Since February 28, 2026, an escalation of armed conflict across the Middle East has led to missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region, resulting in the closure of UAE, Qatari, Kuwaiti, and Bahraini airspace. Dubai International Airport has suspended ~80% of flights. Muscat International Airport remains the primary functioning gateway out of the region. Tens of thousands of stranded travellers are now making the overland journey from Dubai or Sharjah into Oman to fly home. This guide consolidates the best available intelligence to help you do that safely.
Your Route Options from UAE to Muscat
- Departs from Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah
- Arrives directly at Muscat International Airport
- 7am and 1pm daily departures (Oman Air schedule)
- Bus operated by Muwasalat (national transport)
- Must have confirmed onward flight booking
- Tickets via musafir.com or SNTTA — NOT at the station
- Book licensed tour-operator vehicles only (not standard taxis)
- Hatta border crossing is 130km from central Dubai via E44
- UAE cars CANNOT enter Oman unless owner is the driver
- Omani taxis wait on the other side of the border
- WhatsApp groups coordinating rideshares are active
- Call 056-204-9774 (Al Khanjry) for bookings
- Slovenia organized police-escorted buses, Dubai → Muscat
- Germany coordinating with Lufthansa and TUI for land transfer
- UK government charter from Muscat (contact FCO first)
- Check your embassy/consulate for your country's program
- Register with your government's crisis system immediately
- Fly from Muscat once you arrive — jets still operational
- Light jet to Istanbul: $93,000+ (≈ double normal rate)
- Heavy jet, same route: up to $140,000
- Riyadh–Europe charters: up to $350,000
- Some families pooling costs across groups
Cars with UAE license plates cannot be driven in Oman unless the driver is the full registered owner. Rental cars generally cannot cross the border. Omani taxis and licensed transfer services will meet you on the Oman side. Plan accordingly.
Hatta – Al Wajajah Border Crossing
The Hatta/Al Wajajah crossing is the main land border connecting Dubai to Oman. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here's the step-by-step process under current crisis conditions.
A 7am departure from Dubai is the most widely recommended strategy. It lets you clear the border before the midday rush builds, and reach Muscat Airport by early afternoon — in time for evening international departures.
Oman Entry Requirements by Nationality
Always verify your status at evisa.rop.gov.om before travel. Requirements can change. Pre-applying online is strongly recommended to avoid long queues at the border during crisis conditions.
| Nationality / Group | Visa Requirement | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCC Nationals (Saudi, Bahraini, Kuwaiti, Qatari) | Visa Free | Unrestricted | Free movement between GCC states |
| UAE Residents (any nationality) | Visa on Arrival | 14 days | Passport must be valid 6+ months; UAE residency must be valid |
| ~100 Nationalities (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.) | Visa on Arrival | 10–14 days | Must show return ticket, hotel booking, health insurance. Queues are very long; apply online first at evisa.rop.gov.om |
| Dutch passport holders | No Visa (under 14 days) | 14 days | Passport must be valid 6+ months; must show flight ticket |
| Indian nationals (GCC residents) | Visa on Arrival | 14 days | Must hold valid GCC resident card; passport valid 6+ months; return ticket, hotel booking required |
| Indian nationals (without GCC residency) | Pre-Approval Required | 30 days | Apply via evisa.rop.gov.om. OR eligible for visa on arrival if holding valid US/UK/Canada/Japan/Schengen visa |
| Other nationalities | e-Visa Required | Varies | Apply in advance at evisa.rop.gov.om through authorized agents. Do NOT arrive without a visa if your nationality is not VoA eligible. |
Ramadan is currently underway. Oman enforces Ramadan rules more strictly than the UAE. No eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours. Be respectful of local customs during your transit through Oman.
Flights Operating from Muscat (MCT)
Muscat International Airport is the most stable exit point in the region as of March 6, 2026. However, some destinations remain disrupted. Here is what is operating and what is cancelled.
Qatar Airways (relief flights): London Heathrow, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam — passengers contacted directly, do NOT go to airport without confirmation. | British Airways: Additional London Heathrow flights on Mar 6–7 (now fully booked — check for additions). | Oman Air: Additional flights to London Heathrow (Mar 7–16), Istanbul (Mar 9–16), Bangkok (Mar 8–15), Kuala Lumpur. | Air India Express: Muscat to Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Tiruchirappalli. | IndiGo: Flights to Athens, Muscat, Jeddah, Madinah and select repatriation flights. | Austrian Air: Repatriation flights departed from Muscat. | SalamAir: Most routes except Kuwait, Doha, Dammam (suspended to Mar 6).
All flights to/from: Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Bahrain (BAH), Kuwait (KWI), Dammam (DMM), Amman (AMM), Baghdad (BGW), Copenhagen (CPH), Khasab (KHS). Flights to Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran suspended through March 15. Other flights are expected to operate with some delays.
⚡ Flight status changes hourly. Always verify with your specific airline before going to the airport. Do not go to Muscat Airport without a confirmed booking and airline notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential Tips for the Journey
Essential Links & Contacts
Always register with your country's embassy or consulate in the UAE and/or Oman. Most governments have set up crisis contact forms. Do this before you travel — it is the fastest way to access government evacuation support.
Journey Time Estimator & Navigation
Times below are estimated based on current crisis conditions, known distances, and time-of-day traffic patterns. For live turn-by-turn navigation with real-time traffic, use the buttons to open Google Maps or Waze on your device.
⚠ These estimates are calculated from known distances and current crisis-condition multipliers, updated by time of day. They are not sourced from a live traffic API. Always cross-check with Google Maps or Waze before departure. Border wait times in particular can vary dramatically.
Map shows the full Dubai → Hatta border → Muscat Airport corridor (~450km). The Hatta–Al Wajajah border crossing is visible midway. Click and drag to explore. Open in Google Maps for live traffic overlay.
When Do I Need to Leave?
Enter your flight departure time from Muscat and where you're travelling from. We'll calculate the latest safe time to leave — accounting for current border conditions.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Tap each item to mark it done. Progress saves during your session. Do not leave without completing the Documents and Border Essentials groups.
Crowdsourced Wait Times
Just crossed the Hatta–Al Wajajah border? Report your wait time to help others plan. Reports are stored locally and visible to all visitors during this session.
Reports are community-submitted and unverified. Use as a guide only — actual wait times may vary. Data is stored in your browser session.