Car Rental in Oman 2025
Car Rental in Oman 2025: Everything You Need to Know
Renting a car in Oman is the perfect way to discover this unique country. The distances are quite large, the nature is overwhelming and many sights are far apart. With a rental car, you have the freedom to set your own route and to reach places that would otherwise be difficult to visit. We rented a car ourselves during our round trip through Oman and the UAE in February 2025 and below we share all our tips and experiences.
How to rent a car in UAE and Oman?
Most travellers rent a car in Muscat, where most international flights arrive. Renting is straightforward, with several well-known car rental companies available.
We wanted to combine our trip with a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which made things a little more complicated. Not every company allows you to cross the border with a rental car. After some research, we found that Avis, Hertz, Sixt and Thrifty do allow this. In the end, we booked via Discover Cars with Thrifty.
Important document for border crossing
If you plan to cross the border, you must tell the rental company in advance. You need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) – an official document that gives permission to cross. The form includes:
- Your name and passport number
- Car details and licence plate
- The period you are allowed to drive the car
The NOC is stamped and signed by the rental company and must be shown at the border. In our case, we only received it after asking again at the desk. The staff member warned us there was still no guarantee we could cross, which was stressful: but everything went smoothly.
We entered Oman via the Al Ain border crossing, where checks were strict but we were allowed through. On the way back, we used the Sohar crossing, which was much faster.
What do you need to rent a car in Oman?
To pick up a rental car you need:
- A valid driving licence from your home country (we also brought an International Driving Permit, just in case).
- Your passport and Oman visa (you get this automatically when crossing from the UAE by car).
- A credit card in the name of the main driver (debit cards are usually not accepted).
Age requirements:
- Legal driving age in Oman: 18 years.
- Minimum rental age: usually 25 years and at least one year of driving experience.
- Some companies allow drivers aged 21–24, but with high fees in case of accidents.
- Maximum rental age: often around 70–75 years.
Since Tessa was 23 during our trip, we decided that only Sander (25) would drive.
What is driving in Oman like?
Driving in Oman turned out to be one of the biggest positive surprises of our trip. The roads are excellent and outside the cities traffic is calm. Still, driving is a bit different from what we were used to at home.
One example: we were driving behind a truck on a narrow road and wanted to overtake, but there was always oncoming traffic. To our surprise, the truck moved partly onto the emergency lane, and the oncoming cars did exactly the same. This way, we could safely drive in the middle and pass. It was a completely new experience!
Another thing we noticed: almost all roads have gravel shoulders. For Omanis this feels like their personal driveway. They simply turn off the tarmac onto the gravel to reach their house or destination. At first it seems chaotic, but in practice it works surprisingly well. You also always need to be aware of animals on the road. Goats and camels cross without warning, even on the highway.
Our advice: drive calmly with the traffic flow and stay alert. You will get used to it quickly and then you can fully enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the way.
Roads & speed limits in Oman
Most roads in Oman are in very good condition and even in remote areas often paved. Fuel is also much cheaper than in Europe, making driving affordable.
- 120 km/h on highways
- 90 km/h on rural roads
- 40–80 km/h in towns and cities
Be aware: there are many speed cameras and speed bumps. Luckily, signs are always written in both Arabic and English.
Tip: highways can be long and straight, which can get boring and tiring. Take breaks, stretch your legs, and bring enough water and snacks. We often stopped at small roadside cafés and had great meals for just a few euros!
Do you need a 4×4 in Oman?
The short answer: not always. Most roads in Oman are well maintained and fully paved, so you can manage with a regular car or a compact SUV. We had actually booked a small 4×4, but at the counter we ended up with a Hyundai Creta (2WD).
According to the rental company this was not a problem – even the steep road up to Jebel Shams (for the famous Balcony Walk) should be possible in “sport mode”. And to be fair: we made it to the top. But it was not very comfortable. The road is steep, narrow and has loose stones, and our car really struggled. It worked out in the end, but we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
For almost all other destinations, such as the desert roads (often paved as well) or the routes between towns and villages, a 4×4 is not necessary. Only if you want to go really off-road, for example to reach remote wadi’s or Jebel Shams, is a 4×4 more comfortable and safer.
Parking in Oman
Parking in Oman is very easy. Outside the big cities there is always space and it is usually free. In Muscat, some paid zones have recently been introduced, but it is still straightforward.
At certain attractions, such as Wadi Shab, you may need to park a little further away and either walk or take a taxi. In our experience (February 2025) we were able to park everywhere without any difficulty and without paying.
How does refuelling in Oman work?
Refuelling in Oman is simple and also very cheap. Petrol costs only a fraction of what you pay in Europe. For example: we paid about €17 to completely fill the tank of our Hyundai Creta.
Good to know:
- You don’t have to fill the tank yourself, an attendant does this for you.
- You only need to say which type of fuel you need and how much.
- Payment is almost always possible with cash or card.
- We used a Revolut card to avoid extra exchange fees, but we also carried cash and a credit card as backup.
Takeaway: is renting a car in Oman worth it?
Absolutely! For us, renting a car was the best way to discover Oman. You have complete freedom, the roads are excellent and the costs are relatively low. With some preparation – like having a credit card and, if needed, an NOC for crossing the border – it’s a stress-free experience.
And best of all: along the way you will have adventures you will never forget. From goats on the highway to trucks making space for overtaking – driving in Oman is an adventure in itself!