Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the country's attractions lie off-road where travelling solo (for either sex) is inadvisable
unless you are highly resourceful and, if driving, strong enough to change a tyre.
Harassment is not a big problem, except near hotels where attitudes are, rightly or
wrongly, influenced by the sight of women in bikinis. Outside hotels, it helps (in addition
to being more culturally sensitive) to be discreetly dressed in loose-fitting clothing, and to
wear shorts and a T-shirt for swimming.
WORK
To work in Oman you have to be sponsored by an Omani company before you enter the
country (ie you have to have a job). Although it is illegal to work on a tourist visa, some
expats take a short-term contract and hope their employer will arrange a labour card for
them. The reality is a fretful experience best avoided.
Getting There & Away
ENTERING OMAN
Entering Oman at Muscat International Airport (
Click here
)
is straightforward. The small
airport is efficient, queues are kept to a minimum (outside holiday periods), staff are
friendly and your luggage is often waiting on the carousel before immigration is complete.
Most visitors require a visa upon arrival. This is easily expedited by filling in a form (in
the immigration hall) and taking it to the clearly marked visa-collection counter before
queuing up to have your passport stamped. A new airport should be open by 2015.
AIR
Airports & Airlines
There is only one truly international airport in Oman, and that is Muscat International Air-
port in Muscat. That said, Oman Air is due to run direct flights between Dubai and Doha
and Salalah airport.
Regional Flights
There are direct flights to each of the destinations below daily, except for Sana'a which is
serviced by a weekly flight. Frequent single-stop flights connect all these destinations.
FLIGHT DESTINATION
PRICE (OR)
Abu Dhabi (UAE)
62
Doha (Qatar)
130
Kuwait City (Kuwait)
95
Manama (Bahrain)
135
