As an independent traveller, renting a car in Oman will ensure you unparalleled freedom to stop wherever you want and whenever you want. It will allow you to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations at your own pace. However, you may feel worried about renting a car in a foreign country. What about costs? Is it safe? And what about the driving rules in the country? This guide will give you an easy-to-follow check-list and the necessary information so you have a great rental experience.
Definitely. Oman is a large country and the public transport network is not well developed yet. What’s more, having a car will allow you to explore some of the country’s beautiful wild landscapes away from the cities and common public transport routes. In Oman, it is the key that will facilitate the creation of your own personalised itinerary.
Finally, it will make it easier for you to engage with Omani people as you see their daily life with the specific sounds, views and colours of the country.
My own experience has been very positive. I’ve chosen to rent a car on a monthly basis and I’ve benefited from having a newish car (only 5,000 km when I first got it) with support when necessary.
Learning the cardinal directions in Arabic (photo: Christine van den Hogen joussourtooman.com).
As a general rule, renting a car in Oman is fairly expensive. You should be cautious when choosing to go for extremely cheap local rental agencies. Sometimes, lower prices can come with bad surprises. Remember that, in general, you get what you pay for. So double-check all the conditions and hidden extra costs.
Here is a platform that I recommend (no affiliate links): https://www.discovercars.com/ This is a customer-rated comparison site that will give you an overview of the prices and services offered by different rental car companies. You can use filters. Another site is: https://www.rentalcars.com/
I cannot recommend one specific rental car company over another. Within one company, one office may be very different from another. It basically depends on the workers and professionalism of the specific office. That said, international rental car agencies tend to have certain rules no matter where you are, which can give you more peace of mind.
A Jeep Commander 4×4 car negotiates a river in the desert of Oman (photo:joussourtooman.com).
Renting a 4WD is expensive and may not be an absolute necessity. However, if you plan to explore off-road destinations like Jebel Shams or Wahiba Sands, a 4WD is essential. Another option may be to get a local driver with a 4WD for these 2 destinations only during your trip (check options to see what’s best for you).
As a rule, these are the different sizes:
1. Book as early as possible to get a good price.
2.Motorways and main roads are in excellent condition (3 and even 4 lanes) If you decide to go off-the-beaten-track, however, expect to find dirt roads. This may be challenging but manageable.
3. The budget for renting a car is high but the price of petrol is cheap in Oman (is that much of a consolation? Not sure…).
4. Take fuel stops regularly. Finding a petrol station won’t be a problem in cities and towns. However, you may be surprised by the scarcity of stations in more remote regions or even on motorways between cities.
Note: always check the speed signs, although at times it may be tricky to find them. Also, be aware that there are speed cameras everywhere! – and I mean everywhere!
Drivers are expected to wear a seat belt at all times. The police can fine you for not wearing one.
Oman has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.0%, and penalties for driving under the influence include heavy fines and license suspension.
As in most countries, using a mobile phone while driving is illegal. The police stopped me once to check if I had my mobile phone next to me in the car (fortunately, it was in my bag!).
It’s important to stop when the traffic lights turn orange. Running a red light is considered very serious and can result in fines or penalties. In some cases, your license may be suspended.
This was your complete guide to renting a car in Oman in 2024! From choosing the right car for your adventure to understanding the road rules, you’re now ready to hit the road and explore this stunning country. Whether you’re cruising along the coast, zig-zagging up mountains, or discovering the joys of sliding around in the desert, Oman’s roads offer a wide range of driving experiences. So enjoy the ride! 🚗
WELCOME to JOUSSOUR to OMAN
Hello and welcome to Joussour to Oman! I’m Christine van den Hogen, a Franco-British writer, teacher and watercolourist. I’ve been living in the Middle East for 7 years and 4 years in Oman.
I’m passionate about helping independent travellers interested in cultures create immersive journeys.
Joussour to Oman is my cultural travel blog and it’s my hope to share my first-hand experience as someone who lives here as well as insights from local people. I want to share insiders’ tips with you so you can plan your trip to Oman efficiently and truly EXPERIENCE Omani culture when you come.
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Christine is a Muscat-based writer, watercolourist and teacher. She's been living in Oman for 4 years and she's also lived in Jordan and Dubai. She shares resources and stories to help independent travellers plan creative trips and truly experience Middle Eastern cultures.
One Response
Fantastic resource.Ankur The ‘Rent a Car in Oman’ page is super helpful for travelers looking to explore the beauty of Oman at their own pace. Clear information and great tips make planning so much easier. Great job on creating such a user-friendly guide.