Home › Routes › Abu Dhabi to Muscat
How to get from Abu Dhabi to Muscat
The fastest way from Abu Dhabi to Muscat is a direct flight of about 1 h 15 in the air, roughly 4 h door to door with airport time. Driving takes about 5 to 6 h via Al Ain and the Omani border, and long-distance buses are the cheapest option but take most of a day.
Best option: Flight. Direct flights by Etihad and Oman Air cover the trip in a little over an hour, against five or more hours on the road with a border crossing.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Direct flights from Abu Dhabi (Zayed International) to Muscat International, operated by Etihad and Oman Air | about 1 h 15 flying, about 4 h door to door | several flights a day | about AED 400–1,000 one way | Book a week or more ahead for the lower fares; prices rise around UAE and Omani holidays. |
| car E22 to Al Ain, then the Hili/Buraimi border crossing and Omani highways to Muscat | about 5 to 6 h plus border formalities | fuel, plus a UAE exit fee at the land border (about AED 35) and any Omani visa fee that applies to your nationality | A UAE rental car needs written permission and Omani insurance cover to cross; many rental firms charge extra or refuse. Check the border crossing open to non-GCC visitors before you set off. | |
| bus Long-distance buses between the UAE and Muscat (Oman's state operator Mwasalat runs cross-border services, mainly from Dubai) | about 6 to 8 h including the border | a few departures a day on the Dubai route; direct Abu Dhabi services are limited | about OMR 10–15 (AED 95–145) | Check current routes and timetables on Mwasalat's website; from Abu Dhabi you may need to reach Dubai first. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Check Oman's entry rules for your passport before travelling; visa-free stays apply to many nationalities but not all.
- If driving, carry your passport, car papers and the rental company's cross-border letter.
- Muscat is spread out along the coast; arrange a taxi or rental car from the airport rather than relying on buses.
- Friday is the weekend in Oman, and some offices and sites keep shorter hours.
Common questions
Is there a direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Muscat?
Yes. Etihad and Oman Air both fly the route directly, with a flight time of about 1 h 15. Allowing for check-in, security and the drive from Muscat airport into the city, the trip is about four hours door to door. Fares vary a lot by date, so compare a few days if your plans are flexible.
Can I drive from Abu Dhabi to Muscat in a rental car?
Often, but not with every rental firm. You need the company's written permission to take the car into Oman and insurance that covers Oman, which usually costs extra. The drive via Al Ain and the border takes about five to six hours plus formalities. Expect to pay a UAE exit fee at the land border.
Is there a bus from Abu Dhabi to Muscat?
Cross-border coaches run between the UAE and Muscat, mainly from Dubai, operated by Oman's state transport company Mwasalat among others. Direct departures from Abu Dhabi are limited, so you may need to take an intercity bus to Dubai first. The full trip takes most of a day. Check current timetables before you plan around it.
Do I need a visa to go from Abu Dhabi to Muscat?
It depends on your passport. Oman offers visa-free short stays to many nationalities and an online e-visa for others, and the rules have changed several times in recent years. Check the official Royal Oman Police visa site before you travel, especially if you are crossing by land, where officers check documents at the border post.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.