How Do I Get to Salalah?

Getting to Salalah from Dubai is pretty straightforward; there aren’t any complications involved. If you want to get here as fast as possible, you can take a flight, and the journey will be around two hours. But if time is not an issue, you should drive to Salalah, which, by the way, is the best experience.

About Salalah

Salalah, the second-largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, is renowned for its extensive coastline, delicious food, and lush green areas that come to life during the rainy season. The numerous cultural events and lively souks that fringe the coastline are two other highlights worth noticing. Thanks to its location near the Arabian Sea, the town is loved by tourists and adventure seekers.

Sultan Qaboos Mosque, waterfalls, boating, Mughsail Blowholes, the numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, The Sand Desert of Empty Quarter Oman, Fazayah Beach, Tombs of Prophets, traditional souks, sunsets, and beautiful scenery are some of the highlights of a vacation spent in Salalah.

Make sure you have time to enjoy some water sports; dolphin watching is one of the most sought-after activities in Salalah.

For the best experience and to make the most of your time, join a guided tour.

What should you bring if you want to drive to Salalah from Dubai?

Bring plenty of water as you’ll be travelling through a dreary desert tract. Besides water, you need Omani riyals, snacks, and power adapters.

If you are planning to stay at a Salalah beach resort, the likes of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, for example, you can talk to the resort and get them to arrange transport for you. So, check with your resort before you plan your road trip.

How to get here by road?

Getting to Salalah from Dubai by car is a straightforward journey. It will be tiring, but you will be rewarded with the beautiful sights of camels strolling amongst the rolling sand dunes.

Salalah is located 1,226 kilometres from Dubai, and the road trip will take about 12 hours. Take Route 31 to get here as fast as possible. You can also rely on Google maps for directions and to find the fastest route.

Where can I get fuel?

The route is flanked by petrol stations, so don’t worry about running out of fuel in the middle of the journey. However, you should always refuel before a long stretch; for instance, the distance between Thumrait and Haima is about three hours, so you’ll need to fuel up.

The Hafeet Border

To get to Oman, you need to pass through the Hafeet Border. If you are visiting during holidays, you should expect to wait in line for hours on end and contend with crowds – winter and summer holidays aren’t the best time to drive to Oman through the Hafeet Border.

If you are a GCC national, you will be given a visa on entry, but different nationals have to comply with different requirements – check with the Omani embassy in your country and find out what type of visa you are required to apply for.

Safety

The roads in Dubai and Oman are excellent, so potholes aren’t something you need to worry about. But this is a long drive, so you might fall asleep during your journey. To avoid this, you should make stops for short breaks or switch up with someone else – road trips are fun but falling asleep is the biggest danger you will be facing, so you need to be careful and make sure you are accompanied by another person.

When to go

July through September is the best time to drive to Salalah. The temperatures are bearable, and the sights are greener than usual.

Start your drive in the morning if you don’t want to drive through the night, which is not recommended.