Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You need extra insurance if you wish to take a hired car over the border to/from the
UAE and you must return the car to the country in which you hired it (unless you're will-
ing to pay a huge premium).
SEA
There are no passenger services to/from Oman, although Muscat is a port of call for cruise
liners.
Getting Around
AIR
Besides Muscat International Airport in Muscat, the only functioning airports in Oman are
at opposite ends of the country in Salalah and Khasab; both of these handle domestic
flights only but connections with Dubai and Doha are rumoured to begin in 2013. Four
new airports are being built at Ras al-Hadd, Sohar, Adam and Duqm, which will help
open up the country for visitors.
The national carrier is Oman Air (
Click here
)
. It services the domestic airports, as well
as a selection of Middle Eastern and subcontinental destinations. Tickets can be booked
through any travel agent or online.
The only domestic flights available in the country at the time of writing are on Oman
Air as follows:
Between Muscat and Salalah
(One way/return OR32/64, 1½ hours, up to four times
daily at variable times.)
Between Muscat and Khasab
(One way/return, OR32/64, 1¼ hours, once daily at vari-
able times.)
BUS
The intercity buses are operated by ONTC (
Click here
)
, which has daily services to/from
most of the main provincial towns for less than OR8. Buses are usually on time, comfort-
able and safe. It is worth making reservations for longer journeys. Tickets are available
from the bus driver.
CAR
Road signs are written in English (albeit with inconsistent spelling), as well as in Arabic,
throughout Oman.
Helpful brown tourist signs signal many sites of interest.
Petrol, all of which is unleaded, is widely available.
Al-Maha petrol stations usually have modern, well-stocked shops and clean toilets.
