Oman Road Trip Itinerary for Self Drivers

Are you planning a road trip through Oman, have at least 14 days available, and are wondering which route, sights, and regions are best suited for your journey?
Perfect, then you are in exactly the right place. We spent three weeks travelling through the Sultanate ourselves, exploring not only the well known north but also the less visited south.
Based on our experience, we would like to introduce a route that works perfectly for both a two week and a three week itinerary.

Along this route, you will discover the many different faces of the country, from the lively capital Muscat to impressive coastal regions in both the north and the south, from lush green wadis to desert landscapes and rugged mountain ranges. In addition, we share practical tips on getting around and further useful information to support you with your travel planning.

Get ready for a journey through an incredibly diverse country that captivates with its warm hospitality, relaxed way of life, and unforgettable experiences.

GETTING AROUND IN OMAN

In Oman, you generally have two options: you can join an organised tour or explore the country independently by rental car.

As distances between towns and sights are often long and driving times can be significant, it quickly became clear to us that travelling by rental car was the best option.

A rental car offers maximum flexibility. You can travel at your own pace, stop spontaneously whenever you like, and reach more remote highlights that are often not included in organised tours. Travelling independently always comes with a sense of adventure, and Oman certainly has plenty of that to offer.

We booked our rental car in advance via DiscoverCars and were very satisfied with the service.
You can find detailed information on booking a rental car, local road conditions, and whether you really need a 4x4 vehicle for your trip in our separate post Driving in Oman: Car Rental Tips, Road Conditions & What to Know.

ROOFTOP TENT OR THE COMFORT OF HOTELS IN OMAN?

Before our trip, we spent a long time thinking, calculating, and weighing the pros and cons of which type of accommodation would suit us best in Oman.
The two options were a 4x4 vehicle with a rooftop tent or a 4x4 vehicle without a rooftop tent, staying in hotels instead.

Both options have their appeal. Hotels offer a high level of comfort and plenty of space, while a rooftop tent promises adventure and a closer connection to nature.

In the end, however, we decided on a vehicle without a rooftop tent. As we were travelling with a toddler, the advantages of greater comfort clearly outweighed everything else for us.
This included running water, a private bathroom, proper sanitary facilities, and a fully equipped kitchenette with a larger fridge.

At first, we also considered combining a few nights in a rooftop tent with the rest of the trip spent in hotels.
Due to our route, however, this option turned out to be too impractical and ultimately too expensive.

THE RIGHT ACCOMMODATION IN OMAN

As we decided against a rooftop tent and chose to stay in hotels and apartments instead, we can share our experiences on this topic with you.

A road trip through Oman is full of unforgettable moments, but it can also be physically demanding at times. Long driving days, high temperatures, and constant new impressions take their toll.
This makes it even more important to arrive at an accommodation in the evening where you can truly relax and unwind.

To save time and stress while travelling, it is worth booking at least some of your accommodation, or even all of it, in advance.
This ensures that you find places that suit your needs and helps you avoid last minute decisions that may be overpriced or simply not a good fit.

We booked our accommodation through booking.com and had very positive experiences.

Our tip: choose accommodation with free cancellation so you can stay flexible despite having a plan.

ROAD TRIP ROUTE THROUGH OMAN

1. MUSCAT

Our road trip both started and ended in the capital, Muscat, which is home to the country’s main international airport.

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
• Qurum Beach
• Qurum Natural Park (From 1 to 31 January, the Muscat Nights take place here, a beautifully staged light festival featuring spectacular water, fire, and drone shows)
• Al Mirani Fort
• Mutrah Fort at sunset
• Oman Avenues Mall

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You can find more details in our post Discover Muscat: Sights & Tips for Oman’s Capital.

Recommended stay: 1 to 3 days
Our accommodation: Fraser Suites Muscat‍

2. FINS

Driving time from Muscat: around 1.5 hours

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Bimmah Sinkhole
• Gulf of Oman
• Our unique beachfront accommodation

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Recommended stay: 1 day
Our accommodation: Kyan_Caravan‍

3. TIWI

Driving time from Fins: around 20 minutes

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Wadi Tiwi
• Wadi Shab
• Tiwi Beach at sunset

Recommended stay: 1 to 2 days
Our accommodation: Tiwi Pearl

You can find more details here: Tiwi experiences.

4. SUR

Driving time from Tiwi: around 40 minutes

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• ‍‍Al Ayjah Watchtowers
• Al Ayjah Lighthouse
• The traditional old town
• Breakfast at Phenuq Café
• The beach area at The Beach Front Sur with turtle spotting
• Wadi Bani Khalid
  

Recommended stay: 1 to 2 days
Our accommodation: Sur Grand Hotel

You can find more details here: Experience Sur.

5. AL WASIL (WAHIBA SANDS DESERT)

Driving time from Sur: around 1.5 hours

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• An off road drive through the desert with a 4x4
• An authentic desert camp experience
• A crystal clear, star filled night sky
• A camel ride at sunset

Recommended stay: 1 day
Our accommodation: Authentic Desert Camp

You can find more details here: A night in the Wahiba Sands desert.

DRIVING TO THE SOUTH OF OMAN

In our opinion, travelling to the south of Oman only really makes sense if you have at least 17 days available.

If you have around 14 days in Oman, you should carefully consider whether the long drive of roughly ten hours to the southern part of the country is worth it.
The journey there and back is very time consuming and can significantly reduce the time you have for actually exploring the country.

Of course, flying to the south is also an option, but this again takes time and comes with additional costs.

For trips shorter than 17 days, we therefore recommend focusing on the northern mountain regions instead.
Distances there are much shorter, allowing you to travel at a more relaxed pace and experience the destinations more intensively. For example, the drive from Al Wasil to Nizwa takes around two hours.

If this applies to you, you can skip ahead in this post directly to section “9. Nizwa”.

6. DUQM

Driving time from Al Wasil: around 5 hours

The city, which is still very much under development, served mainly as a stopover for us, as the drive all the way to Salalah in one stretch would have been too long.

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Sugar Dunes of Al Khaluf
• The endless sense of space along the route
• The barren yet surprisingly diverse landscapes
• The many camels wandering along the roadside
• Experiencing a city that is still in the process of being built. The Sultan appears to have big plans for Duqm.

Recommended stay: 1 day
Our accommodation: Duqm Express Hotel ‍

7. SALALAH

Driving time from Duqm: around 7 hours

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• The fine white sandy beach within our resort
• Stunning sunsets
• Dahariz Beach
• Mughsail Beach
• The many camels along the road to Mughsail Beach
• The numerous fruit stalls lining the roads directly next to the plantations
• The much greener landscape compared to the rest of the country
• Our fully equipped holiday home with a garden barbecue. We could have happily stayed much longer.

Recommended stay: 5 to 7 days
Our accommodation: Private Studio in Laguna Gardens Hawana Salalah

You can find more details in: Discover southern Oman: Salalah and surroundings.

8. HAIMA

Driving time from Salalah: around 5 hours

Haima is the only larger town in the interior of the country on the route between south and north, or vice versa.
For us, it served purely as a stopover, as we did not want to drive the entire distance to Nizwa in one go.

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• The barren yet surprisingly varied landscapes during the long drive
• The seemingly endless roadworks. As the Sultan is heavily investing in road infrastructure, a new four lane highway is being built alongside the existing road.
  This quickly creates the feeling of being on a never ending construction site in the middle of nowhere.

Recommended stay: 1 day
Our accommodation: Haima Hotel (not recommended)

9. NIZWA

Driving time from Haima: around 3.5 hours

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• ‍‍Nizwa Fort
• Jabreen Castle
• The atmosphere of the old town
• The surrounding foothills of the Hajar Mountains

Recommended stay: 2 to 3 days
Our accommodation: Aldar Inn

You can find more details in: Experience Nizwa and its surroundings.

10. JEBEL SHAMS

Driving time from Nizwa: around 1.5 hours

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Viewpoint 3
• The Balcony Walk
• Off road driving on the mountain
• The spectacular sunset from our accommodation

Recommended stay: 1 to 2 days
Our accommodation: The summit house

You can find more details in: Experience Jebel Shams.

11. JABAL AL AKHDAR

Driving time from Jebel Shams: around 3 hours

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• The breathtaking view over the canyon from our hotel
• The Three Villages Hike with views of the hanging terraces

Recommended stay: 1 to 2 days
Our accommodation: Sama Hotel Jabal Al Akhdar

You can find more details in: A day in Jabal Al Akhdar.

12. SEEB

Driving time from Jabal Al Akhdar: around 2 hours

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Seeb Souq
• The wide sandy beach
• A dolphin watching tour
• Al Mouj, a modern hotel and residential area

Recommended stay: 2 to 3 days
Our accommodation: Mysk Al Mouj Hotel

You can find more details in: Discover Seeb.

WAS THIS POST NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE TIPS, INSPIRATION, AND PLACES TO SEE FOR YOUR OMAN TRIP? THEN MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR FOLLOWING POSTS:

• Discover Muscat: Sights & Tips for Oman’s Capital
• Oman with a Baby or Toddler: Tips, Useful Information & Our Experience
• Road Trip Through Northern Oman: Highlights Between Muscat, Coast, Wadis, Desert, and Mountains
• Driving in Oman: Car Rental Tips, Road Conditions & What to Know

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Find affordable rental cars at DiscoverCars
• The best Travel Guides for Oman
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Oman

Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.