Khasab Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Despite the fact that the Musandam Peninsula belongs to Oman, it’s easier to visit the area from the UAE, not least because the flights from Muscat preclude a weekend excursion. With a car, driving to and from Muscat (eight hours in either direction) involves getting a road permit (for residents), insurance for two countries, and passing through checkpoints no less than eight times. On an Omani visit visa, this makes a trip to the area something of a challenge.

Land

Car

The only border post currently allowing access to the Musandam Peninsula is at Al-Darah/Tibat, on the western coast of the UAE. There is a Dh20 road tax to leave the UAE and Dh60 visa charge to enter Musandam Peninsula. A 4WD is only necessary to explore the mountainous area around Jebel Harim.

Residents driving from Muscat must have a road permit and insurance for UAE. Currently the best border crossing to use is Wajaja.

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Air

OmanAir (in Muscat 24 707222, Khasab 26 730543) has flights between Khasab and Muscat (one way/return OR24/48, 1¼ hours) every Thursday (10.30am) and Friday (4.05pm). The office in Khasab is on the new souq roundabout, and flights depart and arrive from the military air base.

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