United Arab Emirates and Oman Combined 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 the UAE and Oman.

Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive, in both countries. For the UAE, you can get a visitor/tourist visa issued free of charge on arrival, valid for up to 40 days, with no advance application needed. You can visit Oman for up to 14 days without a visa – to stay longer, or for work or study, apply for a visa online before you travel. At Omani border control, be ready to show a return ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of travel health insurance.

Both countries reflect Islamic laws and customs – respect local traditions at all times, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious areas. Alcohol can be bought and drunk in licensed venues in Oman (legal drinking age 21), but it's illegal to drink in public in either country. E-cigarettes and vape products (and some CBD-containing skincare products) are illegal in both. Dress modestly in public, covering the tops of arms and legs below the knee. It's illegal to share a hotel room with someone of the opposite sex unless married or closely related, in either country. In the UAE, only cross roads at designated pedestrian crossings.

There are severe penalties for drug offences in both countries, with no legal distinction between soft and hard drugs in Oman. It is illegal to photograph government buildings, military sites or people without permission, and drones require a valid licence. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in both Oman and the UAE, and same-sex marriages are not recognised in the UAE. 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. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance in both countries. Emergency ambulance numbers: UAE 998, Oman 9999.

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 dirham (subdivided into 100 fils) is the official currency of the UAE, and the Omani rial (made up of 1,000 baisa) is Oman's, pegged at approximately $2.60 USD. Money can easily be changed at banks in main cities in both countries, and ATMs accepting international cards are widespread. International credit cards are accepted in many places, but not everywhere you'll be travelling. The UAE uses a 220V supply with British-standard three-pin sockets (some two-pin); Oman uses type G plugs on a 240V/50Hz supply.

Like most of the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE and Oman have 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. With plenty of warm, sunny days, the region is an almost year-round destination. The UAE has some of the fastest internet in the world; most major UK mobile networks have connections in Oman, at least in larger towns, though connections elsewhere can be temperamental.