How To Get From Dubai To Oman’s Famous Northern Fjords In Musandam

Musandam was the highlight of my Dubai trip 2 years ago! A bus picked me up directly from my hotel (JW Marriott), grabbed about 8 other passengers throughout Dubai, and then drove us straight to the boat in Khasab.

Unless I'm missing something, that was a way better dea than your taxi? Also, I found that very little English was spoken in Ras al-Khaimah, so not the best place in my opinion to "hope" you find a taxi if you don't speak Arabic.

I had this exact problem! I took an Omani dhow tour that drove us there.

Alternatively: 6,000 Etihad Guest miles and about 200 Dirhams for Oman Air KHS-MCT-DXB. EY Guest redemption rates on Oman Air are pretty good for Intra-GCC flights. But on the other hand: The drive from Khasab to Ras al Khaimah is quite scenic.

Thanks. I like Lucky's reports, but this is a nice bit of diversity compared to AF/EK/LH first nonstop. Your reviews of budget carriers, especially the premium economy products, is also appreciated.

I always wondered options for this route. Thanks for sharing!

@Ricky nice that the hotel arranged that! For taxis in RAK, I'd recommend calling up the tour agencies and Musandam and have them arrange a pickup for you.

@CG Hmm that's a good suggestion, though I guess it limits which time of day you can make the trip. Still a nice redemption option!

@Erik thank you!

@Hiro my pleasure!

I took a day tour from Dubai. Well worth it!

Daniel,

A nice report.

But a question/critique - why the arching and straining to identify your youth, which I have detected in other posts. I am 47, and there is no way that I would rent a car from Hertz in a far away land. Perhaps I am far more risk averse than you, but, seriously, would you incur the risks, including the hassles associated with an accident, associated with driving in the developing world, even if someone would rent to you?

I write from a poor to middling Air BnB in a remote area of Scandinavia and truly appreciate that your posts fill a void in OMAAT. But your followers will get your situation even if you make oblique references to your age in merely 15% of your posts.

Cheers,

jfhscott

I think it's fair that Daniel mentions age in this post. It's because of his age he couldn't drive, ergo....

Always check to see whether written "by Lucky." Not written by Lucky? Waste of time.

We took a cruise a few months ago that started in Dubai and went to Khasab then Muscat. These cruises are always cheap I guess due to lack of demand or logistics. Anyways, we loved the dhow trip we did in Khasab, saw a lot of marine life and were very satisfied with the cost and experience. If you're going to spend $4-500 anyways might as well make a week out of it!

Thanks for covering the route. I did the same route 2 months on road by a private car, hoping to capture the beauty of Musandam on print. I wasn't allowed to take in my camera equipment especially my long lens. Stopped by Oman customs, clearly I was struggling to explain to the officer my intentions as I didn't speak Arabic. There was another officer who spoke English, but kept apologizing as he had to follow instructions from his senior who wouldn't budge.
I was surprised by this rare experience.

Recommend posting a map when talking about geographical locations, boundaries that not everyone may be familiar with

You can get a taxi in RAK by calling for one. Toll free 24/7 number is 8001700 and the operators all speak English (as do all the drivers).

@travelmate That's absolute nonsense – I'm sure there are plenty of people who, like me, enjoy others' posts. I enjoy Tiffany's in particular, Daniel's ones, the ones by those traveling with their family ... It seems hard for some readers to understand that people don't always share the same tastes as others.

You're a waste of time with those comments travelmate.

Great article Daniel. Keep them coming

@jfhscott

I'm with you. The only place outside of the US where I'll rent a car and drive is South Africa, and that's because I lived/worked there and know where I'm going and the regional rules of etiquette.

Otherwise, no way. While I like to think of myself as a "good" driver, I'm simply too afraid of the damage I could cause to people as well as my pocketbook...

2015 we had the same experience as @Ricky. Researched a local tour company. Hotel pick-up in a 15-passenger-ish sprinter type van. Had to enter the customs building at the Oman border for 20 min~ and then continued on to the marina in Khasab.

@TravelinWilly glad you won't be driving in Canada, then. #MAGA

The title of the post confused me. Is it from Musandam to Dubai? or Dubai to Musandam?

Anyhow, the best option exploring Musandam are the tour operators, you hop on and bus and you will be on your way. If you are on a budget, a little research will get you the best price, there are several operators that offer as low as 150DHS ($40ish).

@TravelinWilly

I travel to South Africa every year for three months. I lived in the UAE for 11 years and in Singapore for 2. I have driven 50,000 km in Europe in 10 countries and across North America 10 times.

For me South Africa is the most dangerous place to drive. It is worse than Malaysia, Italy and Singapore. The drivers are either driving the latest Mercedes or Audi at twice the speed limit or a junker at half the speed limit . You never know what you will meet at any corner. I have narrowly managed to negotiate around a clown who, at 120 km/hr, blew a tire that had a huge tread separation visible to the naked eye. His junker disintegrated around us as we swerved to miss bits and parts. He and his family survived without injury to the amazement of everyone.

Later we were rear-ended by a Mercedes at a stop sign.

But driving the Musandam and in the UAE was a piece of cake in comparison.