Planning a trip to Oman – route, travel tips, costs & the most beautiful highlights

Everything you need to know for your trip to Oman – from planning to the best experiences.

Oman is one of the most diverse and yet most underrated travel destinations in the Middle East. Between dramatic mountain landscapes, endless wadis, golden deserts, traditional markets and modern cities, the country offers an incredible number of contrasts – and is surprisingly easy to travel independently.

In this guide, I'll show you step-by-step how to plan your Oman trip and share my best travel tips : from the best time to travel, route planning, rental cars, and costs to the most beautiful highlights. You'll also find all the related blog posts here that will help you with detailed planning – including outdoor adventures with GPS data, addresses, wadis, hikes, and cultural highlights.

Why Oman is a perfect travel destination

Oman combines adventure, nature, and culture in a truly authentic way. The country is safe, clean, well-organized, and yet still relatively untouched by mass tourism. The diverse landscape is particularly impressive: towering mountains in the Hajar range, spectacular gorges, verdant oases, turquoise wadis, and vast sand dunes in the desert.

In addition, there is the incredibly warm hospitality of the Omanis, which makes every trip a unique experience .

Best time to travel to Oman

The best time to travel to Oman is between October and April . During these months, the temperatures are pleasant for outdoor activities, hiking, and sightseeing.

• October–November: Warm, ideal for tours

• December–February: Best time for hiking & wading

• March–April: Spring, perfect for mountains & rose harvesting

The summer months (May–September) are very hot and more suitable for short stays.

Route & travel duration – how to plan your Oman tour

For a tour of Oman, I recommend at least 10–14 days . This gives you enough time for mountains, wadis, desert and coast.

Popular route:

• Muscat

• Nizvah

• Jabal Akhdar / Jabal Shams

• Wahiba Sands

• Wadis (e.g. Shab, Tiwi, Bani Khalid)

• Musandam (optional)

👉 You will (soon) find detailed individual posts about each of these regions on my blog.

Arrival & Visa

Oman Air offers non-stop flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Muscat .

For tourist purposes, no visa is required for stays of up to 14 days , provided that a hotel booking and a valid return or onward flight ticket can be presented upon entry.

Anyone wishing to stay in the country for a longer period must apply for an e-visa beforehand .

Car Rental & Camping

A rental car is the best way to explore Oman. The roads are well-maintained and easy to navigate. For mountainous regions and off-road tracks, I recommend a 4x4 , especially for Jabal Shams, Jabal Akhdar, and remote wadis.

Here's the best part: In Oman, wild camping is generally permitted almost everywhere. Restrictions only apply near cities, on private property, and in nature reserves. A Jeep with a rooftop tent is therefore a fantastic way to explore the country. Oliver Wensauer from Active Oman rents out Jeeps and equipment and provides advice and support (also in German) to adventure seekers before and during their trip.

Here you'll find more tips for planning your trip to Oman

Costs & Budget in Oman

Oman is not a cheap travel destination, but very fair in terms of quality.

• Rental cars: moderate

• Accommodation: from guesthouses to luxury resorts

• Food: inexpensive to medium

• Admission & activities: often surprisingly affordable

With good planning, Oman can be wonderfully explored even on a medium budget .

Clothing, Respect & Behavior

Oman is a Muslim country with a modern but conservative culture.

• Long, airy clothing that reaches down to the wrists and ankles (especially in cities and mosques).

• Shorts and T-shirts are fine for hiking.

• In wadis and on the beach where locals are present, it's best to keep your T-shirt and shorts on while swimming.

• Swimwear should only be worn on hotel beaches.

• Friendly behavior is highly appreciated.

Respectful behavior will open many doors for you here.

The most beautiful highlights in Oman (overview)

➡ Muscat & Sights

➡ Mountains & Hiking in Oman – Hajar Mountains

➡ The 6 most beautiful wadis in Oman

➡ Desert & Tradition – Nizwa & A'Sharqiyah Sands

➡ Musandam – Fjords, Dolphins & Boat Tours

(I will link all the highlights in a separate blog post once I have written it.)

Conclusion – Travel to Oman individually & in a relaxed manner

Oman is a perfect travel destination for those seeking adventure, nature, and culture away from the crowds. With the right planning, you can easily explore the country independently – and be rewarded with unforgettable experiences.