Getting from Muscat to Dubai & Abu Dhabi: The Complete Guide

By Bus

The most affordable way to get from Muscat to Dubai is by bus. Mwasalat, Oman's national transport company, operates Route 201 (Muscat to Dubai) in partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Private operator Al Khanjry also runs a similar service. There is also a Mwasalat service from Muscat to Abu Dhabi.

Muscat to Dubai (Mwasalat Route 201)

Route

Buses depart from Al Athaiba Bus Station (also known as Azaiba Bus Station) in Muscat, with a stop at Muscat International Airport. The route passes through Barkha, Sohar, and Shinas before crossing into the UAE at the Hatta border. On the Dubai side, the bus stops at Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 before terminating at Abu Hail Bus Station (also known as Union Bus Station, near Union Metro Station in Deira).

Muscat to Abu Dhabi

Route

Buses depart from Al Athaiba Bus Station in Muscat. The route goes through Nizwa and Ibri, then crosses into the UAE at the Al Buraimi / Al Ain border before continuing to Abu Dhabi. The bus terminates at the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda area, near Al Wahda Mall).

Cost

• Muscat to Dubai (one-way): OMR 5-7 (~AED 55-75)
• Muscat to Abu Dhabi (one-way): OMR 5-7 (~AED 55-75)
• Round trip from Dubai: ~AED 90
• UAE exit fee: AED 35 per person (paid at the border when returning)

Journey Time

Muscat to Dubai: The driving portion takes about 5-6 hours. Add 1.5-2 hours for the Hatta border crossing, making the total journey roughly 7-8 hours.

Muscat to Abu Dhabi: Roughly 6-8 hours total, depending on border wait times at Al Ain.

Booking

Book tickets for both routes via the Mwasalat mobile app (iOS/Android), the official booking portal at tickets.mwasalat.om, or at physical counters at Al Athaiba Bus Station.

What to Expect

Buses are modern and air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi. At the border, all passengers must disembark with their passports. You will clear Omani exit control first, then walk to the UAE immigration counter. The process usually takes 1-2 hours. Non-GCC nationals must have a valid UAE visa arranged before reaching the border.

By Air

Flying is the fastest option, with multiple daily nonstop flights from Muscat International Airport (MCT) to both Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH).

Muscat to Dubai

Flight time: Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes nonstop.

One-way fares: From OMR 20-30 (~USD 55-80) for economy. Book early for the best prices on FlyDubai and SalamAir.

Muscat to Abu Dhabi

Flight time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes nonstop.

One-way fares: From OMR 25-30 (~USD 68-80) for economy.

By Car

Route 1: Via Hatta Border (best for Dubai)

The most common driving route follows the coastal highway from Muscat through Barkha, Sohar, and Shinas, then crosses into the UAE at the Hatta / Al Wajajah border before joining the E44 highway into Dubai.

• Distance: ~450 km
• Driving time: 4-5 hours (plus 1-2 hours for the border)
• Total: Roughly 5.5-7 hours

Route 2: Via Buraimi/Al Ain (best for Abu Dhabi)

The inland route goes through Nizwa and Ibri to the Buraimi/Al Ain area, then continues on the E66 highway to Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

• Distance: ~470-500 km to Dubai; shorter to Abu Dhabi (~380-400 km)
• Driving time: Similar overall, 4-5 hours plus border

Oman-UAE Land Border Crossings

There are several land border crossings between Oman and the UAE. Not all of them are open to every nationality. Here is a breakdown of the main crossings relevant for travel from Muscat:

Recommended Crossings

• For Dubai: Use Hatta / Al Wajajah. Open 24/7 to all nationalities, well-equipped, and the most straightforward crossing.
• For Abu Dhabi: Use Mezyad / Hafeet (all nationalities, well-equipped) or Khatm Al Shikla (all nationalities, vehicle only). Avoid the city-center Al Ain/Buraimi crossing if you are non-GCC.
• For Musandam: Use Al Dara (Tibat) / Khasab from Ras Al Khaimah. Open 24/7 to all nationalities.

Driving Tips

• Carry original vehicle registration, insurance, and driving license valid for both countries
• If renting a car, confirm with the rental company that cross-border travel is permitted and get a No Objection Certificate (NOC)
• Purchase Oman third-party insurance (the "Orange Card") at the border if entering Oman, or UAE insurance if entering the UAE
• Speed limits are typically 120 km/h on highways and 80 km/h in urban areas. Speed cameras are common on both sides
• Fill up fuel before departing; prices are low in both countries
• Dubai uses the Salik automatic toll system (AED 4 per gate). Rental cars usually have Salik tags
• The UAE exit fee of AED 35 per person applies at all land border crossings

UAE Visa Requirements

Omani Nationals

As GCC citizens, Omani nationals can enter the UAE freely using their national ID card or passport. No visa is required. This is a reciprocal arrangement among all six GCC countries.

Expat Residents of Oman

If you hold a non-GCC passport and are a resident of Oman, you will need a UAE eVisa. Here is how to apply:

1. Go to the GDRFA Smart Services portal (smart.gdrfad.gov.ae) or the ICP Smart Services website
2. Register an account and select the entry permit service
3. Fill in your personal details and upload the required documents
4. Pay the visa fee and submit

Required Documents

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Valid Oman residence permit (at least 1 year validity remaining, with minimum 15 days remaining at time of application)
• Passport-sized photograph
• Travel dates and itinerary

Cost and Processing

• 30-day tourist visa: AED 253 (online, including VAT)
• Processing time: Typically 1-3 working days
• Through travel agencies: OMR 35-100 depending on visa type and speed

Common UAE Visa Rejection Reasons

UAE tourist visa applications can be rejected for several reasons. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them:

1. Incomplete or poor-quality documents: Blurry scans, missing passport pages, or low-resolution photos. Always upload clear, high-quality copies.
2. Insufficient passport validity: Your passport must have at least 6 months remaining from your travel date. This is strictly enforced.
3. Previous visa still active in the system: If a previous UAE visa was approved but never used or not properly cancelled, the system may flag a conflict. Get the old visa cleared before reapplying.
4. Insufficient financial proof: Bank statements or salary slips that do not demonstrate enough funds to support your stay.
5. Missing return or onward ticket: UAE immigration requires proof that you plan to leave the country.
6. Application errors: Misspelled names, incorrect dates, or data mismatches between the application and your passport.
7. Duplicate applications: Submitting more than one application for the same passport causes automatic rejection.
8. Previous overstay or violations: Any history of overstaying a UAE visa makes approval much harder.

If rejected: You can typically reapply after correcting the issue. Wait at least 2 weeks before resubmitting. There is no formal appeal process for tourist visas.

Practical Tips

Best Times to Travel

• Avoid: Thursday evenings, Friday mornings (weekend traffic), and Sunday evenings (returning traffic). Public holidays (Eid, National Days) are also very busy at the border.
• Best: Weekday mornings (Sunday through Wednesday). Early morning departures get the fastest border crossing.

Currency

1 OMR is approximately 9.5 AED. Both currencies are pegged to the USD, so the rate is very stable. ATMs are widely available in the UAE, and credit/debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Al Ansari Exchange is a common exchange house in the UAE.

SIM Cards in the UAE

The UAE has two main telecom operators: Etisalat (e&) and du. Tourist SIM cards are available at airport kiosks and retail stores. You will need your passport to register.

• Etisalat visitor plan: From AED 49 for 4GB data + calls (28 days)
• du tourist plan: From AED 49 for 2GB data + calls (28 days)
• eSIM: Both operators offer eSIM options that you can set up before arriving

Useful Apps

• S'hail: Dubai's official RTA transport app for metro, bus, and tram
• Careem / Uber: Ride-hailing services
• Hala: Official Dubai taxi booking (more affordable than ride-hailing)
• Google Maps / Waze: Navigation with real-time traffic
• Mwasalat app: For booking your Oman bus tickets