Explore Oman Private Tour

Good to Know

Travel Information

Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Oman.

To enter Oman, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive. You can visit Oman for up to 14 days without a visa – if you overstay, Omani authorities may fine and detain you, with fines up to 10 Omani rials a day (maximum 500 rials). To stay longer, or for work or study, apply for a visa online before you travel (select "unsponsored visit visa" if a tourist). At border control, be ready to show a return or onward travel ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of travel health insurance.

Oman's laws and customs reflect its Islamic heritage – respect local traditions at all times, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious areas. Alcohol can be bought and drunk in licensed venues (legal drinking age 21), but it's illegal to drink in public, be drunk in public, or drink-drive. E-cigarettes and vape products are illegal to import or use. Dress modestly in public, covering the tops of arms and legs below the knee – swimwear should be reserved for tourist beaches and pools. It's illegal to share a hotel room with someone of the opposite sex unless married or closely related. There are severe penalties for drug offences, with no legal distinction between soft and hard drugs.

It is illegal to photograph government buildings, military sites or people without their permission, and drones require a valid licence. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Oman. At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Healthcare quality is similar to the UK, but British nationals must use the private system – make sure you have adequate travel health insurance. For emergency medical assistance, call 9999 and ask for an ambulance.

What to Bring

Light clothing will be sufficient for most of your trip – long sleeve shirts/tops and trousers are ideal, and remember to dress respectfully. It may get cold in the mountains in the evenings, so bring a warm jumper and a light waterproof coat. Well-worn low-cut hiking shoes are ideal for hiking activities, with sandals or beach footwear good for coastal areas.

Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack – you're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself; a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent, a water bottle, and a solar charger for your phone and other electronics.

While You're There

The Omani rial is Oman's official currency, used nowhere else, made up of 1,000 baisa and pegged at approximately $2.60 USD. Money can easily be changed at banks in the main cities, and ATMs accepting international cards are widespread – ask your driver or hotel staff for the best place to do this. International credit cards are accepted in many places, but not everywhere you'll be travelling. Oman uses type G plugs, on a 240V/50Hz supply.

Like most of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has a tropical desert climate, with scorching summers and pleasantly warm, dry winters – coastal areas are more humid, the desert interior more arid, and the mountains cooler and more Mediterranean. With plenty of warm, sunny days, Oman is an almost year-round destination. Most major UK mobile networks have connections, at least in larger towns. Hotel wifi and some cafés offer internet access, though connections can be temperamental – for self-drive trips, a portable wifi device is always included.