Everything you'll want to know before you land in Oman.
Oman at a glance
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Capital
Muscat
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Language
Arabic
English widely spoken
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Currency
Omani Rial (OMR)
1 rial = 1,000 baisa
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Time in Muscat now
GMT+4
GMT+4 · no daylight saving
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Plugs & power
Type G, 240V
UK-style three-pin
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Driving
On the right
Excellent main roads
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Weekend
Friday & Saturday
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Country code
+968
Emergency: 9999
Many travellers can now visit Oman without a visa for a short stay, and others can arrange an eVisa online before they fly. The rules depend on your passport — and they do change from time to time.
Visa-free entry for up to 14 days
Oman has introduced visa-free entry for nationals of 103 countries and regions as part of its ongoing efforts to make travel easier and more welcoming. Eligible travellers can enter Oman without a visa for stays of up to 14 days, provided they meet a few basic requirements.
Visitors must hold:
- A confirmed hotel booking for their entire stay
- Valid health insurance
- A return or onward ticket dated within the 14-day period
- A passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival
The visa-free list includes travellers from the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and most EU and EEA countries. For the complete list, consult the Foreign Ministry of Oman (opens another website in a new tab).
In addition, GCC nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) may enter without any visa requirement.
If you are uncertain about the rules for your nationality or need the latest updates, check the official website of the Royal Oman Police (opens another website in a new tab), the authority responsible for immigration matters.
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Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, with a blank page for the entry stamp.
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eVisa
Where a visa is needed, most tourists apply online through the Royal Oman Police eVisa system before travelling.
Royal Oman Police eVisa website (opens another website in a new tab) -
Visa-free short stays
Citizens of a number of countries can visit for a short period without a visa. Check whether your nationality is included, and for how long.
Check if your nationality is eligible (opens another website in a new tab) -
Coming via the UAE?
Driving in from the UAE, or visiting Musandam overland, means crossing borders — check the requirements for both countries.
Entry rules change. Always confirm the current requirements for your passport on the official Royal Oman Police eVisa website (opens another website in a new tab) or with your nearest Omani embassy before booking flights. We’re happy to point you in the right direction.
The Omani Rial (OMR) is one of the world's highest-value currencies, pegged to the US dollar at roughly 2.6 dollars to the rial. It's divided into 1,000 baisa — so don't be surprised by prices like "OMR 2.500", which means two and a half rials.
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Cards
Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities, hotels, malls and restaurants.
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Cash
Carry some cash for souqs, small cafés, fuel stations in rural areas and village shops. ATMs are easy to find in towns.
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Tipping
Not expected, but appreciated. Around 10% in restaurants where no service charge is added, and a small tip for guides and drivers if you're happy with the service.
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Bargaining
Friendly haggling is normal in souqs, especially for souvenirs and textiles. Prices in shops and malls are fixed.
Fuel is inexpensive compared with most of Europe — good news for self-drive travellers covering long distances.
Oman is warm to hot all year, but the country is varied: the mountains are far cooler than the coast, and the far south has its own monsoon season.
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October – April
The best time
Warm, sunny days and cooler evenings — ideal for touring, hiking and desert camps.
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May – September
Hot
Very hot in most of the country. Plan early starts, head for the mountains, or go south.
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June – September
Khareef in Salalah
The monsoon turns the south green, misty and cool.
Oman is one of the easiest countries in the region to explore by road. The highways are modern and well signposted in Arabic and English, and distances between highlights are manageable.
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Flying in
Most visitors arrive at Muscat International Airport. Salalah has its own airport for the south, and domestic flights connect the two.
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Self-drive
The best way to see the country at your own pace. Drive on the right; an International Driving Permit alongside your licence is recommended.
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On the road
Speed cameras are common and fines are strict. Watch out for camels and goats on rural roads, especially at dusk, and use 4WD where required, such as on Jabal Akhdar.
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Taxis & buses
Taxis and local ride-hailing apps work well in Muscat. Intercity buses exist but are limited — there is no passenger railway.
Omanis are famously welcoming, and a little cultural awareness goes a long way. Oman is a Muslim country with a relaxed, tolerant outlook — you don't need to worry about getting everything perfect, but these simple courtesies are always appreciated.
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Do
- Accept coffee (kahwa) and dates when offered — it's a gesture of welcome
- Use your right hand to eat, give and receive
- Ask before photographing people, especially women
- Greet with a smile and a "salaam" — it's always well received
- Remove shoes when entering a home or mosque
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Don't
- Drink alcohol in public places — it's served only in licensed hotels and restaurants
- Show strong public displays of affection
- Photograph government, military or police buildings
- Point the soles of your feet at someone when sitting
- Criticise the Sultan or religion — both are deeply respected
Light, loose, modest clothing is both respectful and the most comfortable choice in the heat.
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In towns & villages
Cover shoulders and knees. Loose trousers, long skirts and T-shirts with sleeves are ideal for men and women.
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At the beach & hotel pool
Normal swimwear is fine at hotel pools and beaches. Cover up when you leave the beach area.
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Visiting mosques
Arms and legs fully covered. Women need to cover their hair — bring a light scarf.
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Mountains & desert nights
Pack a warm layer. The mountains and desert can be surprisingly cold after dark in winter.
Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, moves about eleven days earlier each year. Travelling during Ramadan is perfectly possible and can be a special experience — evenings come alive after sunset — but days are quieter and some opening hours change.
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During daylight
Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramadan daylight hours. Hotels serve meals to guests discreetly.
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After sunset
Iftar, the evening meal breaking the fast, is a lovely time to be out — restaurants and souqs fill up and stay open late.
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Eid holidays
The Eid holidays after Ramadan and during Hajj season are busy family travel times — book hotels early.
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National Day
Celebrated in November, with flags, lights and festivities across the country.
Islamic holiday dates follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed close to the time. Tell us your travel dates and we’ll let you know if they overlap.
Oman is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in the Middle East for travellers, with low crime and a genuinely friendly population. The main risks are the natural ones: heat, sun and the landscape.
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Heat & sun
Drink more water than you think you need, wear a hat and high-factor sunscreen, and avoid long exertion in the middle of the day.
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Wadis & flash floods
Rain in the mountains can send water down a dry wadi very quickly. Never enter a wadi if rain is forecast upstream.
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Drinking water
Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere, and it's what most visitors drink.
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Healthcare
Good hospitals and pharmacies in Muscat and major towns. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential — make sure it covers any adventure activities you plan.
Vaccination requirements depend on where you’re travelling from. Check with your doctor or travel clinic well before your trip.
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Local SIM cards
Tourist SIMs with data are sold at Muscat airport and in phone shops — you'll need your passport to buy one. eSIMs are also an easy option.
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Coverage
Mobile coverage is good in towns and on main roads, but patchy in deep wadis, remote mountains and the desert.
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Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is standard in hotels, cafés and malls.
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Internet calls
Some internet voice and video calling services may be restricted. Messaging apps generally work — check before relying on a specific app.
Omani food is aromatic rather than fiery — rice, slow-cooked meat, fresh fish and plenty of spice. Don't leave without trying these.
English is widely spoken, but a few words of Arabic always earn a smile.
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Hello (greeting)
As-salamu alaykum
Reply: wa alaykum as-salam
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Hello (informal)
Marhaba
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Thank you
Shukran
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You're welcome
Afwan
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Please
Min fadlak / fadlik
to a man / woman
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Yes / No
Na'am / La
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How much?
Kam?
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Goodbye
Ma'a as-salama
Tick things off as you pack.
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Questions we haven't answered?
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