How to Get to Musandam from Muscat: 3 exciting ways!

Last Updated on May 12, 2023 by asoulwindow

How to Get to Musandam from Muscat?

Musandam provides visitors and tourists many opportunities to experience exciting and unique activities. If you have booked an Oman Musandam tour for a holiday from Muscat and are wondering which is the best option to get to Musandam from Muscat, we have this article for you.

You can opt for three options when traveling from Khasab (Musandam Governorate regional capital) to Muscat in the southeast of Oman. Each option differs from the other in terms of experience and cost. This is the most comprehensive blog on how to get to Musandam from Muscat!

Three options on how to get to Musandam from Muscat

Below are the three options which can help you arrive in Musandam from Muscat. You can choose one of these based upon your taste, budget and time constraints.

  1. Fly between Muscat and Khasab, Musandam
  2. Take the public ferry from mainland Oman to Musandam
  3. Road trip over the UAE from Muscat to Musandam

This blog also answers how to get to Musandam from Muscat by bus.

Fly Muscat To Musandam

You can book a flight from Muscat to Musandam if you travel on a budget. Every day, there is one flight between Muscat and Khasab that Oman Air runs. Muscat to Musandam flight is the first choice of many tourists.

Muscat to Musandam distance forces many to take a flight so that it saves time. The flight takes a little more than an hour and lands at the tiny Khasab airport in the middle of the beautiful Hajar Mountains. What’s not to love. You can do a little sightseeing here before moving ahead.

Khasab International Airport (KHS) is about 354 kilometres from Muscat International Airport (MCT), and the flight takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes.

The company that runs the service is called as Oman Air. Most weeks, there are six planes, but schedules can change on weekends and holidays, so it’s important to check ahead of time.

What Companies Run Services Between Muscat And Musandam?

Name: Oman Air

Web: Oman Air

Since you’re only flying within the country, there won’t be any border checks. Prices can change anytime, so it’s important to find the most up-to-date timing and prices.

Public Ferry From Mainland Muscat To Musandam

Still wondering how to get to Musandam from Muscat? And looking for more fun options?  Well, here is a detailed guide on how to take ferry from mainland Muscat to Musandam.

How to get to Musandam from Muscat by boat? The second option you can choose when traveling from Muscat to Musandam is to board the public ferry. I personally enjoy traveling on a ferry for the scenic views, big open skies and the breeze. Ferry to Musandam from Muscat is a lot of fun and offers all this and more! This is why, I don’t mind spending more time on a ferry. The public ferry costs about the same as flying but takes much longer. On the other hand, entering Oman by boat is a much more exciting thing to do. It is something which I would prefer!

How to Get to Musandam from Muscat
How to Get to Musandam from Muscat by ferry

However, no matter which way you go, you will still have to drive because the boat starts from SHINAS, which is on the northeastern coast of Oman and is about three hours north by bus from Muscat. This means that no matter what you do to solve the problem, you will still have to drive.

You can drive yourself or take the Mwasalat Bus, which leaves from Muscat’s Al Athaiaba stop and goes to Shinas.

Note: There are no direct ferries from Muscat to Musandam

What Companies Run Public Ferry Between Muscat And Musandam?

The fast ferry to Musandam goes through the Strait of Hormuz on a luxury catamaran from the National Ferries Company (NFC). NFC is in charge of this service. You can either walk on or make an appointment ahead of time to bring your car with you.

The service only runs a few times a week in each direction because only some people want it. When this was written, this service ran every Sunday and Thursday at 16:30.

You can also go to the NFC office in Muscat, which is near the Muttrah Souq, and buy tickets in person. You can also go for this choice from Muscat. To make a confirmed reservation, you must have your passport information on hand, even if you are only moving within your country and not going to the UAE. You cannot pay with cash; only credit or debit cards are accepted.

National Ferries Company

Phone +968 24493910

Email [email protected]

Web: nfconline.om

Tickets and Seating Onboard National Ferries Company

There are three ticket options: Economy, Business or VIP Class seating.  As of October 2019, the price of a return ticket in economy class was 35 OMR, while the price of a one-way ticket was 18 OMR. Children ages 3 to 12 pay half of what an adult would pay.

You can change to a Business or VIP ticket for a price that varies depending on the route and the day. The price covers the cost of bus transportation to and from Muscat.

You need to book your ticket at least 24 hours ahead of time. You must be at the ferry port two hours early to check-in. Adding a normal car costs 4 AED, while adding a 4WD vehicle costs 6 AED.

When passengers board the ferry, they are welcomed by cozy seats, TVs, and the choice to order food.

You will still need to pass through police checks in Khasab and Shinas, even though it is not a legal border crossing, so bring your passport and ferry tickets.

There are unquestionably benefits and drawbacks to the ferry route. The ability to bring a vehicle onboard and save some time is a plus, but the ferry service’s operating hours severely restrict your alternatives.

Even if you travel the entire distance from Muscat, the journey will take 7 hours, including transit and wait periods.

Road Trip Over The UAE From Muscat To Musandam

How to get to Musandam from Muscat by road? It is a frequently asked question. The third option is to drive from Muscat to Musandam. You will almost certainly stop at this place on a long road trip through Oman or the UAE.

It takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes to get from Muscat to Dibba, which is 406 kilometers away. It is 535 kilometres from Muscat to Khasab and will take about 6 to 7 hours.

You can get to Khatmat Malaha in Sharjah, near the port city of Kalba, by taking the Muscat Motorway to Bu Baqarah, just before the border. It’s the best place to get from Dibba to Khasab quickly. Now you know how to get to Musandam from Muscat by car!

Note: It is important to note here that the police checkpoint at Dibba is small; to cross here, you must have permission pre-arranged in advance, and you can only do so if you are a guest at one of the resort hotels or on one of the tours.

Bus Operators for Road Trip to Musandam

How to reach Musandam from Muscat by bus? Is there a direct service? It is a commonly asked question. There is no direct public transport from Muscat to Musandam. There is a public bus that will take you as far as Dubai, and then there is another public bus that will take you as far as Ras al Khaimah. However, this is a long route.

Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Me at Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Even if you get to Ras al Khaimah, there is no bus from the Al Hamra Bus station in Ras al Khaimah to the last stop in Khasab.

If you are traveling alone by land, we strongly recommend taking your vehicle or renting a car with the appropriate insurance and authorization to cross the border. Muscat to Musandam by car is great fun!

Mwasalat

Phone 009681551

 Email [email protected]

Web: mwasalat.om

RAKTA (Rak Transport Authority)

Phone: 800 1 700

Web: rakbus.ae

Conclusion

Now that I have shown you all the transport options, you have a clarity on how to get to Musandam from Muscat? Personally, I would take the quick flight, picturesque ferry, bus and the exciting road trip as well on different occasions if I had extra time and budget. All the 3 modes of transports have their own pros and cons and you must choose one of these options based on your needs.

Have less time? Take a flight. Curious to see what road trip here looks like? Make that road trip happen! Want to travel with the locals? Take a bus. And if catching that ferry ‘rocks your boat’, go for it! Reaching Musandam from Muscat is easy. All it takes is planning!

You should also explore UAE and places like Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. If you have been looking forward to touring Dubai, getting a visa, extending stays and exploring the city, you can check out local Tourism companies like Arabiers.

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