Abu Dhabi, UAE to Salalah, Oman 2018 - 1300 KM Drive

Started 4 AM from Abu Dhabi
Reached 6:20 at Al Ain Mezyad Border. Took 2 and Hrs for border crossing as it was Eid Holidays. Reached Salalah around 10.30 PM.

Few points to ponder for those who intended to drive.
1. Keep in mind that you need to travel 1,300 kilometers from Abu Dhabi/Dubai to reach Salalah. Hence even though a SUV/4X4 is not a must, we recommend a SUV/4X4 considering your comfort to travel a long 13 hours continuous journey.
2. Start your journey from Abu Dhabi/Dubai early in the morning [3 AM-4 AM] so that you can reach Salalah before night
3. Never ever think driving after sun set, sand storm might be there in Route 31 till Haima, and the visibility would be barely 50 meters with winds hitting the vehicle in all directions.
4. No need to worry on fuel stations, you have fuel station almost every 100 to 120 Kms, except from Ibri [Take right from the R/A] till you reach T Junction in route 31 – Main Highway Muscat to Salalah (Approx 120 Kms).
5. Don’t take Ibri - Nizwa to take route 31, this is a longer route and an additional 150 Kms. Before IBRI town you need to take right towards Fahud, if you have a navigator it helps.
6. After Haima the journey is easier till Salalah, Approx500 Kms with fewer trucks and almost no cross winds.
7. Do the entire journey in Route 31 in day light since I consider it the most risky drive as there is no street light for more than 600 KMs. In day light you can drive even 160/Hr.
8. The road is single way. Hence drive safe.
9. The highway is also not fenced off but there are signs warning about the possibility of camels or sheep wandering to the other side to graze. Hence drive with caution.
10. There is couple of check post on your way. Hence you have to keep your passport, driving license and vehicle registration handy to avoid any delays.

Documents required traveling to Salalah -Oman from UAE by road
• You and your dependent’s / co-passenger’s passports
• Your driving license
• Your car registration card (Mulkiya)
• Car insurance document. You can purchase car insurance at the border, if your car doesn’t have Oman insurance coverage.
• A pen :-)

Visa requirements:
• If you are a UAE residence visa holder, you don’t need to take visit visa for Oman in advance .You will get visa on arrival at the Oman border provided you have below mentioned mandatory documents.
• Valid residence visa of UAE (Your UAE visa should be in professional category – Other categories may get rejected. Please refer Royal Oman Police website
• Valid passport (Not less that six months). For Companions / Drivers / Maids Labor card and valid passport ( not less than 3 months )
• Insurance document for your car in Oman – (You can buy Oman insurance coverage from UAE-OMAN border check post, If your vehicle insurance doesn’t have Oman coverage )
• Approximately 1300 KM from Dubai International City / Dragon Mart to Salalah Town Center

Duration of drive from Dubai to Salalah:
12 to 13 hours travel time if you go by a speed of 110 to 120 KM per hour with 2 stopovers lasting 1/2 an hour.

Currency in Salalah:
The local currency is Omani Riyal. However almost all the places UAE Dirhams are accepted.

Things to do in Salalah

• Wadi Darbat
• Sultan Qaboos Mosque
• Teeq Cave and Tawi Ateer Sinkhole
• Salalah Mountain trip
• Nabi Ayoub’s Tomb
• Sumhuram Old City
• Marneef Cave
• Al Mughsail Beach
• Jebel Qamar
• Anti gravity point in Salalah