The route, and the paperwork
The Hatta crossing (Al Wajajah) is the closest to Dubai, roughly 140km and around an hour and three-quarters from the city, and it is open to tourists and residents. To cross in any car you will generally need a valid passport, your driving licence, vehicle registration, and insurance that covers Oman, often bought at the border as an Orange Card if your existing policy does not extend across. Requirements can change, so check the current rules close to your travel date.
The problem with UAE rental cars
This is the part that catches people out. Many major rental companies in the UAE have stopped allowing their cars into Oman in recent years. A UAE rental that is permitted to cross also needs a No Objection Certificate from the rental company, arranged in advance, and even then some border posts have at times turned rental cars away. It adds cost, paperwork and uncertainty to what should be a simple trip.
The simpler way: rent in Oman
For many visitors the cleaner option is to drive or fly to Oman and pick the car up there, sidestepping the cross-border permit entirely. Collect at Muscat Airport or in Muscat, and the whole country is yours to explore without the UAE paperwork. It also means a car that is already set up for Omani roads, insurance and conditions. The same border highway runs down the Batinah coast past Sohar, a natural first stop on the way in.
What comes with the car
- No-deposit cars available
- Free cancellation on most bookings
- All-inclusive pricing, cover included
- English-speaking support
- Economy hatchbacks through to 4x4s and seven-seaters
Heading for the mountains or the desert once you arrive? Look at a 4x4 or SUV, and read the driving in Oman guide before you set off.
Ready to go? Set your dates in the search above to see today's cars in Oman.
