Are you just thinking about taking a trip to Oman? Have you heard a lot about the country and seen photos of the breathtaking mountain landscapes, the wadis, the sea, and the desert? Those interested in Traveling to Oman and find tons of tips that you will need while planning your trip. Look at this full guide for Oman.
Are you curious but still undecided? You shouldn’t be, because Oman is a very safe and open-minded country.
The friendliness and hospitality of the people is overwhelming. And if you are interested in the Arabic culture, Oman is the perfect travel destination for you.
Guide to Traveling to Oman for the First Time
Entry into Oman: passport, visa, and medication
All travelers need the following documents to enter Oman without any issues:
- a valid passport,
- an electronic visa.
Your travel document must be valid for at least six months after the planned entry.
To quick apply for Oman visa – oman-evisa.com. Applying for an Oman e-Visa online is as simple as filling the application form with the necessary data, such as:
- your name,
- surname,
- e-mail address,
- passport and travel details.
Cover the visa fee and wait for your approved entry permit to arrive at your e-mail address in a PDF form!
Applicants can use their phone, laptops, PCs, or tablets to submit an application. Electronic visas are one of the easiest permits to obtain, you don’t even have to leave your home.
Oman e-Visa allows its holders to stay in the country for 10 or 30 days and is available as either a single-entry or a multiple-entry permit.
If you exceed your visa validity, you will have to pay a daily fine of currently 10 OMR.
If you are dependent on certain medications, you should have a multilingual medical letter with you attesting to their necessity. This is especially true for psychotropic drugs and painkillers. It is better if you can clearly prove what you need your medication for.
The best time to travel to Oman
There are only two seasons in Oman: summer and winter. Summer runs from May to September and winter from October to April.
Of course, the climatic conditions differ from region to region.
It is cooler in the mountains than in the desert – regardless of the season. Nevertheless, the summertime is likely to be too hot for travelers, as temperature ranges between 35 and 48 degrees.
The high humidity in the coastal regions should not be underestimated either. Try to put your trip to Oman in the wintertime because you can stay pleasant at 20 to 30 degrees.
Traveling around Oman
Let’s say it right away: without a rental car, it can be a bit difficult to get around Oman. Because there are currently no train connections. Bus connections only exist between the important cities.
In the capital region, you could rely on taxis or the mini busses. For longer journeys, it may even be possible to find private drivers. From Muscat, travelers can use the domestic flights to Salalah and Khasab (Musandam).
With a rental car, however, traveling in Oman is very easy. And for the fact that in the 1970s, there was just a single asphalt piece of road that was only 10 meters long, many roads are now really well developed.
And even if things get stuck, there is usually a solution. For example, the Jebel Akhdar may only be used with 4WD. Locals like to offer their transport services for this.
If you want to stay in a desert camp, many providers include a pick-up service.
- Under no circumstances should you go solo in a normal car into the desert. But you shouldn’t drive yourself crazy if your budget doesn’t allow for a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
- What you should think about before traveling to Oman, however: Get an international driver’s license if you don’t already have one. What you should expect on the streets of Oman are, on the one hand, free-roaming camels, which can be a possible risk of accidents, especially at night.
- So always keep your eyes open and drive carefully! You can also suddenly run into roadside checks when driving overland. Due to the situation in Yemen, these are carried out by the police and the military.
Final words
Make sure that you have a valid passport and an active visa before traveling to Oman. To fully enjoy the trip, consider which type of transport will you be using and when it will be best for you to stay in the country. Since you’ll be close to Yemen, you should take a look at Ghumdan Palace!.
Create a travel itinerary and pack your bags! Oman is waiting for all travelers to discover Oman.
