Country Guides
Oman
Getting Around
Getting Around
Oman
Getting Around by Air
Oman Air (WY) (website: www.oman-air.com) runs domestic flights to Salalah and Khasab from Seeb airport.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Principal routes run from east to west, connecting Muscat to Sohar, and from north to south. There are good roads in Muscat and between Muscat and other major towns in Oman. Unpaved roads open up less-visited parts of Oman for those with 4-wheel drive.
Bus: The state-owned Oman National Transport Company (tel: 24 708 522; website: www.ontcoman.com) has a network of services around Oman using modern, air-conditioned vehicles. There are daily departures from Ruwi (Muscat) to Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Sohar, Buraimi, Sur and Salalah among other domestic destinations. It also runs international services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taxis and minibuses run similar services.
Taxi: Prices are low compared to Western Europe. Shared taxis are also available. Metered taxis are slowly being introduced but in the meantime, fares should be agreed in advance.
Car hire: Available from international firms which have offices at the airport and at hotels in Muscat and Salalah. Local firms have limited availability in smaller towns.
Regulations: Traffic laws are strictly imposed. Heavy penalties are imposed for drinking and driving; 48-hour prison sentences are imposed if traffic offences are caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. Seat belts should be worn at all times. On-the-spot fines are imposed if caught using a mobile phone whilst driving. It is also forbidden to drive on the beaches.
Documentation: Long term residents need a local licence, obtainable from the police by presenting a national driving licence or International Driving Permit. Police passes are required for residents travelling to the United Arab Emirates.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Muscat to other major cities and towns in Oman.
Air Road Rail Sohar - 3.30 - Nizwa - 2.15 - Sur - 4.15 - Salalah 1.15 10.00 -
Getting Around by Air
Oman Air (WY) (website: www.oman-air.com) runs domestic flights to Salalah and Khasab from Seeb airport.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Principal routes run from east to west, connecting Muscat to Sohar, and from north to south. There are good roads in Muscat and between Muscat and other major towns in Oman. Unpaved roads open up less-visited parts of Oman for those with 4-wheel drive.
Bus: The state-owned Oman National Transport Company (tel: 24 708 522; website: www.ontcoman.com) has a network of services around Oman using modern, air-conditioned vehicles. There are daily departures from Ruwi (Muscat) to Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Sohar, Buraimi, Sur and Salalah among other domestic destinations. It also runs international services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taxis and minibuses run similar services.
Taxi: Prices are low compared to Western Europe. Shared taxis are also available. Metered taxis are slowly being introduced but in the meantime, fares should be agreed in advance.
Car hire: Available from international firms which have offices at the airport and at hotels in Muscat and Salalah. Local firms have limited availability in smaller towns.
Regulations: Traffic laws are strictly imposed. Heavy penalties are imposed for drinking and driving; 48-hour prison sentences are imposed if traffic offences are caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. Seat belts should be worn at all times. On-the-spot fines are imposed if caught using a mobile phone whilst driving. It is also forbidden to drive on the beaches.
Documentation: Long term residents need a local licence, obtainable from the police by presenting a national driving licence or International Driving Permit. Police passes are required for residents travelling to the United Arab Emirates.
Bus: The state-owned Oman National Transport Company (tel: 24 708 522; website: www.ontcoman.com) has a network of services around Oman using modern, air-conditioned vehicles. There are daily departures from Ruwi (Muscat) to Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Sohar, Buraimi, Sur and Salalah among other domestic destinations. It also runs international services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taxis and minibuses run similar services.
Taxi: Prices are low compared to Western Europe. Shared taxis are also available. Metered taxis are slowly being introduced but in the meantime, fares should be agreed in advance.
Car hire: Available from international firms which have offices at the airport and at hotels in Muscat and Salalah. Local firms have limited availability in smaller towns.
Regulations: Traffic laws are strictly imposed. Heavy penalties are imposed for drinking and driving; 48-hour prison sentences are imposed if traffic offences are caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. Seat belts should be worn at all times. On-the-spot fines are imposed if caught using a mobile phone whilst driving. It is also forbidden to drive on the beaches.
Documentation: Long term residents need a local licence, obtainable from the police by presenting a national driving licence or International Driving Permit. Police passes are required for residents travelling to the United Arab Emirates.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Muscat to other major cities and towns in Oman.
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Sohar | - | 3.30 | - |
| Nizwa | - | 2.15 | - |
| Sur | - | 4.15 | - |
| Salalah | 1.15 | 10.00 | - |
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