Oman on a budget: how to save money on your trip

Why Oman can be expensive

Oman isn’t as well known a holiday destination as the neighbouring UAE where Dubai and Abu Dhabi attract 15 million international visitors each year. So people often assume it is a budget alternative. 

However, when they start planning, they find Oman can be just as expensive. Buy why?

• There are no low cost airlines offering direct flights from Europe
• Tourism is very young here and mainly targets wealthy visitors from within the Gulf region. The result is more high end hotels than budget accommodation…although that is changing
• There is minimal public transport in Oman making it difficult to travel to popular destinations outside the capital without your own transport
• The Omani Rial is the third strongest currency in the world making wages for Omani guides and hospitality workers high – a cost passed on to tourists
• Oman makes relatively few of its own consumer goods, so there are import costs on everything from alcohol to nappies.

11 tips for making your holiday to Oman more budget-friendly

Here’s how to cut unnecessary spending when planning your trip based on our experiences as expats and regular travellers between the UK and Oman:

1. Stay for less than 14 days 

Tourists from more than 100 countries can visit Oman without paying for a visa as long as they stay for less than two weeks. The list includes the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States of America.

If you’re wondering what is classed as 14 days, it is literally calculated by the clock. So if you land at 00:01 on day one you have to fly by 23:59 on day 13. 

But what can you fit into a short stay in Oman? Check out my 7 day itinerary as a starting point.

2. Book flights during Ramadan but avoid Eid

Many people are put off visiting Oman during Ramadan as rules about fasting and modest dress apply to both Muslims and non-Muslims. However, if you plan ahead and are respectful of local customs, this can be a great time to visit, not least because flights are cheaper. 

You’ll also find fewer tourists at popular attractions and less competition for hotels. 

However, check local media carefully as Ramadan is observed on slightly different dates worldwide. You’ll also find flight prices increase during the holiday of Eid Al Fitr at the end of Ramadan.

3. Take indirect flights 

We have found that direct flights from the UK with Oman Air are priced at a premium. However, when we have searched for indirect flights via the UAE, Bahrain and Turkey there are top hop routes offered by cheaper airlines.

At certain times of year you can also reach Oman from these European airports: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome and Zurich. 

Skyscanner is my go-to tool for comparing flight routes and prices.

4. Use a pre-loaded travel card 

Card payments are widely accepted in Oman, even in souqs, so don’t worry about exchanging money before you arrive. A travel-friendly card that you can pre-load may reduce transaction fees and exchange rates. We used Revolut for our transactions and cash withdrawals at ATMs while living in Oman.

5. Hire a car

I lived in Oman for 2.5 years and never got on a bus. Why? They were so infrequent. Plus walking to the bus stop and waiting in 40°C heat was not my idea of fun.

Outside Muscat public transport is even more limited, so the best way to get around without using taxis is to hire a car. 

Two wheel drive vehicles are cheapest to rent and will get you to a lot of northern Oman’s highlights. Fuel is also a bargain in this oil-rich country and you can park almost everywhere for free.

Tip: keep an eye out for orange parking signs around Muttrah, Nizwa and Seeb souqs.

You can find small cars available from hire companies at Muscat airport for as little as 50 OMR a week. Compare prices on Holiday Extras and booking.com.

6. Buy alcohol at the airport 

If enjoying a drink is part of your holiday plans you’re best to stock up at the airport duty free.

Only licensed hotels can serve alcohol and, as there isn’t a big drinking scene among Omanis, only those aimed at international guests bother to have booze. It’s not available at supermarkets.  

When you do find a bar, alcohol prices will be high. Bottles of wine can cost 25 OMR and upwards, while a cheeky cocktail will easily set you back eight to 12 OMR.

Both Muscat and Salalah airports have duty free shops in the arrival hall. Soft drinks and mixers are readily available at supermarkets, and much cheaper than you will find at hotels.

7. Avoid big brand hotels 

We enjoyed staycations at a few international hotels while living in Oman, but they were not budget-friendly. Basic rooms at chains like Hilton, W and Crowne Plaza can cost £250 to £500 per night. 

My tip for finding cheaper and independent accommodation is to search booking.com. There’s a variety of small guest houses and hotels listed there, as well big brands so you can compare prices. 

Once you have found your preferred accommodation search for it on Google or Instagram to check if you can get a better rate by booking direct. 

8. Camp

Wild camping is free in Oman and is how we enjoyed many weekend trips to the desert and mountains. We even camped during our road trip south to Salalah. However, if you are staying in Oman for a week or less the cost of buying your equipment might outstrip the budget savings. 

You can buy camping equipment cheaply from large supermarkets like Lulu, Hypermax and the Sultan Center. Find out more about the equipment I recommend as well as some companies to hire from in my guide to wild camping in Oman. 

9. Eat independent 

This tip isn’t unique to Oman. If you eat where the locals dine you will find authentic cuisine at good prices. Cafes and restaurants at tourist hot spots like Wadi Bani Khalid and in the shopping malls of Muscat hike their prices.

If you eat at local cafes or buy food from supermarkets you could easily get by on a budget of 5 OMR per person, per day. Lulu and Hypermax have salad bars, hot counters and ready meals.

10. Free and cheap places to visit 

Visiting famous attractions can be an expensive part of any holiday, but the good news is that many of Oman’s big sights are free or have a small admission fee:

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat and Salalah – FREE
• Oman’s wadis – FREE
• Wadi Shab – small charge for the boat across the wadi entrance
• Bimmah Sinkhole – FREE
• Dayqah Dam – small entrance charge
• Misfat Al Abriyeen – FREE
• Jebel Shams Balcony Walk – FREE

You can visit beaches, wander ancient places like Muttrah and Nizwa, and hike in the mountains for free.

11. Avoid the touristy souqs

Souvenirs are a world-wide industry and Oman has not escaped the churn of mass produced ‘tat’. The most touristy souq you will find in Oman is at Muttrah. The sea front shops and main thoroughfare is where there’s an abundance of generic trinkets and fake designer brands intended for visitors.

Venture further into the maze of passageways and you’ll find shops frequented by Omanis.

Nizwa souq relies more on local trade, but still has its less authentic nooks like the antique souq where you’ll find souvenirs branded with ‘Morocco’, ‘UAE’ and ‘Egypt’. Focus on the craft, date and food souqs to find authentic Omani souvenirs.

For even better prices I would recommend visiting Seeb souq at the western end of Muscat or the pottery souq at Fanja a short drive outside the city.

Read more of our Oman tips and experiences

• Bahla Fort – handy things to know about this UNESCO attraction
• Visiting Oman during Ramadan – what to expect in 2027
• Oman on a budget: how to save money on your trip
• Review: Wadi Al Arbeieen Resort – a hotel off the beaten track
• Can children visit the Grand Mosque in Muscat?