Car Rental in Oman

Sparsely populated and with a somewhat remote feel, Oman remains something of a hidden gem among the lands of the Middle East. That being said, it is one of the region’s most diverse countries — its landscapes include not only the Arabian Desert, but also rugged mountains, a long coastline, and even a tropical rainforest. More accessible than ever, it is waiting to be explored.

• Muscat Airport: Serving the country’s capital, Oman’s largest airport handled more than 14 million travelers in 2019. A large hub for Oman’s biggest airlines, Oman Air and the low-cost SalamAir, it hosts flights to and from the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia. The airport is 10km (6 miles) west of the city center.
• Salalah Airport: Serving the famous holiday destination of the same name and the tropical Dhofar Governorate, Salalah Airport is located in the far south of the country. The airport is mainly busy during the high tourist season when it hosts the flights of more than ten airlines that connect it with such varied destinations as India, Italy, and Russia.
• Sohar Airport: A very small international airport about two hour’s drive north of Muscat, Sohar offers connections with Doha Airport in Qatar, one of the busiest airports in all of the Middle East. 
• United Arab Emirates: The neighboring UAE is home to Dubai Airport and Abu Dhabi Airport, two of the busiest airports in the region that offers flights to and from destinations around the world, as well as the smaller Sharjah and Al Ain airports. Flying to the UAE first can thus be a good way to reach Oman. Not all rental car suppliers permit one-way rentals between the two countries (read more about that in the Border Crossing section below), but it’s possible to travel with public transportation and pick up a rental car after arriving in Oman; for example, the trip from Dubai to Muscat only takes about five hours.

• Muscat. The capital and the largest city, Muscat is more than just a center of industry and commerce. With human habitation in the area dating back for millennia, it used to be an important port on the Maritime Silk Road and a prized possession of different empires. Historic sites abound — the city’s impressive forts and watchtowers are some of the best examples while the Omani French Museum details the country’s more recent colonial legacy. Also, don’t miss out on Muscat’s traditional markets!
• Salalah. Located in the south of the country, Salalah is both an interesting destination in its own right and a gateway to some of Oman’s finest beaches. The city is also not short on historic attractions, with the Al Baleed Archaeological Park perhaps the finest example. At the same time, Salalah’s Corniche or coastal promenade is one of the most scenic drives in the country.
• Bahla. An oasis town and citadel, Bahla is one of the most interesting places to visit in Oman. Built in the 14th century using traditional mud-brick techniques, the area that used to be known as the hub of Islamic learning has a special atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country. Bahla is about a two-hour drive southwest of Muscat and can thus be visited on a day trip. The nearby city of Nizwa with its own magnificent fort can be visited on the same trip.

   

• Nizwa. The fort at Nizwa is the most visited tourist attraction in Oman. However, Nizwa’s Friday goat market is also a fascinating thing to see. Every Friday, farmers from across the Ad Dakhiliyah region come to auction off livestock. The Nizwa souk is alive with salesmen and locals from all over the regions who shop for everything from candied dates, pastries, fresh fish and meat, and furnishings

• Sur. The coastal town of Sur in southeastern Oman is the birthplace of the fictional character “Sinbad the Sailor.” The port here is famous for making traditional wooden boats known as “dhows.”  As you walk along the seafront corniche, you will be met with craftsmen working on these boats that are happy to show you how they make them. Sightseeing opportunities in Sur are few. However, the appeal of visiting is simply to enjoy a slower pace of life by the sea and to hang out in seafront tea rooms with karak tea. Nearby, you can take a day trip to the Ras al Jinz turtle reserve, where you can see green turtles nesting on the shore.

• Misfat Al Abriyeen. Misfat Al Abriyeen is a small farming community nestled high in the mountains of Al Dhakhiyla. Traveling here is like adventuring back in time. While other rural communities in Oman have been abandoned due to the locals relocating to Muscat for better work opportunities, those in Misfat still use traditional farming and irrigation methods. Bananas, dates, pomegranates and other tropical fruits are grown here. 

• Fanja. Fanja is a town close to the natural oasis wadi Fanja, 25km away from Muscat. The new part of town is a great place to shop for handicrafts and souvenirs. However, much of the appeal of visiting is in the old, abandoned part of Fanja. There is an old fortress here whose defensive walls still remain intact, complete with rusting centuries-old cannons. The abandoned fortress is a photographer’s dream. If you come here during the local Eid celebrations, you can watch on as guns are fired into the air during the festivities. 

The most popular rental car in Oman is the Toyota Corolla, followed by the Suzuki Swift and the Mazda 3. The most popular rental car types are compact, mini, and economy.

• You can use your country’s driver’s license in Oman if it is in an Arabic or Latin alphabet. This only applies to visits that don’t exceed three months — if you’re residing in Oman permanently, you need to acquire a local driving license.
• Travelers with a driver’s license with non-Latin, non-Arabic alphabets (e.g., Cyrillic) need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• You must carry your driver’s license, not its copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car providers charge a young driver fee for drivers under the age of 30 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and car category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Oman is bordered by three countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Most visitors will only consider visiting the UAE during their trip to Oman due to the difficulty of visiting the other two countries. 

Oman has a shared visa policy with the Emirate of Dubai, so a visa for either of these territories also permits you to visit the other. However, this does not apply to the six other emirates, so if you plan to visit any of them (e.g., Abu Dhabi or Sharjah), you’ll need to acquire a separate UAE visa even if you already have an Omani visa. This system has led to some confusion, although it should be noted that the visa policies of Oman and the United Arab Emirates are generally similar and travelers from many countries (most of the European Union, the United States, Australia, etc.) can either visit both countries visa-free or can obtain a visa on arrival. That being said, there are some differences — for example, citizens of countries like Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and Croatia are exempt from needing a visa for Oman but need a visa to visit the United Arab Emirates. If you need a visa for visiting either of the two countries, do consult your Ministry of Foreign Affairs before your trip.

Even considering the general freedom of movement between Oman and the UAE, not every rental car supplier permits cross-border travel between the two countries. You can find the ones that offer one-way rentals by entering the car pick-up and drop-off locations on our website’s rental car search.

There are no paved roads between Oman and Saudi Arabia as the border is in the Arabian Desert.

While the border with Yemen remains open, no rental car supplier permits crossing it. Yemen has suffered from armed conflict since 2014 and while the country’s western area bordering Oman has been relatively less affected, travelers planning to visit the country should exercise extreme caution and do a lot of research before the trip. 

• Hajar Mountains. One of the wildest destinations in all of the Arabian Peninsula, the Hajars is a 700km (430 miles) long mountain range crossing Northern Oman from the southwest to the northeast. The area is rich in archaeological sites including a prehistoric beehive, but its number one attraction is the spectacular scenery. Note: While there are good highways crossing the mountains, getting a 4WD vehicle is necessary to explore most off-road parts of the mountain range. Also, make sure you have an up-to-date map.
• Wahiba Sands. A large desert area in the central part of the country, the Wahiba is the Arabian Peninsula that most foreigners imagine when they think of the region. The endless dunes are best visited as part of a tour — going into the desert on your own runs the high risk of getting stuck or lost. However, you can drive to one of the nearby towns and villages from where the tours take off. Seeing the sunset or sunrise in the desert is a truly special experience.
• Masirah Island. A desert island just off the coast of Central Oman, Masirah is another destination that’s unlike any other in the country. The area is known for its diving opportunities that even let you visit some of the nearby shipwrecks, as well as kitesurfing and other water sports. The island was closed to tourists until recently, so an off-the-beaten-path atmosphere remains about it. Masirah can be reached with a ferry from the mainland town of Shannah. Most ferry companies permit taking a vehicle onboard, but you should nonetheless also ask your rental car company in advance if they permit it.

There are several good methods to find a cheaper rental car:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Oman is the cheapest in October when renting a car is about 30% cheaper than the yearly average and about 48% cheaper than renting a car in June.