Updated 29th March 2025
Before you set off, this guide – with its 11 steps – is here to help you set up for the trip of a lifetime to Oman. From practicalities such as visa requirements to info about the weather and packing advice, you will find links and answers to all your basic questions here.
Before you do anything, make sure your travel documents are ready so you have no bad surprise upon entry. Here’s what you need to know:
Oman’s visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. Some travellers are eligible for a visa on arrival, while others may need to apply for a visa in advance.
It is also important to know that if you are a resident of some countries, you will not need a visa if you’re planning to stay less than 14 days. Visit the following website to check the list of countries: IATA’s global visa database or www.fm.gov.om/visitors/entry-visas/
Traveller’s Tip: make a photocopy of page 2 in your passport (the page with your photo) and bring it with you. You can carry this with you throughout your trip. You should also take a photo of this page and keep it on your phone.
Sunset in the Hajar Mountains, Oman
Oman is one of the hottest countries in the world and basically has two seasons: a warm season (known as ‘winter) and a hot/very hot season (called ‘summer’). There aren’t really spring or autumn seasons. For most of Oman, I would definitely recommend for you to visit during the ‘winter’ season which starts in November and goes until end of March or April. The average temperature in Muscat in December is 23° and in January is 21° which are perfect if you want to do some hiking.
My first trip to Oman happened to be in November. I taught a 3-week English course to workers in an Oil Company in the desert. As someone who spent her childhood and teens in Lille in the North of France, I was endlessly amused when students complained that it was freezing as the temperature dipped to 18 degrees in the early morning! But it’s less surprising if we consider that in Oman it’s common for the thermometer to hit 48 and up to 50 degrees in June and July.
If you plan on visiting the south of Oman (the governorate of Dhofar), however, you should know that the weather there is distinct from the rest of Oman. The summer season (which goes from June to September and is known as ‘Khareef’) brings monsoon-like weather with cooler temperatures, high humidity, rain and mist. This makes the whole region lush and green at this period. The rest of the year is dry and warm (25 to 30 degrees), making it pleasant to do outdoor activities. So, this means that Dhofar is a region that visitors can visit all year long with very different experiences. it all depends on what you are looking for.
For more detailed information about the best time of year to visit Oman, check out my blogpost ‘Best Time to Visit Oman: A practical Guide by Season;‘
Decide on an itinerary before you go
Oman has 11 governorates and over 3,000 kilometres of coastline. This means the country is fairly large. I would always recommend an itinerary lasting 10 days to two weeks but this is not always possible. I do believe, however, that you should plan on a minimum of a week.
To get the most out of your trip and really be able to immerse yourself in the culture, it is important to draw up an itinerary before you come. This will allow you to enjoy activities that fit your interests, as well as see landscapes and taste food that you are curious about.
A view of Muscat International Airport
For the best deals, start looking at flights three to six months in advance if possible and plan on flying into Muscat International Airport (MCT), the main gateway with numerous international connections.
If your travel dates are flexible, mid-week flights can sometimes be more affordable than weekend departures.
To find flights, consider using some of the following websites (not sponsored) and compare the prices:
Local tips: as well as checking flights to Muscat, you should also look at flights going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. You may find that the price is much lower. This will require for you to then take a bus to Muscat (which takes about 6 hours) and is very cheap.
Tip number 2: look for flights in Incognito mode so the prices of the flights are not ‘hiked up’ based on your country – You don’t wanna get penalised.
One of the swimming pools in Al Bustan hotel
Accommodation in Oman offers a wide variety of options and travel styles from luxurious desert resorts to budget-friendly camping. For cultural travellers, staying in a traditional Omani guesthouse will provide an enriching experience.
In places like Nizwa or Jabal Akhdar, look for heritage accommodation. This will give you a glimpse of traditional Omani mud-brick homes. If you are planning on staying in Muscat, check out my guide on ‘Where to stay in Muscat: Hotel Recommendations in 9 of the Best Neighbourhoods‘.
To secure accommodations, websites like Booking.com, OmanHotels.com, and Expedia are handy for comparing prices.
Travelling in Musandam
Public transport exists in Oman and there are plans to build the ‘Muscat metro’ in the near future. However, for the moment it is not well developed. For example, even in Muscat, there are only a few lines and buses are regularly late. If you are a solo traveller and can’t afford to rent a car or take taxis, the best is for you to download the Mwasalat app or check out the Mwasalat bus company website.
To get around in Muscat, you may consider taxis. It is generally easy to flag one down in the street or to book one at a hotel.
It can be helpful to download the OTaxi app. When taking a taxi, always agree on the fair BEFORE you take off or you may have some bad surprises!
The most practical way to travel around in Oman is to rent a car as this will give you a lot of freedom to explore the country. International car rental agencies, like Hertz and Budget, operate in Oman, as do reliable local companies such as Mark Tours.
If you decide to visit areas such as Jabal Akhdar and Wahiba Sands, you will need a 4Wd car but this can be costly. On the other hand, the price of petrol is cheap.
Websites like Rentalcars and Kayak can help compare prices, while Oman Car Rental provides details on local agencies.
Finally, if you want more info about renting a car in Oman and ‘9 tips on driving in Oman’, check out my blog posts here and here (also links below).
An essential: Make sure you get international medical cover before you travel
If you don’t have an annual policy that covers international travel, it is absolutely essential to get international travel and medical insurance. I am not being negative but unexpected situations happen and this could cost you thousands if not covered. So taking out a travel insurance will only cost a fraction of your holiday budget but will give you peace of mind.
A good insurance will cover injuries, illnesses, and medical evacuation if necessary. Personally, I have always opted for Caremed International (not sponsored) and found their fees to be very reasonable. I generally purchase an insurance contract 2 weeks before I travel.
If you are a longer term traveller, I would recommend Heymondo or Safety Wings, as their Insurance policies have been created specifically for digital nomads.
Don’t forget! You need to print out the digital version of your insurance card. Always carry it around with you in your wallet.
Get my packing list to pack what you need and avoid overpacking
One of the questions I get frequently is about packing the right clothes.
Oman is a traditional country with a conservative dress code but is more relaxed than Saudi Arabia. Women generally wear a hijab (women’s head covering) and an abaya (long robe with long sleeves) in black or in a variety of colours. Men wear a dishdasha (long robe) and a Kumma (Omani cap) or Massar, a colourful headdress.
Women who are foreign are not required to wear a head covering and Omanis are quite tolerant. However, to show respect for local culture, it is a good idea to wear clothes that cover the body – long dresses/skirts or trousers and blouses or T-shirts that cover the shoulders. Do remember that the weather is generally warm/hot so it is essential to pick clothes with light materials. Of course, you will always see tourists going around in shorts and sleeveless tops but local people find this quite offensive. And I really don’t recommend it outside of international hotels.
If you are planning on visiting the Hajar mountains or spending some time in the desert, you should also pack a jacket as nights can be quite cold. Oman is a great place for hiking so don’t forget a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
Check out my blogpost on ‘What to pack for Oman: the Ultimate Year-round Packing List.’
Before you set off on your trip to Oman, it’s a good idea to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your phone and computer. The main reason for this is that it will allow you to call on Messenger or Whatsapp (which is impossible in Oman without VPN). I would recommend a free VPN such as Proton VPN (not sponsored).
A close-up of an Omani bank note.
Changing currency into Omani Rials can be a little tricky. You will most likely find that you can’t get Omani Rials outside of the Middle East. It will therefore be important for you to change some money at the airport in order to have about 100 OMR on you. If possible, ask to not have 50 OMR bank notes as these are difficult to use and not generally accepted.
The values of bank notes are 1/2 Rial, 1 Rial, 5 Rial, 10 Rial, 20 Rial and 50 Rial. The Omani Rial is then made up of 1,000 Baisa.
I know that the exchange rates at airports can be horrendous. So don’t change large amounts of cash. However, when leaving the airport you may need some cash on you to pay for a taxi.
In general, it will be easy to find ATMs and to pay by bank card. Still, having a little cash on you is a good idea outside of Muscat.
Local Tip: one of the best places to get a good rate when you exchange money is at Lulu’s Exchange. Lulu is a supermarket chain and you will find these in many malls in Oman. Before you go, check the exchange rate on: https://www.xe.com/
To get a taste of Omani culture and geography before you set off on your adventure, there are several excellent travel guides and books you may want to dive into.
In terms of travel guides, start with Lonely Planet Oman, UAE & Arabian Peninsula, a comprehensive guide with practical travel tips, maps, and cultural insights. The latest edition is from 2019 but will still give you a lot of accurate information and interesting illustrations. Another excellent travel guide is The Rough Guide to Oman. It focuses exclusively on Oman and is particularly recommended if you are planning your trip yourself.
As far as books are concerned, Oman – Culture Smart! by Simone Nowell will help you understand the customs, values and lifestyle of Omani society. Actually, the whole ‘Culture Smart’ series offers a wonderful way to travel in a deeper way beyond ‘ticking off the touristy places.’ If you’re looking for historical context, you may enjoy The Sultan’s Shadow by Christiane Bird, a 19th-Century story of Sultan Said and his daughter Princess Salme. Quite enlightening!
Finally, one last thing. You may be wondering: is Oman safe? (the question I get asked a million times when I leave the Middle East). Oman is actually one of the safest countries in the world. As a woman, I feel perfectly safe walking around and this is day or night. It is also extremely rare for things to be stolen. So I wish you a fantastic trip to the Land of Frankincense and if you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line.
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.
