How to Reach?
Getting to Oman isn’t that tough if you’re flying from India. I flew from Mumbai to Muscat on Air Arabia and paid around 12,000 rupees return. Honestly, that’s the cheapest way. Flynas and SalamAir also run cheap flights from various Indian cities. Just book early because prices jump during holidays.
From Muscat airport, don’t take the fancy taxis that charge 15-20 OMR. Walk outside and grab a regular taxi for 5-7 OMR to the city center. Or take bus number 1 which costs just 500 baisa. Seriously, the bus works fine, though it takes longer and you might have to wait.
If you’re coming from Dubai, the bus is actually a solid option. The Mwasalat bus costs about 10 OMR and takes 5-6 hours. It’s comfortable enough, though the border crossing can get slow sometimes. I took it once and ngl, it was pretty straightforward.
For moving around Oman, renting a car is almost necessary if you want to see anything beyond Muscat. Public transport is limited. I rented a small Toyota from Budget Rent a Car for 18 OMR per day including insurance. Don’t cheap out on the insurance because the roads can be rough in the mountains.
Where to Stay?
Oman isn’t exactly backpacker heaven. Hostels are rare and most places lean expensive. I stayed in a mix of budget hotels, guesthouses and one terrible Airbnb that I regretted immediately.
In Muscat, I found a decent room at a small hotel near Al Qurum for 18 OMR per night. It wasn’t fancy but the AC worked, the bed was clean, and they had hot water most days. The location was good enough to catch buses. Avoid the fancy areas like Shatti Al Qurum unless you want to blow your budget.
In Nizwa, I stayed at a family-run guesthouse for 12 OMR. The owner was super helpful and even gave me tips about the fruit market. The room was basic with a shared bathroom but honestly it felt authentic. The only downside was the mosque loudspeaker right outside waking me up at 5am for prayer. That happened every day.
For Jebel Shams, don’t waste money on the fancy resort at the top. I stayed at a basic camp nearby for 8 OMR. It was basically a tent with mattresses but the view of the canyon made up for it. Just know that it gets freezing cold at night. I wasn’t prepared and shivered through the night despite wearing all my clothes.
In Salalah during khareef season, prices double. I paid 25 OMR for a tiny room that wasn’t worth it. The AC barely worked and the bathroom had mold. To be fair, everything gets booked up so you don’t have much choice. Book at least a month ahead if you’re going then.
I tried Couchsurfing twice. One host was amazing and showed me around his village. The other one was weird and kept asking for money for “expenses.” Not worth the risk honestly.
What to Eat?
Oman has pretty decent food but it won’t blow your mind. The shawarma game is strong though. I ate shawarma almost every day from street carts for 800 baisa to 1.2 OMR. They’re fresh, filling, and actually taste better than most Indian cities.
For local food, try machboos. It’s rice with meat or fish and dried lime. I had chicken machboos at a small restaurant in Mutrah for 2.5 OMR. It was spicy and really good. The portions are huge so one plate easily fills you up.
Don’t sleep on Omani bread. The fresh khubz from bakeries is amazing, especially when it’s hot from the oven. I bought some with honey for breakfast many mornings. Costs almost nothing.
Seafood is fresh in coastal areas but not cheap. I splurged on grilled kingfish in Muscat for 6 OMR and it was worth every bit. Super fresh and perfectly cooked. But eating out every night will destroy your budget fast.
The supermarkets have cheap options if you’re cooking. Lulu Hypermarket has everything. I bought oats, eggs, bread and tuna for breakfasts and lunches. Saved me a ton of money. Just don’t expect amazing street food scenes like in Thailand or Vietnam. It isn’t like that.
One negative – a lot of restaurants are either Indian or fast food. Finding authentic Omani restaurants outside bigger towns is tricky. I got tired of chicken and rice by the end of two weeks.
Best Time to Visit
If you’re on a budget, avoid December to February completely. That’s peak season and everything costs more – hotels, car rentals, you name it. I went in mid-March and it was already getting hot but prices were reasonable.
For Muscat and the north, October to April is fine. It gets really hot from May onwards. Like 45 degrees hot. I can’t imagine sightseeing in that weather.
Salalah is different because of the khareef season. From July to September, the area turns green from the monsoon mist. It’s cooler too. But everything gets more expensive and crowded with tourists from other Gulf countries.
I visited in January and the weather was perfect in the mountains – cool enough for hiking. But beach days weren’t that great because the water was chilly. To be fair, you can’t have everything perfect.
Avoid Ramadan if possible. Many restaurants close during the day and the vibe changes. Also summer in the interior is no joke. I met a guy who went to Wahiba Sands in July and said it was like being in an oven.
Budget (Indian Rupees)
Let’s be real. Oman isn’t cheap but you can do it on a budget if you’re smart. I spent around 1,85,000 rupees for 18 days including everything. That’s roughly 10,000 rupees per day. Not super cheap but way less than what most tourists spend.
Flights from India: 12,000-18,000 return depending on when you book.
Accommodation: I averaged 1,200 rupees per night by staying in basic places. Don’t expect hostels at 500 rupees. The cheapest decent rooms start around 800-900 rupees.
Food: If you eat smart – street food, supermarket meals, occasional restaurant – you can manage with 1,500-2,000 rupees per day. I ate a lot of shawarma and tuna sandwiches.
Transport: This is where it adds up. Car rental for 10 days cost me around 45,000 rupees including fuel. Buses and shared taxis are cheaper but limit where you can go. I spent about 55,000 rupees total on all transport.
Activities: Most forts and museums charge 1-2 OMR (300-600 rupees). The Grand Mosque is free. Hiking is free but you need transport to reach trailheads.
Total daily budget: If you’re really tight, maybe 6,000-7,000 rupees per day is possible if two people share a car and room. Solo is harder. I wouldn’t recommend trying to do it under 5,000 rupees daily unless you’re okay with very basic conditions.
The biggest money saver is cooking some meals and avoiding tourist traps. Also, don’t rent a 4×4 unless you really need it for off-road stuff. A regular car worked fine for me on most roads.
Tips for First-Timers
Pack light but bring good hiking shoes. The terrain is rough and you’ll be walking on sharp rocks in wadis. I ruined one pair of regular sneakers.
Respect the culture. Omanis are conservative. Don’t wear shorts above the knee or tank tops in towns. I saw some tourists doing that and getting dirty looks. Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites.
Carry cash. Not everywhere accepts cards, especially smaller places. ATMs are easy to find but some charge fees. I withdrew from Bank Muscat ATMs which seemed to have lower charges.
Learn basic Arabic phrases. “Shukran” for thank you goes a long way. People really appreciate when you try. The younger guys speak decent English though.
Don’t drive at night in the mountains. The roads have crazy drop-offs and sometimes animals on the road. I nearly hit a camel once. Scary as hell.
Bargain at souks but not too hard. The prices aren’t as inflated as in other countries. I bought some frankincense for 8 OMR after starting at 12. Felt fair.
Water. Always carry water. It gets hot and dehydration happens fast. I drank 4-5 liters some days.
The police are everywhere and they actually help tourists. If you get lost or have car trouble, flag them down. They’re nice compared to what I’m used to back home.
Don’t expect crazy nightlife. Muscat has a few bars but they’re expensive and not that fun. I mostly hung out at viewpoints or beaches in the evening.
For Jebel Shams, start the Balcony Walk early. The sun gets intense after 10am. And the trail isn’t marked great so pay attention.
Stock up on snacks before heading to remote areas. Between towns, there aren’t many shops. I learned that the hard way when I ran out of food near the Empty Quarter.
FAQ
Is Oman safe for solo travelers?
Yeah, it’s one of the safest countries I’ve visited. I felt comfortable as a solo guy. Women travelers I met said the same, though they got more stares in conservative areas. Just use normal sense.
Can I visit Oman without a car?
You can but you’ll miss a lot. Buses connect main towns but for wadis, mountains and beaches, you’re stuck with expensive tours. I met people who did it with shared taxis but it wasn’t easy.
Do I need a visa?
Indians get visa on arrival for 20 OMR (about 4300 rupees) that lasts 30 days. Super easy. Just have your return ticket and hotel booking ready.
Is it really expensive?
It can be. But with planning and avoiding luxury stuff, it’s doable. I spent less than I would have in Europe. The car rental is the biggest cost after flights.
What’s the internet situation?
Pretty good. I got a Nawras SIM at the airport for 5 OMR with 10GB data. Worked well even in smaller towns. Not super fast but enough for maps and messaging.
Should I visit in summer?
Only if you’re going to Salalah during khareef. The rest of Oman is brutally hot. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you love suffering in 45+ degree heat.
Are there ATMs everywhere?
In main towns yes. In remote areas like the mountains or desert, not so much. Take enough cash for a few days when leaving Muscat.
Is the food spicy?
Some of it. Omani food isn’t as spicy as Indian but they have this dried lime that gives it a unique kick. I actually enjoyed most of it after the initial few days.
How’s the public transport?
Basic but it exists. Buses are okay but infrequent. Shared taxis (called baitals) are faster but you wait until they fill up. Not ideal for tight schedules.
Any places I should skip?
Sur was a bit disappointing for me. The turtle reserve was closed when I went and the town itself wasn’t that interesting. I wished I’d spent that time in Wadi Shab instead. Honestly, pick your wadis carefully because they all start looking similar after a while.
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