From Dubai to Muscat, a private coach costs about AED 100 and takes about 6 hours; Mwasalat's own bus starts in Sharjah, costs OMR 10 (AED 95) and takes about 8 hours; driving is about 450 km in 4 to 5 hours. Every route also costs an AED 35 UAE exit fee, and you need an Oman visa unless your passport is exempt. By car, you also need insurance that is valid in Oman. This guide covers the fares, the border, the visa and the Orange Card.
By SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
Tour on this route: Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai — From $45 per person, 7 hours.
How much is the bus from Dubai to Muscat?
A private coach costs about AED 100, according to The National, and Gulf News gives AED 90-100. Mwasalat's route 203 from Sharjah costs OMR 10 (AED 95). You also pay an AED 35 exit fee on the UAE side and any Oman visa fee, which the National says starts at OMR 5.
This guide also answers:
- Is there a Mwasalat bus from Dubai to Muscat?
- How long does it take to drive from Dubai to Muscat?
- Do I need a visa to go from Dubai to Muscat?
Three ways to get from Dubai to Muscat
#1
Private coach from Abu Hail
The National reported last November that Al Khanjry Transport leaves Abu Hail Metro Station at 7 AM, 3 PM and 9 PM, takes about 6 hours and charges AED 100, with tickets sold in person only. Gulf News gives AED 90-100 and 6 to 7 hours for private coaches in general. Times and fares depend on the company, so confirm before you travel.
#2
Mwasalat route 203 from Sharjah
Mwasalat runs this route with Sharjah's transport authority. Gulf News lists departures at 06:30, 15:30 and 20:30 and a one-way fare of OMR 10 (AED 95), and reported OMR 19 (AED 180.50) return and about 8 hours last April. You reach Al Jubail from Dubai on an RTA bus for about AED 12, then book at mwasalat.om.
#3
Self-drive via Hatta and Al Wajajah
The National drove it last November: about 450 km, 4 to 5 hours, with the Hatta-Al Wajajah border about 1 hour 20 minutes from Dubai. You need a valid passport, a licence, the car papers and an Orange Card for Oman insurance. A rental car needs the rental company's agreement that it may enter Oman.
Dubai to Muscat: the short answer
A private coach from Dubai costs about AED 100 and takes about 6 hours; Mwasalat's bus costs OMR 10 (AED 95) but leaves from Sharjah, not Dubai, and takes about 8 hours; driving is about 450 km and takes 4 to 5 hours. Gulf News, in an update from June, lists two Mwasalat routes in the UAE, from Sharjah (route 203) and Al Ain (route 202), and private coaches for Dubai. So the Mwasalat bus is a real option from Dubai, but you first need to reach Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah.
Every route crosses a land border. You pay an AED 35 exit fee on the UAE side, according to The National and Gulf News, and you need an Oman visa unless your nationality is exempt. Plan an overnight stay in Oman, because a same-day return means 8 to 10 hours on the road and at the border.
The options compared
Fares and times come from Gulf News (updated in May and June) and The National (last November). Operators change schedules, so check the current times before you travel. Every option also costs the UAE exit fee and any Oman visa fee.
| Option | Leaves from | Time | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private coach | Abu Hail Metro Station, Dubai | About 6 hours | About AED 100 | 7 AM, 3 PM and 9 PM reported; tickets in person only |
| Mwasalat route 203 | Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah | About 8 hours | OMR 10 (AED 95) one way | 06:30, 15:30 and 20:30; book at mwasalat.om |
| RTA bus to Al Jubail, then route 203 | Dubai, then Sharjah | About 8 hours plus the first bus | About AED 12 + OMR 10 | Dubai buses run about 4 AM to 1 AM |
| Self-drive | Your hotel, via Hatta | 4 to 5 hours of driving | Fuel, insurance, AED 35 exit fee | Orange Card needed; see the car section |
To reach Al Jubail from Dubai, read our Dubai to Sharjah guide, which lists the RTA routes E303, E306 and E307 and their stations.
The bus: private coach and Mwasalat
Private coach. The National reported last November that Al Khanjry Transport runs the Dubai coach from Abu Hail Metro Station at 7 AM, 3 PM and 9 PM, takes about 6 hours and charges AED 100, plus the exit fee and the Oman visa. Tickets were sold in person only. Gulf News says private coaches leave from several central points in Dubai several times a day and cost AED 90-100 on average, taking 6 to 7 hours depending on how long the border takes. Ask the company which border it uses and whether the price includes the visa.
Mwasalat. Gulf News lists route 203 from Al Jubail Bus Station at 06:30, 15:30 and 20:30, with the buses from Muscat and Sohar at 07:00, 13:30 and 15:00. Last April it reported about 8 hours, OMR 10 one way and OMR 19 return, with 23 kg of checked luggage and 7 kg of hand luggage included. Extra luggage costs OMR 2 for up to 10 kg more or OMR 5 for up to 25 kg more. Muscat stops include Al Mabelah Footbridge, Al Khoudh Bridge, Burj Sahwa Bus Station, Muscat airport and Azaiba Bus Station. A launch report said the booking form asks visitors to the UAE for a passport copy and a copy of their Oman visa, so arrange the visa first.
- Book Mwasalat online at mwasalat.om: choose one way or return, the stations and the date, and pay by card.
- Reach Al Jubail early for the 06:30 bus. Dubai buses start around 4 AM, so check the first E303, E306 or E307 in the S'hail app the day before.
- For the private coach, buy the ticket in person, as The National described, and ask for the departure time, the border and what the price includes.
The border and the visa
Whichever way you go, you leave the UAE first and enter Oman second. On the UAE side, The National says you hand in your passport and pay a fee of AED 35, and photographs and recording are not allowed at the border. On the Oman side, officers may check the vehicle and bags.
The visa depends on your passport. The National says GCC citizens are exempt and some other nationalities can get a visa on arrival, with the on-arrival one-month visit visa ranging from OMR 5 to OMR 20 and payment by credit card only. Gulf News gives OMR 5 (about AED 48) for a 14-day visa on arrival for UAE residents, with an eVisa available for up to 30 days. For visa-free entry, the UK government says British citizens can stay up to 14 days without a visa. Check your own government's travel advice and the Oman eVisa portal at evisa.rop.gov.om before you leave.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months, according to Gulf News, The National and the UK government. At the Oman border, the UK government says you may be asked for a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of travel health insurance. If you plan to come back to Dubai, check that your UAE visa allows you to return after you leave by land; we cannot confirm this for your visa type.
Driving to Muscat: the route and the insurance
The usual route is the E44 to Hatta and the Hatta-Al Wajajah border, which Gulf News names for northern Oman. The border is about 6 km past the Hatta Wadi Hub. The National says Dubai to the border took about 1 hour 20 minutes, the whole drive to Muscat is about 450 km and takes 4 to 5 hours, and the petrol station just after the Omani border is the place to refuel because there are few stops after it. Gulf News lists other crossings too, including Khatmat Milaha towards Sohar and Muscat. Our Hatta guide covers the road to the border, and the posted speed limit is the limit: The National warns that there is no official buffer.
Insurance is the part that many travellers forget. The National says the Orange Card is mandatory for vehicles travelling between the UAE and Oman. Check whether your policy already covers Oman, because Gulf News says many UAE insurers include Oman with comprehensive cover. If it does not, you can buy a card at the border, but it covers third-party liability only, so your own car is not covered in an accident. Gulf News gives the minimum purchase as five days, at about AED 106, with self-service kiosks at the border.
- Documents: passport with six months' validity, driving licence, vehicle registration card and ownership certificate, plus Emirates ID if you are a resident (Gulf News).
- Borrowed or rented car: a car not registered in your name needs a no-objection certificate from the owner, notarised and translated into Arabic, and valid insurance for Oman (Gulf News). For a rental, ask the company in writing whether it allows Oman before you book.
- Cost: Gulf News says cross-border rentals usually cost more, and it recommends larger international rental companies because they often offer wider cover.
- At the border: expect a vehicle check with all doors and the boot opened, as The National describes.
- Back in the UAE: our rental guide and our Salik and parking guide cover the rules for the UAE side.
Timing the trip
A one-way trip takes 6 to 8 hours by bus and 4 to 5 hours by car, plus the border. A day trip there and back is therefore a long day, and an overnight stay is more sensible. Start early so that you reach Oman in daylight.
If you only want a short visit to Oman from Dubai, a day trip is easier. Our Musandam dhow cruise guide covers the border, the visa and the price of the one-day option, and the Hatta day trip guide covers the town on the road to the Hatta crossing.
Back in Dubai
We do not run trips to Muscat, because our tours stay in the UAE. If you have a free day before or after the road trip, the full-day desert safari collects you at your hotel and costs from $45 per person, with no prepayment. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will say what fits.
FAQ
How much is the bus from Dubai to Muscat?
A private coach costs about AED 100, according to The National, and Gulf News gives AED 90-100. Mwasalat's route 203 from Sharjah costs OMR 10 (AED 95). You also pay an AED 35 exit fee on the UAE side and any Oman visa fee, which the National says starts at OMR 5.
Is there a Mwasalat bus from Dubai to Muscat?
Gulf News lists two Mwasalat routes in the UAE, from Sharjah (route 203) and Al Ain (route 202), and none that starts in Dubai. From Dubai you take an RTA bus to Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah, about AED 12, or you use a private coach from Abu Hail Metro Station.
How long does it take to drive from Dubai to Muscat?
About 4 to 5 hours for roughly 450 km, according to The National, which also found the Hatta-Al Wajajah border about 1 hour 20 minutes from Dubai. Add time for the UAE exit, the Oman entry and a vehicle check. The bus takes 6 to 8 hours.
Do I need a visa to go from Dubai to Muscat?
It depends on your passport. The National says GCC citizens are exempt and some others can get a visa on arrival for OMR 5 to OMR 20. The UK government says British citizens can stay up to 14 days without a visa. Check Oman's eVisa portal and your government's advice.
Do I need special car insurance for Oman?
Yes. The National says the Orange Card is mandatory for vehicles travelling between the UAE and Oman. Check whether your policy covers Oman. If not, Gulf News says you can buy third-party cover at the border for a minimum of five days at about AED 106.
Can I drive a rental car from Dubai to Oman?
Only with the rental company's agreement. A car that is not registered in your name needs a notarised, Arabic-translated no-objection certificate from the owner and insurance valid in Oman, according to Gulf News. Ask the company in writing before you book, because cross-border rentals usually cost more.
How much is the UAE exit fee at the Oman border?
AED 35, paid on the UAE side, according to both The National and Gulf News. The Oman visa fee is separate and depends on your nationality and the length of stay.
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