How to get to Oman: airports, flights and border crossings

For almost every first trip, book into Muscat International (MCT). It is the only airport with a wide choice of long-haul connections, and it sits within a 2–3 hour drive of Nizwa, the Hajar mountains, Wadi Shab and Sur, so the classic interior loop starts and ends there.

Salalah (SLL) is the right choice only when Dhofar is the trip: the khareef green season in July and August, or the winter beaches and frankincense sites from October to March. It is a long drive from Muscat, so most travellers fly between the two.

Khasab (KHS) in Musandam is a small airport with limited flights; many people reach Musandam by road from Dubai instead.

Muscat International is the hub, with a modern terminal, car rental desks, SIM counters and taxis. Long-haul travellers from North America almost always connect once, usually in London, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul. UK travellers have nonstop options from London and can often fly direct from Manchester in season. Australian and New Zealand travellers connect once, most often in Dubai, Doha or Bangkok.

Salalah has domestic flights from Muscat plus a handful of international services, mostly from the Gulf and India. Khasab is served mainly from Muscat. Prices swing with season: the northern winter (November to March) and the Salalah khareef are the busiest and most expensive windows.

Oman shares its main land border with the UAE, and driving across is common for travellers based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The busiest crossings are near Hatta (Al Wajajah) on the road to Muscat, and Khatmat Milaha further north on the coast route towards Sohar. There are also crossings in the far north for Musandam, and a remote border with Saudi Arabia in the south-west.

If you rent a car in the UAE, check that the rental company allows cross-border travel and provides the paperwork; not all do, and there may be an extra fee. Insurance and a border fee can apply at the Omani side. Bring your licence, passport and vehicle registration.

By sea, cruise ships call at Muscat, Khasab and Salalah, and ferries run between Musandam and the rest of Oman for locals and some visitors. There is no practical scheduled international passenger ferry for tourists; check current services before planning around one.

At Muscat airport, expect immigration queues at peak arrival times. Have your accommodation address ready, and check whether your passport qualifies for a visa on arrival or needs an e-visa before you fly. Most Western passports are eligible for a short tourist stay, but rules and fees change, so verify on the official portal.

Taxis and ride apps meet arrivals; the drive to central Muscat, Muttrah or Qurum takes roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport or set one up before landing, and change a small amount of cash for taxis and tips; cards are widely accepted in hotels and malls.

If you land in Salalah, the airport is close to the city and to the road east towards Taqah and Mirbat. If you land in Khasab, arrange your dhow cruise and transport in advance, as services are limited.

Oman's currency is the Omani rial, pegged to the US dollar, so budgeting is straightforward. Tipping is not expected but rounding up taxis and leaving 5–10% in restaurants without a service charge is normal. Plugs are UK three-pin at 240 V, so bring an adapter if you are coming from the US or Europe.

The weekend is Friday and Saturday, and the working week runs Sunday to Thursday, which affects shop and office hours. The time zone is UTC+4 all year with no daylight saving, so jet lag from Europe is mild and from North America is moderate.

Travel insurance is worth arranging before you fly, particularly if you plan to drive, hike in the mountains or swim in wadis. Check that your policy covers the activities you intend to do.