Renting a Car in Oman: What You Need to Know

Thinking of Renting a car in Oman and don’t know where to start? Here are my honest opinions, and everything you need to know about the experience!

Of all the places I’ve travelled to, Oman is easily one of the most interesting. The country is wonderful and there’s such a huge range of things to see from vase deserts to towering mountains.

Despite this, public transport is virtually non-existent outside of Muscat, so, the easiest way to get around Oman is to hire a car. 

To be perfectly honest with you, we were a little apprehensive about this. Despite hiring cars in lots of countries around the world, including big cities like Athens and doing a complete road trip around Croatia, this was our first time driving in the Middle East.

Actually, it was our first time visiting the Middle East, so we weren’t really sure what to expect!

Was it going to be stricter? What were the road conditions like? Did we need to bring lots of documentation? How were the other drivers?

Luckily, all of our worries were pretty pointless. Renting a car and driving in Oman was easy and we ended up having the best time exploring the country. 

Why Should You Consider Renting a Car in Oman?

There’s a lot to see in Oman. And I mean a lot. And none of it is particularly close together. This means that driving in Oman is the simplest way to ensure that you can see everything in the country without having to spend a fortune on tours or taxis. 

When you visit Oman, you’ll most likely be landing in historic Muscat (unless you’re driving from the UAE). Whilst you might think that you won’t need a car in the capital city, even that is quite tricky to get around without your own wheels.

We wanted to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque on our final morning in Oman and considered taking the bus from our hotel (which was one of the most amazing hotels I’ve stayed in) instead of driving. 

It literally turned a 14-minute drive into an hour’s journey, by which time, we would’ve missed our next activity, a tour to the Daymaniyat Islands (which I highly recommend!).

So, even if you’re just staying in Muscat, you may want to consider hiring a car!

Choosing the Right Rental Company

One of the most important things to consider when deciding to drive abroad is the rental company. 

Choosing the wrong company can result in complications like being given a faulty car, being given the wrong car, or even being charged additional fees for things that you didn’t expect. 

Every time I go abroad, I always use DiscoverCars to book my car rental. They have always been incredibly helpful, the cars we’ve hired from them have been fantastic, and they always seem to have a great deal and the most affordable option. 

It’s worth noting that the peak season in Oman runs between October and March. This is also when you’ll get the best weather. If you’re planning on hiring a car between these times, I highly recommend booking in advance. 

Not only can rental car prices increase quite dramatically if you’re trying to book last minute, but you might actually run out of options! There aren’t a huge number of car rental companies in Oman, so booking early is the best way to snag a good deal.

✅ We love this company and use them whenever we hire a car abroad.

Choosing the Right Car

The other thing you’ll need to consider is the car type itself. Most of Oman can be accessed via a standard 2-wheel drive or a compact car. You can also hire a sedan and, if you prefer a large car rental, an SUV.

However, if you’re planning on heading into the desert or want to ascent to the highest peaks of Jebel Shams, you may want to consider hiring a 4-wheel drive. 

You won’t be able to access the Wahiba Sands and the fantastic desert camps unless you have a 4×4 and you’ll just end up sinking into the sand and some of the mountain roads are quite precarious. 

There are actually checkpoints on some of the roads with guards that won’t let you pass if you don’t have the correct vehicle.

The cheapest rental cars are the standard vehicles, while the most expensive is a 4×4. 

However, if you want to head up the mountains and into the desert, then the extra you pay to get someone else to take might be the same (or more), than renting the more expensive car category.

So, this is definitely something to consider when renting a car in Oman.

What Do You Need to Rent a Car in Oman?

You’ll only need to bring a few things with you when you go to collect your rental car:

• Your ID (which is typically your passport)
• Valid driver’s license from your home country
• A valid credit card in the name of the driver (a debit card isn’t accepted)
• A visa for Oman (if you need one)

The minimum age for driving a car in Oman is 18 years old. However, rental companies typically want you to be at least 25. You’ll pay a significant young driver’s fee if you’re younger than this and your deposit will be much higher as well.

You don’t need to have an International Driving Permit by law to drive in Oman if you have a driver’s licence that’s written in a Roman or Arabic language. If you do, you most likely won’t need one. However, if you do get stopped, you may be asked by the police to show one, so bear this in mind.

You can order an IDP online.

✅ We love this company and use them whenever we hire a car abroad.

Rental Car Insurance in Oman

I highly recommend opting for full coverage on your car insurance in Oman. As standard, the car might only come with third-party cover, which is totally acceptable. But, in the case of an accident, this won’t do you any favours. 

However, I always find that taking out additional insurance separately not only provides more coverage but is also more affordable than going directly to the rental company. That’s why I always book my car insurance through RentalCover. 

They offer comprehensive hire car insurance in countries around the world. They also provide very good customer service if anything should go wrong. 

This happened to us when we were driving in Montenegro. Unfortunately, we hit a bump on a particularly gravelly road and made a small dent in the car. This ended up costing us £400 out of our deposit. 

We contacted RentalCover when we got home, filled in the insurance form, and the £400 was paid back to us within the week. It was excellent and I highly recommend them whenever you hire a car.

✅ This company has saved us (literally) with an amazing rental cover deal.

Driving in Oman

Driving in Oman was actually really easy. The roads were very well maintained, other drivers were pretty considerate (for the most part!), and it was easy to navigate. There were no complicated roundabouts like in the UK or dodgy mountain roads like in Europe.

The whole time we drove in Oman, I always felt very safe. The roads were often maintained better than in Europe – I don’t think we encountered a single giant pothole in the middle of the road! 

It was also really easy to get around. We just used Google Maps for directions and most of the routes were incredibly straightforward.

Because the country is so vast, there wasn’t really any traffic outside of the main cities. Often we only passed two or three other cars for miles.

The trickiest part to drive in was Muscat, which makes sense considering it’s the capital city of Oman. This was the busiest part of the country and had the most drivers on the road, particularly during rush hour. But even this was pretty manageable. 

If you’re used to driving in busy cities, you’ll find driving in Oman quite easy. 

Road Regulations and Safety Tips

There are a few things you’ll need to know in order to stay safe though. Most of the roads that you’ll be driving on in Oman will be open highways with a speed limit of 120 km/h. 

It’s quite important to stick to this because there are speed cameras everywhere. On many of the motorways, there were cameras along the entire road, so definitely don’t take any chances with your speed. 

Outside of the motorways, you’ll likely find the speed limits for country roads to be 90 km/h and the speed limits for urban areas to be anywhere between 40 and 80 km/h. 

There is a strict no-tolerance policy for drink-driving in Oman. You’ll likely end up getting arrested if you’re caught driving under the influence of alcohol. 

It’s also illegal to use your mobile phone behind the wheel.

Speed Bumps

The one thing I will warn you about though, is the speed bumps. 

These quite often came out of nowhere sometimes and many of them are very poorly marked. They are also the type of speed bump that will literally make you fly into the air and can cause serious damage to your car if you go over them too quickly. 

Sometimes we’d be driving around 80 km/h and then there’d be a sudden speed bump and we’d have to slam our brakes on!

There are typically signs on the side of the road indicating speed bumps, but sometimes there isn’t any warning. Similarly, the speed bumps themselves are supposed to be painted to stand out but, especially in remote areas, the paint has often worn off and the bumps just look like regular roads. 

So, be extra careful to be on the lookout for these, Especially in more built-up areas.

✅ We love this company and use them whenever we hire a car abroad.

Aminals in the Road

One thing you may need to be careful of when renting a car in Oman is encountering various animals on the road. We saw camels, goats, and sheep on the road and had to be very careful when driving near them in case they suddenly ran out into the road.

On several occasions, we had to stop the car completely when a group of goats or camels suddenly decided to cross the road!

Many of the roads don’t have barriers and animals can just wander across. This is especially true in the desert, mountains, and more rural locations. There were even herds of goats wandering around some of the cities, like Sur in the south.

So, if you see any animals, just be extra careful.

Monsoon Season

If you’re visiting Oman between June and early September, this is their monsoon season. There’s a chance of heavy rain and flash flooding, which can be pretty problematic when driving. 

Many of the lower areas and flat landscapes will have an indicated flood area and the start and end of the risky zone. If you do get stuck or have an accident, call 9999 for the local police and emergency unit. For minor accidents, you can follow the procedures on this website instead.

Safety Precautions for Desert Driving

If you’re planning on driving in the desert in Oman, you’ll need to prepare a few things before you head into the dunes. 

You’ll need to deflate your tyres before you drive in the desert. This will help prevent your car from getting stuck in the sand. 

The desert is also a completely different environment to drive in. There are some very steep hills and some of the bends that don’t look sharp may actually surprise you.

We ended up deciding not to drive in the desert and instead got a transfer to our desert camp. In the end, we were quite glad that we did this, partly because of the nature of driving in the desert and partly because we actually got to enjoy the scenery more having a driver. 

However, if you’re confident and want to tackle it yourself, make sure to deflate your tyres before you head in. It’s also much easier to get lost in the desert as everything looks very similar, so be sure to stick to the road.

How Much Does a Rental Car in Oman Cost?

I didn’t think renting a car in Oman was actually that expensive. We paid around £350 to hire a 4×4 for a week. This worked out around £50 per day. 

A standard 2-wheel drive is much more affordable and you can likely find one for around £20 per day. This is most likely the cheapest price of renting a car in Oman.

As well as the standard charge, you’ll also need to consider a young driver’s fee if you’re under 25, and an additional fee for one-way rentals if the drop-off locations are different than where you picked it up. 

Also, if you’re planning on crossing the border into other countries, be sure to check with your rental company beforehand. 

Typically, travel to Saudi Arabia or Yemen isn’t allowed, but you can drive to and from the United Arab Emirates with many rental companies. Just make sure to check first.

✅ We love this company and use them whenever we hire a car abroad.

Inspect the Vehicle Before Accepting It

When you pick up your rental car in Oman, I recommend doing a thorough inspection of the condition of the car as well as making a note of any existing mileage. 

Do a walk around the car and take photos of any blemishes, marks, or damage that you see, no matter how small. 

These are all things that the retinal company might pull you up on when it comes to returning the car at the end of your trip. It’s worth having proof that it was there before you used it, to guarantee that you won’t get charged.

Also, be sure to check the fuel level as you’ll typically be asked to fill it up to the same level that it was when you took it. Once again, this is something the company can charge you extra for when you hand the car back.

Planning Your Itinerary in Oman

The easiest way to drive around Oman is to head in a loop. This will allow you to see a lot of Oman’s best sights as well as travel around a large portion of the country. You’ll be able to see the desert, the mountain ranges and some of the sights in the south.  

When we visited Oman, we picked up our car at Muscat International Airport, drove to Sur, then into the desert, before heading back up to Nizwa, and back across to Muscat. 

You could also do this in the opposite direction if you’d prefer to head into Nizwa and the mountains first. 

I recommend planning your itinerary before you hire your car. This means you’ll know exactly where you’re heading and what type of vehicle you’ll need to get there. You’ll also know which routes you’ll need to drive and how long you’ll be driving for each day.

FAQs About Renting a Car in Oman

So, that’s a lot of information about renting a car in Oman covered! But, here are a few more questions that I often get asked about my experience in Oman.

Is It Safe to Drive in Oman?

Yes, it’s definitely safe to drive in Oman. Oman is one of the safest countries in the Middle East and the world and crime rates are very low. So long as you stick to the speed limits and follow the law, you should have absolutely no issues driving in Oman.

Can I Drive in Oman Without an International Driver’s License?

Yes, so long as you have a driving license written in an Arabic or Roman Language. If you don’t have one of these, you will need to purchase an International Driver’s Permit to rent a car in Oman.

Are There Any Specific Insurance Requirements?

Most car rental companies will include third-party insurance as standard. However, I recommend taking out the full cover. You can do this through the rental company too, but I typically use RentalCover because they’re both cheaper and provide a higher level of cover.

What Is Parking Like in Oman?

Parking in Oman is really easy. I don’t think we paid for parking the entire time we were in the country. Most parking areas are free of charge outside of Muscat, but there are a few paid parking zones in the capital. 

Be aware that parking in front of public buildings is strictly prohibited.

Do I need a 4×4 to drive in Oman?

No, you don’t need one. Most of Oman is well-kept paved roads. However, if you are planning on driving into the desert or travelling high into the mountains of Jebel Shams or Jebel Akhdar, then you will need to rent a 4×4. 

✅ We love this company and use them whenever we hire a car abroad.

Is Fuel Expensive in Oman?

No! Fuel is super affordable in Oman and this was one of my favourite things about driving in the country. It’s much cheaper than Europe and loads cheaper than driving in the UK. I think we paid around £15 for a full tank of fuel, only had to fill up twice, and drove over 1200 km!