Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Salalah's taxis and microbuses hang out behind HSBC on Al-Salam St. Microbus fares
from Salalah include Mirbat (OR2) but most routes are inconvenient as they drop passen-
gers off at the junction with the main road and there's a long walk into town.
Taxis will generally only make trips beyond Salalah on an engaged basis (OR10 to Taqa
and OR15 to Mirbat, OR25 to the Salalah Marriott Resort, for example). There is no pub-
lic transport from the airport. Taxis charge a fixed price of OR3 from the airport to any-
where in Salalah. A microbus ride within the city costs around 500 baisa and a taxi about
OR1. Taxis cost OR3 to the Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah and OR3.500 to Hilton Salalah
Hotel from the city centre.
MUSCAT TO SALALAH OVERLAND
Inland Route
It comes as some surprise to see a sign off the Rusayl roundabout in Muscat that says 'Salalah 998km'. Salalah
may be Oman's second city, but it would be inconceivable to see a sign pointing to Edinburgh from the outskirts
of London, or Washington from New York. The signs imply that there is precious little in between - that once on
the lonely Hwy 31 from Nizwa, there is nothing between you and Salalah. And that's pretty much the case! The
eight-hour journey between Nizwa and Thumrait across Al-Wusta Region is punctuated by one lone limestone
hump near Adam, the excitement of a small town at Hayma and little else. One Thorn Tree correspondent called
it 'the least memorable journey in the world' and, as you gaze across the big sky, midpoint along Hwy 31,
without a rock, a bush, or any kind of interruption of the level plain, it's hard not to agree.
With your own 4WD, however, there are a few points of interest en route, summarised below. If the prospect of
exploring this 'Road Across Nowhere' appeals, you can make the interminable drive more bearable by stopping
off at the friendly, simple, courtyard guest houses of Al-Ghabah Hotel, Al-Ghaftain and Qitbit. There's no need to
book ahead!
Oases of Muntasar
(near Qitbit) Famous for the daily fly-by of thousands of sand grouse.
Oasis of Muqshin
Relatively easy access to the magnificent
ghaf
woodlands and seams of Sodom's apple that
decorate the edge of the Empty Quarter.
Shisr
Chance to exercise the imagination at the supposed site of the fabled gold-pillared city of Ubar (
Click
here
), a shortish detour along Hwy 43.
Coastal Route
There is an altogether more scenic way of getting to Dhofar along the shores of the beautiful Arabian Sea but it is
not for those in a hurry. The coastal trip from Muscat to Salalah takes at least three days and the beauty of the
coast will make you wish you'd allowed more time. There are hotels at Ashkara, Mahout and Duqm along this
route but you'll need camping equipment or be prepared for a very long drive (at least six hours) between Duqm
and Thumrait or Salalah. A spectacular coast-hugging road from Shwaymiyah to Salalah will shave two hours off
this journey time on completion in 2014. If you want to explore the best of the route, you'll need a 4WD so you
can reach the shore or explore a wadi. For full descriptions of how to make the best of this area, refer to an off-
road guide. Some of the highlights of this route include:
Film
Traditional Barasti fishing villages.
