The Dubai to Salalah road trip is a great adventure filled with beautiful views and exciting experiences. As you drive, you will pass through deserts and mountains along the beautiful Oman coast, seeing different landscapes along the way.
Salalah is a tropical paradise and a popular tourist spot, known for its lush greenery within the surrounding deserts. Let’s learn everything about the Dubai to Salalah Road Trip, visa details, and the most popular spots you shouldn’t miss.
- Dubai to Salalah Road Trip
- Dubai to Salalah Road Trip – Legal Procedure
- Applying for an Oman Visa from the UAE
- Road Conditions from Dubai to Salalah
- Where to Stay at Salalah
- Types of Suitable Vehicles for the Roadtrip Journey
- Things to Keep on Your Dubai to Salalah Road Trip
- Gas Stations on the Way
- FAQs
Travelling From Dubai to Salalah via Road – Routes
The road from Dubai to Salalah is straight, taking you through the desert landscape. There are two routes from Dubai to Salalah:.
The Shorter Route
A shorter, more direct route takes you inland through barren, empty landscapes. It is a direct and faster way to reach Oman, approximately 1,220 km. This route can take 12-13 hours to reach and can be broken into the following sections:
- Dubai to Al Ain (Hafeet/Mezyad) border: 160 km, 1 hour 50 minutes
- Al Ain to Nizwa: 260 km, 2 hours 50 minutes
- Nizwa to Haima: 380 km, 3 hours 30 minutes
- Haima to Salalah: 400 km, 4-5 hours
The Longer Route
For a more adventurous experience, you can take the longer route. It follows Oman’s east and south coasts, offering beautiful views along the way. The distance is nearly 1,900 km and it takes about 20-22 hours of non-stop driving to finish.
- Dubai to Muscat: 450 km, 4-5 hours
- Muscat to Sur: 200 km, 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Sur to Duqm: 520 km, 6-7 hrs
- Duqm to Salalah: 670 km, 7 hours 40 minutes
If you want to travel directly from Dubai to Salalah, then it is best to opt for the shorter route from Meyzad Border in Al Ain (Hafeet Border). Besides, you can also take the Dubai to Oman bus service of if you are in Abu Dhabi, go for the bus from Abu Dhabi to Oman.
Dubai to Salalah Road Trip – Legal Procedure
If you are an expat travelling to Salalah from Sharjah, Dubai, or any other emirate, you must have a valid Emirates ID and an Oman visa. However, UAE citizens can travel without a visa approval and get it on arrival.
The following are a few things you must have on your road trip to Salalah, Oman:
- Though a pre-approved Oman visa is not required for UAE Nationals, they must have a valid passport with them during the road trip.
- Keep your driving licence and vehicle registration ready to avoid delays at checkpoints.
- For rental cars, the driver must have a notarised NOC, valid driving licence, and vehicle registration documents.
If you are travelling from Abu Dhabi, here’s a guide for vehicle registration in Abu Dhabi.
Tourist Vehicle Certificate
Obtain a tourist vehicle certificate from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for travel to Oman. This certificate allows travel between the UAE and GCC countries for tourism or work.
Here’s how you can get it:
- Submit copies of your consular ID card, vehicle registration certificate, exit and return dates and the purpose of your visit.
- Processing time for the certificate is 2 working days.
Applying for an Oman Visa From the UAE
You can apply for an Oman visa to travel from Dubai to Salalah via road. The tourist visa fee from Dubai to Oman ranges from AED 50 to AED 200, depending on the duration of the visa. Here is the process to apply for the visa:
- Complete an online form on the Royal Oman Police website with your personal information, travel details, passport details and security questions.
- Upload the required documents.
- The approved Oman e-visa is valid for single entry and is for tourism purposes only.
The Omani Government approves a specific list of professions with UAE residence visas who are eligible for visas on arrival. These include doctors, engineers, investors, military officers, journalists, pharmacists, pilots, lawyers, geologists and other skilled professionals.
However, your UAE residence visa and passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive in Oman.
Road Conditions from Dubai to Salalah
The roads from Dubai to Salalah are extremely well-maintained, with proper signages and lanes. They stretch from one lane to two lanes and occasionally three lanes.
The stretch from Nizwa to Haima is a smooth two-lane highway, making it an easy drive. However, just before reaching Haima, Highway 31 narrows to a one-lane road shared with oncoming traffic.
While this route is mostly free of traffic, it is likely to pass several large trucks along the way.
The Best Places to See from Dubai to Salalah Road Trip
Here are the popular places you should add to your visit list while on your Dubai to Salalah road trip.
1. Picnic and Swimming at Wadi Darbat
Located inside the mountains in Dhofar, Oman, Wadi Darbat is an entire complex filled with beautiful waterfalls, rivers and pools.
The place also offers multiple activities for visitors. For instance:
- Hike / Trek on the trails.
- Visit the Tawi Cave, the most famous cave in Wadi Darbat.
- Swim in the cool water that falls from the top of the valley, forming a natural lake.
- Enjoy boat rides and admire the surrounding 15-30 metre-tall cliffs.
- Visit the two main but seasonal waterfalls in the area.
- Enjoy local foods from nearby small restaurants and huts that sell fruits, popcorn, sweet corn, and other food items.
2. The Nature Reserve at Djebel Samhan
Djebel Samhan Nature Reserve is a stunning mountain ridge on the eastern side of Salalah. It is 7,000 metres tall and is appreciated for its impeccable beauty and views.
Here are some top attractions to experience in the area:
- Visit the Nature Reserve, which is home to wildlife like the Arabian leopard and tahr.
- You can also hike/trek on the scenic hiking trails.
- The mountain range also has unique cave formations all around.
Moreover, you can book a room at the only resort there, the Sama Resort. Wake up into the clouds and admire the awe-inspiring mountain vistas around.
3. Blowholes at the Mughsail Beach
You just cannot miss stopping here while on your way from Dubai to Salalah. Al Mughsail Beach is a vast stretch of beautiful white sand and turquoise-blue water. It is surrounded by gigantic mountains on both sides, offering a stunning view to visitors.
The best part? The beach also has a natural wonder called the ‘blowholes’. Seawater is pushed through holes in the rocks, causing it to spout into the air, creating stunning geysers.
4. Marneef Cave
Marneef Cave, located at the western end of Mughsail Beach, offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Formed by the erosion of limestone cliffs, it is a popular spot for photography and adventure.
5. Empty Quarter
The Empty Quarter, covering around 650,000 square kilometres, is a vast desert of dunes that stretch endlessly into each other. It is home to an ecosystem of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh weather conditions.
For instance:
- You will find Arabian oryx, sand gazelles and various reptiles and insects here.
- You can enjoy camel rides through the expansive sandy areas or participate in thrilling dune-bashing tours.
6. The Stone Staircase at Ain Razat
Ain Razat is a scenic freshwater spring in Dhofar, surrounded by wilderness and dunes. The spring’s crystal-clear waters flow gently from underground caves, creating a calm and serene environment.
Ain Razat also features a cave, accessible by a stone staircase with safety railings. Inside, you will find a stone bench that offers a resting spot after the short climb. From the top, you can enjoy stunning views of the spring, pond, and surrounding garden, making it a must-see destination.
Where to Stay in Salalah
The drive from UAE to Salalah is very long. As a result, most people prefer to break it by overnight stops for a shorter route and 2-3 stops for a longer route.
For the shorter route, there are two options for an overnight stop:
- Nizwa or any nearby village, like Birkat Al Mouz, Bahla
- Haima on Road 31
There are many hotels and guesthouses in Nizwa that offer a comfortable overnight stay. You can book your stay in advance via online platforms. However, if you choose to stop over in Haima, you must remember that you cannot book your stay online. Just go there and take in whatever is available.
If you prefer the long coastal route, you can find a variety of hotels and guesthouses in Muscat, Sur and Duqm. All of them can be booked online and in advance and offer a relaxing, comfortable stay.
Types of Suitable Vehicles for the Roadtrip Journey
Choosing the right vehicle is essential for the Dubai to Salalah road trip, considering comfort, fuel efficiency, off-road capability, and a number of people travelling. For instance:
- Sedan
- SUV
- 4×4
- Camper Van
- Motorcycle
Things to Keep on Your Dubai to Salalah Road Trip
Here is what you must not forget to keep during your road trip to Salalah from Dubai:
- Plenty of water bottles.
- Light snacks for the journey.
- Car charging cable for your phone.
- Portable charger or power bank.
- Omani rials (some fuel stations and restaurants may not accept credit cards or AED).
- Preload Google Maps or get an Omani SIM card for data, or activate roaming on your UAE SIM for navigation assistance.
Fuel Stations on the Way
The number of fuel stations on the route from Dubai to the Salalah road trip depends on the routes you choose. Here are the fuel stations you can find on the way:
- Fill up in Nizwa: Before heading south on Route 31, ensure your car’s tank is full.
- Refill in Haima: This should get you to Salalah unless you’re driving a high-performance vehicle.
- Stations after Haima: Expect 3 or 4 stations before reaching Thumrait, a small town near Salalah.
- Coastal road: Gas stations appear every 100-150 km, and you will find petrol in every town along the way.
Tip: Use Google Maps to search for petrol stations and plan your stops in advance.
FAQs
The total distance from Dubai to Salalah is around 1,220 kilometres, which takes approximately 12-13 hours to reach by car.
Mwasalat partnered with RTA Dubai to launch a Dubai to Oman bus service via Route 201. A one-way trip to Oman from Dubai costs AED 55 per passenger and it takes 12 hours to reach the destination.
Embrace the spirit of travelling and escape the hustle and bustle of city life on your road trip from Dubai to Salalah. Camp at some incredible spots along the way and gaze at the starry sky. Happy journey!
Not in Dubai? Here’s how you can travel to Oman from Sharjah.
