Embarking on a journey from the bustling metropolis of Dubai to the serene haven of Salalah in Oman was an adventure I will never forget. Ne...

Embarking on a journey from the bustling metropolis of Dubai to the serene haven of Salalah in Oman was an adventure I will never forget. Nestled in the Dhofar region, Salalah offers an enchanting mix of natural beauty, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Over five nights, I experienced the tranquility of pristine beaches, explored lush greenery, and immersed myself in the local heritage. Join me as I recount my unforgettable trip, highlighting the must-visit attractions and hidden gems that made my stay in Salalah truly special.

Travel Preparations:

Below is the list of things that we considered:

Kept Valid Emirates IDs
Kept valid Passports
Kept Driving License
Kept Vehicle Ownership (Mulkiya) - Digital Copy only
Oman vehicle insurance is done on the border (150/180AED for 10 days) so we didnt purchase any insurance before travel. You may want to check with your current insurance provider if your vehicle insurance covers the Oman territory and what is the additional document that you may have to keep with you.
Well maintained car, correct air pressure, engine oil for 3000 kilometer drive and coolant check.
An Umbrella
Battery bank or Car charging cable
Roaming SIMs (You can purchase Oman SIM card on the border as well)
8000 AED currency in Omani Riyals (Approximately 800 Riyals)
Downloaded Offline Maps of Dubai to Salalah Journey. Also downloaded offline maps of 4 Major cities Ibri, Nizwah, Haima and Salalah
Hotel / Apartment Booking in Salalah specially during July-August, is recommended prior to your travel to avoid discomfort.

Travel Expense

Petrol Cost: Total drive from UAE to Salalah, city trips and returning back to UAE is approximately 3000KM. Depending upon the car engine type the petrol cost is less than 1000 AED
UAE exit cost: 20-25 AED per person
Oman Visa cost: 50-60 AED per person
Vehicle Insurance Cost: Sedan 150 AED, SUV 180 AED (10 days insurance)
Food cost: Approximately just like UAE 10-30 AED per person depending upon preferences
Accommodation Cost: Varies based on hotel or apartment type and season
Traffic Violations: Oman traffic system is integrated with UAE so be mindful about road speed as cameras are installed on the roads

Border Formalities

Started the journey by reaching Mazyad border
Presented our Emirates IDs and Passports to UAE border personal while sitting inside the car. It costed us 20-25 AED per person for clearance (Paid by card). It took 5-10 Minutes of our time
Moved to Oman border and we were asked to visit the building to purchase Oman Insurance. This building has washrooms, small cafeteria and insurance office. It costed 180 AED for the SUV insurance for 10 days. (Min 10 days insurance)
Presented Driving License and Car ownership document to the Insurance agent. It took 3-5 minutes for insurance process. Note: AED or Omani Riyal are acceptable.

Journey Within Oman

After clearance from border post we drove for 125 KM to arrive in Ibri Bawadi Mall. This mall has large size Lulu Store, cleaner washrooms and a mosque
Now you have 2 options:

Option-1: Take Nizwa City Route which is 150 KM longer but with services, double road and regular traffic. Nizwa city offers good hotels / apartments / Villa to stay at night. We stayed in AlRabie Villa which was pretty good and the owner was very nice. Another good option is Etra Inn. This owner is also very nice as i spoke to him on the phone
Option-2: Take Fahud Route which is shorter than Nizw route however the route has extremely low traffic with some towns every 30KM or so. This route is not recommended for night driving. However for day time drive, there is no issue at all.

Whether coming from Nizwa or via Fahud, the next city is Haima as shown in below snapshot (highlighted the cities in Yellow color)

Haima is an average destination with not-so-great options for food, yet you can have pasta, fresh fruits or rice. Cabin washrooms and tent mosque is also available.
From Haima to Salalah is 480KM that should take close to 4.5 hours to arrive Salalah.
With family and friends in the vehicle the journey is not tiring. I never drove more than 3 hours in the last 10-15 years, yet I was able to drive comfortably on this route.

Top Attractions in Salalah

1- Darbat Waterfall / Darbat Valley (RECOMMENDED)

One of the most beautiful places on earth.
Try to go early morning to avoid traffic as this is most loved tourist attraction.

2- Ain Razat (RECOMMENDED)

3- Taqa Beach

For UAE people its just an average view that may be avoided if there is a time constraint

4- Taqa Fort / Castle

5- Mirbat Sea View Point (RECOMMENDED)

Amazing view
kids swings
sitting area
Palm Trees
Washrooms
Google Map for Mirbat Seaview point

6- Gravity Hill

Google Map For Gravity Point Salalah
The Gravity Point, also known as the Anti-Gravity Point, is a fascinating phenomenon located on the route between Mirbat and Salalah in Oman. This stretch of road creates an optical illusion where cars, when put in neutral gear, appear to roll uphill instead of downhill

7- Tomb Awais Qarni RA

The Tomb of Owais Qarni in Salalah RA, Oman, is a significant site of historical and religious importance. Owais al-Qarni, also known as Owais Qarni, was a devout Muslim from Yemen who lived during the time of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Although he never met the Prophet in person, he is highly revered in Islamic tradition for his deep faith and piety

8- Sultan Qaboos Mosque

The mosque features traditional Islamic design with intricate mosaics and stunning minarets
Non-Muslim visitors are welcome to explore the mosque outside of prayer times, provided they adhere to the dress code

9- Marneef Cave / Mughsail Beach (RECOMMENDED)

Marneef cave is an amazing tourist attraction. Water gushing out from the rocks, uphill walk, large size mountain/cave, amazing sea view, wooden and stone bridges are great experiences.

10- Coconut Beach

11- Garden Mall Salalah

12- Ain Gargiz (RECOMMENDED)

driving on this road is amazing. There is another route that goes towards waterfall is amazing experience.

13- Hazrat Ayub AS Mouslem (RECOMMENDED)

This is an uphill route that provides fascinating views giving you the idea of the power of God. Driving towards the tomb of Prophet Ayub Mouslem should be with full of respect, without any laughers of feeling of fun.

14- Grand Mall Salalah (RECOMMENDED)

Other Places

while moving from one place to the other itself is an amazing experience through foggy roads, light rain showers and lush greenery all around.
You may want to explore museums and many other places in Salalah. Check out this article Best Places to Visit & Things to Do in Salalah

Returning Back from Salalah

Left Salalah hotel at 08:30
First stop in Haima for lunch, prayer and car engine rest
Took Fahud route towards Ibri
Took 3-4 breaks for tea and petrol on the route.
Arrived Ibri at 06:50 PM in Ibri Mall for prayer and dinner
Arrived Oman Border in 1.5 hours
Border clearance on both sides was efficient (10-12 minutes each side)
Arrived home at 11:30PM

Final Thoughts

As my five-night adventure in Salalah drew to a close, I found myself filled with gratitude for the incredible experiences and memories I had gathered. From the misty mountains and cascading waterfalls to the historic sites and the warm hospitality of the locals, Salalah left a profound impact on me. This journey from Dubai to Salalah was more than just a trip; it was a soulful retreat that offered peace, beauty, and a deeper connection to nature and culture. I leave with a heart full of stories and a longing to return to this hidden gem of Oman. So, if you’re planning your next getaway, let my journey inspire you to explore the magic of Salalah.

Excellent Tips by Junaid Ranawaya

Special thanks to Junaid Ranawaya, for sharing these valuable tips to help fellow travelers make the most of their Salalah trip. Here you go:

1. The approximately 450-km stretch of two-way highway between Haima and Salalah is risky and not recommended for inexperienced drivers.
2. Before entering Salalah City, there is an approximately 45-minute drive through dense fog in the mountains with very low visibility.
3. It's best to plan your travels during daylight hours and avoid Fridays and Saturdays if possible, as these are peak traffic times on the roads.
4. In Oman, the equivalent of 'special' petrol is the "95 fuel."
5. The round trip journey of around 3,000 km is quite lengthy. Consider whether you're up for the adventure, or if flying might be a more practical and time-saving option.
6. You may also explore the option of traveling by bus service with Gulf Transport Company (GTC), which operates between Dubai and Salalah. (https://www.gulftransport.co/en)
7. Ensure your vehicle is in excellent condition and properly serviced before embarking on this road trip. Breakdowns can be especially challenging to deal with in remote areas.
8. Wear plastic or rubber sandals while visiting the green areas, as there will be continuous rain and your shoes/socks may get wet easily.
9. Use mosquito repellent when visiting the green areas, as there will be many flying insects. Wear long-sleeved shirts for additional protection.
10. Don't forget to try the traditional Omani halwa during your trip.
11. Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, except at some street food vendors.

Disclaimer

I have created this article to provide you guidance with the best of my knowledge and experience I have had; however, I am not responsible for any issues or problems in whatsoever sense. Rest assured, you will have a great lifetime experience on this journey.
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For any feedback, please contact me via mjunaidtahir @ gmail . com