Updated: October 2019
Oman, a small and incredible country along the Arabian Ocean is not a popular tourist destination, let alone be for solo female travelers. When considering the countries to visit apt for solo traveling, it is highly unlikely to choose a destination from the Middle East. All thanks to the Middle Eastern cultural stereotypes related to women.
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If you don’t know already – I am an expatriate born, grown up and still living in this wonderful country of Oman. I have traveled across the country millions of times – with friends and family and many times alone too. Before writing this guide, I take full confidence based on my long experience of traveling in Oman for sharing my honest thoughts and tips on traveling in Oman for solo female travelers. Today I want to burst the misconceptions out of the bubble related to solo travel in Oman.
Unlike its ‘more happening’ neighbor Dubai, Oman is a calm and quiet yet incredibly naturally diverse country. The versatile land of Oman offers history, culture, nature and a unique vintage Arabian vibe to the visitor. Though solo female travelers may find visiting an Islamic country a bit too hard to handle, Oman is a perfect blend of cultural values and contemporary vibes to make your solo trip worthwhile.
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Solo Travel Oman: How Safe Is Oman?
If a female traveler has already been to Jordan or Egypt, then they’re most likely to expect the same random stares and catcalling from men in Oman too. Gladly though, the reality is very contrasting! Oman is termed as one of the safest countries to travel for solo female travelers in the Middle East. The crime rate in Oman is almost non-existent due to strict legal penalties and punishments. You can easily walk on the street without getting stares from strangers.
Moreover, as tourism has finally started buzzing in the country, the locals are getting more acceptable towards seeing tourists around. In general, Omani’s are undoubtedly the most hospitable and polite people you will find in the Middle East. They’re very kind and always eager to help especially when seeing a foreign lady in need of assistance. Also, as there are a huge number of expatriates in Oman, more often you will find yourself being treated just like any other resident of Oman.
Irrespective, of how safe a country is, it is always practical to be aware and careful. Take the general precautions and avoid getting into dark alleys especially at the night. The best way to keep safe and happy while traveling is by getting covered under a Travel Insurance.
Solo Travel Oman: Rights of Women In Oman?
Women in Oman are educated, modern and free to fulfill their desires. Just like UAE, there are no restrictions and conservative approaches from society and the law towards women. They are free to drive, work, travel and practically do whatever they want without a ‘male guardian’. Also in general, women are respected in public and treated in a special manner. Every place has a ‘Women only’ section to cater the ladies exclusively. There is also a separate women/family seating area in public buses and in restaurants too.
All You Need To Know About Oman Solo Travel
Solo Travel Oman: Important Helpline Numbers
All important helpline numbers can be found here.
Royal Oman Police – 9999
The ROP (Royal Oman Police) helpline support will deal with everything; crime reporting, ambulance service, and fire rescue.
No Network Coverage – 112
The No Network Coverage number can be used in case you’re at a place with no mobile networks. The calls to ‘112’ are diverted to ‘9999’
Embassy Number
It is always a good practice to save your home country’s embassy or regional office number in the country you are traveling to. You never know when it can come in handy.
Solo Travel Oman: Important Apps To Download
Mwasalat Taxi App
‘Mwasalat’ is the Uber in Oman. It is a government-run transport service and the best and the safest transportation option while traveling solo.
Marhaba Taxi Oman
Marhaba is another taxi service in Oman which is now owned by Mwasalat. So downloading the Mwasalat app will actually serve the purpose for the tourists.
Talabat Oman
Talabat is a food ordering and delivery service app for Oman. It covers almost all of the international and local food joints in Oman. The availability of the app is however restricted to Muscat and Salalah only.
SIM Details
‘Omantel’ is the biggest network service provider in Oman. Details about Omantel Tourist Pack can be found here.
Solo Travel Oman: What To Wear In Oman
Do I need to bring a Burka to Oman? And a headscarf too? These are the most common questions that come to every female traveler’s mind before visiting Oman. The answer to these questions is a big NO! Oman, though being an Islamic country; does not have conservative dressing rules for women like Saudi Arabia. You are NOT obliged to wear a burka or cover your head in public. However, it is still highly recommended to dress modestly respecting the religious and cultural norms of the country.
A modest dress can be anything covering from the shoulders to knees. Though you can wear something different while visiting the beach, but by remaining within the limits of ‘modesty’. A two-piece is not acceptable under any case! However, you are free to wear a swim dress within the premises if you’re staying at a resort or a luxury hotel.
For more information on What To Wear In Oman – Check out this detailed guide
Solo Travel Oman: Best Places To Stay In Muscat
First thing first, it is important to know that Oman is a no-hostel country. Even if you’re traveling on a budget, you have look for a decent affordable hotel to stay at. However, finding this ‘decently affordable’ hotel in the prime tourist spots of the city could be a little tricky. The biggest tourist spot in Muscat is Muttrah, but all you can find there to stay are 2-star hotels or very ordinary guesthouses.
I would not like to quote Muttrah as the ideal area to stay for a solo female traveler. The best bet is to stay in the area of Al-Khuwair, which is a fifteen minutes’ drive from Muttrah. Al-Khuwair is an extremely lively area with malls and a lot of local and international food joints in the vicinity. There are a number of good budget hotels and hotel apartments to stay with grocery shops and hypermarts within a walking distance. Major tourist attractions like the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Avenues Mall, Muscat Grand Mall, The Royal Opera House, and Al-Shatti Beach are all within a short drive away.
Booking.comSolo Travel Oman: Eating Norms
The big cities in Oman are widely equipped with all the major international fast food joints. Also, as I already mentioned due to a high number of expatriates in the country, there are tons of Indian, Pakistani and Filipino food restaurant. The smaller cities and towns do not have any international restaurants but locating a McDonalds or KFC is not that hard in Oman. All the restaurants (except fast food joints) have a separate seating area for families. Feel free to hop in the family area and avoid getting into the ‘men only’ section of the restaurant especially if you’re dining in at a small local coffee shop or a restaurant.
Solo Travel Oman: All About Public Transport
Public transport in Oman can be one of the most frustrating things during your entire Oman traveling journey. In blunt words, it is just not great! Also, there is no Uber or Careem to be found here. The only transport company in Oman is Mwasalat. The Mwasalat bus service is perhaps the most convenient way of getting around Muscat or traveling from Muscat to the other cities in Oman. More details about Mwasalat Bus Service can be found here.
Hitch-hiking is illegal in Oman but just like every other restricted thing, it does happen. A more favorable option than hitch-hiking is using the Mwasalat Taxi app (similar to Uber) or the orange taxis, which is a sharing cab. I would not really recommend using the Orange Taxis when traveling solo because there have been some cases of harassment lately, involving the orange taxi drivers. Mwasalat taxi is the best safest option to commute.
Solo Travel Oman: Places To Visit To Not Feel Lonely In Muscat
Traveling solo in Oman can often get pretty lonely. As the population of the country is pretty less and tourism has not strike Oman with its full force yet, chances are high that you might feel like the only tourist in the country. Here is a list of Ten Awesome Things To Do In Muscat.
Book These Amazing Tours & Make Friends in Muscat!
Solo Travel Oman: Best group tours from Muscat
Group tours are undoubtedly the best way to get around a place when traveling solo. It may be for more security or just meeting new people, a group tour is my absolute favorite thing to do while solo traveling. Check out a list of all the Best Group Tours And Day Trips To Take From Muscat.
Solo Travel Oman: Traveling Beyond The Big Cities
As Muscat is the biggest and most populated city in Oman, so traveling solo within Muscat is quite easy. The same goes for other big cities like Nizwa, Salalah, and Sohar. However, moving into the more remote parts or small towns of Oman, traveling solo as a female could get you a few heads turns every now and then. It gets more important to be cautious about what you are wearing, what time of the day you should return indoors and just being more alert while traveling in the lesser visited parts of Oman. Nothing major to worry though, Oman is practically quite safe to travel alone.
Solo Travel Oman: Oman’s Laws And Norms In A Nutshell
Traffic Rules
If you chose to drive around Oman to explore it, which I would definitely recommend doing; be well aware of all the traffic rules. Oman is pretty strict when it comes to traffic rules; be it driving or pedestrian crossing. Failure in compliance with any traffic rule will end up with a severe penalty. Read Royal Oman Police guidance on Oman’s traffic rules here.
Say No To Alcohol
As Oman is a Muslim country so alcohol is not publically available. Also, it is not permitted to drink in the public. You can only drink at the designated cafes and pubs or within your hotel premises, however not all hotels serve alcohol, so inquire about it beforehand.
PDA Is A Serious Offence
Once again relating to the Islamic values of the country, public display of affection is a major offense here. It is good and always very safe to respect the religious and cultural norms of a country while traveling.
Fur Babies Are Not Welcome
It is rather sad to say that Oman is not at all a pet-friendly country. Pets are not allowed at almost all the hotels and eating places. Also, you will see signs at the beaches and on the entrance of malls and parks restricting pets to come inside. So better to leave your fur babies back home before coming to Oman.
Stay Aware, Stay Alert
For a female solo traveler, being aware of the surroundings is the most important thing. Irrespective of how safe a place is or how hospitable the people are, when you travel alone, you’re solely responsible to be assertive of everyone and everything around you.
Happy And Safe Traveling To Oman!
Book A Nice & Safe Hotel In Oman
Want to know what else to do in Oman? Check out my complete Oman Travel Destination guides:
- 10 Best Wadis In Oman With Location Maps
- 6 Amazing Ways To Spend Winter In Oman
- The Best Diving Sites In Oman
- A List Of The Most Adventurous Hiking Trails In Oman
- The Most Beautiful Beaches You Should Visit In Oman
- How To Spend Khareef In Salalah
- Everything You Need To Know For Exploring Salalah
very interesting article! I’ve never been to Oman. I visited Egypt many years ago and loved it. hope to make it back to that part of the world but have to say the social and cultural limitations on women have been prohibitive so glad to hear that Oman is more open and safe for women.
Hi Janna! Oman is a very progressive and hospitable country. I can assure you, you will have no problems at all in exploring this lovely country on a solo trip 🙂 Looking forward to welcoming you in Oman
Thanks for the great info! I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Muscat several years ago and am now planning a trip back to Oman in November on my own. I’m wanting to head to Salalah and was looking at doing some day trips from there but I know most tours are private tours- do you happen to know of any companies that might do small group day tours that solo travellers can join?
Hi Louisa! Thank you so much for your comment. I’m very happy to know that you’re visiting Oman again in November. Regarding the tours, not many companies operate tours in Salalah (mostly are by local individual guides only), however, you can check with AFAQ Oman Tours – they run several tours in Salalah and joining as a solo traveler won’t be an issue. Moreover, do check with Oman Day Tours, they run tours with a minimum of 2 persons I believe so just check with them if there is any other traveler booked with them during your dates of travel. Alternatively, also check the tours on Get Your Guide and Viator. Let me know if you find any luck booking with the mentioned tour operators, if not I’ll try to reach them out from my end 🙂
This is an incredibly comprehensive and helpful post on visiting Oman, Rahma. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your opinions. Travel for men and women in all countries is a different experience so great to see the relevant advice here.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Hazel 🙂
My daughter and I spent a week in Oman in January and loved it. Sadly while in Nizwa we were harassed and groped by two teenage boys. Six months on the road and it was the worst thing to happen to us. It was shocking and hard to process due to all the great things I had heard about Oman. We were dressed modestly and near a tourist area and we still couldn’t get away from them fast enough. I guess my guard was down coming from India where I feared it might happen and it didn’t. Hate that it happened in Oman because it was great in every other way.
I am so sorry to hear about your experience, Trina! This is very unlikely of Oman but of course sick-minded people are present everywhere. Mostly the men of small towns and cities in Oman get way too excited seeing a foreign woman but Nizwa draws a lot of tourists so it is very sad that you had to go through this experience while being in a tourist-friendly city. Just recollect all your good memories from Oman and try not to think about that one bad experience. Safe travels, sister 🙂
Thank you for the great article. I am in the planning stages to come to Oman January 2020 and this article answers all the questions I didn’t even know I had. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome, Kathy! I am glad you found this article useful. Feel free to hit me up if you still need any information regarding visiting Oman. Have a wonderful stay in Oman 🙂
[…] the Middle East due to the region’s reputation, which has been built, unfortunately. But Oman is undoubtedly a safe haven for not just the solo female travelers but for anyone visiting the country. As the country has now […]
This is an amazing article.. written in such details yet very respectful towards your own country!
I will definitely choose Oman in my next journey this 2019!
And will definitely would love to see you in person..
Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉
Hey Jenni! Thank you so much, I am soo happy you liked my article. And please, please come to Oman in 2019 and get in touch with me whenever you’re planning to visit. We can explore the country together 🙂
Happy New Year!
[…] visited solo. The people of Muscat are very welcoming and kind towards solo female travelers. The women in Oman are highly respected irrespective of what they are wearing or if they’re being accompanied by a […]
Amazing post! I’m looking at Oman for a long time now and your post is really inspiring, it looks like a wonderful destination and is now definitely on my bucket list.
Thank you, Laura. I’m happy to know my post has inspired you to plan a trip to Oman! Feel free to reach me out for any information
Great guide! Especially for someone like me that never been to this region. Thanks for sharing, the information is very substantial.
Thank you so much Liz! I am happy you find it useful.
I love love love this! I’ve always been intrigued by Oman and the countries in the Middle East – haven’t had the chance to go yet! And I always wondered what it would be like as a solo female… this is great – thanks for all the app suggestions and briefly covering what rights women have. I knew some countries had “ladies only” sections but wasn’t sure about Oman, until now 🙂
Thank you so much, Caroline. I am so happy to know you found this post useful. I hope you can get a chance to visit Oman soon and experience the beauty and calm this little gem of Arabia has to offer 🙂
Thank you for this amazing post. Definitely in my bucket list!
Great post! Oman is a place that I’m definitely curious about and would love to visit. It’s good to hear that solo female travel is a doable thing in the country. When I finally get to Oman, I’ll definitely be referencing this post for later. Thanks.
Thank you April, I am happy to hear you found my post useful. Definitely, Oman is very safe to travel solo. I will look forward to seeing you visiting Oman very soon 🙂
OMAN is somewhere I hope to see in the future. I find myself called to places that are so different from where I grew up, Liberal California. Hope I can make this a reality!
I hope too that you can visit Oman soon and experience the beautiful (and different) culture of this small gem of Arabia 🙂
This was INCREDIBLY informative! I’m glad to here that it isn’t so strict over in Oman. I’ve been in Jordan for almost a year total, and find that it is quite awkward and annoying dealing with men around. I’ll definitely have to make a trip there instead!
That’s wonderful Amanda! I am soo glad to know you found this post helpful. I assure that you won’t have any problems dealing with men here in Oman. Locals are really kind and extremely hospitable here.
I love visiting Oman and feel that the Omani locals are the friendliest in the gulf. I have never felt unsafe going there as as solo traveler and instead have found the Omani taxi drivers to be very kind and considerate and even the younger ones have treated me like they would their own sisters.
Awesome, Razena! It makes me so happy to know that you had a pleasant experience in Oman. Thank you so much for sharing it with me 🙂
Femaleand alone?! How brave. I would be so scared. You’re so informational though.
Thank you so much, Britney! There’s nothing to be scared though. Oman is an absolutely safe country 🙂
I never considered that there could be such a difference in areas when traveling the Middle East. Great information.
I’m glad you find it helpful. Thank you so much!
I wasn’t familiar with Oman. What a great option for women wanting to travel the Middle East alone. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you found it useful 🙂
This is really great info on how to be safe and prepared, and I think its a very comprehensive list so you covered everything really well.
Thank you, Bree! I’m happy to found it useful
This looks like such an amazing place for female travellers! As an avid traveller myself, I’d love to venture here one day. 🙂
Awesome Emily! I look forward to seeing you visiting Oman someday soon!
I have never tried to travel alone I am not that kind of a brave person. Oman is a nice place to visit and I know you can explore this place more if you are alone but me, I still preferred to be with someone in every travel that I’m going to have.
That is totally your choice, Catherine 🙂 Oman is a perfect getaway for a family holiday too!
Sounds so cool! Just reading this makes me want to give up on everything and try to go there now!
Perfect Lyosha! I hope to see you visiting Oman soon! Happy Traveling 🙂
This looks like a very interesting place to visit 🙂 and you are right, it is important to be safe whilst travelling 🙂
Amazing post! I’ve never been to Oman, seems very interesting and the food looks delicious. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Thank you, Chad!