How to Travel Around Oman – Diverse Transport Options for Visitors
Oman | Image by Anfal Shamsudeen on Unsplash
The charming nation of Oman would always be a captivating country to visit. This nation happens to be well-known for its cultural attractions as well as natural features which would include rocky mountains, wadis (valleys / ravines), deserts with huge sand dunes, beaches and so on. There would be several ways for visitors to get around in Oman, with the main modes of transport available described below.
By car
There would be little doubt that driving your own car would be the simplest and most convenient way of travelling around the country and enjoying activities in Oman. You would find that there would be an excellent road network here extending to many of its regions. However, you should keep in mind that the local driving standards may not always be up to Western expectations.
You would find that renting a car would be inexpensive in Oman. Naturally, you could expect to pay somewhat more for a good four-wheel-drive vehicle. Whereas some local firms might rent you a vehicle for a very modest price, it may not be in as good a condition as one rented from a more reputed company. Additionally, you will need an International Driving Permit to drive a car in Oman; you would also find that petrol would be very inexpensive by Western standards in this nation. Remember, that for desert adventures in places like the popular Wahiba Sands where you could enjoy luxury camping, you will need a 4x4 (4WD) vehicle.
By micro and bus
All of Oman’s main cities and towns would be reachable by bus. However, there would be hardly any bus services for travel within the cities. Buses would be reasonably comfortable and rapid, although you may find that there would only be a few departures each day. Bus fares would generally be exceedingly modest as well adding to the appeal of this mode of transport.
Meanwhile, when it comes to public transport within the bigger cities – particularly Muscat – you would be obliged to use micros (sometimes called ‘baisa buses’) for, getting about. These orange and white painted minivans would primarily be used by expats from the subcontinent of India and would be the very cheapest means of getting about. However, it could be rather difficult to figure out where these vehicles would be headed as they would not feature signs.
By taxi
In the bigger towns, travelling by taxi would be the simplest means of getting about. You could identify taxis by their prominent white/orange colouring, and they could be easily obtained; you may simply hail one by the roadside. However, you should keep in mind that taxis in Oman would be unmetered, so you would be obliged to negotiate a fare before commencing the journey. You should be prepared to bargain with determination to avail yourself of a reasonable fare.
You will also have the chance to save money by sharing a taxi with other passengers. You could travel in shared taxis both between and within towns, making them a good alternative to travelling by bus. An accommodation choice to consider which you could easily reach by taxi would be the properties of Oman Hotels in destinations like Sohar and Sur.
By plane and ferry
Visitors to Oman would find that there would only be a couple of domestic air travel services in the country, namely between Muscat and the city of Salalah, and between Muscat and the city of Khasab. These services would be a great alternative to long road journeys.
On the other hand, you would also find that travelling by ferry would be an excellent way to journey between the country’s ports. You would have the opportunity to use ferry services conducted by the National Ferries Company that link several ports in the northern region of Oman, including Muscat, Lima, Khasab, Shinas and Dibba. You could also travel by ferry to the island of Masirah which offers much to explore.