e-visa on time before my trip? 

For UAE residents, you could still get a visit visa on the Oman border if your passport is eligible for a visa on arrival. If you are on a tourist visa in the UAE, you can get a regular Oman tourist visa on arrival. You must check beforehand if your passport is eligible for a visa on arrival. 

If you want to have all the paperwork done for you,  iVisa  offers hassle-free Oman visa-issuing services for an additional fee.

RELATED READS:

• Renting a car and driving in Oman: everything you need to know.
• Check my Epic 7 Day Oman Road Trip Itinerary to get some inspiration and useful tips for planning your own road trip. 
• Make sure to check this Dubai to Salalah road trip planner if you are thinking of driving to Salalah.
• To plan your time in the capital of Oman, find out about The best things to do in Muscat: 1-3 days itinerary.

Oman travel regulations: vaccination, PCR test requirements, health insurance

UPDATE: All Covid-19 regulations for entering Oman have been lifted from May 2022. Please refer to Oman Air website to confirm. UAE has also lifted all COVID-19 related restrictions end of 2022.

While pandemic-related regulations have been lifted, it is still strongly advisable to have travel insurance . I always obtain one when traveling. You can get very affordable travel insurance from the Safety Wing. The other insurance provider of my choice is Heymondo . You can get a 5% discount using my link .

FAQ about traveling from Dubai to Oman by road

Are there gas stations on the highway driving from dubai to muscat.

A word of warning about the gas stations after entering Oman by car from the Hatta-Al-Wajajah border. Make sure you fill-up the tank immediately at the first petrol station you see in Oman. If you miss that one, there will be another 2 or 3 petrol stations recently opened on the new highway from Dubai to Muscat. Yet don’t drive with an empty tank as the distances in between the petrol stations are over 100 kilometers. Also, bring some snacks and plenty of water. The last time I drove past the highway, petrol stations only had petrol but the food store was still under construction.

Can I buy an Oman SIM card at the border?

You cannot purchase Oman sim card at the border (it used to be available at Hatta-Al-Wajajah border before). That means, you may have to use roaming for navigation or pre-download Google Maps until you reach Muscat, or Nizwa (depends where you are heading to). Oman Sim cards are available at bigger malls and Muscat Airport.

What is driving in Oman like?

Driving in Oman is easy, yet there are a few things you may want to know before driving in Oman. Check out my post about Driving in Oman.

UAE-Oman border crossing for expats 2023

Currently, there are 6 UAE-Oman border crossing open for expats, Hatta-Alwajajah, Mezyad-Hafeet , Al Dhara (Khasab), Dibba checkpoint, Khatam al Shiklah, and Khatmat-Milaha.

How much is Oman visa for UAE residents arriving by road?

UAE residents can enter Oman visa-free if they are traveling to Oman for less than 14 days. Otherwise, visit visa to Oman costs 5 OMR (50 AED) for UAE residents willing to stay up to 30 days in Oman.

Is Oman border open for UAE residents?

Yes, UAE-Oman borders are open for UAE residents except the Hatta-Al Madam which can only be used by GCC nationals.

Do Emiratis need visa to travel to Oman?

Citizens of GCC countries (the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) do not require visas to enter Oman.

Can UAE residents travel to Oman by car?

Yes, UAE residents can travel to Oman by car.

Can I go to Oman from UAE without visa?

Yes, for 14 days you can stay in Oman without visa if you are a UAE resident or a national of the approved list of countries.

How much is the exit fee from Dubai to Oman?

UAE exit fee is 35 AED plus 5% VAT per person.

Can I drive to Oman for visa change?

You can do a visa run through Oman by road. Hatta-Al-Wajajah border is the one people usually use for visa runs.

Do I need a 4WD to go to Oman? 

You will need a 4 WD in Oman if you are planning to drive steep narrow roads into the mountains or remote villages, unpaved roads, or deserts. However, roads in Oman are in excellent shape and you can still reach many highlights with a regular car. 

Also, note that many rental companies will not allow you to take a 4WD for off-roading (do it at your own risk basically). This kind of defeats the purpose if you are getting 4×4 for off-roading.

However, you would still benefit from 4WD if you only plan to use the paved road to reach Jebel Akhdar or some small mountain villages located deep in the mountains. It is compulsory to drive 4WD if you want to explore this Jebel Akhdar mountain peak. There are checkpoints, and for your own safety, it is not allowed to drive 2WD to Jebel Akhdar. 

RELATED READS:   Renting a car and driving in Oman: everything you need to know.

Can I travel from Dubai to Oman by bus?

There is a bus from Dubai to Muscat operated by ‘ Al Khanjry Transport ‘. The one-way ticket costs 100 AED and the journey takes around 7-8 hours including border crossing.

Is there a train from Dubai to Oman?

Currently, there is no rain from Dubai to Oman. However, Etihad Rail has signed an agreement with Arsenale, and is building a luxury rail service running from Abu Dhabi through Liwa desert to the Omani border. Interestingly, there will be 15 luxury coaches that are currently being produced in Puglia and Sicily, Italy.

UAE – Oman Border Map

I hope this information is helpful, and please do not hesitate to get in touch or comment below if you have any questions or updates regarding going from UAE to Oman by road. I will keep this post updated if any changes happen.

I hope you are enjoying my free travel guides & tips. If yes, please consider supporting my work by buying me a coffee so I can continue creating more useful content from my favorite coffee shop in town. Thanks!

More Oman travel guides

• Plan your Oman visit with my 1-week Oman road trip itinerary .
• Starting your Oman journey in Oman’s capital Muscat? Here are  The best things to do in Muscat: itinerary for 1-3 days .
• Driving to Salalah? Make sure to also read my  Dubai to Salalah road trip planner .
• Plan your Salalah route with my  Ultimate Salalah Itinerary: the best things to do in Dhofar region, Oman.
• Plan a perfect Musandam from Dubai road trip with my detailed Musandam Travel Guide .
• Plan your visit to Wadi Shab-one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Oman .

Oman travel essentials

• Rent a car : The best way to explore Oman is by self-driving. Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• Best flight deals: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Oman from your location.
• Before You Go: Apply for an Oman visa easily at iVisa .
• Sleep: book your ideal accommodation on Booking .
• Travel insurance : get affordable travel insurance in Oman (including COVID-19 coverage) for short and long long-term travel with SafetyWing or Heymondo (5% discount with my link).
• Guided tours: book the best-rated guided tours in Oman on Viator .
• Local SIM Card: Get a tourist pack of local data and calls at Muscat airport. Omantel provides the best coverage.
• Flight got canceled or delayed? You might receive compensation if you depart from an EU country. Consult and receive assistance from AirHelp or Skycop if you are eligible for compensation.

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

76 Comments

Thank you for putting each precise detail about the travel to Oman.

I am looking to travel to Oman by road from Dubai and would mostly be taking the Hatta – Al Wajajah Border. My travel date is on 19th February, 2022. As per the information you provided, it seems the Hatta – Al Wajajah border is currently open. However, given the frequent changes to the land border accessibility due to Covid, I would like to know whether the border is open just before I start the travel.

Do you have any official contact number using which I can get the information?

Hi Shivam, May I know if this border is still open ? Is it open for expatriates? I was looking at Google maps and I could see its mentioned as permanently closed. Can you please confirm as I would like to travel in the coming weekend.

Hi Shivam, I am glad you found the information on this post helpful. Yes, as of the date of writing, Hatta- Wajajah border is open. I do not have the contact number of the border, but when I googled, I got these ones listed +971 4 852 1002 and 800 5111. Never tried calling so cannot comment, maybe you can share your experience later. Hopefully the borders stay open 🙂

Thank you for this information. So much details takes all the confusion out of travelling. I had a question… I am flying to the uae on a visit visa and want to travel to oman by roaf for a week and then fly out. Applied for evisa for both countries. According to your post… I should take the Hatta border… tourist are allowed to use this border along with residents and citizen… is there a separate entrance for tourists? Would really appreciate some help and any contact number for information on this in oman.

hi there, thanks for the informative blog. can I ask how much is the car insurance and can I get it from the border as well?

Which is nearby border if I’m traveling from Dubai to Salalah

I am in need of a border run for a visa renewal for a colleague. We will drive from Abu Dhabi, can we exit the UAE, enter Oman, renew the visa all within the same day, or do we need to stay in Oman for at least a day to renew it? If it’s all in a day, can I use the same UAE PCR test to exit and enter the UAE? Thank you.

Is it required to stay overnight in Oman to do the visa run? Or can we exit the UAE, do the Oman visa process and enter the UAE back all in the same day? Thank you.

Hi, great and very detailed information. Thank you for helping with this amazing data. I am interested to go in that area where there is no requirements (eg visa, boarder permit). Is this Madha? Can I drive directly there? Is any document which I need? Anything which can be done in that area?

Hi Danielle, you don’t need any permit or visa to enter Madha. There is no border or post control. The only difference you may notice will be Oman plate number and the signal of your mobile network may disappear or switch to roaming.

Hi, Curious Traveller, regarding visa run, it depends which passport you hold, if that is the procedure you can do. But those people who are allowed to do visa runs, don’t need to stay in Oman, they just cross the border and come back immediately. PCR should be valid, at least it was last month for 14 days.. Try contacting some of those companies who help with visa runs, they should know all the latest info.

Dear Ausra,

Great information which is really helping me to plan my trip probably in a week from now. I am driving my friend’s car, therefore, would like to know what kind of NOC is required? Is there any specific format?

Secondly, Are you sure if travel insurance is required ? As few of my friends travelled recently to Oman from UAE but they didn’t told me anything about this requirement.

In any case what is the cost of travel insurance for a month?

Regards Sid

Hi Shoaib, I am glad you find this information helpful. Regarding NOC format, I honestly don’t know, try calling the insurance company and ask for advice, or maybe RTA. I am guessing it is just a written printed and signed form stating all the details of the owner and the person borrowing the car, car details, and saying that the owner does not object to their car being driven by that person, contact details of both parties as well. Regarding travel insurance, that is information officially stated across many sources, such as airlines and news sites. I was not asked at the border for health insurance, but this is one of the requirements (not sure why for a month though, maybe because of the visit visa length). The cheapest option so far is with Safety Wing- there is a link to it in this post if you scroll up. The price will be defined according to your age (you will be able to see it once you fill out the details), it is around 40 USD for a month.

Hi, I want to travel from Muscat to Musandam by car and then further to Dubai. First what kind of visas do I need as I will re-enter oman and also UAE? Second what is the best option for PCR-testing there? Can I do it at the border or should I do it in Muscat? Kind regards

Hi Geraldine, depending on your residency visa, and/or passport (not sure if you are a tourist to both countries or a resident of one of them), you will need visit visas for UAE and Oman (maybe you passport allows visa on arrival which makes things simple). If you don’t have multiple entry visas, you will have to get UAE visa to enter UAE first, and then Oman visa again to enter Musandam. On the way back from Musandam, you again have to get UAE visa, and the same applies to Oman visa if you are traveling back to Muscat. You must check entry rules according to your passport. Oman visa can be easily obtained online in advance. UAE, I am not sure as I am a resident of UAE. Regarding PCR, UAE requires it to be not more than 48 hours old, while Oman – not more 72 hours old. You would have to check if you can use the same PCR test that you have done in Oman to go to UAE and then to Musandam (I would believe you should be able to). However, I don’t know if you can do PCR at the border. I would better do it in Muscat if I was you. Note that you may have to do another PCR in Musandam (Khasab most likely) to go back to UAE. And hopefully, you can use the same result to go back to Muscat if it is within 72 hours. Let me know how it goes once you have done your trip.

Hi Shabeena, yes Hatta border which is called Al Wajajah, is open for everyone and there are no separate entrances- the same way and entrance for both citizens and residents. Google shares this number for Oman side Hatta border: +968 26 849920 I never called borders before so not sure how it works, but you are welcome to try.

Hi, I am planning to travel Oman with my family (wife & 3 kids) kids ages are 14, 10, and 3 years. my car is a leased car from bank and insurance has Oman cover and medical insurance has covid cover.

Please confirm the following, which will help me to travel without any hassle; 1. Exit fee from UAE (AED 35) per passport 2. Still I need travel insurance 3. Still I need to get Orange Card 4. I need to get NOC from Bank or it is fine to go without the same 5. what age is exempted from PCR & Vaccination 6. Is there any online fee to register on travel site

Hi Ali, answering yur questions below: 1. Exit fee is per person 2. According to official requirements, yes 3. I believe so, insurance company will provide it free of charge (it was our case- we had cover,they just issued the paper) 4. Kindly ask the bank, but when I traveled with my leased car years ago, I didn’t have NOC from the bank and it was fine. 5. I do not know the exact age, but I have heard small kids are. 6. Registering on the travel site is freem just have all you pcr test results and vaccine papers ready to be uploaded (I believe you refer the Oman website for travel registration)

Hello. I am traveling from London to Dubai then by car to zighy bay. Have the pcr rules changed now to 48 hours rather than 14 days? I’m worried about testing positive whilst at zighy bay when taking the pcr in order to travel back to Dubai. I expect there will be lots of kids at hotel who haven’t been vaccinated or tested as under 12. Do you know what would happen to me and my family if I did test positive?

Hi Rachel, I haven’t heard or seen articles about changes so far. The best would be to ask the hotel in Zighy Bay, they must be aware of the most recent rules. In the unlucky scenario, if the test comes out positive, you would have to quarantine in Oman most likely.

hi my wife and 3 kids are uk citizen and would like to have visa run to oman via road . could you please guide more about it . as they will get 30days more visa to stay in uae.. after having an in out from uae. need your kind advise

Hi Ahmed, I am not fully aware on visa run process as I have never done it before. However, I have heard that certain nationalities just have to cross Oman border and drive in back again. They don’t even need to stay in Oman. It is done as quickly as half a day almost. Also, there used to be companies you take people by bus for visa run purposes for some fee, not sure if they still around though.

Thanks for the detailed information.

Am travelling to Musandam with my 5 year old daughter tomorrow — does she require a PCR test as well?

Regards, Burzis

Hi Burzis, kids do not need PCR test according to Oman Air covid regulations.

Hi Thanks for very concise details about a road trip from Dubai to Oman.

I have 2 questions: 1. If I have a PCR test done in Dubai 72 hours before arriving to Oman, can I use the same test to re-enter the UAE? Or do I have to do another test in Mussandam?

2. When you say we need travel insurance, is this just medical insurance? Our policy covers us internationally.

Hi Ruth, answering your questions below: 1. You can use the same test to come back to Dubai, it will be valid for 14 days (somebody went to Oman and back using the same test just a week ago, so the same procedure is still in place). 2. Yes, it is medical insurance covering covid-19. Enjoy your trip!

This post was so helpful- I planned my entire trip following this- thanks a lot- God bless

This is such a helpful forum, thanks everybody!

However I still have a question. Is there maybe someone who recently crossed the Mezyad border crossing (from Oman to UAE) and if so, could you please tell if they accept 14 day pcr test or not?

Hi Essie, someone I know crossed Hatta border a couple of weeks ago, and 14 days PCR was valid. However, the Mezyad border is part of Abu Dhabi emirate, and they have different rules when it comes to PCR validity. Therefore it’s worth checking the latest rules for entering Abu Dhabi.

Can i cross mazyad border by walking.. i have all the documents.. because my family will wait me in the oman side.. is it possible to go by walking

Hi Shabeer, I believe you should be able to walk through the border, but I do not know 100%. The best is to call the border and ask if this is allowed. Also, check the distance between UAE and Oman border posts. The Mezyad border seems to be less than 2 km between the checkpoints, but others, like Hatta Al Wajajah or Khatam Al Shiklah are far away from each other (not a walking distance).

I am Indian citizen working in UAE with UAE residence. I am planning to travel through Khatmat Al Shikla border to Oman and same day planning to visit back to UAE (Fujairah) through Khatmat Malahah border. Is this possible?

Hi Mohammed, yes, you can enter Oman through one border and leave through the other border. Both are open as far as I know.

Great detailed information. Thank you. Any idea how much the visa for Oman costs? Also what are some interesting 1 day things to do in Oman considering i will enter from Hatta Al Wajajah border.

Dear Sharmista, please read my post were I mention visa costs and link to where to get the visa from. Also, please visit my blog post about 7 days Oman itinerary (link shared at the end of this post) where you can find many awesome things to do in Oman. In one day your best bet is to visit Musandam instead of mainland Oman. But if you are going to mainland Oman through Hatta border, then you can visit Muscat. Check my post about what to do in Muscat.

Hi, Thank you for compiling this very useful information. Would it be possible to take up this trip during April (Ramadan). Also would it be possible for a non vaccinated ( senior citizen) to do this trip with a PCR negative result.

Hi Abraham, you can travel to Oman during Ramadan as well, the only thing that may not be as pleasant is the hot weather. Regarding unvaccinated travelers, I am not sure what would be the procedure- I could not find any precise online information about this matter. But I believe with a negative PCR test you can enter. As far as I have heard, quarantine was also removed. The best would be to call Oman Airlines, or Oman immigration and check with them as they would have the exact latest updates.

This is indeed a great blog with clear guidelines for the new travelers – Thank you!

Wonderful blog.. have visited oman many times and still its confusing. Esp now with the covid rules. Quick question is Medical insurance mandatory for 30days?

Hi Johnson, thank you. Regarding medical insurance, this is information provided on the Omanair website as one of the entry requirements.

Thank you Ausra, this is a very good guide travelling to oman.

i have 1 question. There used to be a short term 10-days tourist visa for 5 OMR (13 USD) available to purchase at the border. do you know if this is available again in the border?

Hi Janijoy, I am not sure about this. If you have travelled and already find out, can you please let me know if you managed to get one? Indeed it was useful, but now I was only seeing option for 20 OMR 30 days tourist visa online.

Hi, I am planning to travel from Oman to UAE on coming week by road. My passport validity only 5 month. There is any issue for this?

Hi Basher, you must check the official requirements on the Oman visa website. If it states that passport validity must be more than 5 months (usually it is 6 ), then you might have a problem.

Hi, I’m planning to visit Oman for 3 days. still do i need to get COVID-19 covered (Insurance)? please advise

Hi Yousef, insurance requirement is provided by Oman air website and it does for some reason require one month coverage.

I am planning to travel with my family from dubai to oman. I want to know if there will be any stay area or restrooms on the way.

Hi Usama, if you are travelling from Hatta border to Muscat, take the old road that is closer to the coats- there are plenty of restaurants along the way. Ehile the newer and a bit faster road going to Muscat doesn’t even have petrol stations (at least we haven’t seen any for many kilometer after crossing the border).

What is nearest border from Dubai to salalah

Hi, the nearest border from Dubai is Hatta Alwajajah. However, for the shortest drive to Salalah, you have to take Mezyat (Hafeet) border in Al Ain. Please refer to my detailed post about driving from Salalah to Dubai: https://www.theroadreel.com/dubai-to-salalah-road-trip/

I want Visa run through mazeyad borders with my wife and 2 children,which documents required, and PCR test required for both adult and child?

Hi Ibrahim, I believe PCR for children under a certain age is not required (16 and below, but please check online on Omanair website for exact age)

I need to know if I’m traveling with company car do I need to get NOC.

Hi Aby, you will need NOC if car is not under your name

HI Ausra, if I travel 10 June from Abu Dhabi to Oman , please tell me how much fees for border cross and others .

Hi, thank you for such a detailed and informative post. Can you please advise if its better to use UAE issued Debit/Credit card in Oman or do we need to carry Omani Riyal purchased from some Money Exchange in UAE before travel? Thanks.

The information here was so helpful and accurate during our trip to Musandam through Al Dhara border post. I’m sure this will assist any traveler who has a plan to visit alone or with a group.

Thanks Dilhan, I am glad it was useful to you!

I have visit visas of Oman and UAE. I m traveling from India to Muscut, staying 4 days then I m planning to travel via Road to the UAE. As one of my friend he is expat of Dubai having UAE residence visa, own car. Can I travel to UAE from Wajjah Hatta Border using my Tourist Visa UAE.

Please advise.

Hi Azeemuddin, you can travel to UAE crossing Wajajah Hatta Border using your UAE Tourist Visa.

Hi, is there any minimum period of Mulkiya (car registration) validity checked at the border ? Can I still travel to Oman for visa run if my mulkiya is valid for one week only ?

Hi, is there any minimum mulkiya validity checked at the border ?

Hi Ihsan, not that I have heard of, please let us know if you find out otherwise.

Do you have any details on the minimum registration validity while traveling to Oman by road? Please let me know. Thanks

Hello, great info. I need advise, I have residence visa in oman and it’s still active till sept, but now I’m in uae and with a residence visa. Can I go back at oman without hassle and what are the needed documents to bring along with.. I’ll go Thru border by road and come back again to uae after holidays

Hi Jonrey, please contact immigration for this matter to give you a clear answer. I can only guess that if your Oman residency has not been canceled, you should be able to travel, but I am not sure how you can have two valid residencies at the same time?

I just renewed my vehicle registration on 12-July and wait for physical registration card. Now I plan for a week to Oman starting from 16 July. So will there be issue with electronic copy of registration at border crossing ?

Prasad, I believe electronic registration should be valid, make sure you also have insurance for driving in Oman (orange card), or you can purchase one at the border as well.

Hi Ausra, Great post. Thankyou. I’m travelling to Zighy Bay this weekend by car from Dubai and my insurance does not have Oman presently covered in the policy. I was advised by my broker that I can purchase an Orange Card at the border at Dibba Corniche for aprox AED100. Is this correct? I don’t want to be left disappointed at the border because we do not have the necessary documentation.

I do not have time to read all the comments, so sorry if this has been addressed already.

I am trying to figure out the reverse: how does it work and how easy is it to go from the Musandam peninsula in Oman to Dubai (UAE) for foreigners (French and American) via the Al Dharah border? Can we get a visa on arrival for the UAE? Do we need to do it in advance?

Hello Bloubliu,

if you are French and American passport holders, you both can get a UAE visa on arrival at the border. You can read more info about border procedures when traveling to and back from Musandam to Dubai here: https://www.theroadreel.com/things-to-do-in-musandam-from-dubai-road-trip/

Can u send me the sample or tell the details need in noc for taking friend car to Oman…. Is it obtained from any govt authority?

Hi Nadheer, I believe it is a free form you ask your friend to write to you acknowledging that you can take his/her car through the border. Make sure to include your friends’ signature and passport copy or emirates id copy.

Hi, dear Ausra; I had a few questions for you to improve my trip I have Iranian nationality. For myself, my wife and my daughter who is under 5 years old, I got a multi-Dubai tourist visa with a two-month stay. I also got a 10-day Oman tourist visa online for myself and my family. questions: 1.Can I rent a car from Dubai to travel from Dubai to Muscat and back? What documents should I receive from the car rental agency? What fees do I have to pay? 2.Is travel insurance mandatory for me and my family? If forced, should I buy insurance from the two sites you introduced? 3.Are the departure fees and UAE taxes included for tourists? 4.Is it necessary to register and fill out the travel form? If forced, from which site should I apply? And that you have a very good site with lots of content

hi – very helpfull page. Can someone recommend me a car rental company in abu dhabi which allows crossing the border ? thanks kai

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Driving From Dubai To Oman: What You Need To Know (2024)

• Last Updated: April 8, 2024
• Destinations , Middle East , Oman

Whether you live in Dubai, or are simply visiting, a trip to Oman is a must .  Best of all, you don’t need to fly.  

Driving from Dubai to Oman is fairly straightforward, and a great adventure. I’ve done it twice. There are only a few things to bear in mind.

Read on for all the information and tips you need to help you plan your Dubai to Oman road trip.

Driving From Dubai To Oman: Route Options

First of all, there are a few different route options when driving from Dubai to Oman.  

The two countries share several border crossings.   However, only certain border crossings are open to tourists and non- GCC ( Gulf Cooperation Counsel ) citizens .

Of these, there are three main crossings to consider .   Which one to take will depend on where you’re coming from/going to.

Note: if you are travelling from Oman to Dubai by road, these are also the three main border crossings I’d recommend you use.

Hatta – Al Wajajah border crossing

This is the border crossing which is closest to Dubai, so might make the most sense if you are pressed for time.  From the centre of Dubai, it’s 140 kms to the border and takes about 1 hour 40 mins.

This is also the quickest way of travelling from Sharjah to Oman by road, and takes a similar amount of time.

Do not attempt to use the border crossing at Al Madam , on the E44 road, as this is only open to citizens of GCC countries (the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar).

Instead, take the E102, bypassing the small “spur” of Oman which sticks up into the UAE, before joining the E44 to cross the border at Hatta/Al Wajajah.  (See below map, which shows this more clearly.)

Once you’ve been stamped out of the UAE, you need to drive 3 kilometres down the road before you reach the Omani immigration post.

From here, it’s 85 kilometres to Sohar (takes about an hour), or  310 km to Muscat (about 3.5 hours) along the main coastal road.

Using this route, the total distance from Dubai to Muscat by road is 450 kilometres.  

Assuming  the Oman border crossing is smooth and hassle-free (see below), the journey from Dubai to Oman by road should take between 5-6 hours.

Meyzad – Hafeet border crossing

Personally, I think this is a  more interesting option , as you get to see a very different part of the UAE before crossing the border.  It’s also a better option if you’re planning to head onwards towards Nizwa , Jebel Shams , or other destinations in central/southern Oman.

The Mezyad crossing is just the other side of  Al Ain , the largest inland city in the UAE.  I f you have the time, it’s worth breaking the journey here and having an explore. 

Al Ain, known as the “Garden City”, is an attractive place, built on an oasis in the desert, with lush greenery and tree-lined avenues.

It’s 160 kilometres from Dubai to the Mezyad border crossing, via the E66, and takes about 2 hours.

This is also a good crossing point if you’re coming from Abu Dhabi   (190 kilometres, takes 2 hours).  If you are  travelling from Abu Dhabi to Oman by road, the border formalities (see below) are the same as for  driving to Oman from Dubai.

Side note: if you’re planning to be in Abu Dhabi at any point between November and March, it’s well worth checking out the fantastic  Sheikh Zayed festival .  This annual festival showcases the cultural wealth and traditions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Khatm Al Shiklah border crossing

This is another crossing close to Al Ain, and takes a similar amount of time to get to as Mezyad.

The main difference is that, unlike Mezyad, the UAE and Oman border posts are nowhere near each other.  Once you’ve been stamped out of the UAE, you need to drive almost 30 kilometres before you reach the Omani border post.  

(This confused me a lot – I thought I’d accidentally driven into Oman without a stamp, but then didn’t know what to do about it so carried on driving…!)

As a result, this isn’t the best option if you’re simply driving to Oman from Dubai for a UAE visa run.  But on the other hand, this crossing is usually less busy than the others,  so you’ll probably get through more quickly.

Check out this post for some helpful Arabic words and phrases .

Border Formalities

The three border crossings noted above are usually hassle-free and fairly easy to navigate.  

When crossing from the UAE to Oman by road, y ou’ll need to complete an  immigration form .  Customs officials may also want to have a look inside your car.   (It’s best to avoid any obvious evidence that you’re carrying alcohol, if indeed you are.)

How long the formalities take depends on how busy the crossing is .   If possible, try to avoid weekends (Friday-Saturday) and public holidays , when there are often long queues of people  travelling from Dubai to Oman by car .

Depending on the traffic, the crossing can take anything from 15 minutes to 2 hours .

There are some 

At the UAE border, you will need to pay an exit fee of 35 AED.   Card payments are usually accepted, though it’s a good idea to also carry cash, in case the card machine is having a bad day.

There is no fee to exit Oman.

Visas & visa services

Note: UAE citizens (i.e. UAE passport holders) can enter Oman without needing a visa.  However, this does not apply to non-citizen residents of the UAE.

The process of applying for an Oman visa for (non-citizen)  UAE residents is the same as for non-residents.  It all depends on your citizenship (i.e. nationality), not where you have residency.

Citizens of many countries can obtain an Omani tourist visa on arrival .  This costs 20 OMR and is valid for up to 30 days.  You’ll need at least 6 months’ validity remaining on your passport.

Certain nationalities can apply for an Omani eVisa in advance , which speeds up the process considerably.

** I always use, and strongly recommend,  iVisa.com .  Their online visa processing service is quick, secure, and easy to use, and makes the whole  visa application process very straightforward . **

If you do opt to get a visa on arrival, you should be able to pay the visa fee using credit/debit card.   

Failing that, most major border crossings have ATMs, and/or a money exchange office where you can change AED to OMR cash.

When (/if) you cross back into the UAE, you’ll be given another  UAE tourist visa on arrival  for free.  Unless you were previously travelling on another type of visa – in which case, double-check that it allows multiple entries.

Car Hire In Dubai (make sure you're allowed to drive to Oman!)

(This is important!)

Not all car hire companies in Dubai will allow you to drive their cars into Oman.

If you’re planning to hire a car in Dubai , you must check with the hire company that they’re happy for it to be taken to Oman.  It’s a good idea to mention this to them when you’re shopping around for quotes, before you commit to the rental.

Some companies allow it, but others don’t.  Unhelpfully, companies tend to change their policies on this fairly frequently, so it’s not really possible to provide a definitive list here.  Always check before committing to renting a car.

Also, check to see if the rental company permits you to take their car off-roading if you intend to do any driving off the main paved roads.

The best deals on car hire in the UAE are usually found on localrent.com .  They compare the prices of local car rental companies, which tend to be significantly cheaper than the big international hire companies.

Click here for the latest prices.  

Additional Oman entry requirements from UAE

You’ll need to ask the hire company for an  NOC (No Objection Certificate) , giving written permission for you to drive the car into Oman.  There may, or may not, be an additional fee for the NOC.  

Border officials will almost certainly ask to see a copy of this, so make sure you get one!

You must also ensure that you take the car’s  registration card  (called a  “ mulkiya “ ) with you.  You need the  original card  (not a photocopy, which probably won’t be accepted by the border guards).  

Check it’s still in date and hasn’t expired!

If you’re driving a friend’s car, you should have their  proof of ownership , and their  written permission  for you to take the car into Oman (unless they are with you).  

This isn’t always asked for, but I’d recommend having it to avoid potential issues at the border.

*NEW* Dubai RTA Rule (updated December 2023)

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently introduced a new rule requiring a “ tourism certificate ” to drive vehicles registered in Dubai outside the UAE.

To obtain this RTA approval/certificate, you need to take the following steps:

• Gather your Emirates ID or passport, the vehicle’s mulkiya /registration card, proof of ownership/NOC/written permission of the owner (if applicable), and company documents (for company-owned vehicles).
• Take these in person to any RTA “ Customer Happiness Centre ” or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centre in Dubai.
• Present your documents at the front desk.
• Pay the required service fees (typically around 170 AED for most vehicle types).
• Obtain the tourism certificate from the centre.

Oman Car Insurance

You will need valid Oman car insurance that explicitly covers you whilst driving in Oman.  

Some Dubai car hire companies can provide this (ask for written proof of coverage).  If not, you can buy Omani third party insurance at the border.

Not all insurers cover off-road driving.   If this is something you’d like to do, check whether the insurers in question will cover you.  

And you’d obvs need a 4×4. 🙂

For tips and inspiration to help you plan the perfect Oman road trip, also check out  this article .

Other Practicalities

Driving from Dubai to Oman is, in general, very easy.   Most main roads are paved and in excellent condition.

A 2-wheel drive car is fine for accessing most places.  A 4×4 is only necessary if you want to head off road into the desert.

Once you get out of the main towns and cities, phone signal can be intermittent.  Download offline maps in advance (e.g. Google maps offline) if you plan to spend much time outside of the main population centres.

In both countries, road signs are written in Arabic and English , and traffic drives on the right .

It’s not technically illegal to bring small quantities of alcohol with you across the border, but I wouldn’t recommend doing this, to avoid any issues with customs.  (And if you do, keep it hidden.)

It’s obvious, but don’t drink and drive .  Both countries have a zero-tolerance limit (with stiff penalties issued by the Royal Oman Police), and you are likely to be breathalysed if involved in an accident.

Make sure your medical  travel insurance covers you whilst in Oman.  Policies that cover the UAE probably also cover Oman, but it’s always worth checking.

Speed limits in Oman are usually  120km/h on highways, 80-90km/h on rural roads, and 40km/h in urban areas, unless otherwise shown.

Here are  179 of my favourite  desert quotes and captions .

Dubai To Oman By Bus

If you don’t want to drive, Mwasalat operates a direct coach service from Dubai to Muscat, the capital city of Oman.

However, I don’t really recommend this option unless you only want to visit Muscat.   The public transport network in Oman isn’t very comprehensive and you might struggle to get around without a car.

In Dubai, you can catch the coach from Abu Hail station (in Deira), DXB airport T2 , or Rashidiya Metro Bus Station .  The service terminates in Muscat at Azaiba bus station.

Tickets cost  60 AED one way, and 95 AED return.  However, you must purchase a ticket before boarding the bus .  You cannot purchase a ticket online or on the bus itself.  Tickets are available from Abu Hail station and  the Mwasalat Office in Deira.

Check here for latest timetable information and further details.

Accommodation And Tours In Oman

Where to stay.

You’ll find a wide range of accommodation options throughout Oman to suit most budgets.

As with most countries in the region, there aren’t many ultra-cheap/shoestring options.  However, w hether you’re looking for a simple guesthouse, a mid-range hotel, or a luxury five-star palace, you won’t struggle to find somewhere decent to stay.

Click here to compare the latest prices and more details.

Oman is a very safe country and is easy to explore independently (provided you have your own car).

However, if you would prefer a guided tour to see the country’s highlights, there are many excellent companies to choose from.

Click here for more information.

Here are answers to some commonly-asked questions about driving to Oman from Dubai.

Is it safe to drive from UAE to Oman?

Yes, it’s perfectly safe to drive to Oman from the UAE. The roads are in excellent condition and it’s an easy drive.

Do I need a visa to visit Oman by road from UAE?

Citizens of most countries need a visa to visit Oman, whether you’re arriving by road or by air. Check on  iVisa.com to see which Oman visa rules apply to you.

Dubai to Oman distance?

The distance from Dubai to Oman is 140 kilometres to the Hatta border, or 160 kilometres to the Mezyad border.

See here for the  best family-friendly places to visit in Dubai . And see here to read more about  hotels, jobs, and other things in Dubai .

** Love road trips?  Me too.  Check out some of my other road trip-related posts, including:

• Oman Road Trip: An Epic Arabian Adventure
• Romania Road Trip: Everything You Need To Know
• The Perfect Albania Road Trip
• Best Places To Visit In Northern Turkey  **

Like This Article? Pin it!

Related posts.

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• How to Plan the Perfect Cuba Itinerary: A Guide To The Top Destinations (2024)
• Romania Road Trip: Everything You Need To Know (2024)
• The Perfect Albania Road Trip: This Place Is Epic! (UPDATED 2024)
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Alex Tiffany

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51 Comments

Hi Alex, thanks a million for your very interesting and useful blog! We hope to be able to travel to Oman in January (if Covid lets us in;-). We’ll first fly from Europe to Dubai, and hope to find a rental company which allows us to drive their cars to Oman. May I ask you a couple of questions as you seem to know A LOT about UAE/Oman: among the 3 border crossing points you mention, do you know if they are all ok for European tourists with a UAE-Dubai-rental car or would you recommend one of them? Do you know if it is possible to get the Oman-visa at the border crossing points too (and not at the airport since we would enter the country by car), or would you advise to apply for it online? I read that a visa for up to 10 or 14 days is free of charge for EU citizens at the Mascate airport, but was not able to figure out if the same conditions apply for land crossing points. THANKS A LOT IN ADVANCE for your help, and best regards! Anne (from Brittany, France, best place on Earth hahaha)

Hi Anne, glad to be able to help.

All 3 of the border crossings I mention in this article are fine for European tourists with a Dubai rental car.

In terms of which of the three crossings to use, the Hatta – Al Wajajah crossing is the closest to Dubai and probably the most popular one to use. However, the drive from the Meyzad – Hafeet border to Muscat is more scenic and interesting. Personally, I’d use the Meyzad – Hafeet border, though any of those 3 are fine.

If you’re a French/EU citizen, unless the Omani authorities decide to change the rules last minute (always a small possibility), you should be able to get a free visa on arrival at the border (applies to land borders and airports equally). You’ll either get 10 or 14 days — I can’t work out whether there’s a rule on who gets 10 and who gets 14… but if you’re only planning to be there for 10 days or less, you’ll be fine either way 🙂

You could apply for an e-visa in advance if you prefer, but it’s not technically necessary, and I don’t think it’s free. Personally, I think it’s fine to just get the free one at the border (though keep an eye on the news in the days running up to your trip, in case there are any changes to the rules). I’d also definitely bring a couple of printed passport photos with you. They have photo booths at the main border crossing points, but you can’t always rely on these to be working.

You’ll need to show the immigration people QR codes confirming you are fully vaccinated against covid, and have received a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Oman).

Before entering Oman, you also need to complete a pre-registration form at the eMushrif website ( https://covid19.emushrif.om/ ) and upload your vaccine certification and PCR test result.

In terms of car hire, not all companies allow you to take their cars from UAE into Oman. The list of companies which allow it does change periodically, so you should call them up and check before paying for one. Bigger international companies like Avis and Hertz are more likely to say yes than small local ones, but definitely call them to check first!

Enjoy your trip! Oman is awesome

If traveling by land, from EUA to Omand without any covid -19 vax certification what are the issues if any? Thanks

Hope you are good, and really appreciate for in-depth info, just wondering that if i have a bank mortgaged car on my name is it ok to travel to oman in the same car or shall i be requiring any sort of NOC from the Bank.

Hi Alex, Do you have any format or sample of NOC letter to be shown at border if iam taking my friend’s car

We’re planning a trip to Oman in February 2022. We also want to rent a car in Dubai to cross the border to Oman. The car rental I normally use doesn’t allow to cross the border. Can you tell me the name of the car rental you used?

@Alex: your detailed information about crossing the border is so useful to plan our trip. Thanks!

Many thanks Alex for the blog which I found very useful for my recent road trip from Dubai to Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman. We used the Mezyad crossing as you suggested and it was really quick both ways. We left early around 5 am on 1 December, the beginning of the 4 day long weekend in UAE, expecting long queues at the border. But barring a pack of bikers, which marginally delayed the departure from the UAE side of the border, it was a very smooth exit. All counters were drive through (unless you don’t have an evisa for Oman in which case you will have to leave the car at the parking lot on the Oman side to walk to the visa office). There were 2 on UAE side, one to check and stamp the passports and the next one to validate. On the Oman side, you first drive to the counter where the vaccination records and pcr reports are checked. Then drive to the passport control counter where your evisa, passport, vehicle registration and drivers license are checked. It is best to obtain an evisa, otherwise you will need to drive to an adjoining visa office, apply and get one on the spot. On busy days, this can be delayed. Then drive to the vehicle inspection bay where you may be asked to open the boot and perhaps the bags as well for customs. It took us just below an hour from the beginning of the Mezyad border post on the UAE side to the end of the Oman side of the crossing.

Returned today (4th December), through the same crossing. Took less than 5 minutes on the Oman side of the immigration (drive through) and another 20 minutes on the UAE side. We are a family of 4 so on the UAE side we were asked to park the car and go to the departure hall nearby where passport control formalities were completed in 5 minutes. Then we drove to the medical counter where our pcr and vaccine records were checked and finally car contents checked at the last stop. All in all very smooth exit and entry back to UAE.

One point to note is that on the Oman side after the border crossing, there are no good cafes or restaurants. So best to stock up on food and drink.

Glad you had a good (and easy) trip! Thanks very much for the extra detail and info here, all incredibly useful.

Hi Mr.Alex Please let me know if I have bank loan with my car,I can cross Oman border from Dubai.

we are planning to stay in Oman for 6 days.

Do we (currently) have to take a PCR test before going back to the UAE?

Each of the emirates has their own rules regarding testing for (re)entry. For example, Abu Dhabi has stricter rules than Dubai. But my understanding is that most (if not all) of the emirates currently require you to show proof of a negative PCR test, taken no more than 48 hours before travel. I’d recommend checking the health section of the official website for the emirate you will be returning to, to ensure you have the most up to date information. For Abu Dhabi, it’s https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/plan-your-trip/covid-safe-travel

thanks a million Alex for all your hints!! Great to see the other message concerning border crossing Oman/UAE, too, very useful. Best regards from Brussels!

You’re very welcome! 🙂

Hello Alex, This is Pratheep, I am planning to visit Muscat with my family, driving my car that is still under bank loan. Do we have to carry NOC from the bank to cross the border? Kindly advise Thanks Pratheep

Hi Pratheep, I don’t have any personal experience with this I’m afraid.

My understanding (from doing some online research) is that it depends on the terms of your mortgage with the bank. Some banks require NOCs, others don’t. Each bank will have its own rules, there’s no hard and fast rule that covers all, unfortunately. You could ask your bank and see what they say?

Many people appear to have done the crossing without obtaining a NOC (even if they technically should’ve had one), with no issues. This might be a breach of the terms of your mortgage agreement with the bank (depending on what it says). I’m afraid I can’t advise whether it’s worth taking that risk, it’s up to you. I’m sorry that’s not a perfect answer.

Planning to drive to oman after obtaining thr dubai/oman join visa at arrival DXB will be driving to buriami via hatta/AL wajajah border on a rental car. Do I need a NOC as well as an orange card ?

Hello Pradeep, Can you tell me about your experience on taking ban financed car to Oman? It is allowed? Do we need letter?

Going to Oman with a mortgaged car is allowed as long as it belongs to you or your spouse. You don’t need any additional document apart from Registration card and and insurance that is valid in Oman.

Hi Navin, thanks for the info. But how can we prove that the car belongs to me if it’s mortgaged, because on the mulkiya, the owner name will be the bank’s. Please advise. Thanks.

Hi Hanne, Unfortunately, we ended up cancelling our trip to Oman in January because of a major incident in our family, but do hope to be able to go in March. So I can not give you any feedback about the car rental company and how it worked out the cross the Omani border. The company’s name is Dollar Car rental. They have several offices at the airport and downtown Dubai. You can check online for their deals. I might come back to you later in February, maybe you will be able to tell me how it worked out for you. We should be leaving on March 4th. Enjoy your trip !! Best regards, Anne

I need to know the method for a US citizen who once visits Dubai, stays there for 30 days, drives to Oman and return back to Dubai getting a re entry for UAE for 30 days the same day.

Great article! Much appreciated. I have two specific questions: – If I do pcr in Dubai and will get to Oman and back within 72 hours, will it work on the bordeR? – I’ve seen some mentioning about “Oman exit permit”, is it required for a Oman-UAE crossing?

Thanks, Aleh

Hello Alex, excellent post, could not have been more helpful in helping me understand what is required to get into Oman from Dubai. My wife and I are planning a trip to Oman (Muscat) from Dubai this month and in mapping the route, I discovered a border crossing you did not mention – Khatmat Milaha. Do you have any experience with this one? If so, what should I look out for? I will be driving my sister’s car (not traveling with us).

Hi Sherief, I am looking at a similar route, may I ask if you tried the Khatmat Milaha crossing?

Hey Alex, thank you so much for the guide! This looks like it was a really cool trip. You’ve inspired me to go on a similar trip on the future. Keep up the fantastic work!

do a UAE resident needs a PCR to travel to Oman? can we take the car insurance from the boarder?

can i have noc letter format for using my friends car

Hi noushil if u have noc format please share

Hello! If someone is driving in their own car with valid registration and insurance, do they need another insurance to enter oman? Is that optional ? How much can we expect for 3rd party insurance? Thanks Inayat

Hi Alex, I’m planning to go to Salalah during the EID holidays. As it is going to be a loooong drive I’m planning to start at 2 AM from Dubai. My question is are insurance companies open at Al Mezyad border at this hour. I will probable reaching the border around 3.30 AM. Also is it possible to buy Omani sim card at the border crossing at this hour. Thank you. Regards Ramkrish

July 12 I want to visit Oman with my family’s members 5 We have full vaccinated as Sinofarm Pfizer.its ok for tour? Now need PCR? My own car models 2004;it’s ok?

Hi, Can I drive company car to Oman? If I can then what are the documents required? please suggest me Thank you

Good day Alex, Is it allowed to cross into North Oman from Dibba by car ? My understanding is you can only enter from RAK side as the border in Dibba is only for locals or if you have a Dhow cruise booking. Can you please advise,

Very thankful for you to share all the things required to go from Dubai to Oman via road, I am leaving in Oman but I haven’t visited Dubai yet and I was planning to go but now I am clear that I will go from road and enjoy my trip thanks for sharing this information.

Hi can you please tell me if I can use ky company car. What is the requirements that they will ask from the border. I need your advice. Please thank you.

Hi, im planning a trip in October and would like to know if the border is open for driving with your own vehicle and do i need a special letter to produce at the border or just the normsl mulkiya etc. Also confirm the fees applicable/visas.

Great information! Here is a question: for renting a car in Dubai to drive to Oman, is there any reason/benefit to me bringing proof of insurance in my home country (Canada) from my insurance company here? I.e. is Omani auto insurance cheaper if I do?

We will be renting and driving across in November this year…definitely planning on the route that lets us stop at Al Ain on the way to Muscat.

Thank you, Shawn

Thank you for the detailed information. My daughter and her family are visiting us (all US passport holders) and we were planning to meet them in Dubai and drive back to Muscat. I am getting mixed messages about the visa they need, and do not want to get stuck at the border crossing as they have a small baby. Any tips you can give regarding visa for borders to Muscat and return would really be appreciated. TIA

Thanks for share very informative article. I am planning for trip in next month . I went to go on long drive , so i buy used car on installment in uae. so i can enjoy my trip . thanks fristchoicecars making my trip tension free.

Al Wajajah border crossing between Dubai and Oman is the preferred choice and most popular route for driving from Dubai to Muscat. The Hatta border post is only 140km from Dubai. By car it takes less than two hours to reach from Dubai. Other is Musandam Oman where mostly go on a day trip.

Recently, I traveled by road to Dubai from Muscat Oman, and I must say that it was a great experience.

I’m glad! 🙂

hello, just wanted a small help i am driving a company car and i was not allowed ro pass the HATTA border as they were asking for some Registration certificate how do i get the certificate and from where in UAE need your support on this

Hi Anand – you’ll need to ask the company that owns the car for this document. They should have it as they’ll need it to register the car.

Thank you for sharing important aspects but as I’m new in Dubai I’ve been fined by RTA twice. What do you advise me to follow so I can avoid getting these if I’m planning to go to Oman by road?

I’m not really in a position to advise in relation to your RTA fines I’m afraid. I guess it depends what the fines were for. My advice would be to reach out to RTA and ask them as they’ll be in a much better position to answer your query.

Rule changed for Company/Rent A Cars

Hi Dears, I tried to go to Oman in my Company Car yesterday via Hatta Wajajah border. I have NOC and original Mulkhiya also. But the border police denied my travel saying that they now need RTA approval as well. Please note that you cannot drive even in your friend’s car as well although you have NOC form.

RTA approval is mandatory now.

That’s very helpful to know, thank you. I’ll update the post accordingly.

Hi all. I am actually planning to go to Musadam for a ONE day trip, on 31st Dec. But my car registration expiry is on 4th Jan. Is it possible for me to go???? I have read through many articles, i saw only information that it shouldn’t be expired. So, im confused if “going to expire” registration status will be accepted at border.

I’m not sure on this one. I’d guess it should be fine as long as it’s currently still valid, but I can’t say for definite. Personally, I would check with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) just to be sure. You now need to get a “tourism certificate” from them to drive vehicles registered in Dubai outside the UAE (see above section on this), so you might as well ask them about the expiry date at the same time.

It’s really informative. Recently, I had to go to Oman for my business purposes. Basically, I am a content writer specializing in companies. Firstly, I visit companies and offer to enhance their online visibility. However, during my journey from Dubai to Oman, I received fines twice. Is it possible to receive fines from RTA multiple times? Because I am new here. If yes, is there any way to get a discount on them or can we delay these fines for 2 or 3 months?

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• I’m Alex Tiffany.  Former corporate city robot; lifelong travel addict.
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Road tripping to Oman: everything you need to know about driving from Dubai to Muscat

From the documents you need and the fees you’ll have to pay to the covid-19 proof required at uae-oman border points.

An Omani family stands by the waterfront in the Mutrah area of the capital Muscat. AFP

As the price of flights continues to soar, some weekend getaways are looking increasingly expensive. But with Oman right at the UAE’s doorstep, there’s no need to book a flight if you want to explore Muscat ’s corniche, Jebel Akhdar’s peaks or the turquoise Sea of Oman .

The drive from Dubai to Muscat is a trip of about 450 kilometres, a journey that Google Maps estimates takes four-and-a-half hours. But what do you need to do before you set off, do you have to show any Covid-19 paperwork at the border, how much does it cost and how long does it really take door-to-door?

The National set off to find out for ourselves.

Before you go: orange card, visas and insurance

There are a few things you need to organise before you embark on a road trip to Oman . Firstly, you’ll need to check that your car insurance covers you to drive in the sultanate. If it does, you can request an "orange card" from your insurer. This is usually free of charge and can be presented as an emailed electronic format or as a physical card — it's worth noting that it's not always orange.

If your insurance does not cover you to drive in Oman, you can purchase temporary insurance at the border crossing; however, this typically covers third-party damage only.

An Oman visa is required to travel to the sultanate and you can apply online for this in advance, or on arrival for eligible nationalities.

Applying online can save time at the border, but make sure to complete the application at least five days in advance. Typical processing times are 24 hours, but it can take longer. If it’s not processed by the time you arrive, you’ll have to apply (and pay again) for an on-arrival visa — a lesson we learnt first-hand — or even worse, be turned back if you’re not eligible for this option.

The visa fee is 5 Omani rials (Dh50) and you can pay in the local currency or by credit card. Check that you have at least six months validity on your passport and empty pages for exit/entry stamps. You may also be asked for your address while in the sultanate, so make sure you know where you are staying.

Leaving the UAE: no photos please

We used the Hatta-Al Wajajah border to leave Dubai for Oman. It’s located 6km along the road from the Hatta Wadi Hub and takes about an hour and 20 minutes to reach from Dubai. Driving on a Friday morning, there was very little traffic, perhaps because the UAE recently shifted its weekend to start on Saturdays.

Photographs and recording are not allowed at the border point, so keep your phone firmly in your car.

The first part of the exit process is on the UAE side, where you hand over your passport to the official on duty and pay a Dh30 exit fee. You may be asked for proof of car ownership and registration at this point, and if you don’t own the car you are driving, you’ll likely need a letter of consent from the owner that includes their contact details.

The official will give you an "opening file" ticket, and with that in hand, you can continue on to the next checkpoint.

Entering Oman: Covid-19 vaccines and visa applications

Turn left at the roundabout as you enter the Hatta Border Crossing and you’ll come to a series of cabins, each designated for light vehicles, buses or trucks. More important than the vehicle category is whether or not the cabin has an illuminated green traffic light in front of it, as this indicates that it is in operation. If you already have your visa, or can travel without one — you can go straight to one of these cabins and hand over your passport. You can check what type of visa you need on the Omani Police website.

If not, you’ll need to park next to the building on the left and go inside to apply for an on-arrival visa. Bring a pen to fill out the application form, then head to the central desks where you submit the completed form along with your passport. The visit visa fee is 5 Omani rials per person.

Visa complete, drive to one of the occupied cabins where Omani border police will check your documents and direct you to the vehicle inspection point. All car doors need to be opened, including the boot. Officers are thorough, so don't be surprised if they request to look inside any bags, luggage or glove compartments.

When you’re cleared to go, you’ll get a small piece of paper to give to the official in the next booth. Another checkpoint a few kilometres away typically only requires visitors to slow down, and when we reach the final checkpoint once we’re inside the sultanate, there's no one around, so we simply drive slowly through the gates.

No Covid-19 documentation was requested during our border crossing; however, official rules still state that travellers need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 with at least two doses of an approved immunisation, so be sure to have your vaccine certificate with you. Approved vaccinations are AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen, Sinovac, Sinopharm, Sputnik V and Covaxin.

If you're an Omani citizen, you can return to the sultanate without being vaccinated and proof of a negative PCR test is no longer required.

On the road to Oman: sights to see and where to fill up

A leisurely journey from Dubai to Muscat took just under five hours, including a stop at a petrol station, a toilet stop and a break for a bite to eat.

The drive isn’t the most exciting in the world, but there are a couple of things worth looking out for on the way, including Sharjah Mosque , the largest mosque in the emirate, located just after exit 71, and the mountains of Mleiha, which you'll reach about 40 minutes into the drive. Once you pass into Oman, be on the lookout for roadside camels, and enjoy the impressive backdrop of the Hajar mountains that greet you further down the line.

Take snacks for the journey and plenty of water – once you pass the border crossing, there aren't too many places to stop to refuel. It's also a good idea to refill your tank at the petrol station you'll come across as soon as you cross the Omani border, as many of the petrol stations on the motorway to Muscat are still under construction and so not yet operational.

Also take note of the speed limits on Omani roads. While locals will tell you that you can do about 10km per hour more than the limit before cameras flash, there’s no official buffer zone, so you are best sticking to the speed that signs display.

Covid-19 measures have relaxed significantly in the sultanate in recent months. Official rules dictate that face masks must be worn indoors and in public places, but in reality this rule seems to rarely be enforced.

Driving to the UAE from Oman by car

We returned to the UAE using the Al Ain border crossing at Khatm Al Shikla and it was a relatively simple journey, similar to the exit procedures.

At the first cabin, Omani officials will want to see passports and also asked for our car registration card before giving us an exit stamp and waving us onwards.

Entry into the UAE includes a passport check from Emirati officials and a second checkpoint where each passenger undergoes what seemed to be an EDE scan; there's no need to get out of the car for this. Officials did not ask to see our Al Hosn app or any vaccination documentation upon entry.

A huge scanning machine is in operation for vehicles. When you drive through this, make sure you don’t exceed more than 5 kilometres per hour. Afterwards, officials may ask you to pull into a parking spot and open the boot for a further inspection, although this is typically a faster process than on the Omani side.

When clear, you can continue to the next window where you hand over a stamped piece of paper, then continue into Al Ain to complete the last 160km to get you back to Dubai. Remember that Al Ain is part of the Abu Dhabi emirate, so keep a face mask handy to put on if you're making any stops across the border.

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Travel by road from UAE to Oman – Step by step guide

Uncover the magic of Oman's khareef season without breaking the bank

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Seeking an exciting and budget-friendly escape from the scorching summer heat? If you’re a nature enthusiast, Oman’s enchanting khareef season should be right at the top of your travel wish list. And as the price of flights continues to soar, some weekend getaways may seem financially burdensome. But with Oman right at the UAE’s doorstep, just a leisurely 6-hour drive away from Dubai to Muscat, or 12-hour drive to Salalah, there’s no need to book a flight, making it an even more enticing prospect.

Spanning from June to September, the khareef season, famously known as the monsoon season, is undoubtedly one of the most alluring times to immerse yourself in the delights of waterfalls, scenic drives, invigorating hikes, kayaking escapades, and the breathtaking verdant landscapes that grace Oman’s terrain. Salalah, the second-largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, is particularly famous for its extensive beaches, vibrant green spaces that flourish during the monsoon season, and delectable cuisine.

With a full tank of fuel, your favorite snacks in hand, and essential road trip tunes at the ready, it’s time to hit the road from UAE to Oman. Let the adventure begin!

Before you go: orange card, visas and insurance

Before setting off on a road trip to Oman, there are a few things you need to organize. Carry your valid Emirates ID and passport.

Firstly, you’ll need to check that your car insurance covers you to drive in the sultanate. If it does, you can request an “ orange card ” from your insurer. This is typically provided free of charge and can be presented as an emailed electronic format or as a physical card — it’s worth noting that it’s not always orange.

If your insurance does not cover you to drive in Oman, you can purchase temporary insurance at the border crossing for AED106 (depending on the vehicle); however, this typically covers third-party damage only.

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Oman Visa: All UAE residents can get a visa on arrival to Oman. You are asked to fill a form at the border. You can check what type of visa you need on the  Royal Oman Police website.

To expedite the process, you can save time by applying for an e-visa in advance through the online platform. Make sure to complete the application at least five days in advance. 

Furthermore, nationals of 103 countries are eligible to enter Oman visa-free for 14 days. See the list at the bottom.

Please note: Your UAE residency visa must be valid for the next three months or longer, and your passport must be valid for the next 6 months.

Driving From Dubai To Oman: Route Options

There are multiple route options available for driving from Dubai to Oman.

The two countries share several border crossings; however, it’s important to note that only specific border crossings are accessible to tourists and non-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) citizens.

Out of these options, three main crossings are worth considering, and the choice of which one to take will depend on your starting point and destination.

• Hatta – Al Wajajah border crossing: closest to Dubai and the most sensible and preferred choice if you’re short on time. Located approximately 140 kilometers from the center of Dubai, the journey to the border usually takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes. It’s important to note that attempting to use the border crossing at Al Madam, along the E44 road, is not recommended, as this crossing is exclusively open to citizens of GCC countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Opt for the E102 route , bypassing the small “spur” of Oman which sticks up into the UAE, before joining the E44 to cross the border at Hatta/Al Wajajah.
• Meyzad – Hafeet border crossing : Consider the Mezyad crossing for a more interesting journey, showcasing a different part of the UAE (Al Ain) before reaching Oman. This route is ideal for travelers heading to central/southern Oman, such as Nizwa or Jebel Shams, including Salalah. From Dubai, the Mezyad border crossing is approximately 160 kilometers via the E66, taking around 2 hours. It’s also a suitable option if you’re traveling from Abu Dhabi, with the same border formalities as driving from Dubai to Oman.
• Khatm Al Shiklah border crossing : Takes less time as the roads are free from traffic, but the primary distinction is that, unlike Mezyad, the UAE and Oman border posts are quite far apart. After being stamped out of the UAE, you’ll need to drive nearly 30 kilometers before reaching the Omani border post.
• UAE/Oman Dibba border crossing: The E99 route, passing through Fujairah, provides a connecting road for UAE residents to travel to the south of Musandam, to the areas of Dibba and Zaghi.

Stay up to date with the latest news.  Follow MyLoveUAE on WhatsApp Channels.

Leaving UAE & Exit Fees

Pay exit fee: The initial step of the exit process takes place on the UAE side, where you submit your passport to the designated official and pay a Dh35 exit fee . Card payments are usually accepted, though it’s a good idea to also carry cash. At this stage, you might be requested to provide proof of car ownership (called as  “ mulkiya “) and registration.

If you happen to be driving a vehicle that is not registered under your name, like a rental car, it’s essential to carry a letter of consent (No-Objection Certificate or NOC) from the car’s registered owner or rental company, along with their contact details. Although this might not always be requested, I highly recommend having it readily available to prevent any potential awkwardness during the border crossing.

Once you’ve paid your exit fee, you will be given a receipt.  Proceed to the next checkpoint and show this receipt.  They will then put an exit stamp on your passport.

Photographs and recording at the border point are not allowed, so keep your phone firmly in your car.

Entering Oman

Once you’ve completed the official exit from the UAE, you’ll only need to drive a short distance to reach the Oman border post.

Complete immigration form/show e-visa: If you already have your e-visa, join the appropriate vehicle lane and hand over your passport to the border official. If you don’t possess an Oman visa and is opting for visa on arrival, you’ll be directed to park your vehicle to apply for one. Here, you need to fill out an immigration form. The visit visa fee is 5 Omani rials per person (Dh47) and you can pay in the local currency or by credit card.

You also need to present your Oman car insurance here. If you do not possess motor insurance for Oman, there are insurance offices at the border post, where you can purchase temporary insurance for your vehicle, which is usually valid for the duration of your stay in Oman.

Once your visa process is completed, proceed to one of the occupied cabins where the Omani border police will inspect your documents. The border official will give you a piece of paper with an entry stamp for Oman. Make sure to hold this paper to give to the official in the next booth.

In the next checkpoint, you will undergo a full vehicle inspection. Ensure all car doors, including the boot, are opened for inspection. The officers are meticulous, so be prepared if they request to look inside any bags, luggage, or glove compartments.

On the road to Oman

As you venture deeper into Oman, a world of natural beauty unfolds. If you’re travelling in the Khareef season, you will also notice a rapid drop in temperature from 45°C to 25°C.

Should you break the journey with an overnight stay?

Deciding whether to split the journey with a night stay depends on your circumstances. Consider the following questions before making a decision:

• Can you drive continuously for the 12-hour journey to Oman (if you’re heading to Salalah)?
• Are you comfortable driving at night, considering some hours will be without daylight even if you start early?
• Do you have another driver with you who can take turns driving?
• Are all travelers adults? Keep in mind that kids might find a long trip uncomfortable.

Check out hotels here .

Things to note during the road trip

• Carry Omani rials as some of the fuel station and restaurants on the way do not accept AED or credit card.
• Preload Google Map for the trip – or buy Omani sim card for data or activate roaming data on UAE sim. Google map will be very helpful for your journey. 
• Speed limits in Oman  are usually 120km/h on highways, 80-90km/h on rural roads, and 40km/h in urban areas, unless otherwise shown. Oman has a 10kph buffer (unlike 20kph in most of the UAE).
• Be aware of any rain advisories issued.  Though rain is so rare in Oman, flash flooding is common when it does. Try to avoid heading into the mountains, entering wadis or driving off road.

For how long can you stay in Oman?

• 14 days – visa on arrival • 30 days – eVisa

Must go places in Oman

Wadi darbat.

Nature enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Wadi Darbat, a captivating valley that offers a plethora of activities for families. From paddle-boarding to picnics and hiking to powerboats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Ayn Athum, another must-see waterfall, is about a 20-minute scenic drive in the Dhofar mountains and can only be witnessed during the khareef season.

Al Mughsail Beach and Blowholes

Next on the list of top attractions is Al Mughsail Beach and Blowholes. This stunning location features a white sand beach that stretches up to the Marneef Cave, famous for its renowned Blowholes. Accessible through stairs from the cave, these natural fountains provide a mesmerizing sight. The water jets from the blowholes vary with the seasons and can reach heights of up to 28 meters during Khareef season.

Jabal Samhan

Jabal Samhan, the highest point in the Dhofar region, stands at over 4000 feet. The view from this vantage point is truly breathtaking, and if you’re fortunate, you may witness mountains passing beneath you. It’s an ideal spot for capturing mesmerizing timelapse videos and photographs, especially when clouds hover gracefully over the landscape.

Al Baleed Archaeological Park Salalah

Al Baleed Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site by the Arabian Sea. The park features an indoor museum – “The Museum of Frankincense Land,” displaying artifacts and Omani boat models from 3000 BC to present. Open until 8 pm with a nominal entry fee.

Bimmah Sinkhole Wadi Tiwi

Another popular destination to visit is the Bimmah Sinkhole at Wadi Tiwi located at Hawiyat Najm Park. It’s a limestone crater filled with crystal-clear turquoise water, and explore the breathtaking Wadi Tiwi valley with its emerald pools and ancient villages.

Island of Masirah

Couples traveling from Dubai to Muscat can delight in a visit to the tranquil island of Masirah. This remote and untouched gem in Oman is reachable via a ferry from Muscat. Accommodations on the island range from excellent hotels to luxurious Masirah beach camps, offering the perfect outdoor adventure.

Masirah is renowned for its turtle nests, providing a unique opportunity to witness tiny baby turtles hatch. Additionally, the surrounding waters are known for frequent blue whale sightings, making it a fantastic spot for diving enthusiasts to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

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Haffa Beach

Haffa Beach in Salalah is renowned for its coconut palms and is a popular coastal destination with golden sandy shores and clear blue waters. The beach provides a serene and relaxing atmosphere, making it perfect for families and travelers seeking tranquility. Visitors can indulge in swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing while witnessing picturesque sunset views.

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The 17th-century Nizwa Fort stands as one of Oman’s top attractions. Its massive circular tower offers stunning views of the mosque, souq, distant rocky mountains, and the surrounding date palms in this oasis city. The fort has been meticulously restored and houses a collection of historical items, including jewelry, tools, and a timeline of the region’s history.

Oman 14-day visa-free countries list

The countries are as follows:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• El Salvador
• Liechtenstein
• North Macedonia
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Turkmenistan
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vatican City

The exemption is subject to certain requirements including a prior and confirmed hotel booking, health insurance, and a return ticket.

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Dubai to Oman By Road – Everything to Know About Driving Across the Border!

On our most recent trip to Dubai, we decided it would be fun to rent a car and travel from Dubai to Oman by road.  We love a good road trip and figured what better way to see more of the two countries than driving from Dubai to Muscat and beyond?!  

If you’re wondering how to travel from Dubai to Oman by car, we’ve got you covered!  Below is everything you need to know from renting a car in the UAE, Oman border crossing requirements, and more. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase something after clicking one of these links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.  As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Traveling from Dubai to Oman by Car – What you need to know

Table of Contents

Oman borders the UAE to the east and is located only 140km from Dubai .  Catching a flight from Dubai to Muscat is very quick and easy, but if you have some extra time, driving from Dubai to Oman makes an excellent road trip!  Both countries have excellent roads and freeways and are easy to navigate.

By driving from Dubai to Oman, you get to see a varied range of landscapes, from the deserts to mountains to coastline.  You are also able to see more of Oman outside of Muscat without having to rely on tours.  Oman is not well-connected by public transport so being able to self-drive is best.

As foreigners to the region, the first step is to rent a car in the UAE .  Next, figure out which UAE – Oman border crossing to use.  Make sure you have all your required documents in order and then hit the road for a spectacular road trip!  We will guide you through all the processes below.

Dubai to Oman by Road – Can I take a rental car from the UAE to Oman?

Yes, you can, but not all rental car companies allow it .  Before renting a car in the UAE, inquire with the company first to ensure they allow their vehicles to be taken into Oman and can provide you with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) .

When crossing the UAE Oman border, you will be asked to show proof that you are allowed to take your UAE rental car to Oman.  This is where you’ll have to show your NOC letter you obtained from the rental company.

Dubai to Oman by Road – Renting a Car in Dubai

Since we were arriving in the UAE via the Dubai International Airport, we looked into the many car rental companies located at the airport.  We decided to go with Avis since they are a well-known global company and we’ve always had a good experience with them.  They also clearly stated on their website that they allow their rental cars to be taken to Oman and can provide a No Objection Certificate .

Permission to take UAE rental car to Oman

First, reserve the car directly on the Avis UAE website .   Avis’ terms and conditions state that in order to take the car out of the country to Oman you need to contact the Avis UAE Call Centre at least 72 hours in advance to put in your request .  This allows them time to put together your Oman Insurance and No Objection Certificate letter.

Once we had made our car rental booking, we e-mailed the Avis UAE Call Centre with our confirmation number and put in our request to take the car to Oman.  They emailed back requesting a copy of our passport and driver’s license so we emailed over scanned copies.  We didn’t receive any emails after this, but everything was all set and ready for us once we arrived at the airport to pick up the car.

Avis UAE Call Centre Email Address: [email protected]

Avis UAE Call Centre Phone Number: + 971 4 3307272

Oman Insurance

You are required to have additional insurance specifically for Oman when driving from Dubai to Oman.  Avis will add this onto your rental when you request to take your rental car to Oman. The additional fee will cover the cost of the insurance and documentation.

As of 2023, the fees are as follows:

Car Groups B, C, D, and E:

• 1-3 days: 450 AED (100 AED per additional day)
• 1 week: 750 AED (100 AED per additional day)
• 1 month: 1500 AED (100 AED per additional day)

Car Groups K, M, N and L:

• 1-3days: 650 AED (125 AED per additional day)
• 1 week: 1100 AED (125 AED per additional day)
• 1 month: 2000 AED (125 AED per additional day)

Upon picking up our rental car, we were given an envelope containing the Oman insurance.  The document was in Arabic and we had to show it at the UAE Oman border crossing and at police checkpoints throughout Oman.

No Objection Certificate

It is necessary to show a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the border crossing when traveling from Dubai to Oman by road.  Avis will prepare a signed letter confirming that you, the registered driver, are leasing a vehicle from them and that they have no objection to you traveling to Oman with this vehicle during your rental period.

This letter was printed on letterhead and included in the envelope of documents we received when picking up our car at the Dubai Airport.

Car Registration Card

You need to have the car’s registration card in the car at all times.  We were asked for this every time we were stopped.  The police would say “car card?” and we eventually figured out they were asking for the registration card.  Avis made sure we had the original and we kept it in the glove compartment box at all times.

Upon returning the car to Avis, we had to return this original document to them as well.

Dubai to Oman By Road Route Options

There are a number of different UAE-Oman border crossings, but not all are open to tourists/non-GCC residents.  When traveling from Dubai to Oman by road, you’ll want to focus on the following four border crossings, depending on where you’re headed.

• Khatm Al Shiklah

Hatta – Al Wajajah Border Crossing

The Hatta border crossing is the preferred choice for those driving from Dubai to Oman as it is the closest border post.  Located only about 140km from Dubai, the Hatta border post takes less than two hours to reach by car.

From the Hatta – Al Wajajah border it is another three hours to the capital city of Muscat.

This is the border crossing we took when driving from Dubai to Oman.  We left our hotel, the St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, at 8:45am and made it to the Hatta border at 10:35am.

The border crossing procedures took about half an hour , and then we continued on to Muscat, arriving at our hotel there by 2:20pm.

Mezyad – Hafeet Border Crossing

The Mezyad border crossing is located close to the “Garden City” of Al Ain.  It is a little bit further from Dubai, but is the ideal border crossing if you are headed to Nizwa, Jebel Shams or other places in central/south Oman .  This was the border crossing we took on the way back from Oman as we were coming from Jebel Akhdar back to Dubai.

If you are driving from Abu Dhabi to Oman , rather than from Dubai, then this will be the closer border crossing for you.  The Mezyad border post is located about 160km from Dubai and about 180km from Abu Dhabi.

Khatm Al Shiklah Border Crossing

This border crossing is also located close to Al Ain.  However, it is mostly used by trucks.  Since it is not a popular route for traveling from Dubai to Oman by car, it is often less busy and may be the ideal border crossing during busy travel periods.

Located about 160km from Dubai, it takes about the same amount of time to get to as the Mezyad border crossing, and not much longer than the Hatta border crossing.  While we did not take this route ourselves, we’ve read that it is less scenic than the Hatta route, although more direct if you are headed to Muscat.

Dibba Border Crossing

Last on the list is the Dibba border crossing as this is the one you will want to use only if you are headed to the beautiful Musandam region of Oman.  Musandam is located on the northern tip of the Arabian peninsula and is known for its fjords.

From Dubai, it is only about 146km to the Dibba border crossing and should only take you 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach.

We did not get to use this border crossing on our recent trip, but hope to next time!

UAE Oman Border Crossing Procedures

When driving from Dubai to Oman, you will need to:

• Exit the UAE and pay the exit fee
• Show your Visa for Oman/Obtain a Visa On Arrival
• Show your vehicle documents (vehicle registration card, Oman insurance, NOC)
• Proceed through vehicle inspection
• Exit through police checkpoint
• Enter Oman!

Exiting the UAE

Upon arrival at the UAE – Oman border, you will pull up to a window and hand over your passport.  You will be asked to pay the exit fee of 35 AED .  We were surprisingly given the option to pay by credit card, which we did.  However, it is good to have cash just in case.

Once you’ve paid your exit fee, you will be given a receipt.  Proceed to the next checkpoint and show this receipt.  They will then put an exit stamp in your passport.

Entering Oman By Road

After officially exiting the UAE, you will need to drive a short distance (about 850m) to the Oman border post.  Line up in the appropriate vehicle lane and hand over your passport to the border official.

If you do not already have an Oman visa, you will be directed to park at the building to the left to apply for one.  To save time, you can apply for an e-visa in advance online .

Dubai to Oman By Road Visa Process

We opted for an on-arrival visa rather than applying online in advance since we weren’t 100% sure on our travel dates ahead of time.  Therefore we had to park our car and enter the building to complete our visa paperwork.  It was actually a nice break to stretch our legs and use the toilet.  The building was very spacious and air-conditioned.

1. Complete immigration form/show e-visa

Once inside, you need to fill out the immigration form.  Make sure to bring a pen as there weren’t any provided.  Take your completed form and line up at the immigration desks.

2. Show vehicle registration and insurance

The border officials were very friendly!  They asked us where we were going in Oman and asked to see our vehicle registration and Oman insurance.  We ended up having to go run back to the car to grab this – make sure you bring it with you!  They didn’t ask to see our NOC letter, though.

3. Pay visa fee, if applicable

To our surprise, we were informed that we were entitled to a 21 day tourist visa at no cost!   That was a nice surprise for us as we were expecting to pay a fee from what we had previously read online.

I later looked it up and it turns out this is due to the “ Dubai/Oman Common Visa ” which “Allows a visit to Oman for a person who is on the list of eligible nationalities, and who has a current tourist visa which was used to enter the Emirate of Dubai, and now wishes to enter Oman directly from Dubai.”

Tip: You can go online ahead of time and figure out exactly which visa you are eligible for and the cost.  If you do have to pay a fee, make sure you have cash as the ATM in the building was not working.

4. Obtain entry stamp

The border official gave us a piece of paper with an entry stamp for Oman and stamped our visas into our passports.  Make sure to hold onto this paper as you will have to show it later!

2023 Update: The Oman government has announced that 103 countries are now eligible for visa-free entry for stays of 14 days or less.  Check the current list of countries on the Foreign Ministry website .

Dubai to Oman By Road Visitor Visa Cost

• 10 Day: 5 OMR
• 30 Day: 20 OMR

Dubai/Oman Common Visa Requirements

To be eligible for the free 21A Dubai/Oman Common Visa , you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Arrive in Oman from Dubai (at Hatta Al-Wajajah land crossing, or at Muscat airport, or at a seaport)
• Have 21 days validity on your Dubai visa remaining on entry to Oman
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months on entry to Oman
• Must be a citizen of one of the Dubai-Oman joint visa countries (sorry, I don’t have an up to date list)
• Must already hold a visit visa from Emirate of Dubai

There is no fee for this visa.

Dubai to Oman By Road Vehicle Inspection

After obtaining your visa and entry stamp, get back into your car and drive to the next checkpoint.  Here you will undergo a full vehicle inspection.  You must park the car and open up the trunk and all doors .  The officers will examine the entire vehicle.

We were asked to remove our luggage and go inside the building to place it through the scanners, just like in an airport.  The officers we encountered didn’t speak English and it was a bit difficult to understand their instructions.

Once they are satisfied with the vehicle inspection, they will stamp a piece of paper showing the inspection is clear.

After the vehicle inspection, make your way to the final police checkpoint.  All you need to do is hand them the piece of paper that shows you are all clear and you can make your way into Oman!

Check out our Oman Road Trip Itinerary !

FAQ and Tips

How long does it take to cross the uae – oman border.

The entire border crossing process took us only 30 minutes .  We arrived at the Hatta border at 10:30am on a Friday and were out of there by 11:00am!  This was quicker than we were expecting as we had previously been warned Fridays can get busy.

If you cross on a weekend or holiday, others have said the process can take up to 2 hours , so make sure to factor in extra time.

Will my cell phone work in Oman?

We used our Canadian SIM cards and they worked well in Oman while roaming.  Once we crossed the border, our phones automatically connected to an Omani carrier and we didn’t experience any issues with cell reception.

I had previously read that sometimes you can buy an Omani SIM card at the border, but we didn’t see anywhere to buy them when we were there.

Gas Stations

You won’t have any issue finding a gas station on either side of the border.  There were plenty in Dubai on the way to the border and there was a Shell gas station immediately after crossing into Oman.

Gas is thankfully very cheap in Oman.  Coming from Canada where gas prices are super high, we were quite pleased to see how cheap it was to fill up our 4×4 rental.  It was only 0.229 OMR per litre (equivalent to about $0.80 CAD/$0.60 USD!)

Gas stations are also a good place to stop for toilet breaks.

What’s it like driving in Oman?

Check our Driving in Oman post !

Driving to the UAE from Oman

Returning back to Dubai from Oman is quite similar to entering Oman from Dubai.  We ended up crossing via the Mezyad border on the way back since we were driving back from Jebel Akhdar.

Exiting Oman

It was a very quick process to exit Oman.  They just stamp your passport and give you a paper with an exit stamp.  You then drive further and give the piece of paper to the guard at the next checkpoint.

Entering UAE

Continue driving a few hundred feet further to enter the UAE.  This was a slower process.  It took us about 20 minutes at this step as we waited in a line up of cars.  Once at the window, they stamped our passport without asking any questions and gave us an exit paper.

Drive a bit further and undergo a car inspection .  Unlike in Oman, we did not have to get out of the car.  I believe it was a giant scanner that we drove through.

Once cleared, we drove to the final police checkpoint where we gave our exit paper.  There was no need to show our passports at this point.

Dubai to Oman by Road Route Map

Video: Dubai to Oman by Road

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17 comments

[…] trip to the Middle East.  After spending a couple of days in Dubai, we decided to rent a car and drive from Dubai to Oman.  We spent four days driving around Oman and it was incredible!  If you are contemplating an Oman […]

thanks for sharing this

Interesting blog! Road trips are always best compared to other ways of trips. Taking the road helps in enjoying the sites on the way and collecting loads of memories.

[…] begin their Oman road trip at Muscat International Airport.  However, it is also possible to drive from Dubai to Oman, which is what we did.  The Oman itinerary below is the exact itinerary we followed for our road […]

This useful reference is for people thinking about taking a road journey from Dubai to Oman. The information, advice, and suggestions provided on the website are invaluable for arranging a trip of a lifetime. A memorable and well-planned road journey from Dubai to Oman is guaranteed by its thorough coverage of crucial topics including border crossings, scenic roads, and cultural considerations.

Esta publicación de blog proporciona información detallada y consejos de viaje mientras lleva a los lectores a un viaje ficticio por carretera desde Dubái a Omán. El autor ofrece información útil sobre los cruces fronterizos, las condiciones de las carreteras y los procedimientos de obtención de visas, además de compartir experiencias personales y destacar lugares destacados a lo largo del viaje. La historia refleja el encanto y la emoción de este viaje por carretera, lo que la convierte en una lectura interesante para los turistas que quieren conducir por los Emiratos Árabes Unidos y Omán.

[…] two options for getting to Starry Domes Desert Camp: you can drive yourself, either from Muscat or Dubai/the UAE, or you can arrange a transfer from either Muscat or […]

Hey Ryan and Lousi, I just stumbled your website and read this article. Its just amazing. Lovely blog, great information, and beautiful pics!!. You explain every thing very well. Keep doing this.

Thanks for your comment – glad you enjoyed our post!

unfortunately, AVIS is not allowing oman travel with their cars. (we booked it but they are not allow it although it is still on their website) nevertheless, thank you for you info… bw robert

Oh, wow, that’s disappointing to hear! I wonder why they are no longer allowing it? Did you contact them ahead of time to request authorization, or did they just inform you when you showed up to pick up the car? Sorry to hear…

Dear Robert Do you know which renral company allows to rent a car from Dubai to go to Oman (in 2023) ? Thank a lot for your help

Just to inform readers, unfortunately in the last few months, ALL rental companies have stopped tourists from having NOC to travel to Oman from Dubai.You can’t cross the border in a car that isn’t yours unless you are a resident of the UAE at the moment. I will comment to update if this changes.

Thanks so much for the update. That’s definitely disappointing to hear! Hope this changes soon…

Kind regards, Louise

I’m having this problem top, and I’ve already got the itenerary done, the rooms paid and I found a company that “supposedly” says they allow the car to cross the border, it’s called Thrifty, but honestly I’m afraid of being scammed, because if all car rentals are prohibited from renting, why can this one?

To cross the Dibba border, you require a permit unless you’re a GCC citizen. You can get a permit from the hotel you’re staying at or from the tour company you’ve booked show cruise, etc from. This changed a few years ago. If I remember rightly, only GCC residents can get the permit but things change.

Thanks for your insight, Alison!

The Wandering Whites

• Family Travel

Dubai to Oman Road Trip

If you are living in the UAE a Dubai to Oman Road Trip should be on your bucket list. Dubai to Muscat is around 550km by road and takes about 5-6 hours including the border crossing. Read on to plan your 6-day Dubai to Oman road trip itinerary.

If you are looking to spend less time, maybe a 4-day itinerary on your Dubai to Oman road trip then you could cut a day in Muscat and the final stop in Jebel Akhdar. Jebel Akhdar is well worth a visit but could be done on a trip by itself where you can spend a few days.

If you are looking for some inspiration on which wadis to visit then check out our post on the 3 Best Wadis in Oman for all the information.

What visa do I need to go to Oman?

If you are a resident in the UAE you can now get an e-visa to Oman before leaving home. This will save time during the border crossing. All GCC residents qualify for an Oman GCC Residence e-Visa, you just need to apply in advance. Allow 3 days for the visa to come through to be on the safe side. You can apply on the Oman E-Visa website, just register first then apply for the visa.

I haven’t travelled to Oman since the e-visa has been put in place so I can’t advise first hand how straight forward it is. However, from reading information online and speaking to others who have done it, the process is pretty simple.

Apply for an online Oman e-visa here.

Day 1 – Dubai to Muscat (3 nights)

The first stop on a Dubai to Oman road trip would naturally be Muscat . Muscat can be reached in around 5 hours crossing at the Hatta border. Apply for an e-visa before travelling. Once across the border, expect 3-4 hours of long, straight roads with minimal petrol stations – fill up Hatta side!

Day 2 and 3 – What to do in Muscat

Muscat is the capital of Oman and offers an array of activities. Plenty to keep you busy for 3 nights, especially as the first night will be mainly taken up by the Dubai to Oman road trip.

Make sure to include a day on a boat trip dolphin spotting or over to Dimaniyat islands where you can go snorkelling with turtles. We had an amazing morning on Dimaniyat island, you can read our full review here. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is beautiful. Spend an evening in Mutrah at the Souq, Corniche and Fort. If you are a golfer then play at Al Mouj golf course , number 2 golf course in the Middle East.

Check out Get Your Guide for some great Muscat tours where you can see all the landmarks in one day.

Where to Stay in Muscat

Muscat has a plethora of hotels from simple hotels, mid-range, luxury up to super luxury. Here are some of our best picks:

Top Luxury Muscat Hotels

If you are looking for a true luxurious escape whilst in Muscat, check out the relatively new Jumeirah Muscat Bay . A stunning hotel from the Jumeirah group. There is also the renowned Chedi Muscat and The Ritz Al Bustan Palace for incredible 5* properties.

Luxury Muscat Hotel

We stayed at the gorgeous, luxurious 5 star beach resort at InterContinental Muscat for our most recent trip to Muscat. They have beautiful, sea-view family rooms, amazing facilities and lots of restaurants and bars to choose from. This is a licensed hotel as well so it was lovely to enjoy a cocktail at sunset.

Read our review of the InterContinental Hotel Muscat here.

Mid Range Hotel

We also spent two nights at the stunning 5* Grand Millennium Hotel Muscat. This hotel is perfect for large families with villas, apartments and interconnecting rooms. Rooftop pool, mall access and city centre location with affordable prices are things we loved about this hotel.

Read our review of the Grand Millennium Hotel Muscat here.

Budget Hotel

We have also stayed at the Ramada Encore Muscat Hotel which is a budget hotel without compromising on quality. Good sized family rooms with great Italian restaurant and rooftop pool in a city centre location with budget prices.

Check out our detailed post on how to spend a weekend in Muscat.

You could probably spend just 2 nights in Muscat if you have limited time. However, after the drive and long drives to follow we wanted to relax and slowly explore the city, enjoying the slower pace to Dubai.

Day 3 – Muscat to Ras Al Jinz (1 night)

Muscat to Ras Al Jinz will take 3 hours, direct, on your Dubai to Oman road trip. However, you will want to stop at some incredible wadis on the way.

Stop 1 – Bimmah Sinkhole

Have an early breakfast and get on the road quickly heading to your first stop at Bimmah Sinkhole. This is a popular stop so the earlier the better. It is about a 1.5 hour drive from Muscat.

Parking is outside what looks like a small children’s play area, don’t be put off! Walk through the park and you will come to the swimming hole. If you have swimming shoes, bring them. Watch out for the little fish nibbling your feet. Make this a short stop as Wadi Shab, the next stop is a longer stop with a hike.

Check out our post on everything you need to know about Bimmah Sinkhole

Stop 2 – Wadi Shab

Next stop on your Dubai to Oman road trip will be Wadi Shab , only another 25 minutes from Bimmah Sinkhole. As always, our advice is arrive early – parking is limited.

Make sure you have change when arriving in Wadi Shab as you will have to pay the boat man 1 Omani Rial to cross from the car park to the wadi (a 2minute journey).

Once across the wadi there is a 45min-1hour walk to reach the main Wadi Shab. It is pretty straightforward along a path with some climbing over large boulders.

The scenery we saw on our walk was amazing, beautiful blue/green water, tall cliffs and green spaces.

Read our post here for all the information about visiting Wadi Shab.

Turtles or no turtles?

From Wadi Shab it is another 2 hour drive to Ras Al Jinz. If you have previously experienced seeing turtles during other travelling experiences you could omit Ras Al Jinz from the trip. There is a Guest House in Wadi Shab which is well rated on booking.com. Alternatively, you could continue down to Sur which is 1.5 hours. The Sur Grand Hotel has a good booking.com rating. Staying here would break up the journey to Wadi Bani Khalid the next day.

Stop 3 – Ras Al Jinz (1 night)

The southern most point on our Dubai to Oman road trip.

Ras Al Jinz is famous for green turtle spotting who return year after year. Be aware that the prime time for turtles laying their eggs and hatching on the beach is July – October (the hottest months). If you visit outside of peak season you may not even see any turtles so plan this into your trip accordingly.

We went in April and were advised to go to the night viewing, we wanted to go to the sunrise session but were told not to because of the time of year. It was packed with bus loads of tourists and we were all waiting til around 10pm until a turtle was spotted. It’s about a 15minute walk in complete darkness across soft sand so would not be advisable for elderly or immobile people. You are asked to be silent and people were shushing our boys when they were whispering and asking questions. It might not be the best experience for kids under 5.

Seeing the turtle was a pretty memorable experience, the turtle was huge. However, we have been spoilt by seeing turtles hatch naturally in Sri Lanka and Thailand. So this felt like a bit of a tourist factory. Although, I have since heard that the sunrise viewing is magical. I think this would be a better option for young kids.

If you have experienced turtles hatching before then I would consider leaving out this part of the Dubai to Oman road trip.

Where to Stay in Ras Al Jinz

Ras Al Jinz Reserve Hotel rooms are quite pricey so we stayed in the basic Turtle Guest House within walking distance. We picked up a dominos pizza on the drive through Sur and kept it cheap and simple!

Day 4 – Ras al Jinz to Nizwa (1 night)

The road from Ras al Jinz to Nizwa is another long one at around 4 hours. We broke the journey up with a bit of a detour to Wadi Bani Khalid which took 2 hours.

Stop 1 – Wadi Bani Khalid

Wadi Bani Khalid was our favourite out of the wadis we visited on this trip. A very accessible, family-friendly wadi. Short walks, a little bit of scrambling over rocks and gorgeous, clear, blue water to swim in.

After Wadi Bani Khalid it is another 2 hours to get to Nizwa. Many people choose to go back to Muscat at this point but we think Nizwa should be included on your Dubai to Oman road trip.

Click here to read our detailed post for everything you need to know about Wadi Bani Khalid.

Day 4 – Nizwa

Nizwa was previously the capital of Oman, it is a town that still retains traditions and culture. It is a walled town containing souks, heritage hotels, small coffee shops and most famously, the fort. A perfect place to experience Omani hospitality and absorb yourself in their way of life.

Where to Stay in Nizwa

We stayed at the stunning Antique Inn , within the town walls. A true traditional Oman hotel with the bonus of a swimming pool to relax for a few hours before another drive the next day.

You can read more about our time in Nizwa in our post here.

Day 5 – Nizwa to Jebel Akhdar (1 night)

The shortest drive of the trip at only around 1 hour so make sure to spend some time chilling out in Nizwa before setting off. As you enter Jebel Akhdar there is a police check of insurance and driving licence. You will also need to be driving a 4×4 to pass the police check and enter the mountain.

Jebel Akhdar is a series of mountain peaks offering temperatures considerably cooler that Dubai. Making it an often sort after escape location during summer months. The scenery is wonderful, small villages, traditional ways of life and fresh air make it worth the drive during your Dubai to Oman road trip.

Where to Stay in Jebel Akhdar

If you are looking for a true traditional Oman hotel then consider staying at The Suwgra . Formerly known as Cliffside Hotel, it is an ancient village that has been transformed into a hotel. It has been built into the cliff and you will need to do a short 20minute hike down the wadi and back up the other side. Don’t worry your luggage will be taken over by zipline – check this out .

Read through our post with all the information on a traditional Oman hotel in Jebel Akhdar for further information. You can also check out our Instagram Reel with some highlights.

If this kind of adventure is not your thing there are some stunning hotels on Jebel Akhdar like The Anantara and Alila Jebel Akhdar which are worth splurging on.

Day 6 – Jebel Akhdar to Dubai

Expect this last drive to take around 6 hours including the border crossing through Al Ain. A long, straight road. Get the ipads charged, podcasts downloaded and fill up on snacks. We considered stopping for a night in Al Ain on the way back however decided we would just want to get home.

There are many lovely options in Al Ain like the Rotana or Radisson Blu . Al Ain is great part of the UAE to explore, you can drive up Jebel Hafeet and even stay at the Mercure Grand and include a trip to Al Ain Zoo.

Oman is wonderful country that we love and will continue to explore. Enter your email address to get our posts as we publish them to keep up to date with our adventures. You can also check out our Instagram @dubaiandbeyond_ for lots more pictures and videos on our Guides, Reels, Posts and Highlights.

If you enjoyed reading this post Dubai to Oman road trip then check out 7 Stunning Places in Oman or a weekend in Musandam . If you enjoy camping have a read of Hiking and Camping in Dibba, Oman . More outdoor adventures can be found on 10 day trips from Dubai . Everything you need to know about Dubai and the UAE is full of ideas or our Destinations Page has lots more worldwide family travel ideas.

Disclaimer:  This post  Dubai to Oman Road Trip,  has affiliate links  and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you .

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Dubai to Oman by road (2024) - Hopping countries and a road-trip!

Many believe europe is perfect for hopping countries but forget that the middle east and africa can be too, depending on visa requirements and distance. read on to know how to have a great road trip and visit 2 favorite destinations in the middle-east; dubai and oman and for details on how to get from dubai to oman by road..

You don’t need to choose to be a beach or mountain person in Oman. Desert, beach, mountains, fjords – there’s everything in Oman (quite similar to Morocco !)

Oman, known for its forts, wadis, beaches and magnificent Musandam fjords, is a popular road trip destination for Emiratis. For international travellers who visit the UAE, Oman is a must-visit for its history, natural beauty and peace.

Dubai to Oman distance by road is 545 km.

Muscat to Dubai distance by road is 452-472 km away from Dubai, depending on your route. Dubai to Muscat by car should take around 5 hours.

The Dubai to Muscat road trip can take 6-7 hours depending on the stops you take, traffic in Dubai and queues at the border crossings. Some travellers have reported spending an hour or more at the border due to long queues, but this is likely only during weekends or festivals.

Dubai to Oman by Road

Dubai to oman by car.

If you are travelling by car, there are three routes you can take –

i) Wadi Hatta Al Wajajah

Entering the country via the Hatta Border post is the most common route for tourists travelling from UAE to Oman by road.

Ensure not to drive to Al Madam to cross into Oman as this post is only open for GCC residents. Instead, take the E102 route to reach the Hatta Border – add the Dubai Custom as a stop in your navigation app between your destination to Oman to ensure you don’t take the wrong route.

The Hatta Border post is a kilometre away from the Dubai Custom.

ii) Meyzad – Hafeet border  

If you plan to start your Oman itinerary with Jebel Shams, Nizwa or other places in Central/South Oman, then take the route through E22 (from Abu Dhabi)/E66 from Dubai) to reach the Meyzad Border.

You’ll pass through Al-Ain, the garden city if you take this route. Take this route to travel from UAE to Oman by road if you start from Abu Dhabi, as this border is closer to Abu Dhabi.

iii) Khatm Al Shiklah border crossing

The border post is also close to Al-Ain. The difference between this crossing and the Meyzad one is that once you are stamped out of UAE, the Oman border post is about 30 km away. So this route can be confusing for those travelling for the first time from UAE to Oman by road.

This border post is less commonly used for travelling from Dubai to Oman by car. So there are shorter queues here if you travel during the weekend or before a festival.

All car companies will not allow taking the car from UAE to Oman by road. So double-check before renting and collect the car’s certificate and insurance before your trip.

You can rent cars through companies like Ejarcar, Once Click Drive or Dollar Rental. Better still, find your options from a comparison platform like Discovercars or Final rentals, get in touch with the operator and bargain to get a good deal.

Renting a car for getting around in Oman is a must, as the country is not well connected by public transport other than a few city areas. Rent a 4×4 for Oman only if you plan on off-roading.

Dubai to Oman by Bus

Except for Dubai, there is no direct bus from other cities in UAE to Oman. You’ll have to get to Dubai through bus/metro to take the MWASALAT/RTA or Al-Khanjry bus to get from UAE to Oman by road. Taking the metro/bus is more time consuming than taking a cab but less expensive.

In 2019, RTA, Dubai’s transport authority and MWASALAT, Oman’s transport authority, started a bus service between Dubai for creating a convenient option for passengers between the two countries. This coach that takes tourists from Dubai to Muscat by road runs three times a day.

The bus has a capacity of 50 passengers and is air-conditioned and WiFi-enabled. The bus will stop at Sohar, where passengers can use the washroom – there is no lavatory on board.

You have to book the tickets from the RTA stand near exit two at Abu Hail Station. There is no option available to book online. You cannot buy the ticket while boarding the bus, so purchase the ticket before the journey.

For travelling from Dubai to Muscat by road, you can take the bus from the following stops –

Abu Hail Bus Station – 7.30am/ 3.30pm/11pm

Airport Terminal 2 – 7.45am/ 3.45pm/ 11.15pm

Rashidiya Bus Station – 8am/4pm/11.30pm

The fare is AED 55 for a one way trip from Dubai to Muscat by road and 90 AED for a two-way trip.

The state-run buses to travel from Dubai to Muscat by road are temporarily unavailable due to Covid-19. You can book your tickets on a privately run bus by Al Khanjry . You cannot book tickets online; you will have to book the ticket from the Al Khanjry office near Dnata, Deira. They do not have a functioning website but respond quickly through their number available on Facebook.

A trip from Dubai to Muscat by road through the Al Khanjry bus will cost 10 AED. A round trip will cost 20 AED. If you’re in Oman, they can make a booking through online payment and send you a ticket over Whatsapp/email.

Crossing the border: Fee and document requirements

To travel from UAE to Oman by road, you need to apply for a tourist visa in advance. You can apply for an Oman E-visa and all it takes is a few minutes to make an application.

Check here to see which visa you need to enter Oman. Apply for the e-visa at least four days before your visit. Visa costs in the range of 5-50 OMR depending on the number of entries in the country and period of stay.

For entry through any of the land borders, you would need –

A copy/electronic copy of the visa

Passport with a minimum of six months of validity

Proof of ownership of the vehicle (Mulkiya/certificate). If it’s a rented/borrowed car, you must have a no-objection certificate from the rental company or person you have borrowed the car from

A valid driving license if you are driving

Insurance for the car in UAE and Oman (You can buy insurance from the rental company or a third party insurance provider)

At the UAE border, you’ll have to pay an exit fee of AED 35.

You can pay by card. There are ATMs at the crossings, but it’s good to carry cash.

Best time for travelling to Oman from UAE by road

October to May is suitable to travel from UAE to Oman by road. The humidity levels and temperatures vary, but as long as you skip the scorching hot months between June and August, the country has a warm climate and light showers that make it suitable for travel for most of the year.

December-February (winter) is an excellent time for a Dubai to Oman road trip as the temperature is pleasant in Oman – between 23 °C to 26 °C during the daytime and 13 °C to 17 °C at night.

Oman to Dubai by Road

Oman to dubai by car.

To get from Oman to Dubai by road, you can either drive or take the MWSALAT/Al-Khanjry bus from Muscat.

If travelling from Muscat, drive to the Hatta Border post to enter the UAE as this would be the shortest route. If you are travelling from Central or South Oman, the Meyzad Border or Khatm Al Shiklah border is better.

You can find car rental options through Discovercars.

You’ll need a valid visa and all the documents mentioned above under the ‘crossing the border’ section for travelling from Oman to UAE by road. GCC residents need not apply for a visa – they only need to present their passports at the border.

Residents of some countries are eligible for a visa on arrival. If you are eligible for neither, you can apply for a tourist visa here . If you are flying into the country, you can also get a visa through the UAE-based airline or even your tour agent.

Oman to Dubai by bus

MWASALAT runs three buses a day to Dubai. You can take a bus at 6:20 am/3:20 pm/11:20 pm from the Al Azaiba station. Buy tickets in advance from the Mwasalat – ONTC Office nearby.

The fare is around 6 OMR for a one way trip from Muscat to Dubai by road and 9.5 OMR for a two-way trip.

The MWSALAT buses are not functioning temporarily due to covid. You can travel by Al Khanjry , which runs two buses from Muscat to Dubai every day. Book tickets in advance from their office near Ruwi Bus Station.

For the Muscat-Dubai road trip, they are willing to provide tickets over WhatsApp/email. Contact them on the number available here .

Best time for travelling from Oman to Dubai by Road

Visit Dubai between November- March as the temperature ranges between moderate to slightly cold during peak winter in December. December-February is the peak season for Dubai, so book in advance if you plan on visiting during this period.

From June to August (summer), the daytime temperature crosses 40°C, which would be too hot and uncomfortable for sightseeing. Visiting Dubai in April- May and September-October is not ideal as well, since daytime temperatures are high – in the range of 34°C to 39°C.

Tips for travelling from UAE to Oman by road and Muscat to Dubai by road

Here are some tips for your road trip :

The Internet can be patchy when you’re away from the city. Ensure you have an offline map or GPS that can guide you.

Your luggage will be checked at the border. Do not carry alcohol, pork or any such prohibited items.

Adhere to speed limits and road rules while driving in Oman and UAE. There are heavy fines for flouting them.

Pay attention to taking the right exits on the Oman Highway. They are far apart, and if you miss one, you’ll have to drive for long until you reach another exit.

Carry cash so that you have to spend less time at the border crossing.

People tend to avoid the Middle-East as they assume it’ll be hectic and they won’t be able to see much which is far from the truth! Irrespective of the type of travel you opt for, both Dubai and Oman will leave you spellbound and asking for more!

Dubai to Oman by road – FAQs

Can UAE residents travel to Oman by road?

Yes, UAE citizens are allowed to travel to Oman by road. The visa policy of Oman permits 6 countries to enter Oman including UAE. So, when traveling from UAE to Oman by road, all you have to do is present your valid passport at any of the checkpoints and you are good to go. You can stay in Oman as long as your passport is valid.

But this rule is applicable only if you have UAE citizenship. If you are residing in the UAE and do not have citizenship, then you will have to apply for an Oman visa and complete all the procedures. In this case, the maximum stay duration is 28 days.

How can I travel from UAE to Oman by car?

The most common route to reach Oman from the UAE by car is via the Hatta border post. This is the nearest post from Dubai as well as Sharjah and will take you to Muscat.

You can start with Dubai-Hatta road E66, then go by Emirates Road E611. You can take the Sharjah- Kalba road E102 after that as it takes you to the Hatta border, Al Wajajah. After that, you can go via Route 1 which will take you to the coastal road leading to Muscat.

Can I enter Oman with a UAE visa?

You will have to apply for Oman GCC Residence e-Visa and you can do that online. Visa on arrival is also available for GCC residents.

You will need a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the day of your arrival in Oman, a digital photo, and in some cases, a residence permit. It is advisable to check the updated requirements while planning your USE-Oman trip.

Can I take my Dubai car to Oman?

Yes, you can take your Dubai car to Oman while traveling by road. If you are driving your own car, then it is necessary to carry proof of ownership along with valid insurance that covers you specifically while driving into Oman. You will also need an original mulkiya – registration card of the vehicle. Do not carry a photocopy as it is not considered valid.

If you are driving a rental car, then make sure you are allowed by the rental company to take that vehicle into Oman. Not all rentals are flexible and the rules also keep changing. So, it is necessary to confirm with the rental operator before renting a car.

Award-winning Analyst, multi-nominated digital content creator and photographer Lavina Dsouza's words capture stories about culture and tradition mainly through its food and people. She has written and contributed to publications such as The Washington Post, Lonely Planet and Matador Network, to name a few. She is the editor of UntraditionalHumans.com, a non-profit created to share inspiring stories from women of colour who break free from traditions and choose happiness.

She's also a speaker passionate about DEI and champions solo travel. She has collaborated with numerous renowned brands such as Intrepid Travel, TripAdvisor, Travel and Leisure and Adobe, to name a few.

She can be found on Twitter and Instagram.

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ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

Oman road trip: tips + itineraries (complete guide)

Last updated on November 1, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission ( more )

Let’s plan your Oman Road Trip so that you see all the beauty the Sultanate has to offer! Below is your step-by-step guide to start planning:

• when and where to go,
• renting the right car,
• creating your Oman itinerary,
• booking accommodations,
• what to wear,
• and getting ready to drive and travel. 

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Oman:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Oman: DiscoverCars

My favorite adventure from Muscat: Dolphin and Snorkeling

My favorite excursion from Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole

My favorite places to stay:

• Muscat , the capital – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: The Chedi
• Sur , for the turtles – see the best rated hotels
• Khasab , Musandam peninsula – see the best rated hotels
• Wahiba Sands , in the desert – see the best rated hotels or my favorite camp: Desert Nights Resort

STEP 0 – ESSENTIALS to Plan your Oman road trip and itinerary

If your don’t want to read the entire article with all my tips and recommendations, here are the essential ones to keep in mind:

• Ease of travel Many amazing landscapes are very easy to reach so don’t worry ! No stress, keep planning
• 4WD Don’t overestimate your 4WD capacity – if you plan on going off road, driving on sand is really an art But know that many amazing places don’t require a 4WD (more details about which car to choose later in the article)
• Renting a car I normally advise to rent the car after or before visiting the capital city but a car is also very useful in Muscat , since the town is spread out. The car rental offer is not yet very large, so, if you want your choice of car, book early – you can compare prices and deals on my favorite platform Discovercars.com
• Period Don’t travel during Summer months, it is  way too hot to get out during the day in North Oman
• The case of Musandam I don’t recommend crossing the UAE on land to get to Musandam from Muscat. The journey is quite a pain. Ferries or planes are better options.

STEP 1 – Decide when – best time to visit Oman

The weather year in the Sultanate of Oman can be cut into 2 main seasons. Oman has a reliable climate that is warm all year long.

Winter Conditions – October to April

• This is the touristic season as temperature get into the 20°C
• Temperatures are cooler and way more bearable than in Summer
• It can rain, mostly in January and February but those are short showers
• February and March are the busiest months – but considering the size of the land and the tourism level, you won’t feel overwhelmed like Paris in Summer…

Summer Conditions – May to September

• It is not recommended to travel to North Oman during that period. Temperature can be unbearable above 40°C. You can’t really visit the country during the day. All you could enjoy is shopping at night
• The only area you can travel to in that period is Salalah. Thanks to the monsoon the area is great and cooler. Even the locals travel there to enjoy some relief. But you have to love humidity…
• These conditions mean cheep hotel prices.

Best time to see turtles in Oman

• Close to the town of Sur (2hours from Muscat), is a reserve for turtles to nest safely ( see article )
• Turtles come nesting on the Omani beaches all year around. So you have chances to see them every morning and evening. Although during low season there can be days without sightings. This photo was taken in December
• You get the highest number of turtles in the reserves between August and October during breeding season. This is when you are more likely to spot babies hatching and making their way to the water

Other things to consider when choosing the best time to travel to Oman

• Oman is a muslim country. So do not forget to check the dates of the Ramadan during which you will not find restaurant or places to eat during the day outside of International Hotels
• The Muscat Festival is held in February with cultural and musical events
• In April, roses bloom in Jebel Al Akhdar, making the landscapes even more special

STEP 2 – Where to go in Oman – Map

Destinations in oman map.

Below is a Map of Oman to get you oriented and help you decide where to go.

Introduction to the Omani regions

Muscat is the capital city of Oman. It combines tradition and modernity. One fourth of the Omanis live in this city which is spread out in several area between bays and mountains.

Places to visit in Muscat include:

• Magnificent modern architecture with the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Royal Opera House
• Traditional markets and Souqs
• Forts and Palace (from the outside) and Museums
• Long sandy beach

For more ideas, check my  complete list of things to do in Muscat .

SUR + EAST COASTAL AREA

Landscape-wise, this is one of the most diverse areas in Oman. You can enjoy it all: sand dunes, beaches, mountains, forts and wadis… Easily accessed South of Muscat, if you only have a few days in the country this is  the number 1 region I suggest you visit.

Things to do on the Eastern coast include:

• The town of Sur and the nearby turtle reserve
• The high sand dunes of the Wahiba Sands Deserts
• The many stunning wadis such as Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid
• Masirah island

NIZWA + INLAND

Called Hinterland, the area around Nizwa offers dry land in the valley but plenty of traditions. This is where the Imman used to live and contest the authority of the Sultan.

Places to visit in the Hinterland include:

• Majestic forts such as Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin
• Ruins of old villages and Unesco listed Falaj irrigation systems
• The “green” mountainous area of Jebel Akdhar 
• Jebel Shams, the Arabian Grand Canyon

SOHAR + NORTHERN COAST

The coastal area North of Muscat is a narrow plain between the Al Hajar mountains and the sea. It is one of the most fertile areas in Oman. The region is also called Al Batinah.

Highlights in the Sohar region include:

• Beaches including some covered with shells 
• Fortifications including the famous Rustaq fort
• Fishing villages, farming area and palm tree plantations

MUSANDAM PENINSULA

The Musandam peninsula is probably the most famous land in the Sultanate of Oman. It is an area separated from mainland and close to Dubai, at the northern point of the Arab peninsula. This region is mountainous and surrounded by fjord-like khors with abrupt cliffs. 

Things to do in the Musandam Peninsula include:

• The main town Khasab and its fort
• 4WD adventure in the mountains with views of the bay, petroglyphs and old villages
• Dhow cruising (traditional boat), watching dolphins, snorkeling, and camping on one of the islands

SALALAH + DHOFAR

The Dhofar region is the South of Oman, close to the border with Yemen. It is home to the second largest city in Oman: Salalah. The Dhofar is quite different from the rest of the country as it is isolated in the South and subject to the monsoon in summer (June to September).

Things to do in Dhofar include:

• Desert adventure in the Empty Quarter desert
• Stunning beaches
• Mountainous areas and green gorges
• The famous Frankincense trees are grown here

Ad Wusta is an empty band in the middle of Oman. Most people only cross this area to get from the North to Salalah. On the west side is the grand desert of the Empty quarter. Highlights of Al Wusta include:

• Caves such as Al Raki
• The Arabian Oryx Reserve also known as the Wousta Wild Reserve

STEP 3 – How long to plan for your road trip around Oman 

The first criteria is, of course: How much travel time can you have… 

If you have no flexibility on how long you can travel in Oman, you can jump to the next step. If you have flexibility, here are a few driving distance to consider

• Muscat to Sur – 2h10
• Muscat to Nizwa – 1h35
• Muscat to Shannah port (for Masirah island) – 5h
• Muscat to Khasab flight time – 1h
• Muscat to Salalah – 10h drive without stopping or 1h30 by plane

From my experience and discussion with local tour guides, I think to really enjoy it you need at least:

• Muscat – 2 to 3 days (depending on your love for museums)
• East Coast and Sur – 3 to 5 days
• Nizwa and hinterland – 3 to 6 days
• Sohar and North Coast – 2 to 3 days
• Musandam Peninsula: 2 to 3 days
• Salalah and Dhofar region: 3 to 4 days

Of course it is always possible to dedicate a whole holiday to just one region. These are what I think a good number of days to grasp the areas and their variety.

STEP 4 – Book your flight

So now that you have chosen when to go,  where to go and for how long, you are ready to book your flight.

However, first, check the Visa requirement for your type of passport. Unless you are from a country that is part of the Gulf Cooperation council, there is at least a requirement for an eVisa. You can check your visa eligibility on the Royal Oman Police website here .

The international airport is near Muscat.  Domestic flights are run to Khasab in the Musandam peninsula and Salalah in the South.

Book your flight

Starting your Oman road trip in Dubai

I think it is easier to fly in Muscat and start the road trip from there. Flight lasts 1h. However if you want to go by car consider:

• Dubai to Mascate – 420km – 4h30 (when not stopping)
• Border crossing can be long
• Make sure your car rental allows you to also drive in Oman (with insurance coverage)

STEP 5 – Hire the right car

Now it is time to rent your car.

4WD car or normal car?

It depends on where you go. You need a 4WD if you want: 

• to go off road 
• to get to the mountains of Al Jabal Al Akhdar (but you can arrange to park at the entrance and have someone from the hotel pick you up – or to rent a 4WD or a day or 2 from the checkpoint)
• To get in  Wahiba Sands  (but you can also ask the camp to send someone to pick you up at the desert entrance)

Otherwise a 2WD car is sufficient. Even to get to Jebel Shams as it is paved almost all the way (still 7 km of dirt road towards the top but in good condition if it has not rained before). However note, that even if you rent a 4WD, the insurance conditions for most companies nowadays do not cover offroad driving… It gets complicated to be a little adventurous.  I am sorry I don’t have a solution for you here. This is your risk to evaluate.

Car rental in Oman

All the classic car rental companies are available in Oman. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when booking:

• R ENTAL COMPANIES –  When choosing the company, don’t just look at price but consider age of the fleet, included mileage, 24/7 customer service, servicing availability…Foreign driver’s license or international driving permit are accepted for up to three months
• INSURANCES – Check all types of insurance and decide on the level of risk you are ready to take. For peace of mind, I strongly recommend the Gravel Protection one.
• Get a GPS – there are many signs and not that many roads but some locations are not always on it. Plus inside Muscat it would allow you to focus on the traffic instead of the map.

Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com – one of the best customer-rated comparison sites! Choose the car and company you prefer and consider their full coverage option – I always take it for peace of mind!  Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

Need to rent a car in Oman?

• Compare prices on my favorite platform:   Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
• Consider their full coverage option – for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

Renting a car in the UAE – Oman road trip from Dubai

You can also add Oman to a trip to the Emirates. You can travel from Dubai to Oman by road. It is an easy drive but not the most fascinating, when it takes only 1h by plane.

If you have rented your car in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and want to take a side trip to Oman, first make sure the rental agency allows it. Then take the extended insurance to cover your time in Oman. Proof of insurance will be requested at the Omani border.  

But apart from that, you can drive straight through the border showing your passport at both borders. Plan 5 hours to get to Muscat from Dubai.

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets! Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

STEP 6 – Create your Oman itinerary – 5 days, 1 week, 10 days…

Good to know when planning a road trip itinerary in oman.

When planning your itinerary don’t forget to consider the following essentials:

• DRIVING TIMES – Always plan more time to go from point A to point B than what Google says. You will want to stop to admire the scenery, so if you plan too much you will feel frustrated not to be able to
• DAYLIGHT HOURS – You will always have 10 to 13 hours of daylight so you can cover a lot 
• ROAD CLOSURES – Most roads are in excellent conditions. However after heavy stormy rain, mountain roads can be damaged. Be sure to ask for advice
• ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS – If you are booking yourself and not through a local agent, it is easier to find accommodation in the main towns via websites like Booking
• OPENING DAYS – Friday is the day to rest. Some attractions are closed or close early

Suggestion – 5 day itinerary out of Muscat

If you have only a few days, the book might be too much for you (although the GPS coordinates are still useful). So here is a suggestion for a 5 day itinerary around North Oman out of Muscat, with a good variety of landscapes.

• DAY 1  Drive to Sur – Bimmah Sinkhole + walk/swim in Wadi Shab + explore Sur Night in Sur (see accommodation options ) or choose to stay at the Turtle reserve for priority access to morning tour
• DAY 2  Early morning to see the turtles Drive to Wadi Bani Khalid Drive to Wahiba Sands Night in a desert camp in the desert – for example the Desert Night camp or the Arabian Oryx Camp   (both in the Al Wasil wadi of the desert)
• DAY 3 Sunrise in the desert Drive to Nizwa Explore the fort and the Souq Night in Nizwa – see accommodation options
• DAY 4 Get in the mountain – choose between Jebel Al Akhdar or Jebel Shams Stay at a resort at the top of those mountains – See the accommodations in Jebel al Akhdar (Al’Ayn) or the accommodation in Jebel Shams
• DAY 5 Drive towards the coast Visit the Rustaq fort Enjoy some beach time at Sawadi beach and collect shells Drive back to MuscatNight in Muscat – see accommodation options

Tool to plan your Oman road trip Itinerary 1 week, 10 days and more

If you are lucky enough to have more time, there is a wide choice of activities and places to see: mountains, coasts, wadis, desert, forts… I don’t know which one you prefer. So here are my tools to help you plan you own perfect itinerary:

• Go through my 40+ articles on Oman
• Get my eBook with practical maps and structured information that have been designed to simplify road trip planning:

Plan your dream trip in Oman thanks to my guide

• 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
• 190+ pre-selected locations
• Tips to make the most of your time
• GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
• 100+ original photos to help you choose

STEP 7 – Book accommodations

About the accommodations in oman .

The options are as usual: camping, minivan/motorhome, hostels, guesthouses, hotels

A few points to keep in mind:

• During peak season, accommodations in desert camps and Turtle reserve fill up quickly so book in adcance
• Some rooms in Guesthouses have share bathrooms – I have seen many reviews by people who were surprised. So when you book, check the details!
• Camping is also a great option to save money, stay closer to nature. But know that it is cold at night in the mountains, so be mindful of how you are willing to travel. There are not camping ground in Oman at the moment but wild camping is allowed almost anywhere! Check out my Wild Camping in Oman article for more information and advice.
• You can find some Airbnb accommodations in the main cities. However the offer is not well developed.

Practical hubs to stay around Oman:

• CAPITAL – Muscat of course with lots of things to do See accommodations in Muscat
• INLAND – Nizwa is a great place to stay, centrally located See accommodations in Nizwa
• EAST COAST –  Sur is a beautiful town, more laid back than Muscat and with traditional boats ​ See accommodations in Sur
• MUSANDAM –  Accommodations are mostly in Khasab and on the coast near Khasab See options
• SOUTH –  Salalah is very centrally located to explore the region ​ See accommodation options
• TRADITIONAL VILLAGE –  A great place to spend the night away from the busy city is the stunning traditional village of Misfat al Abryeen and the Misfah old House
• DESERT – To stay in the desert, I have seen both camp in the Al Wasil wadi: Desert Night camp and  Arabian Oryx Camp
• MOUNTAINS – It is also nice to spend the day up in the mountains to enjoy sunrise and sunset there – See the accommodations in Jebel al Akhdar  (Al’Ayn) or  the accommodation in Jebel Shams
• However you can of course find accommodations in between.

Where to stay in Oman?

My favorites on a road trip:

• Muscat –  capital city –   see best rated accommodations
• Nizwa  – to explore the forts and hinterlands –  see best rated accommodations
• Sur –  for the turtles, beaches, wadis… –  see best rated accommodations
• Wahiba Sands  – for the experience of sleeping in the desert –  see best rated accommodations
• Salalah  – to explore the Southern lands –  see best rated accommodations
• Khasab  – to explore the Musandam Peninsula –  see best rated accommodations

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Now all is bookedIt is time to get Ready for this Omani Road Trip

STEP 8 – Get all the equipment you need – What to wear in Oman

Basis – what to wear in oman – dress code women and men.

• This is a Muslim country so you should be respectful and over shoulders and knees. No need for women to cover their hair though (except in Mosques). 
• It gets very hot near the coast and in the desert: long sleeve, trousers and hat are great to protect yourself from the sun – choose light fabrics
• During Winter nights in the mountains are freezing, you will need layers especially if camping

Oman Packing list – Essentials

• Hiking pants
• Comfortable shoes for the hiking
• Hat / something to protect your head (I love my Buff “head-sock” to protect myself from the sun and hold my hair)
• Sun glasses
• Tops covering the shoulders and some long sleeve T-shirt (white is great against the sun)
• Scarf to visit the Mosque (although you can normally buy/rent something there)
• Formal Dress if you plan on watching a show at the Royal Opera House
• Swim wear – Western style for International hotel pools – add a t-shirt and knee-length leggins or a swimwear covering more for public beaches and wadis (although touristic wadis tolerate western style)
• Gloves/hat and jumper for nights in the mountains

For all general packing lists, head to  my checklist article if you don’t want to forget anything.

And keep track of your own trip!

STEP 9 – Get ready to drive in Oman

Below is a video to give you an idea of what driving in Oman looks like:

Driving rules

• Driving is on the right side of the road
• Speed limits are enforced. There are many radars plus cars start beeping over 120 km/h. Speed limits are clearly indicated. However you will always have locals overtaking you at high speed. Just let them go and enjoy the scenery.
• Be respectful in any case, to not make any gesture even if the other driver is behaving dangerously
• Do not drink – Zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol
• Do not use your cell phone while driving – on-the-spot fines apply (but like everywhere people still do it…)

Roads and Traffic signs in Oman

• Roads are modern and in really good conditions between main cities
• Streets are paved and in reasonably good conditions in cities
• Signs are also in Latin alphabet

• Animals – In small town and in single lane roads and even sometimes on bigger road you can have camel or goats crossing unexpectedly. So keep focussed!
• Wadi crossing – You will often see red signs. This is were the road is over a wadi or dry river bed. Most of the time there is no problem, but in case of heavy rain, use the red pole to evaluate the depth of water.
• Straight lines – The main danger and cause for the high number of fatalities in Oman are the straight road. Especially if your drive South to the desert. Make sure you plan plenty of stops and always have water and food in the car.

Check out my full article on Driving in Oman

STEP 10 – Fill your GPS with the coordinates

What I hate the most when traveling is wasting time. Turning around to find a place, missing an exit. Sometimes it leads to adventure, but most of the time it just leads to frustration.

This is why I don’t rent a GPS with the car. I have my own Tom Tom. This way I can use the MyDrive system on my computer to add all the hotel GPS coordinates as well as the carpark coordinates for all the attractions I would like to see.

This way I just pick the favorite and follow the directions!!!

NOTE – All the locations in my eBooks include the GPS coordinates of the nearest carpark, exactly for that reason.

Get it on Amazon

STEP 11 – Get ready to travel in Oman

Communication.

Most people in Oman, especially in the tourism industry, speak English. But of course like in any country, it is always appreciated when you try a few words in their language

• Peace be onto you – As-salamu’alakum
• Answer to above – Wa’alaykum as-salam
• Alternative to the above – Salam
• Welcome – Marhaban
• Please – Raja’an
• Thank you (very much) – Shokran (jazeelan)
• Excuse me (to ask for) – Min fadlik
• Excuse me (to pass by) – Alma’derah!
• I am sorry – A’tadhir

Currency in Oman

The currency in Oman is the Omani real. 

What is different:

•  Their equivalent to ‘cents’ are Baisa and they are counted in 100 – For example a price can be 2.250 i.e. 2 rials and 250 baisas.
• Also the bill for 500 baisas is not written as such, it is written 1/2 Half Rial

• Tipping is not customary. You can tip after an excellent service.
• As in most countries, tour guides are different and would expect tips if you have not booked directly with them

Food in Oman – what to expect

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by the food in Oman. From what I have seen it is a mix of influence from other countries: chinese, indian, turkish…

You always get a salad with cucumber / tomatoes / carrots. A lot of the simpler restaurants served their version of fast food with noddles, sandwiches… And they often served frozen vegetables. I guess they cannot grow much so this is a problem to get fresh vegetables…

The best food was fish, fresh out of the water.

• Most shops offer fruit juice mixes, sometimes with ice. 
• Sodas are also plentyful. 
• For alcohol you need to go inside and international hotel or get a license in Muscat which authorize you to buy alcohol.
• Currency – The currency in Oman is the Omani real. Their equivalent to ‘cents’ are Baisa and they are counted in 100 – For example a price can be 2.250 i.e. 2 rials and 250 baisas.
• Wifi – The resorts all had wifi. However sometimes only in the common area. Isolated guesthouses may have wifi but it would be restricted to certain hours.
• Plugs: Oman plugs are a type G 200V (whatever you read on other sites, I have only seen G plugs).
• Tipping is not customary. You can tip after an excellent service. As in most coutnries, tour guides are different and would expect tips if you have not booked directly with them
• No special vaccine required

Want to see more of Oman?

• Best Things to do in Oman – read article
• Best of photos from Oman – Landscapes – read article
• Best Oman days trips from Muscat –  read article
• Where to stay in Oman – read article
• Best Things to do in Muscat – read article
• The impressive Wadi Shab – read article
• The Bimmah Sinkhole – read article
• The desert of Wahiba Sands – read article
• The Ras Al Jinz turtle reserves – read article

Planning a trip to Oman?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Want to see more of OMAN?

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Renting a car in Oman: 36 tips

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September 5, 2019 at 2:22 PM

Thank you for sharing the tips about food, currency and many things to visit Oman

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Wander-Lush

Oman Road Trip: The Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary (No 4WD Required)

Written in 2016 and updated for 2023, my epic 10 days in Oman itinerary shows you how to plan the perfect Oman road trip .

It covers where to go in Oman , the best things to do in Oman, distances and drive times, accommodation with parking, plus handy driving tips and an interactive map .

Nothing beats a good road trip, and Oman has to be one of the best countries in the Middle East (and the world, for that matter) for independent driving.

The roads are well-maintained, fuel is affordable, and there’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do along the way.

Essential reading: 12 tips that will save you money in Oman .

I’ve been singing the country’s praises ever since we did our own Oman roadtrip. When researching, I came up with the perfect Oman travel itinerary for seeing Oman in 10 days.

Since I’ve been on an Oman binge lately, working on some content for my freelance work, I thought it was about time I updated this Oman travel blog. I hope you find it useful for planning your own Oman self drive tour!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Also check out my best Oman photos to inspire your journey !

Oman 10 day itinerary: Oman road trip route overview

• Days on the road: 10 (including 2 days in Muscat at the start & 1 day at the end)
• Distance covered: Approx. 860km (534 miles)
• Our Oman roadtrip route: Muscat — Sur (via Bimmah Sink Hole & Wadi Shab) & Raz Al Jinz — Bidiyah (via Wadi Bani Khalid) & Sharqiya Sands desert — Misfat Al Abriyeen — Nizwa — Muscat

Since it was our first time visiting Oman (and our first time in the Middle East), we wanted to cover as much ground on our road trip as possible.

Following the classic Oman loop route that starts and ends in Muscat, the capital, we covered all the major points of interest in the northeast of the country.

We were generally happy with our route and the amount of time we spent in each place. If we had a chance to do it all over again, we would consider shaving off a day in Nizwa.

If you’re really limited for time, you could plausibly reduce your time in Muscat by one day as well, taking this down a notch from a 10-day road trip to an 8-day road trip.

If you have more than 10 days, I’ve included a range of optional add ons and detours at the end of the post. You can easily add on a few more stops to make this an ideal itinerary for 2 weeks in Oman.

Oman road trip route map

Best time to visit Oman

Oman is a seasonal destination, with scalding hot summers and milder winters. We travelled to Oman in early September. It was still quite hot, but it was much less crowded than during high season and temperatures were bearable.

The best time to visit Oman is between September and April . Having your own car to get around Muscat and beyond is especially essential in the warmer months.

Renting a car in Oman

When searching for a rental car in the Oman, I highly recommend using Discover Cars . The comparison website allows you to easily browse and compare different cars from a variety of international and local agents.

Discover Cars lets you filter by the exact features you need (for example, transmission type), and offers a full break-down of price and date options so you can find the best value for money. We found an amazing deal on a hire car which gave us more budget to spend on fun stuff (like a night at a luxury desert camp!).

Visit Discover Cars and plug in your dates to see what’s available .

Where to stay in Oman

Here is a quick list of my top recommended Oman accommodations for each city visited on this road trip itinerary.

• Muscat: Levatio Hotel – Plush suites and an outdoor pool close to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
• Sur: Sur Hotel – retro rooms with friendly staff and a central location that’s walking distance to restaurants.
• Ras Al Jinz: Sama Ras Al Jinz – glamping-style cabins close to the beach.
• Wahiba Sands: Desert Nights Camp – luxury tents and the most incredible buffet dinner nestled in the dunes.
• Misfat Al Abriyeen: Misfat Old House – a family owned guesthouse inside one of the village’s heritage mud homes.
• Nizwa: Nizwa Heritage Inn – a splendid little boutique hotel with mud architecture, terrace cloisters, and Omani rugs sprawled over every floor.

Top Oman experiences

• Touring the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest religious building in Oman
• Taking a sunset cruise in Muscat on a traditional wooden dhow boat
• Snorkelling and dolphin watching in the pristine Daymaniyat Islands on a day trip from Muscat
• Jumping into the iconic Bimmah Sink Hole
• Shopping for Omani souvenirs at Nizwa Souq and Muttrah Souq
• Cooling off at Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid , Oman’s desert oases
• Exploring the back alleys of a mountain mud village
• Spending a night under the stars at a luxury desert camp

Oman road trip itinerary: Day by day

This day-by-day breakdown of our 10 day Oman road trip covers distances and drive times, activity and accommodation recommendations, and suggested places to stop along the way.

Days 1-2: Muscat

We flew into Muscat’s Seeb International Airport late at night (this was back when AirAsia was trialing a short-lived Bangkok-to-Muscat route), and picked up our pre-booked hire car . Before we left the airport, we bought a local sim card from one of the kiosks in the arrivals lounge.

There’s no guarantee your rental car will come with GPS, so I highly recommend buying a sim card (we used Google Maps throughout our road trip in Oman, and it never let us down). Real-time navigation assistance will make your life a whole lot easier, especially when you’re driving on Muscat’s highways.

The airport in Muscat is small and relatively quiet (especially at night), so we had no trouble getting out of the car park and straight onto the highway. We were living in Phnom Penh at the time, so I hadn’t been behind the wheel in almost a year. Thus there were a few nail-biting moments as we made our way to our accommodation that night.

I can still picture the highway that night – our first look at Oman – infinitely long and lined with palm trees, with the silvery Gulf of Oman just visible to our left window. We made it to our Airbnb unscathed, although we did manage to lose a hubcap!

Where to stay in Muscat

If, like us, you’re arriving in Muscat after dark – or even if you just want to ease into driving in Oman – then I highly recommend spending your first night in Oman in downtown Muscat. Muttrah is a charming suburb and a great place to base your stay, but it’s a full 31km drive from the airport along a rather confusing matrix of overpasses and highways.

By contrast, it’s a straight shot, only around 12km, to the area near Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. We chose a great little Airbnb rental hosted by the delightful Ali for our first two nights.

When we came back to Muscat at the end of our trip, we stayed at Mutrah Hotel , which we chose because of its proximity to the city’s biggest marketplace, Muttrah Souk. It’s basic but comfortable, with free parking on-site. Best of all, it’s walking distance to the market and corniche.

If you’re going to Oman to celebrate a special occasion or you just prefer a more luxurious kind of travel, Muscat has some amazing beach side resorts. Located right on the Gulf coast, The Chedi Muscat is a cut above the rest. W Muscat is slightly more economical but no less opulent.

If mid-range is more your style, try Levatio Hotel . And if you’re visiting Oman for a limited amount of time on a layover, I recommend Sundus Rotana near the airport.

Things to do in Muscat

I recommend spending at least two full days in Muscat in order to get a good overview of the city. Having a car in Muscat is priceless: The city is very spread out with minimum public transport options. During the day when it’s hot, the last thing you want to be doing is walking around or trying to hail taxis.

If you haven’t yet picked up your rental car or you prefer to explore Muscat with a guide, there are a couple of Muscat tours that I can recommend. This half-day tour takes in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, several forts, and my favourite museum, Bait Al Zubair. For those with limited time, it follows an ideal Muscat itinerary.

Muscat comes to life once the sun goes down. Head to Muttrah Souq at sunset when the marketplace is bustling with shoppers and stallholders.

End your day in Muscat with either a low-key sunset experience on the beach or a sunset dhow cruise , one of the most atmospheric things you can do in Oman.

Side trip to the Ad Daymaniyat Islands

Since Oman is so compact and well-connected with highways, you could technically do most of the stops on this road trip itinerary as day trips from Muscat .

Another day trip option close to the city is the Ad Daymaniyat Islands. Ali, our Airbnb host, recommended it as a prime spot for snorkelling and dolphin watching. The Daymaniyats are a set of nine pristine islands, protected by their Nature Reserve status, located roughly 20km off the coast of Barka, which is just up the road from Muscat. A few operators run full and half-day boat trips to the islands from the nearby city of Seeb.

A special permit is required to enter the islands for a day (overnight camping permits are also available). For this reason, it’s best to organise your visit through a tour company that will handle all the logistics for you.

This Ad Daymaniyat snorkelling cruise from Muscat comes recommended by other travellers, and this alternative day tour combines snorkelling and dolphin watching.

Day 3: Muscat to Sur

• Distance covered: 200km
• Total drive time: Approx. 2 hours
• Suggested stops: Bimmah Sink Hole, Wadi Shab

So begins the road trip portion of this itinerary!

We were so psyched for our first full day of driving in Oman, we woke up as the first call to prayer rang out over Muscat. After stocking up on road trip essentials at the nearest supermarket, we hit the road.

The highway connecting Muscat with Sur, a major port city, is smooth and easy to navigate. The two pit stops we made on day three were among the best of our whole trip. In the late afternoon, we pulled into quiet, salt sprayed, white-and-cream-coloured Sur, a wonderful contrast to Muscat.

Bimmah Sinkhole

Our first road stop was the Bimmah Sinkhole (known locally as Hawaiyat Najm ). It’s located just off the highway at about the halfway point between Muscat and Sur, 125km (one hour and 20 minutes’ drive) from Muscat.

The sinkhole is enclosed within a park (with picnic areas, toilets and change room facilities), and the front gate doesn’t open until 9am. We were too early, so we waited in the carpark before a guard let us in as the first guests of the day.

Local legend says that the 20-metre Bimmah Sinkhole was formed by a meteorite. We had the turquoise pool all to ourselves for about 20 minutes before groups of Omani teenagers started arriving to bomb dive off the limestone lip.

After Bimmah, we drove for another 30km (about 20 minutes) to Wadi Shab. The entrance to the wadi is located just north of the town of Tiwi: We plugged ‘ Wadi Shab parking ‘ into Google Maps and it led us to the right spot.

We arrived at an underpass where we parked the car and locked our valuables in the boot. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, make sure you bring a waterproof bag with you to transport your belongings into the wadi.

From the underpass we boarded a small local boat which took us to the mouth of the wadi. From there, we trekked for 20 or 30 minutes until we reached a spot that looked suitable for swimming.

We followed our noses, squeezing between boulders, until we were inside a large submerged cave. The pool was deep. It was terrifying, but a lot of fun. Once we were satisfied we dried off on our walk back to the boat.

From Wadi Shab, it was another 78km (approximately one hour’s drive) to reach our accommodation in Sur.

Where to stay in Sur

There are a few accommodation options to choose from in Sur. We stayed at the humble but clean Sur Hotel , which is on the peninsular walking distance from the beach and a few decent restaurants. The rooms here are retro and staff are very friendly.

Sur Grand Hotel is a motel-style place with funky carpets. It has a huge outdoor pool, and is located right on the beach north of town.

Day 4: Sur & Ras Al Jinz

We were early to bed on day three, so day four was our first day for exploring Sur. Once the seat of Oman’s colossal maritime power (the Omani Empire extended all the way to Mozambique, Iran and Pakistan in the 19th century), Sur is rumoured to be the spiritual home of Sindbad the Sailor.

It’s a peaceful, very handsome little coastal town.

Things to do in Sur

We had a pretty chilled day in Sur, watching the sun rise over the beach before talking a walk through the city’s quiet neighbourhoods. The architecture and the morning light in Sur are both pretty fantastic, so you should definitely make time to walk the streets, especially if you enjoy taking photos.

We popped down to the waterfront to watch workers making wooden dhow boats. Sur is home to Oman’s only surviving shipyard, and dhow boats are a big deal here.

I also recommend climbing up the Al Ayjah Watchtower for an unreal view of the dhows and Sur’s white houses.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is a must-visit in Oman. Located at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula – about 45 minutes’ drive from Sur – the beaches around Ras Al Jinz are one of the only places on earth where endangered green sea turtles are known to nest 365 nights a year.

For obvious reasons, the area is strictly protected, and you can only access the beach as part of a guided torch-lit tour. Groups depart nightly at 9pm from the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve guest centre and tickets cost 8 OMR (around 21 USD). It’s advisable to book in advance (you can reserve a spot via the website linked above or through your hotel in Sur). Dawn viewings depart the centre at 5am.

We got lucky and saw hoards of hatchlings racing towards the ocean on our evening tour. At the same time, we also witnessed two gigantic turtles nesting on the beach. It was really something.

After the tour, you can either spend the night near the beach ( Sama Ras Al Jinz has gorgeous glamping -style cabins) or drive back to your hotel in Sur like we did.

The entire Muscat to Sur coastal road is epic, but it’s particularly dramatic between Sur and Ras. I highly recommend leaving Sur early, while the sun is still shining, so you can get a look at the views.

We ate dinner before our turtle tour in one of the roadside restaurants just before the Turtle Reserve. The drive back to Sur was a touch less pleasurable – there aren’t many (any) streetlights, so take extra care.

For more information about Ras Al Jinz and some great photos of the turtles in action, take a look at this post from Travel Tramp .

Day 5: Sharqiya Sands (Wahbia Sands)

• Distance covered: 174km
• Total drive time: Approx. 2.5 hours
• Suggested stops: Wadi Bani Khalid

Leaving Sur, we headed inland towards the Sharqiya Sands (Wahiba Sands), Oman’s vast desert and the edge of the Arabian ‘Empty Quarter’.

On the way, we stopped at Wadi Bani Khalid, another spectacular oasis in the middle of Oman’s desiccated interior.

Wadi Bani Khalid

There are at least two different points where you can enter this massive wadi, which runs the length of the Jebel Khadar mountain range. We set our sights on the ‘ Wadi Bani Khalid Parking Area ‘ just off Highway 23, about 130km from Sur.

The walking path up to the wadi is well-signposted. On the day we were there (a Thursday), there were dozens of families and groups making their way in for a dip. There are man-made swimming pools at the start of the wadi, but it’s advisable to continue walking further up until you get to the more isolated ravines.

This wadi is like an all-natural waterpark, complete with boulder sliperty slides, swimming concourses and submerged caves to explore.

We were relaxing under the shade of an overhanging rock when a group of five or six young Omani men appeared. Completely uninhibited, they took of their embroidered skullcaps and threw off their long, white dishdasha robes.

Now in their undergarments (more long white robes), they draped their gear carefully over some nearby rocks before jumping the water. They were eager to chat to us and the few who could speak a little bit of English asked us all kinds of questions. At one point they borrowed my camera to snap photos of each other.

This experience was kind of mind blowing. They were more than happy to strip off in front of us and had no qualms about getting close to me, even touching my arms and shoulders in a totally innocent way. They asked us if we wanted to eat, so we excitedly followed them out of the wadi and trailed their car to the nearest town.

We thought we would be eating together, but no, they just led us to the first decent restaurant and dropped us at the front door. When we had finished eating our m aqbous and went to pay the bill, the restaurant owner informed us that the young men had already paid for us! They were incredibly kind.

Desert Nights Camp

After Wadi Bani Khalid and our very moving lunch experience, we drove another 40 minutes to the town of Bidiyah at the edge of the Sharqiya Sands.

We had instructions from our accommodation, the Desert Nights Camp , to park our car at a particular petrol station. From there, a 4WD picked us up and drove us the short distance into the desert.

We settled into our luxury tent before joining a complimentary trip to the top of some sand dunes for sunset.

Running through the sand with wild abandon (and let’s face it, making total fools of ourselves) was an unforgettable experience and another highlight of our time in Oman.

After a magnificent buffet breakfast the next morning, we were driven back to Bidiyah to collect our car.

An unplanned detour…

I had been admiring some woven textiles hanging in the main tent at the desert camp when a staff member suggested we try to visit the local market in nearby Al Mintarib. We drove around for a while, but we couldn’t find any trace of a market (turns out it’s only open on Tuesdays).

Eventually we stopped to ask a group of men for directions. That’s when a middle-aged Omani man decided to jump in the back of our car and take us for an impromptu tour of the town.

We stopped at a fish market, where we saw an old Bedouin woman wearing a batoola . We drove to a house (His cousin’s? Or maybe his uncle’s?) and sat on mattresses on the floor drinking coffee and eating dates with his extended family.

Slightly confused but very touched by the man’s kindness, we eventually had to split and so dropped him back in Al Mintarib before continuing along the highway and into the mountains.

Chance encounters like this are why I always recommend travellers to Oman leave some flexibility in their itinerary. You never know who you might meet or what might happen!

Day 6: Al Hajar mountains & Misfat Al Abriyeen

• Distance covered: 230km
• Total drive time: Approx. 3 hours
• Suggested stops: Ibra, Wadi Ghul, Al Hamra villages

This was our longest day of driving. There are plenty of places to stop off along the way (including Ibra, Nizwa, Bahla and the villages around Al Hamra), but in the end we decided to drive straight to Misfat Al Abriyeen to maximise our time in the village.

We’d seen rocky peaks on the horizon since day one of our Oman road trip, so it was a very cool feeling to finally hit the Hajar mountains and start getting vertical (all on bitumen roads, of course). There are plenty of places to pull over on the way up for photos of Al Hamra’s precarious villages.

Set in the Al Hajar mountains, roughly 1,000m above sea level, Misfat is an ancient, idyllic little community that has been prepped in recent years to receive tourists.

The village’s characteristic mud houses are built atop massive rocks, which gives the village the appearance of blending seamlessly into the mountainside.

Where to stay in Misfat Al Abriyeen

One of the houses has been converted into a guesthouse. Our stay at Misfat Old House was very comfortable, we even got to chat to the owner, who told us a bit about his family and the property’s history.

Rooms are simple, and dinner (cooked up by women in the village) plus a traditional breakfast are served on a glorious open-air terrace.

Things to do in Misfat Al Abriyeen

The best (and only) way to get around Misfat is on foot via a series of marked trails that lead up the mountain and down to the local wadi.

We spent hours wandering along the shaded village paths, photographing the pretty painted gates and poking our heads into crumbling mud houses.

After dinner on the roof of the Old House, we had an early night.

Day 7: Al Hajar to Nizwa

• Distance covered: 82km
• Total drive time: Approx. 1-1.5 hours
• Suggested stops: Al Hoota Cave, Bahla Fort

Nizwa is a mere 55kms from Misfat Al Abriyeen. We knew we were going to have ample time in Nizwa in a few days, and we had missed a few things the previous day, so we decided to squeeze in a few detours.

If you’re driving direct, it only takes about an hour to get to Nizwa from Misfat Al Abriyeen.

Al Hoota Cave

Al Hoota Cave isn’t necessarily a must-see, but we decided to go anyway. We mostly wanted to ride the train that takes visitors from the information centre into the cave, but on the day we went, the train was undergoing maintenance and we had to walk along the tracks instead (ha!). Luckily it wasn’t too hot.

The cave itself is pretty impressive, but nothing to write home about. It’s geared more towards families and young kids. If you do decide to go, you should reserve a spot for one of the designated time slots in advance via the website . Entrance costs 7 OMR for an adult.

Known for its distinctive round towers, UNESCO-Listed Bahla Fort it was originally built from mud and straw but underwent a massive renovation before reopening in 2012. We took a long walk through the nearby mud village as well, which was unexpected but really worthwhile.

I have a vivid memory of looking down on a set of flat-roofed mud houses and marvelling at the goats grazing on top. After Bahla, we drove for another 40 minutes to our accommodation in Nizwa.

Days 8 & 9: Nizwa

Nizwa was probably my favourite place in Oman. The ancient city has a laid-back feel, and things just aligned for us in terms of accommodation, food and activities.

Nizwa Fort is the city’s crowning jewel. Dating back to the 12th century, it’s Oman’s most-visited national monument and historically served as the seat of the country’s presiding Imams.

The adjoining Nizwa Souq , famous for its clay pottery, is also top-notch. In my opinion, it even beats out Muttrah Souq in terms of both atmosphere and souvenir offerings.

Where to stay in Nizwa

Date Palm Inn is a great budget-friendly house near the fort, with simple Omani-style rooms and a beautiful courtyard.

For something slightly more up-market, Nizwa Heritage Inn is a splendid little boutique hotel with mud walls, terrace cloisters and Omani rugs sprawled over every floor.

Things to do in Nizwa

When planning your Nizwa itinerary, consider that you can easily spend a whole day at the Fort and the adjoining souq (and honestly, there’s not a whole lot else to do in Nizwa without jumping back in the car).

If you’re lucky enough to be in Nizwa on a Friday morning, make sure you check out the live goat market at the souq.

Read my guide to Nizwa Souq and Oman souvenir shopping.

We ate some awesome Turkish and Zanzibari food in Nizwa – and it looks like even more solid restaurant options have popped up since we were there.

Our Airbnb hosts recommended the kebab stands in the carpark opposite Nizwa Souq for an easy dinner. Another winner.

Day 10: Nizwa to Muscat

• Distance covered: 160km
• Total drive time: Approx. 1.5 hours

From Nizwa, we headed back to Muscat along Route 15 to get ready for our flight to Bangkok the next evening. As I mentioned earlier, we stayed in Muttrah this time around and spent our final day in Oman exploring the charming alleyways and the souq.

Only in Oman for a short amount of time? Here’s how to make the most of a layover in Muscat .

Alternative road trip routes & add ons

If you have more than 10 days up your sleeve or you’d prefer to visit some of Oman’s less touristy spots, I recommend trying one or more of these alternative routes and add ons.

Located on Highway 23, 45 minutes’ drive from Bidiyah on the way to Misfat Al Abriyeen, Ibra is only really worth stopping for on Wednesday mornings. That’s when the weekly women’s market takes place, a strictly female-only bazaar that sees Bedouin women from the Sharqiya Sands converge on Ibra to do their fresh food and textile shopping.

The days didn’t line up for us, but if the timing is right, it’s well worth a look in.

Rustaq Loop

If you have a day to spare in Muscat and you just can’t get enough of driving in Oman, consider adding the Rustaq Loop to your itinerary.

The 250-odd kilometre loop along Highways 13 and 11 runs inland from Barka (60km up the coast from Muscat), past three of Oman’s most spectacular fortresses: Nakhal, Al Rustaq, and Al Hazm. Starting and finishing in Muscat, the loop takes a solid four hours of driving to complete.

Bald Sayt or Wakan

The remote, postcard-perfect villages of Wakan and Bald Sayt are both located relatively close to Misfat Al Abriyeen but are nestled far deeper in the Western Hajar Mountains. There are no paved roads, and it’s only possible to access the valleys if you have a 4WD (either your own vehicle, or by hiring a car and driver for the day from Nizwa or Muscat).

It’s best to approach Wakan and Bald Sayt from a northerly direction. From Highway 13, it’s 30km (just over an hour’s drive) to Bald Sayt, or 31km (30 minutes’ drive) up to Wakan. The exact route and road conditions are unclear, so be sure to do your research before attempting either drive.

Most of Oman’s big-ticket attractions are located in the northeast of the country, with the exception of Salalah. Capital of the southern Dhofar province, Salalah sits close to the Oman-Yemen border, roughly 1,000km from Muscat.

Driving to Salalah from Muscat takes a minimum of 10 hours. It’s not really feasible to add it to a 10-day driving route, unless you’re willing to make some big sacrifices to the rest of your itinerary.

There’s an airport in Salalah (and more than nine flights everyday from Muscat), so if you do want to add it, I recommend flying to Salalah for a night or two at the start or the end of your trip.

Musandam Fjords

I’ve heard a few people refer to Khasab as the most beautiful place in Oman. The port city sits in an Omani enclave at the top of the Musandam Peninsula, separated from the rest of the country by the UAE .

To get to Khasab from Muscat overland means driving through the Emirates. Alternatively, Oman Air operates daily flights between the two cities.

Oman to Dubai/Sharjah/Abu Dhabi

If you’re up for a cross-country Middle East road trip adventure, it’s possible to drive from Oman to Sharjah or Dubai (422km, roughly 4.5 hours of driving) or Abu Dhabi (485km, roughly 5 hours of driving). From there, why not continue with the theme and keep on trippin’ around the UAE .

This detailed guide to planning an Oman road trip from Dubai covers everything you need to know about crossing from the UAE to Oman by car.

Oman road trip FAQ: Tips for driving in Oman as a tourist

While we didn’t encounter anything particularly special or unusual about driving in Oman, I can offer some general pointers for a smooth Oman road trip.

Do you need a 4WD for Oman?

When researching for our Oman road trip, I read mixed reports online about the kind of vehicle we would need. We wanted to spend a night in the desert, but we didn’t want to fork out for a 4WD (not to mention the fact that neither of us have ever driven a large vehicle). Part of the reason why we chose Desert Nights Camp was the fact that it provided a free transfer. Other camps, I’m sure, would do the same.

We didn’t need to drive on sand, and we were willing to sacrifice visiting Bald Sayt (even though it was originally on our list), so we ended up hiring a sedan. Our sedan came with instructions not to drive off road, but there were a few occasions when we decided to take shortcuts and ended up driving on unpaved roads. No big deal.

To summarise: Unless you’re planning on going dune bashing or heading majorly off road, you won’t need a 4WD. Even if you want to do those things, it’s not necessarily advisable to brave it alone. Oftentimes a tour is a better options. A sedan will do fine.

Are there any special requirements for foreigners to rent a car in Oman?

Not that I’m aware of. I had to present my passport and Australian driver’s license when I picked up the hire car. I was never asked for an international driver’s permit (good thing, because I didn’t have one) or any other documentation.

We were never pulled over, so I can’t speak to the police requirements. Always double check your requirements with the car rental company before you go.

How much does it cost to drive in Oman?

We originally booked a car through Sixt, but we ended up cancelling. Instead, we found a great deal on an automatic Toyota sedan from Europcar through the Discover Cars website . We paid 185 USD for 10 days , or just 9 USD per person per day.

When we picked up the car in Muscat, we had to make an additional 150 OMR (390 USD) credit card deposit , which Europcar held until we returned the car.

We booked and paid for our rental car well in advance, and I recommend you do the same. Rhino Car Hire is another useful site for finding the best deals.

Read next: 12 money-saving tips for Oman .

Petrol costs peanuts in Oman. The first time we filled up it was quite a novelty—but I stopped noticing after that, since we were only spending pocket change at the pump.

Prices went up in 2018, but fuel in Oman still only costs around 50 US cents per litre (less than one-third of the price of petrol in Australia). Check here for up-to-date prices.

If you follow this itinerary, you’ll mainly be driving on highways, which is of course more fuel efficient. From memory, we only had to fill up the tank three or four times over the course of 10 days.

We didn’t encounter any toll roads on our trip, but apparently there are a few out there, so carry some cash with you at all times.

What are the roads like in Oman?

Oman roads and highways are generally new and well-maintained. In all honesty, driving was a breeze.

Apart from a few hairy moments on the highway in Muscat (the stretch of road down to Muttrah is particularly notorious – there are few exits, so if you miss a turn, you have to loop back), we didn’t have any issues at all. There aren’t any special or obscure road rules (or if there are, I wasn’t aware of them).

In Oman, you drive on the right-hand side of the road.

What’s the car parking situation in Oman?

In a word: Plentiful! If you’re planning to drive in Oman, it’s helpful to know that the country is really spacious, even Muscat. By spacious, I mean you can park your car just about anywhere (curb-side, empty lot, grassy field) and no one will notice or pull you up on it. The only time we had trouble finding a car park was in the densely packed Muttrah area.

Oman is not the sort of place where you have to track down a parking lot or pay for parking. I estimate that at least 99% of people (including tourists) drive in Oman, so most hotels come with parking.

7 essential items to pack for your Oman trip

• A dash-mount phone holder. If you’re driving and using your smart phone to navigate, you’ll need a hands-free dashboard mount. This universal phone holder has a built-in air vent (ideal for driving in warm climates).
• Travel-friendly windshield sun shade. You will thank yourself for packing a sun shade every time you return to your parked car! Rentals don’t tend to include them, so you’ll need to bring your own. This portable soft shield packs down small and is lightweight.
• An waterproof dry bag. Essential for keeping your valuables safe when visiting wadis and sinkholes. This one is perfect for water activities and comes in a range of sizes.
• A scarf for visiting mosques (women). A lightweight cotton scarf is my number one travel item. In Oman, it will come in extra handy for covering your hair when entering a mosque or for draping over your shoulders when visiting a market or a rural area. This neutral travel scarf goes with anything, and it even has a hidden pocket.
• Walking shoes. Comfy walking shoes are absolutely essential for Oman. I love these ones , while my partner lives in these waterproof shoes .
• A reusable water bottle. Avoid single-use plastics whenever you can. I love my S’Well water bottle for warm climates because it doesn’t sweat.
• An Oman guidebook. I recommend the 2019 Lonely Planet guidebook for Oman .

If you’re planning your own Oman road trip and need any advice, feel free to leave a comment below.

Oman road trip: Pin it!

Oman essentials

Here are the websites and services I used when planning my trip to Oman and regularly use for trip planning.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Muscat on Skyscaner .

VISAS: Oman’s tourist visa requirements and VOA policies have recently changed. Check your visa requirements on the official website and use iVisa to apply for an expedited visa online.

TRAVAL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

SIM CARD: Purchase an Airalo eSIM for Oman and get instant access to the net when you arrive (prices start from $9).

AIRPORT TRANSFER: Pre-book a private transfer from Muscat Airport to your hotel .

CAR HIRE: Search and compare car rentals using Discover Cars to find the best value for money.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the perfect desert camp, beach resort or Muscat hotel using Booking.com , the most popular booking platform in Oman.

LIMITED TIME? Book a private Muscat city tour to see all the highlights of Oman’s capital.

NO CAR? This 4-day tour of Oman provides a great introduction to Oman.

57 Comments

Hope you will visit Salalah on your next trip.

Absolutely will!

Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your article and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.

Why thank you Cassi! Glad you enjoyed reading my Oman itinerary.

Great tips and write up! I recently did a trip around Oman with a very similar itinerary, but in the reverse direction, and I’d highly recommend it. I couple of points I’d add to these great recommendations for if you have a 4×4: 1. Driving up to Jebel Akhdar. The drive and the views are spectacular! 4×4 required due to the gradient, and there’s a checkpoint at the bottom to enforce this. 2. The drive along the sand track to Desert Nights in the Wahiba Sands. If you have your own 4×4 doing this is a real experience! I hadn’t driven on sand before (not that this was exactly “dune bashing”!) and it was pretty exhilarating.

Sounds incredible, James! Thanks for sharing your tips!

I really enjoyed reading your article. Do keep up the good work.

Dear Emily, your round-the-world adventure is not only inspirational but also one of its kind adventures I should say. For every reader a traveller like you is a true motivation for those looking into some fun and adventure in life. Thank you for giving us such a vast guide on planning a 10 day road trip in Oman, right from distances between places to right kind of accommodations

You’re more than welcome! Enjoy your trip!

A really beautiful country where you ‘ll find nice landscapes…

Amazing post. I’m planning a three day trip to Muscat from a Thursday till Sunday morning and was wondering the best bits to capture along with nature and culture too? Any suggestions on what do within a short period of time as I will be hiring out a car as soon as I touch down and will google maps be sufficient with a local sim for directions? Many thanks

Thanks, Ish! Yep that’s what we did—Google Maps works perfectly.

If I were you, I would head for the sinkhole and wadis on the coast, then head inland to Nizwa. The souq and fortress there are fantastic!

Enjoy your time in Oman!

This post is such a great resource.

This is really informative and helpful to give us an idea of what it will be like when we self-drive in March. It’s going to be outside of our comfort zone – I want an adventure, but one that I can semi-control! Thanks.

Great to hear, Beverley! Oman is certainly a good compromise between adventure and comfort… It’s very well set up for tourists, and self-driving really makes the experience special.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Thanks a lot for your elaborate guide Emily!!

Much appreciated and we will be using some of your tips during our road trip in November 2018.

Glad to hear that, Geert! Let me know if there’s anything else I might be able to help with!

Hi, we are going to Oman for 2 weeks in October, and loved your blog. It persuaded us to forget local transport and hire a car! A small request, your route map will not open on Apple devices. Is it possible for you to PDF a screen shot, or similar, of the map, since it would make a handy reference. Regards, Anne & Peter (Sydney, Australia)

Hi Anne and Peter,

Thanks so much for reaching out! Sorry, that’s my fault—I noticed my embedded maps weren’t working a few weeks ago and have put off trying to fix the issue. I will send it to you directly. Please look out for an email from me soon.

Best, Emily

Hi Emily, can you e-mail me the map as well, please? I was wondering which route to take between Sharqiyah sands and Misfat al Abriyeen. Thank you.

Hi Nicholas,

The new map is embedded in the post above. As Google Maps shows, the easiest route from Ibra to Misfat follows roads 23, 27, 33, 15, 21 in that order!

Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.

Interesting post! Can i rent a car in this country if i am under 25 ? i prefer to book a car in advance but i know that i may have some difficulties with this.

Usually drivers under 25s pay a small surcharge. You should check with the rental company when you make your reservation.

Never been to the Middle-East and Oman seems like the perfect country to start with. And what a great and comprehensive article! Now I want to do your exact itinerary 😉

I agree! Oman is a great introduction to the Middle East and will definitely leave you wanting more. We were really happy with our itinerary—I hope you get to give it a go soon!

Thanks a lot, Vanda!

Ah, I would love to visit Oman and a road trip around the country sounds lovely!! Pinning this super helpful guide! Thank you!

Thank you, Louise! I hope you get there one day soon 🙂

What an elaborate post! I have a few friend in Oman and when I visit them this guide will come in handy

Brilliant, glad to hear that! Road trips are always more fun with friends…!

Taking a self-drive road-trip is high on our todo list and this one you did in Oman sounds amazing. Oman has never really been on my radar to visit but it sounds fantastic, especially the Turtle Reserve and the Desert Camp. I’m saving this post to help plan our own trip. Thank you.

That’s great to hear! Those were definitely two of the highlights for us.

I hope you get to do your own version of this road trip soon!

Epic journey and blog post. Is a great guide for a road trip. Never thought of seeng Oman like this but know is a beautiful and very safe country. Great idea, saved it for later, as usually people I know went in Oman in an AI resort and kinda explored from there the surroundings, but a road trip offers so much more opportunities!

Thanks, Mirela! Nine times out of 10 I think independent travel is the best way to see a country—and what could be more independent than hitting the road in your own car. You’re right—Oman is very safe and easy to navigate as a tourist. An amazing experience for sure 🙂

OMG, this is the perfect post! Sooo much info and insanely beautiful pictures! I’ve been based in Egypt for the last 1.5 years and love the Middle East, next trip must be to Oman now!

Thanks, Christina! Wow, living in Egypt must be interesting! Lots of travel opportunities right at your doorstep. I definitely recommend checking out Oman!

My sister went there last year, and she loved it so much that she is planning to go back. For sure I will be tagging along. What she told me about the country and what I have just read here makes me want to book my flight right away. Great post!

Wow, she’s lucky! Good idea to tag along! I’m sure you’ll love it.

A road trip through Oman is high on my bucket list as we’ve only done Muscat before

Muscat is just the tip of the iceberg! So much to see and do along the coast and inland—and you’d be surprised how different the country looks and feels once you get out of the city!

Oman’s been on my radar ever since I flew to Kerala last year via Muscat with Oman Air. That may sound like a strange way of being inspired to visit somewhere but the landscapes as we neared Muscat looked absolutely incredible!

This post is definitely being saved and used for research, and your photos are beautiful 🙂

Oh lovely! I hear that Salalah in the south is reminiscent of Kerala, so there’s definitely a connection there. I can imagine that Oman would look incredible from the air! Sadly, we flew in and out at night.

I hope you make it there soon!

So many juicy and wonderful details in here. I’m planning a trip to OMAN likely in the next year, so this will so come in handy. What an inspiring and fun trip!!

So glad to hear that! Let me know if there’s anything I can help with. Happy planning!

Oh my goodness Emily! This is incredible. I can’t wait to visit Oman one day. It’s a destination that looks so photogenic. Sur and Wadi Shah look beautiful 🙂

It’s a photographer’s paradise! The light is really something. I think you’d love it 🙂

Oman has never been on my radar before but reading this and seeing your incredible photos has just got Oman a place on my bucket list! In the airport now about to go on my own road trip around Sicily, I love a driving holiday – so much freedom!

Woohoo! I’ll go (almost) anywhere if it involves a road trip. Oman is perfect for it. Enjoy Sicily! Look forward to reading all about it.

Oman is super high on my list of places I want to get to, and this guide is so incredibly helpful! I’m definitely bookmarking it for when I finally get to the country. I’ve read and heard so many wonderful things about it!

Glad to hear that, Shelley! It’s a really rewarding travel experience. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough! I hope you get there soon! Let me know if you need any more advice 🙂

Thanks for this practical guide, Emily! Road tripping is a marvellous way to explore a new country. & as always, I love your photography.

Thank you, Mohana! I couldn’t agree more 🙂

Your photos are beyond stunning! Oman looks incredible. Thank you for the great itinerary. As a female that travels solo, would you recommend driving around the country by one’s self?

Thank you, April! Oman is a great place for all types of travellers—I don’t think you’d have any issues travelling solo. The country is very safe, people are friendly, and tourism is very well developed. I was with my partner, but I was the one driving and we certainly didn’t have any problems!

Hi Emily- Thank you for this itinerary, it is super helpful! I have a few questions for you. Do you recommend renting a 4×4/SUV or is sedan ok for a self-drive? Where did you leave your car while at the desert camp? Do you have any recommendations on how I can incorporate 2-3 days in Salalah while sticking to 10 days?

Hi Sarah! Great to hear. Sedan is fine as long as you’re not driving into the desert. The camp we stayed at gave instructions to leave the car at a nearby petrol station and provided a transfer service from there. Most probably do the same, so just check when you book. For Salalah, I would recommend flying down from Muscat as the drive would take a full day or more!

I hope this helps.

I am happy to have found this. We arrive on Jan 1st until the 10th so i think we will follow this almost exactly. We may have to shave off one stop. What that be if you had to omit something? We have booked the first 2 nights in Muscate. we want to sleep at that camp you mentioned in the desert.

Hi David, great to hear! I wouldn’t skip either, but you could definitely shave a night off Sur or potentially Nizwa. Ras Al Jinz was a personal highlight for me, but there’s not a lot else to do in Sur. The desert camp was wonderful – see if you can get a good deal on Agoda – and you should definitely stay in the mud village too. Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.

Have a great trip!

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Besides the Obvious

Border crossing by car – from uae to oman & back.

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UAE-Oman border crossing by car!? Yes, here we are to help you. In this article we summarise our experiences how was to cross the boarder by a car that we r ented in Abu Dhabi , from the UAE to Oman and coming back. We had chosen two different routes, to be able to make a round trip in Oman , hence we needed to cross the border in two different places. On the way there from UAE to Oman via Al Ain & Mazyad, while the way back from Oman to UAE via Khatmat Milaha & Kalba.

• Read more about Oman travel experiences here.
• While, you can check our UAE travel stories here.

From UAE to Oman via Al Ain & Mazyad

The Mazyad crossing is just the other side of Al Ain, the largest inland city in the UAE . If you have the time, it’s worth stopping here and exploring the city. Keep in mind that Al Ain has many borders with Oman – but not all of them are open for expats. Some of them accepts only residents, so it doesn’t make any sense to queue at those. At the moment (2022 summer) we were there, expats could cross at Khatim Al Shikla and Mezyad only.

• At the UAE border, you will need to pay an exit fee of 35 AED. Card payments are usually accepted, though it’s a good idea to also carry cash, in case the card machine is not working.

Border procedures

• You will need to park your car, get in the departure hall, wait for your turn, show your passport, car registration, car insurance documents, and pay the fee.
• Then you will get your stamp that you are leaving the UAE.
• Once done you can get back to your car and drive to the Omani part of the border.
• Here you need to park your car again, get in the arrival hall and present all your documents.
• They will ask about your VISA – make sure you are updated about your country – Omani entry requirements, as sometimes at the border the officers are not. We also needed to explain that both of us are from the European Union hence our countries are exempt from entry visas to the Sultanate for a period of 14 days. Read more about the entry options here.
• Once they checked all your documents, you will get the entry stamp to your passport and you are free to proceed.
• Always read about the latest COVID-19 related requirements to exit or enter any country. In the summer of 2022, when we landed in Abu Dhabi it was not mandatory to have PCR test on arrival – if you are vaccinated. To cross to Oman, it was not needed either. But regulations are often changing there, so make sure you are up to date.
• Never take any pictures about any part of the border or anyone at the border.

From Oman to UAE via Khatmat Milaha & Kalba

• There is no fee to exit Oman.
• You will need to park your car, get in the departure hall, wait for your turn, show your passport, car registration, car insurance documents, and then you will get your stamp that you are leaving Oman.
• Once done you can get back to your car and drive to the UAE part of the border.
• Once they checked all your documents, you will get the entry stamp to your passport and you are free to proceed back to UAE.
• We even received Arabic coffee from the officers, while waiting.
• Always read about the latest COVID-19 related requirements to exit or enter any country. In the summer of 2022, when we landed in Abu Dhabi it was not mandatory to have PCR test on arrival – if you are vaccinated. To cross to Oman, it was not needed either. To come back from Oman, neither. But regulations are often changing there, so make sure you are up to date.

Checklist – UAE & Oman Border Crossing

Things to keep in mind.

• The road conditions are overall good, but there might be sand on the road at the desert areas, so it’s better to have a 4-wheel-car for your own safety. But you can also complete the route with a normal car, but be aware that you need to lower your speed once you see the sand dunes and try to avoid to driving into them, it’s always better to overcome them from the side.
• You can meet camels next to road. Especially in Oman. They are usually not on the roads, but it can happen. Go as slow as possible to overcome them. Most likely they won’t bother, but just to be on the safe side.

Rent a car in the Middle East

IMPORTANT: Not all car hire companies in UAE will allow you to drive their cars into Oman. If you’re planning to hire a car in UAE, you must check with the hire company that they’re happy for it to be taken to Oman. 

In comparison: to rent a car in Europe is usually very easy and a super quick procedure. (Sometimes though you can hear some nightmare stories about car rentals there too!) You book the chosen vehicle, and the same day you have the confirmation. Then once at the place, you just go to the rental car office and after a bit of paper work you have the car and you are ready to drive. On the Middle East is not that quick.

Already with the booking – we needed to wait, call, ask back several times about the rental, if we can cross the UAE – Oman border or not, what kind of premises we need, and so on. Many times, proactively. So this is what we suggest for you too, don’t wait for them & don’t lose patience, just keep chasing the rental car office as long as you have all your necessary confirmations.

Once you landed and ready to pick up your car, be ready to wait a lot. Don’t lose patience if they ask for the same things that you have already agreed via e-mail and on phone before. Or if they don’t know about the requests or the details (like you want to cross to Oman) that you have agreed before via the booking. Just have all documents with you printed out and help them to speed up the procedure as much as possible.

Omani car insurance

This is the most important document that you will need to cross to Oman. By law it is mandatory for every vehicle to have third party liability insurance. During your entire stay there you will need to have Omani car insurance for your car.

There are several options to choose from – think ahead which one you will need and make sure you communicate clearly to your car rental office to purchase this insurance for you in time.

• 1 week permit, for that we paid 73,75 EUR. ( Information from 2022 July ).
• 1 month permit – Starting from first day of the month and ending on the last day of the month. So it is not valid for any random 30 days in between. If you buy this on the 15th of the month, it will also end on the 31st of the month. And you need to buy another one starting from the 1st of the next month.

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Travelling To Oman From UAE: All The Rules You Need To Know

After a lot of back and forth, the Sultanate of Oman is finally set to reopen for vaccinated travellers. Fully vaccinated individuals were permitted to enter Oman, from 1 September onwards. Earlier, Oman had suspended passengers from 12 countries including Lebanon, the UK, the Philippines and Egypt, but this list will no longer be valid. Travellers from any country can enter Oman as long as they meet the necessary requirements. So, if you’re planning a trip from Dubai to Oman, here’s what you need to know.

Who Can Travel To Oman?

Vaccinated people who have received both doses of the covid-19 vaccine will be permitted to enter Oman. Tourists must have completed the second dose at least 14 days before travelling to the sultanate. In addition, travellers must also take a PCR test pre-departure. Travellers must also have a valid health insurance. However, citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are exempt from this requirement.

What Documents Do I Need To Travel To Oman?

Firstly, apply for the Oman e-visa beforehand. GCC residents have a separate visa category and prices vary, so check before you book. The visa will be delivered online itself and the whole process will take about about 10-15 minutes. All travellers must take a PCR test before departure. The test must be taken within 72 hours of the scheduled arrival time in Oman.

Besides, all passengers must have a valid health insurance. However, the rule is not applicable to citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Travellers must also make sure that vaccination certificates have a QR code. Once you’re ready with all this, upload your vaccination certificate and PCR test result on the  e-Mushrif registration form. You will also have to make a payment of Omani rial 2.5 ($6.8).

Any passengers who do not take a PCR test before departure must take one upon arrival in Muscat. They must also quarantine until they receive the results. An electronic wrist tracker must be worn during the isolation period.

Which Airlines Are Flying From Dubai To Oman?

There are a whole lot of airlines servicing Dubai-Oman route. Emirates and flydubai are operating from Dubai while Etihad and Wizz Air operate from Abu Dhabi. You can also opt to fly with Oman Air, the sultanate’s national airline, or low-cost airline Salam Air.

What Vaccines Is Oman Recognising?

Currently, Oman recognizes eight vaccines. This includes Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca / Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, Moderna, Sputnik V and Sinopharm. All visitors must have received the second dose at least 14 days prior to travelling to Oman. Travelelrs must also show a medical certificate, along with a QR Code in order to prove the vaccination.

Lastly, all passengers must download and register on the Tarassud+ platform before departure. You must also upload your vaccine certificates and required Covid-19 PCR certificates on the Tarassud+ platform.

Do You Need A PCR Test Before Departure?

All passengers flying to Oman MUST take a PCR test before departure. UAE passengers must take their PCR test no later than 72 hours. Those who fail to submit a PCR test upon arrival must quarantine until they receive the results. Besides, an electronic wrist tracker must be worn during their isolation period.

Who Is Exempt From The PCR Test?

Children under 18 years are exempted from the test. However, some airlines including Etihad require kids to be tested as well. So, it’s best to check with the airline prior to departure.

Do I Need To Quarantine Upon Arrival In Oman?

From 1 September, travellers arriving in Oman need not quarantine. However, those who fail to submit a PCR test upon arrival must quarantine until they receive the results.

Can I Drive To Oman From The UAE?

Oman is set to reopen land and sea borders with the UAE. This also means that road trips will be possible. Those with a negative PCR test will be allowed to enter Oman via road. From Dubai it takes about a four-hours to reach Muscat while its a five-hour drive from Abu Dhabi to Muscat.

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In order to enter Oman from the UAE using a rental car, you need to have the right documentation listed below:

• Pertaining to the travellers: Original passport, UAE visa or Emirates ID and visa for Oman are checked at the border
• Pertaining to the rental car: The official NOC (No Objection Certificate) letter from the car rental company and car's insurance policy valid in Oman
• Most destinations within Oman are far off. So make sure your rental cost includes unlimited mileage for the car you choose. 
• Be sure to check the additional cost for an NOC (No Objection Certificate) and insurance coverage from the car rental agent. It’s about AED 200 extra.
• Keep your original passport and other ID documents with you when you drive up to the Oman border.
• Be well-versed with the driving rules, regulations and etiquettes in Oman beforehand. We've listed some below.
• Double-check your paperwork so you and the rental car can enter Oman legally (listed in the above tab).
• Do not carry any illegal objects from one country to another
• Due to high seasonal demand, low priced cars may be short of availability in the UAE.
• While we are working with our partners to display relevant listings, OneClickDrive relies on user feedback to hide unavailable cars.

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The Sultanate of Oman offers amazing drives with beautiful views throughout the country. Fantastic roads that connect the distant towns and cities. If you’re planning a trip from the UAE, car is by far the best mode of travel. Getting across Oman in the comfort of a car of your choice is definitely recommended. Perfect for experiencing the country’s stunning scenery.

The below listed cars are offered by car rental companies which have branches across the UAE and Oman. Hence they provide rental cars legally to cross the national border with the right documentation: car insurance and NOC. They also offer dedicated customer service in both the countries. Find the rental car of your choice based on your budget and requirement and call / WhatsApp the supplier directly. They'll assist you with steps ahead.

Driving in Oman: Rules & Regulations

• Driving a dirty car is illegal, a police fine of OMR 10  may apply
• Vehicles follow right-hand side driving in Oman (same as in the UAE)
• Turning right on a red light is illegal unlike in the UAE (except tram crossing)
• It is also illegal to overtake from the right (commonplace in the UAE)
• Oman observes a zero tolerance policy towards drunk driving, with a limit of 0.0mg
• Speed limits are enforced with speed cameras so we’d suggest you use Waze
• The average speed limit in Jordan is about 40km/h in towns and cities, and 120km/h on highways
• Roundabouts and junctions give priority to those entering instead of those who exit (so be careful)
• Pay attention to parking restrictions in Oman, excessive fines may apply incase of a mistake
• Pedestrians have priority at pedestrian crossings (just as the norm)
• If you are involved in an accident, do not move your car; contact the car rental company and wait for the police to arrive
• Petrol is low-priced in Oman (Welcome to GCC!) and gas stations are easy to find, besides most are open 24x7
• Child seats are not mandatory in Oman, however, it’s recommended that you hire one for the safety of traveling children
• Lastly, be sure to check that all documentation including licence, registration, insurance and passport are with in the car with you at all times when driving

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Uae: soon, travel from abu dhabi to dubai in just 30 minutes by flying taxis, a us-based company is developing an evtol aircraft for commercial passenger service and is expected to start operations by 2025 or early 2026.

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Flying taxis will cut travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to just 30 minutes, industry experts said, while highlighting the UAE being at the forefront of the urban mobility revolution.

Joby Aviation, a US-based company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, is expected to start operations of air taxis by 2025 or early 2026.

“Our aircraft will be able to fly between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 30 to 35 minutes,” an executive from Joby Aviation told Khaleej Times during DRIFTx – the world’s only smart and autonomous mobility and transport event – held at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit.

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JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, during a panel discussion, noted that the momentum seen in the UAE regarding creating infrastructure and certifying autonomous aircraft has been fantastic.

“The UAE has been able to expedite moves on building critical infrastructure,” Bevirt said and underlined that safety and noise control have been key considerations for Joby Aviation.

In February, Joby Aviation announced a signing agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in the Emirate by early 2026.

Other companies like eVTOL developer Archer Aviation and UAE’s aviation services operator Falcon Aviation have already announced plans to develop vertiport infrastructure for critical locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Also, both Joby and Archer have signed up for Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster established by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).

During DRIFTx, Archer announced the signing of a framework agreement to accelerate planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, slated to launch as soon as next year with its Midnight aircraft.

Key components of Archer’s collaboration with ADIO include vertiport construction, operational enablement for air taxi operations in the UAE, and in-country manufacturing of Midnight aircraft. Under the agreement, ADIO will ensure local workforce development programmes for Emirati talent and facilitate the establishment of Archer’s international headquarters and centre of excellence in Abu Dhabi.

“This substantial agreement with Abu Dhabi is a pivotal moment for Archer’s commercialisation efforts across the Emirates, as it provides the catalyst to accelerate the launch of our electric air taxi service in the UAE as soon as late 2025,” said Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein.

Meanwhile, visitors to the DRIFTx were treated to what the future holds. There were Automated Rapid Transit (ART), TAXI self-driving taxis sporting the new livery, and driverless minibus to ferry visitors from one end to another. In between, visitors could check out the sea, air, and land demos of different innovative solutions in action. Once inside the exhibition area, top global companies showcased prototypes of flying taxis, driverless cars, drones, and several innovative systems, including visitors partaking in a real-time streaming demo of driving on the streets of South Korea.

• UAE: Flying cars to be manufactured in Abu Dhabi, creating thousands of jobs
• Dubai: Over 100 flying cars to take residents from door to door, cutting travel time
• Flying taxi in Dubai: Joby to launch service in UAE ahead of US
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Hot Oceans Worsened Dubai’s Dramatic Flooding, Scientists Say

An international team of researchers found that heavy rains had intensified in the region, though they couldn’t say for sure how much climate change was responsible.

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By Raymond Zhong

Scenes of flood-ravaged neighborhoods in one of the planet’s driest regions stunned the world this month. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates and Oman submerged cars, clogged highways and killed at least 21 people. Flights out of Dubai’s airport, a major global hub, were severely disrupted.

The downpours weren’t a total surprise — forecasters had anticipated the storms several days earlier and issued warnings. But they were certainly unusual.

Here’s what to know.

Heavy rain there is rare, but not unheard-of.

On average, the Arabian Peninsula receives a scant few inches of rain a year, although scientists have found that a sizable chunk of that precipitation falls in infrequent but severe bursts, not as periodic showers. These rains often come during El Niño conditions like the ones the world is experiencing now.

U.A.E. officials said the 24-hour rain total on April 16 was the country’s largest since records there began in 1949 . And parts of the nation had already experienced an earlier round of thunderstorms in March.

Oman, with its coastline on the Arabian Sea, is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Past storms there have brought torrential rain, powerful winds and mudslides, causing extensive damage.

Global warming is projected to intensify downpours.

Stronger storms are a key consequence of human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets hotter, it can hold more moisture, which can eventually make its way down to the earth as rain or snow.

But that doesn’t mean rainfall patterns are changing in precisely the same way across every part of the globe.

In their latest assessment of climate research , scientists convened by the United Nations found there wasn’t enough data to have firm conclusions about rainfall trends in the Arabian Peninsula and how climate change was affecting them. The researchers said, however, that if global warming were to be allowed to continue worsening in the coming decades, extreme downpours in the region would quite likely become more intense and more frequent.

Hot oceans are a big factor.

An international team of scientists has made a first attempt at estimating the extent to which climate change may have contributed to April’s storms. The researchers didn’t manage to pin down the connection precisely, though in their analysis, they did highlight one known driver of heavy rain in the region: above-normal ocean temperatures.

Large parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have been hotter than usual recently, in part because of El Niño and other natural weather cycles, and in part because of human-induced warming .

When looking only at El Niño years, the scientists estimated that storm events as infrequent as this month’s delivered 10 percent to 40 percent more rain to the region than they would in a world that hadn’t been warmed by human activities. They cautioned, however, that these estimates were highly uncertain.

“Rainfall, in general, is getting more extreme,” said Mansour Almazroui, a climate scientist at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and one of the researchers who contributed to the analysis.

The analysis was conducted by scientists affiliated with World Weather Attribution, a research collaboration that studies extreme weather events shortly after they occur. Their findings about this month’s rains haven’t yet been peer reviewed, but are based on standardized methods .

The role of cloud seeding isn’t clear.

The U.A.E. has for decades worked to increase rainfall and boost water supplies by seeding clouds. Essentially, this involves shooting particles into clouds to encourage the moisture to gather into larger, heavier droplets, ones that are more likely to fall as rain or snow.

Cloud seeding and other rain-enhancement methods have been tried around the world, including in Australia, China, India, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Studies have found that these operations can, at best, affect precipitation modestly — enough to turn a downpour into a bigger downpour, but probably not a drizzle into a deluge.

Still, experts said pinning down how much seeding might have contributed to this month’s storms would require detailed study.

“In general, it is quite a challenge to assess the impact of seeding,” said Luca Delle Monache, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Delle Monache has been leading efforts to use artificial intelligence to improve the U.A.E.’s rain-enhancement program.

An official with the U.A.E.’s National Center of Meteorology, Omar Al Yazeedi, told news outlets that the agency didn’t conduct any seeding during the latest storms. His statements didn’t make clear, however, whether that was also true in the hours or days before.

Mr. Al Yazeedi didn’t respond to emailed questions from The New York Times, and Adel Kamal, a spokesman for the center, didn’t have further comment.

Cities in dry places just aren’t designed for floods.

Wherever it happens, flooding isn’t just a matter of how much rain comes down. It’s also about what happens to all that water once it’s on the ground — most critically, in the places people live.

Cities in arid regions often aren’t designed to drain very effectively. In these areas, paved surfaces block rain from seeping into the earth below, forcing it into drainage systems that can easily become overwhelmed.

One recent study of Sharjah , the capital of the third-largest emirate in the U.A.E., found that the city’s rapid growth over the past half-century had made it vulnerable to flooding at far lower levels of rain than before.

Omnia Al Desoukie contributed reporting.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong

Dubai Airports, Emirates issue travel advisory for fliers on May 2

Dubai Airports, Emirates issued a travel advisory in anticipation of the expected inclement weather conditions

Dubai Airports authority has issued a travel advisory as the UAE braces for unstable weather conditions on May 2.

The alert notified travellers of the steps to take before heading to the airport.

Checking the flight status online, allowing for extra travel time and using the Metro will help streamline commute to the airport, said the aviation authority.

Dubai Airports

⚠️Heads up! We’re expecting rainy weather 🌧️ ✈️Be sure to check your flight status with your airline. ⌚️Allow for extra time to arrive at #DXB . 🚄Use the Dubai Metro where possible – now open till 5AM this Friday. 🚗Map your route using smart apps for real-time traffic updates. — DXB (@DXB) May 1, 2024

Additionally, it notified fliers of the availability of Dubai Metro trains running until 5am, to help ferry passengers incase of water logged roads.

Dubai RTA extends service hours

To facilitate your transportation to and from Dubai International Airport, #RTA informs you that #DubaiMetro operating hours will be extended on Wednesday and Thursday, May 1 and 2, 2024, from 12:00 AM midnight to 5:00 AM (next day). Trains will depart from centrepoint Metro… pic.twitter.com/l1jEimn9k6 — RTA (@rta_dubai) May 1, 2024

Emirates issues travel alert

Emirates issued a travel advisory on Wednesday in anticipation of the expected inclement weather conditions in the UAE on Thursday, May 2. The national flag carrier advised passengers scheduled to travel on Thursday to arrive at the airport early, anticipating potential road delays.

Heavy thunderstorms are forecast in Dubai on 2 May. If you’re travelling to @DXB , you may experience road delays. We recommend adding extra travel time to reach the airport, and using Dubai Metro where possible. For flight updates and notifications, add your latest contact… pic.twitter.com/N5fw0nTLbG — Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) May 1, 2024

According to an airline representative, “Heavy thunderstorms are predicted in Dubai on May 2. Passengers heading to Dubai International Airport should be prepared for possible road delays.”

The airline further recommended, “To mitigate potential travel disruptions, we suggest allocating extra travel time to reach the airport and utilising the Dubai Metro whenever feasible.”

The UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has indicated that the current weather conditions are less severe than previously forecasted.

Read: UAE rain: NCM forecasts unstable weather to peak on May 2

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Want to travel outside the UAE by car? Get yourself a 'Trip Ticket'

Living in uae.

What is this ‘passport for your vehicle’ and how can you apply for it?

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Dubai: Planning to go on a cross-country road trip? If you were thinking of taking your car for a long drive, you don’t need to be limited to staying within the country, or even the continent. Travel enthusiasts have driven from the UAE all the way to Switzerland on their Dubai number plates.

Regardless of where you wish to travel by road, it is important that you get your car a passport, just like you have yours. Called a ‘trip ticket’ or ‘Carnet de Passage en Douane’ (CPD), it is an international customs document which covers the temporary admission of motor vehicles in countries where required. According to the UAE’s Ministry of Interior (MOI), the UAE is the first country in the world to offer the service through smart platforms.

What is a trip ticket or CPD?

CPD is an international customs document covering the temporary entry of vehicles into a country. It is accepted as a customs declaration document, and provides a guarantee that the vehicle accompanying it is covered by an internationally valid guarantee according to the United Nations Customs Agreements of 1954 and 1956, which was established to facilitate travel procedures for travellers and tourists by land.

It is also the internationally recognised guarantee of the payment of any customs duties and import taxes chargeable if the vehicle is not re-exported or if any other problem arises.

The document, which is usually valid for one year and renewable for another year, can be used in over 60 countries, which are signatories of the UN Customs Agreements.

Documents required

• Driver's licence

• Vehicle registration card

• Emirates ID

• Copy of UAE residence visa

The cost of a CPD is based on the customs fees at the country of destination:

GCC countries and Jordan: Dh400

Syria and Iraq: Dh450

Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunis, Algeria and Yemen: Dh600

Sudan and European countries: Dh700

India, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa: Dh1,150

All fees are without VAT, which will be added.

You would also need to deposit a guarantee amount, which is fully refundable. It is returned when the CPD ticket is handed over to one of the Automobile and Touring Club offices. The deposit amount depends on the car type, model and country of destination.

The CPD is issued based on the country of destination, so all countries from the UAE to the country of destination will be accessible through the Trip Ticket. Also, all the countries not allowed to enter will be clearly mentioned in the CPD.

It is issued for one year and can be renewed for another year.

How to apply for a CPD

You can apply for a CPD at any of the following ATC UAE offices:

Dubai - Al Mamzar

Tel: 04 2961122

Al Ain - Traffic complex - vehicle and driving license department

Abu Dhabi – Yas Marina Circuit

Sharjah Licensing department

You can also apply online and the trip ticket will be delivered to your office or home

1. Download the MOI UAE smartphone app or visit moi.gov.ae

2. Select the ‘trip tickets’ service

3. Enter the details of your trip and the vehicle that you will be driving

4. Make the service payment as well as the security deposit (which is refunded on return)

Once you have made the payment, you will receive a verification request from the Automobile and Touring Club, to confirm all the details.

The CPD will then be printed and delivered to you at the specified address.

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UAE rain alert: All the advisories you need to know

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Dubai inundated with rain: Photos show flooded city after torrential downpour leaves at least 1 dead

Dubai is at a standstill, while oman reports over a dozen deaths from the historic rainfall hitting the usually dry region..

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates issued a stay-at-home advisory after the country received two years' worth of rain in 24 hours, which caused flooding, shut down the airport and resulted in at least one death.

Neighboring Oman also endured a deadly round of flooding this week, which has killed 19 people in that nation as of Wednesday.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), just in the last day, the usually dry country received nearly double the amount of rain it would usually see in an entire year. The government ordered employees and students in Dubai to work remotely for the second day in a row because of the debilitating storms.

In a typical year, Dubai sees an average of 3.73 inches of rain , reports the Associated Press. On Tuesday, a torrential downpour brought 5.59 inches of rainfall and brought the city to a standstill.

Dubai's DXB, one of the world's busiest airports, is feeling the impact of the unusually wet conditions as water flows onto taxiways. Arrivals were stopped on Tuesday night, according to the AP, and folks with departures are asked to stay away from the airport because of dangerous conditions.

See more photos of historic rainfall: Dubai underwater

"We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary," states a post from DXB on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions."

Despite the rain easing up on Tuesday night, the city still faces problems. Passengers departing Dubai's airport via the Emirates airline will not be able to check into their flights on Wednesday until midnight local time "due to operational challenges caused by bad weather and road conditions," stated the airline in a tweet .

Record rainfall

The 5.59 inches of rain is the most to hit the city since records began in 1949.

March and April are typically wet in Dubai — but not this wet

"March and April are typically the wettest months in the UAE and Oman," explained AccuWeather lead international forecaster Jason Nicholls.

"But this year has been wetter than normal across the area, which means more storms," Nicholls added. "A series of low-pressure systems has brought rounds of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain to the region over the last several weeks. It looks like a quieter pattern across the region later this week into next week."

Was cloud seeding to blame?

Although the UAE frequently conducts cloud seeding operations to increase rainfall, a forecaster from the national meteorology centre denied any cloud seeding operations had taken place recently.

Other experts agreed: "Do not connect the flooding in Dubai with cloud seeding," said Texas A&M atmospheric scientist Andrew Dressler on X Wednesday morning.

Some cloud seeding technologies used in the UAE essentially zap clouds with electricity or use salt flares to artificially boost rain.

Climate scientists say that rising global temperatures, driven by man-made climate change, is leading to more extreme weather events, including intense rainfall like the UAE storm.

University of Pennsylvania meteorologist Michael Mann , also on X, said that blaming such an event on cloud seeding is a "deflective conspiratorial framing ... to deflect attention from the role human-caused climate change is playing in amplifying weather extremes."

Flooded streets

Posts online show cars on a 12-lane highway in Dubai, the Sheikh Zayed Road, completely submerged under water.

"I can’t believe my eyes, this is Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai," said a user who posted a video of cars and buses abandoned and submerged in murky water on the highway.

Neighboring country faces tragedy

Oman, the neighboring country to the east of UAE, faced deadly consequences as it faced three back-to-back days of rain.

According to Reuters, 19 people, including children, died because of the storms. More rain is expected to hit the country.

Contributing: Christine Fernando, USA TODAY; Reuters

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture.   You can follow her on  X, formerly known as Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok : @juliamariegz