IDIOT'S GUIDE ON DRIVING TO MUSCAT FROM DUBAI | ExpatWoman.com
 

IDIOT'S GUIDE ON DRIVING TO MUSCAT FROM DUBAI

154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 14:02

Two female work colleagues are planning to drive to Muscat this weekend. Although I haven't done the road trip myself, my advice was 'drive to Hatta and keep going'. Does anyone have more detailed advice/instructions ? How long is the drive? What is the best time to leave Dubai on a Thursday and to leave Muscat on a Saturday/Sunday to avoid border queues. Both girls have British passports. What are visa requirements? MTIA.

371
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 16:53
Thanks girls - thats great. Sonds pretty straightforward to me - Ill just have to make sure they pack their passports and have car insurance for Oman. They are going to stay with a friend who's working there. It's pretty easy. I did the trip with my sister once with nothing but a few dodgy directions to the Shangri La and we made it there without getting lost.
215
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 16:07
Hi Nscm, as I understand it, if you are a UAE resident and travelling with your husband (sponsor) you will only pay OMR5 (Dhs50). You pay Dhs200 (OMR20) if you are travelling on your own or do not have residency. I normally pay OMR5 when travelling with my hubby.
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 17:46
Thanks girls - thats great. Sonds pretty straightforward to me - Ill just have to make sure they pack their passports and have car insurance for Oman. They are going to stay with a friend who's working there.
215
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 16:37
I went down by myself on Friday morning and got back today so fresh on this one!!! Remember they have a Thursday/Friday weekend there. I left at 6.30am on Friday morning and was 5 minutes in the border getting my visa (also on a British passport) - visa normally OMR5 but because my hubby (who is my sponsor) wasn't with me it was OMR20. Just have your passports (they will give you the form to fill in there) and also make sure you have car insurance for Oman as they may ask to see it. Get an exit stamp on the Dubai side and then on to the Oman side for the visa and through. Once you are through Hatta, only one right turn (well sign posted) to Muscat and then straight on. Road was very quiet and they have closed off all the u turns in the main road so I found it much safer driving than last time. It is about a 5 hour drive but I would make sure you are not driving at night as they are not the greatest drivers there!!! I left this morning just before 7am and was driving against the traffic in Muscat but did hit some traffic at some of the towns outside at the infamous roundabouts but again, it was 5 hours so not bad at all. Where are they staying? I do love Muscat and am so looking forward to my next trip!
5499
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 14:08
Your advice pretty much covers it :) I haven't done it myself for a couple of years so I don\t know what's changed but it was all very straightforward, and visa on arrival. If it hasn't changed you exit the UAE first then drive a few km then enter Oman so it's a two-step process. There are ladies who have crossed very recently who will give precise info.
 
 

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