(from London Heathrow)
Oman is an Arab country located at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. In 2012, Muscat, the capital of Oman was rated as the 2nd best city to visit by a travel guide issuer. The number of people arriving for business and traveling purposes is quite high so finding Flights to Oman can be demanding and requires prior planning.
Yes, there are direct flights between Oman and the United Kingdom offered by Oman Air and British Airways. Oman Air operates a direct flight from Muscat to London Heathrow and Manchester Airport every day. Similarly, British Airways has scheduled one direct flight to Muscat every day and another that operates only on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The duration of these flights is no more than seven and a half hours, much less than the 11 to 12 hours connecting flights offered by other airlines.
Oman Air offers the cheapest direct flights from the UK to Oman and back. Direct flights are most suited for passengers accompanying children or senior citizens, who could get stressed during the lengthier connecting flight and layover. Business Class travellers also favour Oman Air direct flights as it saves much time and it bypasses unnecessary hassle.
Oman Air’s flight number WY 101 takes off at two, in the afternoon every day from Muscat International Airport (formerly known as Seeb International Airport) and lands at Heathrow in about seven and a half hours. Another flight, WY 102, brings travellers from London Heathrow to Muscat and leaves the British tarmac at nine in the evening. WY 103 and WY 104 is another set of direct flights operated every day that moves passengers between the UK and Oman.
Oman Air also has a scheduled direct flight to Manchester from Muscat. The flight 105 leaves for Manchester fromMuscat at 2:00 PM local time and takes 7 hours and 45 minutes to reach Manchester. Flight number WY 106 connects Manchester to Oman and takes off at 9 PM British time.
The cheapest time to explore Oman is in October and November months. Oman experiences a low season, just before the Christmas holidays, which provides a golden opportunity for all those looking for a fantastic cheap trip to the country. During these fall months, the weather is pleasant enough to discover the ancient mysteries of Oman, but the mean high still exceeds 30°C, which can be a bit overwhelming during midday. However, if you plan your excursions accordingly and hydrate intermittently, Oman can be a blissful cheap vacation destination, with low-cost tickets and economical accommodations.
December to February is the best time of the year to take a trip to Oman. Oman has predominantly, a desert climate, which is why it is ideal for the tourist to go to Oman in the winter season. The temperature during these months does not increase beyond 27°C. There is little to no rain during these times as well, making this part of the year great for some Oman exploration. There is a rise in tourists coming to the country during this time as well, especially after the Christmas holidays in mid-January. Internationally renowned travel guide magazines and blogs have designated Muscat as one of the best cities to visit for adventure tourism, which has increased the tourist traffic to Oman. Expect higher rates of accommodation and tickets to Oman during this time.
Oman has five international airports; however, the busiest two airports are listed below. For all intents and purposes, Muscat International Airport is considered as the gateway to Oman.
British passport holders need to apply for a tourist visa from the Royal Omani Mission to the United Kingdom. Traveller intending to visit Oman can also apply for an unsponsored tourist visa from the Royal Oman Police website . Also, please make sure that your passport is valid for another six months at the time of application.
Oman was an empire stretching from the Makran coast in Pakistan to the Spice Coast of Zanzibar. With abundant oil wealth, the country has evolved and expressed its rich culture with monuments and landmarks that celebrate Oman’s past and future.
Oman celebrates its National Day on the 18th of November every year. Apart from being a public holiday, the National Day is a time to admire the fireworks, parades, camel races and horse shows. Being a Muslim country, Oman celebrates the Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha festivals with great religious zeal and fervour. Travellers entertained by hearty Omani hosts can expect a dining table full of traditional delicacies on these days. The Muscat festival, at the end of January or at the beginning of February, is a celebration of the Omani culture. Salalah Tourism Festival invites travellers and tourists from Europe and the Middle East to discover the new Eden of extreme sports in Oman.
Getting around in Oman is easy. Being a major oil producing country, Oman has one of the lowest travel fares. Oman Air operates a flight every day between Muscat and Salalah and buses move people between the larger cities like Sohar, Sur, Nizwa, Salalah and Muscat several times a day. The bus network further extends to Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Taxi driving is a protected profession in Oman, which means that only Omani citizens are allowed to drive a cab. There are two sorts of taxis: private and shared. There is no apparent distinction between the two: a driver may choose to demand less money from one passenger and on the way let in other passengers to share the vehicle, unless you tell him that this is an “engaged taxi”, meaning that the traveller would be paying for all four seats in the taxi. If you intend to travel to the countryside or the desert, consider hiring a 4×4 from a rent-a-car.
There are quite a few five-star hotels in Oman. Oman has a highly developed tourism industry, and hotels and other luxury accommodation consolidate Oman’s claim to fame. However, if the traveller is looking for more economical options, they too can be arranged.
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