Is Oman expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Oman is mid-priced: cheaper than Dubai or Qatar for hotels and food, but more expensive than backpacker destinations in Asia, mainly because you need a car. Plan on about OMR 38 a day per person on a budget, OMR 80 mid-range and OMR 200 for comfort. Hotels, desert camps and car hire take most of the money; fuel, food and many sights are cheap.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| 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.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Fresh lime-mint juice | about OMR 0.5–1 |
| Omani or Indian meal in Mutrah (biryani, grilled fish) | about OMR 3–8 |
| Karak tea or shawarma from a café | a few hundred baisa |
| Rental car | about OMR 15–30 a day; 4x4 about OMR 35–60 |
| Petrol | about OMR 0.25 a litre |
| Nizwa Fort entry | about OMR 5 |
| Ras al Jinz turtle night tour | about OMR 7–10 |
| Desert camp in Wahiba Sands, half board | about OMR 40–120 per room |
| Mid-range Muscat hotel in Qurum | OMR 40–80 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost, especially desert camps, mountain resorts on Jebel Akhdar and beach resorts in Muscat, and hotels add a municipality tax, VAT and service charges. Transport is the second biggest: public transport does not reach the wadis or the desert, so most visitors rent a car, and a 4x4 for the dunes and mountains costs more. Fuel itself is cheap. Food is good value in local Omani and Indian restaurants, while hotel restaurants and alcohol (only in licensed hotels) are expensive. Entry fees for forts and museums are modest.
When it is cheaper
From May to September, hotels and resorts in northern Oman often cut prices, sometimes by a third or more, but highs reach 37–39°C. Salalah is the exception, with its busiest season during the khareef monsoon (late June to September).
How to spend less
- Rent a normal car for Muscat, the coast and Nizwa, and add a 4x4 only for the days you need it.
- Arrange a desert camp that picks you up from Al Wasil or Bidiyah, instead of renting a 4x4 just for the dunes.
- Eat in local Omani, Indian and Pakistani restaurants rather than hotel restaurants.
- Visit free sights such as the Grand Mosque, Mutrah Corniche, the Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Bani Khalid.
- Book hotels directly in shoulder months (October, April) for better rates.
- Fill up with fuel often, but do not worry about the price — it is very low.
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Common questions
Is Oman expensive?
It is mid-priced. Hotels and car hire are the main costs, while food and fuel are cheap.
Do I need a 4x4 in Oman?
Not for most of the main roads. You need a 4x4 for the dunes and some mountain roads, such as the road to Jebel Akhdar.
How much is a desert camp in Wahiba Sands?
About OMR 40–120 per room with half board, depending on comfort.