Travel to Oman, from Muscat to Salalah

Oman at a glance

The basics that help before you go.

Capital

Muscat, which also has the country’s main international airport.

Currency

The Omani rial (OMR). Cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops.

Time zone

UTC+4, with no daylight saving time.

Weekend

Friday and Saturday. Many offices work Sunday to Thursday.

Language

Arabic is the official language; English is widely used in hotels, airports and malls.

Driving

On the right. Mountain and desert roads need a four-wheel drive.

Power

British-style three-pin sockets; bring an adapter.

Dress

Modest clothing suits public places; shoulders and knees must be covered in mosques.

The main regions of Oman

Each region has its own character. Each card shows where its tour stands.

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  Muscat

  The capital by the sea: the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House, Muttrah Souq and Qurum beach. Where most trips start.

  This region’s tour
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  Salalah and Dhofar

  The south: green and misty in the summer khareef monsoon, sunny and mild in winter.

  This region’s tour
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  Nizwa, Bahla and the Hajar mountains

  Forts and old souqs, the terraced villages of Jebel Akhdar and the canyons of Jebel Shams, with cooler air.

  This region’s tour
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  Sur and the east coast

  Wadi Shab and the Bimmah Sinkhole, the dhow yards of Sur and beaches where turtles nest.

  This region’s tour
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  The Sharqiyah Sands (Wahiba)

  Red dunes, desert camps and starry skies, next to the pools of Wadi Bani Khalid.

  This region’s tour
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  Musandam and Khasab

  The northern peninsula of mountain fjords: dhow cruises, swimming and dolphins.

  This region’s tour

When to visit Oman

The weather changes a lot from one region to the next.

October to April

The best season for Muscat, the beaches, the wadis and the desert: sunny days, cool nights.

May to September

Muscat and the interior are hot; plan outdoor time for early morning or late afternoon.

Late June to September in Salalah

The khareef: light rain, mist and green hills, the peak season in the south.

The mountains, all year

Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams are several degrees cooler, a good escape even in summer.

Before you travel: visa and documents

Visa rules depend on your nationality and can change; always check the official source.

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  Visa

  Check the entry rules for your nationality on the official Royal Oman Police eVisa portal.

  Official Oman eVisa portal
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  Passport

  It must stay valid for long enough beyond your trip; the portal states the exact period.

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  Hotel booking and return ticket

  You may be asked for them on arrival; keep a copy with you.

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  Travel insurance

  Recommended, to cover medical care during your trip.

Plan the trip on this site

Take the next step from here.

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  Hotels in Oman

  Oman’s hotels are being added to the site’s search soon. Until then, our team finds options for you on WhatsApp.

• 

  Flights from Muscat

  Compare international flights from Muscat across airlines: times, stops and baggage.

  Routes from Muscat
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  Oman tours

  Seven tours are being prepared; you can pre-register for any of them today.

  See the tours
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  Booking and payment

  See how booking works on this site and how you pay.

  How to book