Why You Should Take a Flight to Oman

Discover the Arabia of old in Oman, a Sultanate that still retains an air of mystery and Bedouin tradition that has vanished from many of the more opulent Gulf states. Bordered by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Yemen this undiscovered and enigmatic land boasts dramatic mountain ranges, vast deserts and unspoiled beaches. Tourism is growing but the capital, Muscat, remains a warm and welcoming city.

When to Book Flights to Oman

Peak season runs through the winter from October to March, when temperatures hover around a pleasant 25°C. In January and February Muscat hosts a month-long cultural festival.

In summer the heat can be oppressive, but cooler air and even some rain arrives across the Arabian sea from India in August and the southern city of Salalah parades its wares with an annual tourism festival.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Oman

Whenever you travel there are ways to find a cheap flight to Oman when you book with Expedia, but flexibility is key to finding a bargain.

There are direct flights to Muscat from London and Manchester, but there are plenty of connecting flights to choose from. Use the ‘Nearby airports’ option to compare prices from different departure points in the UK.

Having leeway in your itinerary also helps. The ‘Show flexible dates’ option allows you compare prices on different days and can unlock different routes to Oman.

You can filter search results by duration, connections, airline, ticket type and other criteria using the Show options drop down and the buttons on the left of the search results.

UK Departures to Oman

Optimal flight times to airports in Oman include:

• London to Muscat 7 hours 10 minutes
• London to Salalah 10 hours 20 minutes (no direct flights)
• London to Sohar 13 hours 50 minutes (no direct flights)

Main Airports in Oman

Muscat International Airport, 20 miles from the capital, has been upgraded with a gleaming new state-of-the art passenger terminal. The airport handles more than 22 million passengers a year and the ultra-modern terminal facilities are a statement of intent from the Sultanate.

Salalah Airport in the south has also undergone massive redevelopment and now handles well over a million passengers a year and has shops, restaurants, car hire facilities and duty free.

Sohar Airport in the north of the country, not far from the border with the UAE, was opened in 2014 and has international flights to Sharjah and Doha.

Which Airlines Fly to Oman?

The airlines with direct flights from the UK to Oman are:

• Oman Air
• British Airways

Other airlines including Etihad Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways have connecting flights to destinations in Oman.

How to Get to and Around Oman

The modern airport facilities in Oman are well connected with buses, shuttles and taxis available to the nearby cities.

There are regional air services around the Sultanate and buses run between the major towns. You can also take a long-distance taxi or ‘baiza bus’ minivan.

If you want more freedom to explore hiring a car is a good option, but it pays to opt for a 4WD if you are heading into the desert.

What Are the Must-sees In Oman?

No trip to Oman is complete without a visit to a wadi, a mountain ravine often flowing with spring water, that acts as a rocky oasis. Some of the most beautiful and spectacular are in the Hajar Mountains around Muscat.

Completed in 2001 the spectacular Grand Mosque in Muscat was commissioned by Sultan Qaboos to mark 30 years of rule. The imposing modern building has a capacity of 20,000. The carpet in the prayer hall is the second largest in the world.

Take a day trip to the Daymaniyat Islands an hour off the coast north of Muscat. The snorkelling and diving are extraordinary.

Tips and Tricks for Travelling in Oman

Oman is an Islamic country and alcohol can only be drunk in hotels and licenced bars. The drink drive limit is zero. Visitors should cover up in public, with their knees and shoulders covered. During Ramadan businesses are closed and eating and drinking outside your hotel during daylight hours is forbidden.