Oman on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Oman on a budget is possible, especially if two or more people share a rental car and cheap hotels. A realistic minimum is about OMR 38 a day per person sharing: OMR 15 for a bed, OMR 8 for food, OMR 5 for sights and OMR 10 for a share of a car and fuel.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | OMR15 | OMR35 | OMR100 |
| Food & drink | OMR8 | OMR18 | OMR40 |
| Sights & tickets | OMR5 | OMR12 | OMR30 |
| Local transport | OMR10 | OMR15 | OMR30 |
| Per person, per day | OMR38 | OMR80 | OMR200 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Oman day-cost table.
Free things to do
- The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (non-Muslims about 8:00–11:00, Saturday to Thursday)
- The Mutrah Corniche and Mutrah Souq
- The Bimmah Sinkhole
- Wadi Bani Khalid and its pools
- Qurum Beach in Muscat
- The outside of Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat
Cheap eats
- Biryani or grilled fish in Mutrah — about OMR 3–8
- Shawarma from a café — a few hundred baisa
- Karak tea and paratha — a few hundred baisa
- Mashuai (grilled kingfish with rice) — about OMR 3–6
- Omani halwa and dates at the Nizwa Souq — a small box for about OMR 1–3
Where to sleep for less
In Muscat, budget travellers stay in Mutrah and Ruwi, with simple hotels near the souq and the corniche at about OMR 20–35 a double. Elsewhere, look for heritage guesthouses in Nizwa and simple camps in the Wahiba Sands. Wild camping is common and generally tolerated on beaches and in the desert, but follow local rules and leave no trace.
Getting around cheaply
Split a rental car (OMR 15–30 a day) with other travellers; fuel is very cheap. Mwasalat buses connect Muscat with Sur, Nizwa and Salalah at low prices. In Muscat, use buses and ride-hailing apps rather than unmetered taxis. Take the boat across Wadi Shab for about OMR 1 return.
A sample budget day
- Morning: drive to the Bimmah Sinkhole (free), breakfast with karak tea (about OMR 1)
- Lunch: grilled fish in Sur (about OMR 4)
- Afternoon: Wadi Shab boat and hike (about OMR 1), car share and fuel (about OMR 10)
- Evening: Ras al Jinz turtle tour (about OMR 8) and a simple dinner (about OMR 3)
- Total: about OMR 38 including a budget room shared (about OMR 15)
More ways to save
- Travel in a group of two to four to share car and room costs.
- Eat in local restaurants and buy fruit and water from supermarkets.
- Camp in the desert or on beaches where permitted, with proper equipment.
- Visit in October or April for lower rates than the December–February peak.
- Bring your own snorkel and swim gear for the wadis.
- Ask camps about half-board deals that include dinner and breakfast.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Oman?
About OMR 38 per person on a budget, OMR 80 mid-range and OMR 200 for comfort, sharing a room and a car.
Can I travel around Oman without a car?
Buses connect the main cities, but not the wadis or desert. A car or tours are needed for those.
Is the Grand Mosque in Muscat free?
Yes, it is free for non-Muslim visitors from about 8:00 to 11:00, Saturday to Thursday.