Travel to Oman – Information and Tips

Oman is a relatively less-visited destination for Indians. It is quite rare to see Indians visiting Oman purely as tourists, even though there is a large Indian population living and working there. Recently, I visited Oman with my family, and in this post, I will talk about some important aspects of visiting the country.

Oman Visa

The Oman visa process is fairly simple and hassle-free. I have covered the detailed steps in a separate post, so do check that out if you are planning a visit.

Travelling to Oman

Muscat, the capital city, was our entry and exit point. I managed to get a decent flight deal with Oman Air. It is a good airline—comfortable and reliable. Not as extravagant as Emirates, but definitely better than budget carriers like Air Arabia.

Travelling within Oman

We rented a car from the airport and returned it at the airport at the end of the trip. This turned out to be extremely convenient and also cheaper than relying on taxis. Public transport in Oman is limited, especially outside Muscat. The country is designed for cars, and the road infrastructure reflects that.

One important thing to note is that driving is on the right side of the road, which is the opposite of India. It takes some time to adjust, but it is manageable.

There are many car rental options—both international brands and local companies. After some research, I rented the car from Travz, a local rental agency, and the experience was smooth and hassle-free.

The roads in Oman are top-class. Speed limits are typically 100–120 km/h on highways, and people generally follow traffic rules. Driving here is a pleasure. That said, long stretches through the desert can feel monotonous due to very low traffic. Outside Muscat, highway traffic is minimal. There were times when I set the cruise control at 120 km/h and drove for 50–60 km without touching the brake. Compared to this, Indian road infrastructure is generations behind.

There are no tolls, even on expressways. Fuel is very cheap—roughly around ₹50 per litre. The only minor annoyance is the presence of speed breakers inside town limits.

As per Omani law, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not mandatory, but most rental companies still insist on it for Indian licence holders. Knowing this, I got my IDP in advance.

About IDP

There is nothing fancy about an IDP. If you already have a valid driving licence, you can apply by submitting your passport copy, visa, air tickets, and a health certificate (still not sure why this is required!). The process is supposed to be fully online, but in reality, some RTOs—like those in Bengaluru—may ask you to visit in person (you know why!!).

Alternatively, driving schools can get it done in a day or two, but they charge 3–4 times more. The IDP is valid for one year.

Earlier, IDPs were issued as booklets with translations in multiple languages. To cut costs, RTOs now issue a single-page paper without translations, which technically does not meet international standards. Some countries, like Japan, are strict about this format. Thankfully, the rental company in Oman accepted it without issues.

There is also a booklet version issued by another organization, but it comes at a very high cost. You still need the paper IDP before applying for that. I don’t have first-hand experience with it.

Itinerary

We had around six days in Oman.

We spent two days in Muscat, covering places like the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Corniche, Mutrah Fort, and a few beaches. The highlight, however, was a half-day snorkelling tour to the Daymaniyat Islands (The link to book tour is here). This is an absolute must-do. Swimming alongside sea turtles was an unforgettable experience.

We then spent a day around Nizwa, visiting Misfat Al Abriyeen, a beautiful and historic village. We also explored Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort, and Jibreen Castle. The evening vibe at Nizwa Souq was something we really enjoyed.

Spending a night in the Wahiba Sands was another highlight—completely away from civilization and city noise.

Oman is also known for its wadis—valleys with streams and natural pools. We visited Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab, which are among the easiest and most popular ones to visit.

Overall, we did a circular route:
Muscat → Nizwa → Wahiba Sands → Sur → Muscat, covering all the places mentioned above.

If you have a 4×4 vehicle, Oman becomes even more exciting. The mountainous regions and off-road tracks are extremely inviting.

Language

Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Due to the large Indian working population, languages like Hindi and Malayalam are also commonly understood.

Vegetarian Food

Muscat has several good South Indian restaurants. Outside Muscat, pure vegetarian restaurants are rare, but vegetarian options are usually available. Food prices are quite reasonable—roughly one-fourth of what you would pay in Western Europe.

Currency

Oman uses the Omani Rial. I exchanged a small amount at the airport for emergencies, but in general, credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Weather

Oman gets extremely hot during summer, roughly from March to September. We visited in December, and the weather was very pleasant and comfortable for travel.

Dress Code

Oman is an Islamic country, but tourists are not required to follow a strict dress code, except when visiting religious places like mosques. Being mindful of local customs is enough. Many local men wear traditional attire, and most local women wear abayas or burqas.

Summary

Overall, Oman turned out to be a fantastic destination. If you are comfortable driving, it becomes an even better experience. The people are friendly, hotels and restaurants are reasonably priced, toilets are clean and free to use, fuel is cheap, there are no tolls, and parking is free in most places (except some parts of Muscat, where even paid parking is free on Fridays and Saturdays).

Oman is simple, clean, peaceful—and surprisingly underrated.