Crossing the border from Dubai to Oman via the Hatta – Al Wajajah Border Crossing.

On our most recent trip to the UAE, we thought we would extend our Middle East adventures and rent a car to drive from Dubai to Muscat.  This meant we ended up with an amazing week of road tripping around Oman in our own vehicle.  And have you heard about the wadis in Oman?! 

If you are wondering about crossing the border from Dubai to Oman and making the drive from Dubai to Muscat with a rental car we have everything you need to know!  It is a straightforward border crossing with a little bit of preparation to make sure your rental car has everything you need to cross the Hatta border from Dubai and enter Oman.  

About the Dubai to Oman border

There are multiple border crossings between Dubai and Oman however not all of them are open for tourists/non-GCC residents to cross. 

• Hatta – Al Wajajah 
• Mezyad
• Khatm Al Shiklah
• Dibba

We crossed the border from Dubai to Muscat via the Hatta – Al Wajajah border crossing.

About the Hatta – Al Wajajah Border Crossing from Dubai to Muscat  

The Hatta – Al Wajajah border crossing between Dubai and Oman is the preferred choice and most popular route for driving from Dubai to Muscat.  

The Hatta border post is only 140km from Dubai.  By car it takes less than two hours to reach from Dubai.  

And from the Hatta – Al Wajajah border it is another three hours to the capital city of Muscat meaning that the drive from Dubai to Muscat is totally doable in one day.  

Getting to the Hatta – Al Wajajah Border (from Dubai to Muscat)

Since Dubai is the most likely point of departure to drive to Oman we have written about the border crossing at Hatta as departing from Dubai to Muscat. 

From Dubai to Hatta is takes less than two hours to reach passport control at Hatta. 

Distance from Dubai to Hatta 

The first half of the border crossing from Dubai to Muscat is the drive from Dubai city to the border town of Hatta.  

• Dubai to Hatta: 1 hr 22 min (134.7 km) via Sharjah-Kalba Rd/E102
• Sharjah to Hatta: 1 hr 14 min (124.5 km) via Sharjah-Kalba Rd/E102

Distance from Hatta to Muscat

After crossing the border at Hatta the drive from the UAE – Oman border to Muscat is straightforward and all on highway. 

• Hatta to Muscat: 3 hr (321.5 km)

Crossing the Hatta Border from Dubai to Muscat 

Here is the step-by-step version of crossing the UAE Oman border from Dubai to Muscat. 

1. First Checkpoint: This is outside the building for UAE Passport Control but driving through by car this is the first drive-through window you approach.  At this window you are asked how many passengers in the car and requested to pay the 35 Dirham departure fee. 
2. Second Checkpoint: This is passport control to depart the UAE.  You don’t need to get out of your car but hand over your passports and the paid departure fee slips.  You are then stamped out of UAE. 
3. Passport Control: Drive 1km to passport control. Unless you already have a visa in your passport; at this drive-through window you will be directed to park and enter Oman Passport Control. 
4. Immigration: Show your Visa for Oman/Obtain a Visa On Arrival.  Fill out the arrival document and process immigration.  Show your vehicle documents (vehicle registration card, Oman insurance, NOC) There is an ATM inside the building right by the door if you need.  
5. Customs: Hop back in your car and drive to the next checkpoint (under the shade of a huge, roofed area).  Here you will be asked for your entry receipt (a stamped piece of paper) and the customs officer will open your car and check inside. 
6. Exit through police checkpoint.
7. Enter Oman: Welcome to Oman!  

Getting from the Hatta border crossing to Muscat

The drive is straight forward after you leave the UAE Oman border crossing.  Most of the drive is on large highways and motorways.  

If you don’t have a GPS or SIM card for Oman it would be a good idea to download some of the maps before crossing the border from Dubai to Muscat.  At least this will make sure you are able to find your hotel in Muscat. 

Renting a car to cross the Hatta Border from Dubai to Muscat

It is possible to drive a rental car across the border to Oman from Dubai to Muscat.  (That’s what we did!). However, not every rental agency will allow you to drive a car over the border.  

But one of the most frequently asked questions we get about driving from Dubai to Oman is whether you can do the drive with a rental car.  

And where did you hire a rental car from to cross the border Dubai to Muscat?

Not every rental company will allow you to take a car out of the United Arab Emirates.  But it is possible.  And it is a great way to be able to explore Oman with your own vehicle. (Public transport is limited if you want to explore further than Muscat). 

The rental company must provide you with: 

• Oman Insurance 
• No Objection Certificate (NOC)
• Vehicle Registration Card

They will/might check for these three things at the border posts during your crossing from Dubai to Muscat. 

You are required to have additional vehicle insurance for your rental car specifically for Oman.  You need to let your rental car company know you intend to drive from Dubai to Oman and they will offer you the option to insure the vehicle for an additional charge (in AED) per day. 

Vehicle insurance fees for Oman for Car Groups B, C, D, and E: 

• 1-3 days: 450 AED (100 AED per additional day)
• 1 week: 750 AED (100 AED per additional day)
• 1 month: 1500 AED (100 AED per additional day)

We opted for insurance for one week as we were returning the car on the seventh day and driving back from Oman to Dubai. 

Where did you hire a rental car from to cross the border Dubai to Muscat?

We rented a car to drive from Dubai to Muscat via the Hatta border crossing from Autorent Car Rental in Dubai. 

• Phone: +971 56 546 9841 or +971 600 549993 

Where to stay before and after crossing the border from Dubai to Muscat

• Dubai: Admiral Plaza Hotel 
  A great centrally located hotel within walking distance of Old Dubai and the Dubai Creek. Plenty of restaurants (to suit all budgets) around the area and very friendly, clean and modern rooms. 

• Muscat: Ramee Guestline Hotel
  We have stayed here twice and recommend it as a good place to find your feet in Oman.  And as a base to explore Muscat.  It is by a quiet corniche (promenade) and a nice place to go for an evening wander.  There is a restaurant onsite (actually there are two!) and breakfast is included. 

Where we stayed in Oman

• Muscat: Ramee Guestline Hotel
  We have stayed here twice (on each visit to Oman) and recommend it as a good place to find your feet and explore Muscat.  It is by a quiet corniche (promenade) and a nice place to go for an evening wander.  There is a restaurant onsite (actually there are two!) and breakfast is included. 

• Ibra: Oriental Nights Rest House [handy location to arrive early to Wadi Bani Khalid; good distance from Muscat; no town or restaurant nearby, only one petrol station/store so bring basic dinner to make]. 

• Sur: Leading Wings Beach Apartments [amazing views; basic but spacious rooms with own kitchen and bathroom; very friendly staff; free parking].

The verdict about crossing the border from Dubai to Muscat?

This was a straightforward border to cross.  We even crossed the border from Dubai to Muscat with a rental car! And Oman is another fantastic Middle Eastern country to explore. 

It does take a day as the drive is quite long from Dubai to Muscat.  But with your own transport and at your own pace it is a hassle-free border to cross.  

We can highly recommend you continue your Dubai to Muscat road-trip further and explore the wadis of Oman!  Did you know Oman has hundreds of wadis and lots you can swim in?! 

Happy border crossing! 

Useful links for your travels in Middle East and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Read more about travel in the Middle East 

• Saudi Arabia Travel Guide: Everything you need to know about visiting KSA.
• Jordan Travel Guide: Read all about magical Jordan.
• Visiting Umm Qais in Jordan
• Crossing overland from Israel to Jordan (and the worst noise ever).
• UAE with kids: Three Emirates in three days.
• Quick tips for visiting the Sheik Al Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi with kids.