International Flight Access :

Oman is easily accessible, being only a seven hour flight from continental Europe and Asia, two hours from India and an hour’s flight from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Qatar. The mega aviation hubs of the UAE are a 45 minute flight from Muscat, and Doha (Qatar) is an hour’s flight.

Flight times from continental Europe and major Asian cities including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Ho Chi Min City is approximately seven hours. Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo are eight hours away with the East Coast of the United States, South America and Australia 13-15 hours flight time.

Muscat International Airport is being redeveloped to increase its capacity to 12 million passengers per year.
With the nation’s award winning carrier Oman Air connecting the Sultanate to more than 54 global destinations as well as operating over 140 flights per week to major cities in the GCC.

More than 29 international airlines provide access across the globe such as: Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Egypt Air, Fly Dubai, Gulf Air, KLM, Qatar Airways, Swiss International and Thai Airways, to name a few.

With the expansion of Muscat International Airport and the Open Skies agreement between the USA and the Sultanate of Oman permitting unrestricted air service by airlines of both countries, announced on 4th July 2013, additional airline services are imminent.

Information A to Z

Business Hours

Like most countries in the Gulf region, Oman’s official business week is Sunday-Thursday, with the weekend being Friday and Saturday. Banks, Embassies and Consulates are generally open from 8am-12 noon.

Capital City

Muscat

Climate

Summer is the ideal time to visit the city of Salalah in
the Southern part of Oman where temperatures are between 20-25 Degree celsius (68-77 F). This is due to the monsoon season. The monsoon is caused by surface wind, which encourages an up-welling of waters in the Indian Ocean.

Clothing

While dress codes are fairly liberal, consideration should be given not to offend the sensibilities of others. Swimwear should be worn only on beaches or at swimming pools. When visiting shopping malls and other attractions, tourists should wear clothing that is not too tight or revealing. Certain attractions such as mosques or religious sites usually have stricter dress codes, requiring both men and women to cover up bare shoulders, arms and legs, and women to wear head-scarves.

Credit Cards

Major cards such as Visa, MasterCard and Amex are widely accepted

Currency

Omani Rial, equivalent to USD 2.597 pegged

Driving

An international driver’s license is required when driving in Oman and driving is on the left with speed limits in kilometers.

Economic Drivers

Oil, natural gas, copper, fishing, mineral resources, agriculture & livestock, finance & banking, trade & industry and tourism.

Driving

An international driver’s license is required when driving in Oman and driving is on the left with speed limits in kilometers.

Electric Current

220/240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. Standard British-type 13-amp square three-pin plugs are used throughout the country. European or US-made appliances may need a plug adapter. Ideal time to visit Oman’s capital city, Muscat: October – April with moderate average daytime temperatures between 23-30 Celsius (77-86F).

Head of State

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said (since 1970).

Language

The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood. All street signs and directions are in both Arabic and English with multi-lingual tour guides available.

Liquor

Alcohol is available in hotels, clubs and their restaurants and bars as well as in airport duty free shops. However, most restaurants that are not within hotels may not serve alcohol. Drinking in public places such as public beaches and parks is not permitted.

Major Cities

Salalah, Nizwa, Sur, Sohar and Duqm.

Measurements

Distances are measured in kilometres and metres, Celsius degrees is most commonly used and kilograms and grams are used to indicate weight.

Money Exchange

Money can be exchanged at Muscat International Airport, money exchanges and banks. Always make sure to have your passport or ID when exchanging money

National Day

18th November

Population

4,443,097 – majority are Omani Nationals

Religion

Islam

Size

309,500 Km2 – the third largest Arabian Country and second largest in the GCC region.

Tax

The Sultanate of Oman, like many other GCC States, has a 9% Government tax and 8% Service Charge on hotel accommodation and food and beverage. There is currently no VAT or similar tax system in Oman. However, from 2018 a new VAT system is destined to come into effect across the GCC countries.

Time

GMT +4 Hours