Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Europe has good air access to Oman, with flights available on most larger carriers between Oman and European capitals and other major cities. There's a departure tax of around US$5 included in the ticket price. Entering or leaving by land means travelling between Oman and the UAE as the border with Yemen is not easily negotiated by travellers. There's a daily bus service between Muscat and Dubai.

Getting around

Oman Air has daily flights between Muscat and Salalah, and regular services to Khasab. Intercity buses serve most main provincial towns daily. Renting a car in the Sultanate is easy but not cheap. Oman has a comprehensive system of service taxis and microbuses. Drivers depart when they have a few passengers, expecting to pick up and drop off other passengers along the way; it's a very cheap way to get around providing you're in no particular hurry. You can also take a taxi or microbus 'engaged' (ie privately) by paying for all of the seats in it. Only the larger towns have a has a local bus system. Muscat's Seeb International Airport is 40km (25mi) west of the city. There are car rental agencies at the airport and taxis run on fixed meters from the terminal building or cheaper buses can be caught from the highway, 0.5km from the airport building.

Visa information

In an effort to encourage tourism, Oman relaxed its visa regulations in late 2001. Visas are still required (except for citizens of other Gulf countries) but it is now possible for many foreign nationals (including those from the EU, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand) to obtain a visa at Muscat's Seeb Internationa Airport, or at border crossings. These visas are valid for two weeks. Tourist visas obtained through the Sultanate's embassies abroad are valid for three weeks. Visas are still obtainable through Oman's bigger hotels and tour companies. One-week extensions are available from the Immigration & Passports Directorate in Al-Khuwair in Muscat. A nominal fee is payable to cross into the Musandam peninsula from UAE and a road pass is necessary if you plan to travel by car from Muscat. If your passport shows any evidence of travel to Israel you will be denied entry to Oman. As always, check with authorities for any changes.