Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Etihad Airways
(
www.etihadairways.com
)
Based in Abu Dhabi with the same credentials as Emir-
ates Airlines.
Air Arabia
( 06-508 8888;
www.airarabia.com
)
Sharjah-based low-cost carrier flying to North
African, Middle Eastern, Asian and select European destinations, including Amsterdam,
London and Barcelona.
FlyDubai
( 04-231 1000;
www.flydubai.com
)
Discount carrier with around 50 destinations,
mostly within the Middle East, India and Central Asia.
RAK Airways
( 07-207 5000;
www.rakairways.com
)
Flights to Egypt, Qatar, Pakistan, Nepal, India
and Bangladesh.
LAND
Border Crossings
The UAE shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, but only GCC citizens are permit-
ted to cross into Saudi at the Ghuwaifat/Sila border post in the far west of the UAE.
Non-GCC citizens headed for mainland Oman may use the Hili checkpoint in Al Ain,
the Hatta checkpoint east of Dubai and the tiny coastal Khatmat Malaha crossing south of
Fujairah.
If you're headed for Khasab on the Musandam Peninsula, use the Shams/Tibat check-
point north of Ras Al Khaimah. There's another border crossing to the Musandam in
Dibba on the east coast but military checkpoints make it impossible to drive to Khasab
from there.
Unless you have a free UAE tourist visa, there's a Dh35 fee when leaving the UAE and
a Dh50/OR5 fee at the Omani entry point (cash only).
Bus
Oman National Transport Company
(ONTC;
www.ontocoman.com
)
runs comfortable express buses with
televisions and toilets on board between Muscat (Oman) and Dubai . Express bus 204
travels via the coastal Khatmat Malaha crossing and Fujeirah in seven hours (OR5.5 or
Dh53). Express bus 201 goes via Hatta in 5½ or six hours for the same fare.
In Dubai, buses leave from a
bus stop
(28A St, near 11D St; Al Rigga)
in Deira, just northwest
of the airport, near the Caravan restaurant. Tickets are sold in the Al Manhal shop.
Car & Motorcycle
If you intend to drive into the UAE, bring your passport, visa (if any), drivers licence, car
registration and proof of adequate insurance coverage. Make sure you have enough gas
since petrol stations are few and far between.
