Oman is one of the biggest surprises for me this year. I went into the country thinking that I would not enjoy it because it is so expensive and they don't cater to a solo backpacker like me. I was so wrong! Oman is a stunning country that offers a unique travel experience for solo travelers, but it does require great planning if you want to do it cheaply, and I have all the information you need to do just that here.
From ways to reduce costs, where is the cheapest place to rent a car, and sleeping spots for wild campers and car dwellers, here is a complete Oman itinerary for solo travelers and everything you need to know to travel around this wonderful country in 7 days on a budget.
- Oman Itinerary Map
- 7 Days Oman Itinerary
- When to Go to Oman?
- How to Get to Oman?
- How to Get Around Oman?
- Renting a Car in Oman
- Do You Need a Jeep?
- How to Navigate Oman by Car?
- Total Cost for the Car Rental
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Oman?
- What to Pack for Oman?
- Further Reading for Oman
Oman Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1-2: | Muscat |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Nakhal, Rustaq, Ibri |
| ☀️ Day 4: | Bahla, Jebel Shams |
| ☀️ Day 5: | Nizwa, Sur |
| ☀️ Day 6: | Wadi Shab, Bimmah Sinkhole |
| ☀️ Day 7: | Muscat |
7 Days Oman Itinerary
Day 1 - 2: Muscat (2 nights)
This Oman itinerary begins in Muscat, the beautiful capital city of the country, where you will be preparing for your adventure in Oman. From the airport, you can buy your sim card, and if you are staying at both Airbnb places I recommended, you can take the public bus number 8 straight to your place.
You have to tell your driver where you want to drop off, and he will tell you the price, which depends on the zone you are traveling to. It will cost you from 100 to 500 baisa (1,000 baisa = 1 rial) per trip. Make sure you have changed before getting on the bus.
Once you are settled in Muscat, you can spend your first night managing your car rental by emailing them to pick a place and time for car pick-up. The next day, you can collect the car and start exploring the city.
- Mountains, Deserts and Coast of Oman (8 days)
- City, Wadis and Desert (5 days)
- Highlights of Oman (8 days)
There are several places to see in Muscat. One of the most popular places is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, but this place only opens from 8 AM to 11 AM, Saturday to Thursday and closes to foreigners for the rest of the day.
Due to the limited timeframe, it will always be crowded no matter how early you are. I tried going as early as 8:30 AM, and tour buses were already off-loading people at the mosque, so do not expect that you can avoid the crowds.
Thankfully, the mosque is massive, so you can explore at your own pace and enjoy this stunning architecture from any angle you want. The mosque is stunning in every way.
You can also witness one of the largest chandeliers inside one of the praying halls, measuring at a whopping 14 meters high, holding over 600,000 Swarovski crystals, featuring 24-carat gold plating, and weighing a total of 8.5 tons. It was quite a sight to behold.
Another impressive architecture worth seeing is the Royal Opera House, an Islamic-Italianate-style complex featuring shopping malls, restaurants, gardens, and opera concerts. The architecture itself is most stunning at dusk when the artificial lights are turned on.
Further away from the city center, there is a beautiful waterfront area called Mutrah Corniche, where you can go on a nice stroll, enjoy a nice dinner, and enjoy the view of the ocean.
Be sure to check out the Mutrah Souq nearby for some good old souq atmosphere of yesteryear.
Last but not least, you can drive further east to check out the Al Alam Palace, Al Mirani Fort, and Al Jalali Fort. Unfortunately, these places were not open to the public when I was there, but they were still impressive seeing from the outside.
Day 3: Nakhal (same day)
Nakhal is the first place you will be visiting on your first day road-tripping around Oman. Only an hour away from Muscat, Nakhal is a small town where an impressive fortress called Nakhal Fort still stands.
This fortress is one of the smaller but nicer and less crowded ones, where you can learn a little bit more about the colonial past of Oman. The views on top are quite stunning to see and worth a climb to one of the towers. The entrance is only 500 baisas, and you can spend around 30 minutes walking around the fort.
Rustaq (same day)
After Nakhal, you can drive west towards Rustaq, where you can check out the Al Rustaq Fort, another impressive fort, larger than Nakhal and without a single soul when I was there.
The crisscrossing hallways that lead up to the top are quite fun to explore. I felt almost like Indiana Jones, discovering a long-lost civilization when walking along these quiet orange halls.
Ibri (same day)
Last but not least, we go to Ibri and spend the night there. If you are looking for a spot to wild camp or sleep in the car, you can pull over off the highway before Ibri and drive into the desert to find a quiet spot to sleep. In case you are interested, this is where I slept on my first night or you can just pick one of the few guesthouses here.
The next day, start early and drive to As Sulaif Fort located not too far from Ibri. This is more of a ruin than a fort since it is not currently maintained, but I think you will enjoy the stark difference between this ruin and all the forts you saw in Oman.
Spend 30 minutes and walk around the ruins before heading towards our next destination in the mountains.
Where to Stay in Ibri?
Day 4: Bahla
Bahla is a small town right before the Jebel Shams mountain, a place where we will spend the second night, making it a nice place to fuel up and stock up on some snacks for a night in the mountains.
Also, make sure to visit Jibreen Castle and Bahla Fort when you are there. Jibreen Castle is one of the first forts to be renovated by Oman, and it contains lots of history waiting for you to learn about. You can get an audio guide and walk from room to room as you learn about the story behind it. The entrance fee is 1 OMR and includes an audio guide.
Bahla Fort is another great place to explore. The fort is larger than any of the forts around, and you can spend hours discovering new sections, rooms, and towers. Unfortunately, there is no information that you can read about at this fort, so you will have to explore by yourself. Due to its large size, there is no shortage of hidden rooms waiting for you to find.
After you are done with Bahla, start heading up the mountains towards Jebel Shams, but do not go up yet. At the foothills of the mountain, you will find an ancient village called Misfat al Abriyyin. Be sure to stop there before heading to Jebel Shams.
The village is full of traditional mud houses, agricultural terraces, and stunning alleyways, giving it a drastic contrast between the hyper-modernity of Muscat and the people living outside it. The mud village reminded me of the pre-Islamic village called Abyaneh I explored in Iran.
If you want the best view of Misfat al Abriyyin, you will have to stop before the village and go east instead of north to another cliff that has the view of Misfat al Abriyyin from afar. This is the exact location where I took the photo above. You can park your car somewhere nearby and walk towards the cliff facing the village, and you should be able to see the view shown above.
Jebel Shams (same day)
Jebel Shams is one of my favorite places in Oman. From Misfat al Abriyyin, it is about an hour and a half drive up the mountains to the top, where you can see the Omani version of the Grand Canyon.
There was a lot of misinformation out there when I was researching the road condition up to Jebel Shams, but after I did it, I can assure you that a normal car can go all the way up to the Grand Canyon viewpoint. Only 6 km of the way up is unpaved, and mostly they are in passable condition. Just drive slowly, and you will soon reach the paved parts again.
Once you arrive at the viewpoint, you will see why it is worth coming all the way up here. The canyon is simply breathtaking.
The air up there is also cooler, making it a great place to camp or sleep in your car. For the best spot with a view of the canyon, I would recommend you sleep at the Jebel Shams View Point 3 in the location shown on the map below:
From this viewpoint, you can walk up the hill south of where you park to the highest point, and you will be able to see Bahla all the way from Jebel Shams.
It is also the perfect place to have a nice cup of coffee in the morning if you have your own stove and coffee, which you can also rent from Nomad Tours.
Day 5: Nizwa
After seeing all the forts around the country, Nizwa Fort seems insignificant except for its impressive round tower. However, other than that, I would say it is not worth the entry fee (6 OMR, the most expensive of all). What is nice in Nizwa is the market around the fort, which sells all kinds of souvenirs, local snacks, and offers plenty of places to enjoy nice coffee.
Unfortunately, we have a long drive ahead of us as we will be heading to Sur, which is almost 300 km. It will take us almost 4 hours to get there, so be prepared for a long drive.
Sur (same day)
When you arrive in Sur, you can either go straight to Al Hadd to witness the sea turtles at the Ras Al Jinz reserve and find a nice spot to sleep by the beach along the way. As it was the off-season when I was there, I decided to sleep in Qalhat by the beach so that tomorrow, I could be the first at Wadi Shab, one of the most impressive wadis in Oman.
Where to Stay in Sur?
Day 6: Wadi Shab
In order to enjoy this beautiful Wadi in its entirety, you have to be there as early as 7:30 AM to avoid the crowds coming from Sur and Muscat. Once you are there, you can take a local boat (1 OMR) to the trailhead where you can start hiking towards Wadi Shab.
You will be glad that you start in the morning since most of the trails will still be under shade, allowing you to enjoy the scenery a little better.
You can bring your camera with you, but there is this last part where you will have to swim to a cave to see the hidden waterfall. So, if you don't mind hiding your camera somewhere in the bush when you swim, then do it, or you can just take your GoPro if you have one or be sure to have a waterproof bag with you.
After hiking for an hour, you should arrive at a pool where you are allowed to swim. You can also stick to the right and continue hiking up to see the canyon from above, but if you want to reach the cave, this is where you will have to start swimming. The start of the pool is shown below.
Be sure to bring a flip-flop for the swim, as some parts are shallow and covered in rocks. It will be easier to walk through that part with a flip-flop. You can't swim all the way through; you will have to walk through this part to get to the cave.
Keep in mind that you must be a strong swimmer in order to reach the secret cave, as the water gets deep towards the cave, and you will have to go through a small crack in the canyon to reach the secret cave with the waterfall.
The waterfall flows heavily in that cave, so you will have to swim against the current to reach an area where you can get up and sit. It's really beautiful, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are not a strong swimmer and if you are not comfortable going through a really small area of the cave.
If you are not a strong swimmer, you can still swim in the shallow end of the pool, which is really nice, especially after a hike in the sun. Also, if you have been sleeping in the car for 3 nights, this is the shower you need. 😆
Bimmah Sinkhole (same day)
Bimmah Sinkhole is another nice place to go swimming. It is located in a park off the highway between Muscat and Sur, making it a nice place to stop before heading back to the city. Even if you don't feel like swimming, the sinkhole itself is a nice place to relax under a tree and rest for a bit.
Fun fact, this is where Casey Neistat jumped into a pool in his Make it Count viral video 😉.
Day 7: Muscat (1 night)
After swimming in the sinkhole, you're probably feeling exhausted, so it's time to head back to Muscat and enjoy your final day in Oman before heading home. Congratulations, you've completed the one-week road trip itinerary around Oman!
When to Go to Oman?
Oman is essentially a desert, and planning when to go is very important for you to have a great trip. The best time is around November when the temperature is becoming cooler, especially at night, but the peak season has not started yet, so everything is still cheap (car/gear rental) and not as crowded.
How to Get to Oman?
Oman is located in the Gulf, and there are several Middle Eastern airlines that provide routes to literally everywhere in the world with one transit. If you are flying from the US or Europe, you can choose Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates. You can also go with Oman Air if you would rather fly direct.
For a cheaper option, FlyDubai is a great budget alternative. You can browse through Skyscanner and Expedia to find the cheapest deal that works for your itinerary.
How to Get Around Oman?
Oman is not equipped for traditional backpacking methods such as staying in hostels and using public transportation. The public transportation outside of Muscat is almost non-existent, and the most beautiful places to see in Oman are often in remote areas and not accessible via buses.
For Muscat, you can take the red bus throughout the city. From the airport to all parts of the city, you can take bus number 8 to reach your accommodation. You can also use Google Maps to find the bus route you need if you plan to go elsewhere.
For this Oman itinerary, we are going to travel around Oman with a rental car, which is the only way to explore this country. You will be happy to do so, as I personally experienced how hot the desert was during the day. It was like heaven coming back to an air-conditioned car after exploring the outdoors.
Renting a Car in Oman
Don't let the concept of renting and driving your own car put you off, as renting a car in Oman is not that expensive (40 USD) and gas is dirt cheap (20 USD for a full tank). Now, if you consider sleeping in a car or a tent, a daily budget of 60 USD is not that bad, considering that you will be seeing more places in a shorter time because you have your own car.
Also, you don't have to be a strong driver to drive around Oman, as the roads are well-paved, and with the right app, navigating is a piece of cake.
For renting a car, I would recommend Nomad Tours as they are one of the cheapest, have a good selection of cars, and you can rent camping gear as well as bundle up for a discounted package.
I rented their Toyota Yaris (1.5 Lt) sedan car for 16 OMR with 200km included per day for 5 days, and I drove everywhere with it, no problem. You don't need an international driving license to rent (but try to stay out of trouble, please), unlike when you rent from international brands like Sixt or Europcar from the airport.
You can email them your plans, and they will reply immediately with a quote. Agree upon a pick-up/drop-off place and time, and then you will receive the key. They also offer free drop-off at Nomad Guesthouse, so you can pick up your car from there as well.
Do You Need a Jeep?
I had received mixed information about this before my trip, but now that I have done it myself, if you are planning to stick to this Oman itinerary, you do not need a jeep, even if you want to go up to Jebel Shams. Most of the roads are well-paved, except for the 6 km stretch toward Jebel Shams. However, even sedan cars can easily drive up there if you go slow.
I am not the strongest driver, as I hadn't driven for 5 years before this trip, and I still managed to drive up to Jebel Shams with no problem. You can see the condition of the road from the photo above, and you can be the judge. Just remember to drive slowly and make sure you have a full tank of gas before heading up to Jebel Shams.
If you are traveling with a few more people, then a jeep will be more comfortable for you, but that will double the price for the car rental.
How to Navigate Oman by Car?
Download Waze (Android | iOS) on your phone, and you can easily navigate Oman by car. The app will let you know the fastest route to take, where the nearest parking lots are, and when you will arrive, allowing you to plan your trip more efficiently.
Total Cost for the Car Rental
I rented for 5 days, so it was 95 OMR in total. I had to fill a full tank of gas twice, which cost me 16 OMR in total. I slept in the car, so it is free. I exceeded the km limit by 200, as I got lost a few times, so I had to pay 18 OMR more. So, in total, I paid 129 OMR (335 USD) for the entire trip, excluding food and entry fees.
For you, it will be around 100 OMR, which is 20 OMR (50 USD) per day. I mean, it's expensive for a week if you compare it to Southeast Asia, but Oman is not Southeast Asia. It would be a shame if you are here and didn't get to see anything.
Daily Budget
Traveling here can be quite expensive and isn't necessarily budget-friendly, though there are still options to manage costs. You can expect to spend around $50 - $70 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Oman?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Oman without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Oman:
Wifi is available in places like shopping malls and most Airbnb apartments in Muscat, but if you want to follow this guide and drive around by yourself, I would recommend getting a local SIM card so you can use an app to navigate through the country. You might also need to call your Airbnb host in case you can't find where it is.
Get a SIM card from Omantel at the airport before heading into the city. A SIM card for 1 GB and 3 GB with calls should cost you 3 OMR and 10 OMR, respectively. I bought the 3 GB one, and it was enough to navigate me through the country and keep in contact with family and friends.
For more info about Oman SIM card, you can read more here: Everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Oman.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Oman?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Oman:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Oman in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Oman
I have plenty of articles to help you further with your trip planning for Oman. Here are a selection of articles you might find useful:
- Planning your first trip to Oman and not sure where to begin? Here are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Oman.
- Wadi Shab is one of the most action-packed places and, hands down, my favorite place in Oman. Here's How To Hike To Wadi Shab Secret Cave In Oman Without A Guide.
- To see all articles about Oman, visit my Oman Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
13 Comments
Hi Pete
Awesome guide! Made me book Oman, actually :) Thanks for the inspiration!
May I ask: did you require an onward flight confirmation in order to get in? I am travelling to Iran afterwards and wanted to stay flexible regarding the dates. Thanks!
Thank you, Marc! I had it but they didn't check at the immigration. I think it will depend on the airline you are flying with from your home country and your passport. It's safer and more reassuring to have the onward flight though if you are a third world passport holder like me. :)
Hi Pete, thanks for your tips, they are the most helpful I've found so far.
I'm planning a trip to Oman and Iran in fact I've got the tickets already, but I can only go now in August, which it's when I have vacation. First week of August in Oman and then 18 days in Iran. My biggest concern is the weather. I know it will be hot. But is it doable? Or is it impossible to live wthe heat? I was thinking about doing the same as you, sleeping in car and tent. What do you advise? Thanks
Hey Luiz, It is definitely doable as I travelled to Iran during the same time. In Oman, you will need a car as public transport to tourist attractions are almost nonexistent and you will appreciate having an air-con car when you are there for sure.
The key is to do outdoor activities in the morning and evening and stick to the shade if you want to do it during the day.
The weather maybe a little warm in a car but when the sun sets, it should cool down a bit and you should be able to sleep just fine. If you are not use to sleeping in 30C temperature, I would suggest you have wet wipes to cool you down and maybe an battery powered electric fan just in case, or you can turn on the car for a bit before you sleep and be sure to turn off before you doze off. (Very important not to sleep while the car engine is running!!!)
I hope this helps!
Alright, your tips are much appreciated.
Thanks again for your time mate.
No problem! Good luck with your trip! :)
Thank you for this insightful guide! I'll go to Oman this Oct. and your article helps a lot :-)
Thank you for the comment Kate! Good luck with your trip in Oman! It sure is a great country to explore! :)
Helpful article!
Do you think Oman is safe for female backpackers? :-?
Hello Pete,
First of all, amazing effort, your blog is crazy good, inspirational and helpful.
One question. For whenever you are planning to sleep in the car, how did you manage to take showers, water, food, and other basic stuff?
thank you so much in advance