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Oman Travel Guide – Plan Your Visit to Oman
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Oman is located on the Arabian Peninsula's southern edge, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman; to the north, on the Musandam Peninsula, it borders the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. Oman has land borders with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen, as well as marine borders with Iran and Pakistan.Until 1970, the Arab world's oldest autonomous state was a sultanate known as Muscat and Oman. During the nineteenth century, the nation was the most powerful state in the region, controlling Zanzibar and other regions. It has had significant ties with Britain since the late nineteenth century.
Oman has a geographical area of 309,500 km2, making it slightly smaller than Poland or almost twice the size of Georgia in the United States. The country has several stunning geographical characteristics. There are valleys between steep mountain ranges with terraced orchards of pomegranates, apricots, and roses, as well as broad areas of gravel desert with wadis and enormous pools of water in the midst. Oman's major towns are neatly lined up along the coast. The nation now has a population of 4.45 million people (in 2020), of which 61% (2.7 million) are Omanis. Muscat (population 300,000) is the capital and biggest city. The official language is Arabic. The majority of Oman's population is Muslim (Ibadi).
Let's get around
There’s very little public transport in Oman. Buses will, at a pinch, get you between the main towns and cities, but to really see anything of the country you’ll need your own transport, either by signing up for a tour, hiring a guide-driver, or getting behind the wheel yourself.
While Oman's public transportation system of buses and ferries will get you between the main cities and towns, a private ride is recommended if you want to travel deeper in search of nature experiences such as hiking, diving or snorkeling – likely to be the highlights of any trip here.
In addition to accessing to remote areas around the country, getting around in Oman by car gives you flexibility in your travel plans. There’s nothing like chancing upon an empty beach tucked away in a cove and spontaneously deciding to set your tent up under a starry night sky.
If you plan a road trip across Oman’s different regions – from the desert landscapes of Al Buraimi in the northwest and coastal cities such as Muscat and Sur to fortified towns like Nizwa and Bahla in the interior and agricultural villages in the Hajar Mountains – you’ll need at least a week. Add another week to your itinerary if you’re keen to drive to the beaches, verdant wadis (valleys) and nature reserves of the Dhofar region in the south, perhaps visiting a few islands along the way.
Few things to know
1. What is the currency and conversion in Oman?
Rial Omani
The unit of currency in Oman is the Rial Omani which is sub-divided into 1,000 baisas.
1.00000 OMR = 2.59730 USD2. What is the language in Oman?
The main dialects are Arabic Oman (45.9%), the Arab Gulf (16.8%) and the Arab Dhofari (2.6%). Immigrant populations use their original languages: South Baluchi (4.9%), Malayalam (4.7%), Bengali (4.2%), etc. Many immigrants speak English.
3. Are there many ATMs and Money Exchange?
ATMs in OmanWith more than 169 ATMs across the country, National Bank of Oman has one of the largest ATM networks in Oman. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, Maestro and InterBank cards. ATMs sometimes run dry on weekends in smaller towns.
Currency Exchange in OmanMoney can easily be changed at banks in the main cities and ATMs that accept international cards are widespread. If you need to change money, please ask your driver or staff at your hotel where the best place to do this is.
Traveller’s Cheques in OmanTravellers should be wary of using traveller's cheques in Oman as they are difficult to exchange. International hotel chains are more likely to accept them, but smaller hotels, shops and banks are likely to refuse.4. What is the time zone in Oman?
Gulf Standard Time
Time zone in Oman (GMT+4)Oman observes Gulf Standard Time all year. There are no Daylight Saving Time clock changes.5. What is the climate in Oman?
Oman has a subtropical, dry climate with summer monsoons and hot, dusty winds. Average annual temperature ranges from 10°C to 12°C in the north while ranging from 16°C to 18°C in the south. Annual average rainfall ranges from 150 mm to 300 mm in the north while ranging from 50 mm to 150 mm in the south.
6. What is the telephone code in Oman?
+968 is the country calling code assigned to Oman by the International Telecommunication Union. All of the country’s telephone numbers are also designated under the Telecom Act, brought into legislation by Royal Decree No. 30/2002 and created by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Omani Government.
So if you’re calling Oman, the number should start with:
+968 123-4567-97. What is the emergency service in Oman?
In the Sultanate of Oman, emergencies and medical services are handled by the Royal Omani Police through the Public Authority for Civil Defense and Ambulance. You can call 9999, which is the national emergency hotline for Oman.
8. What is the driving mode in Oman?
Driving in Oman is also very easy and straight forward.
The roads are wide and there's a ton of speed checks dotted throughout the country on the main roads. During your road trip in Oman you'll drive by desert landscapes, turquoise water, incredible mountain ranges and hidden oases
Driving is on the right. If you are involved in a major road traffic accident you must stay with your vehicle and call the Royal Oman Police (ROP) on 9999. If you are involved in a minor accident, it may not be necessary to call the police, but you must follow the procedures set out on the ROP website.9. What is the electricity voltage in Oman?
240VIn Oman the supply voltage is 240V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 240V.
You can use your electric appliances in Oman, because the standard voltage (240 V) is (more or less) the same as in the United Kingdom (230 V). Manufacturers take these small deviations into account. So you don't need a voltage converter in Oman, when living in the United Kingdom.
Some highlights in Oman
Airlines that fly to Oman
These are some of the airlines flying to Oman from around the world. Major airlines offer direct flights to Oman from all over the world. There are also several connecting flights to Oman depending on what countries you depart to which airline you are flying with. In some airlines, you may consider having layovers too.
How long do flights to Oman?
The total flight duration from United States to Oman is 16 hours, 34 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
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