Last reviewed: 19 September 2026. Conditions change quickly, so verify official advisories, airline information and local tour conditions before you travel.
If you’re planning a trip to Oman this year, your first question is probably simple: what has actually changed? Some things have, mainly flights, shipping and how travelers plan. Others haven’t. Oman is a large country, and Muscat, Nizwa and Salalah are three very different places to plan for. This guide covers what has changed, what hasn’t, and how to plan responsibly. It doesn’t tell you whether to go, because that depends on your government’s advice, your insurance and your own comfort level.
What Has Changed for Oman Travelers in 2026?
Advisories are more cautious. Australia advises reconsidering your need to travel to Oman, and Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel. A September summary lists the US at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” with the Yemen border area at Do Not Travel. Australia also names Duqm and Musandam for specific precautions during attacks, so even cautious governments distinguish between areas of Oman.
Flights need checking. Muscat’s airport is described as open around the clock, but airlines have been told to avoid parts of the Gulf waters, which can lengthen some routes. Lufthansa Group has Muscat suspended until 24 October, while Oman Air lists no suspended routes. Treat this as a snapshot and confirm on the airline’s own site.
Tourism has softened. Oman received 1.8 million tourists in the first half of 2026, but hotel occupancy fell nearly 15%, revenue 12% and guest numbers 13%. That suggests travelers are shortening or delaying trips, not that tourism has stopped.
Cruise plans have shifted. Costa and AIDA cancelled their 2026-27 Gulf seasons, and Explora withdrew, according to an April industry report. If you’re arriving by ship, ask your cruise line about Muscat directly.
Strait of Hormuz Crisis: What Does It Actually Mean for Tourists?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow shipping route at the entrance to the Gulf. Disruption there has hit oil and cargo shipping and spread into aviation, cruise schedules and traveler confidence. Preliminary data for 16 September showed four crossings in a day against a normal baseline of 85, though even that is contested: tracking firms recorded far fewer daily crossings than a US claim of 40 ships.
For tourists, three points matter:
- The disruption is mainly about air and sea connectivity and planning, not a blanket closure of Oman.
- Oman has been affected directly in specific places. Iranian drones hit fuel tanks at Salalah Port on 11 March, causing fires but no reported casualties among port staff or residents. Attacks have targeted ports and infrastructure, and government advice treats Duqm and Musandam separately.
- Conditions change, so check current advisories, transport availability and local instructions before you go.
A shipping chokepoint is not the same thing as Muscat’s museums, Nizwa’s fort or Salalah’s coast. Each is a separate experience that needs its own check.
Muscat Travel in 2026: Flights, City Tours and Day Trips
Muscat is the gateway for most visitors, so start here: confirm your flight, your arrival transfer and your hotel’s cancellation terms.
It’s also the easiest place to stay flexible. One base with short trips is simpler to adjust than a chain of overnight stops. Options include a Muscat city tour, a full-day Muscat tour and wider Muscat day trips to forts, wadis and mountains. For swimming and hiking, the Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole tour is a popular full day from the capital, though wadis can change quickly after rain, so confirm conditions on the day.
Arriving by ship? Check your ship’s schedule first, then see our Muscat shore excursions and our guide to a Muscat city tour from the airport or cruise port.
For Muscat, check: flight status with the airline, airport information from Oman Airports, transfer and tour schedules on the day, and your government’s current advisory.
Nizwa Travel in 2026: Inland Oman Beyond the Strait
Nizwa is an inland heritage town, not a gateway or a coastal port. It has a famous fort, a traditional souq and access to mountain routes, roughly two hours by road from Muscat. The advisories I reviewed are country-level and don’t single out Nizwa. That isn’t a guarantee, so check current advice.
Because you reach Nizwa by road, the planning questions differ from the coast. Flight schedules matter less; road conditions, weather, driver availability and tour timing matter more. The key question is flexibility: can your operator adjust pickup times, swap days or shift a route?
Ways to experience it include a Nizwa and Jabreen day tour, a Nizwa and Birkat Al Mouz tour or the Jebel Akhdar mountain tour. For tracks and viewpoints instead of highways, our Oman 4×4 tour covers mountain and off-road routes. Our Nizwa attractions guide helps you choose what to see, and drivers can read about the off-road shortcut from Nizwa to Muscat.
Salalah Travel in 2026: A Different Part of Oman to Plan Separately
Salalah sits on the Arabian Sea coast, far south of Muscat, with its own climate, season and travel pattern. Conditions in the north don’t automatically apply there, and vice versa.
Start with the season. Khareef, the monsoon period, turns Dhofar green and brings crowds. After it, the region is quieter, with beaches, frankincense sites, waterfalls and mountain viewpoints. Our Khareef guide explains the timing.
Then consider logistics. Most travelers fly from Muscat, and SalamAir, Oman Air and Etihad are listed on the route. A September aviation summary says Salalah’s airport is open and carries extra capacity through Khareef. The March incident concerned the port, not the tourist areas, but checked current conditions instead of assuming.
Salalah works best as its own trip. Options include Salalah day trips, a full-day East and West Salalah tour and the three-night Explore Salalah package. It also fits into longer Oman holiday planning.
What Has Not Changed About Traveling Around Oman?
The diversity hasn’t changed. Oman still offers three distinct experiences: Muscat for the capital, coast and easy day trips; Nizwa and the interior for forts, souqs, mountains and wadis; and Salalah and Dhofar for a monsoon-fed south with its own scenery and seasons.
Local operators are still running tours, and travelers are still visiting. But “not changed” doesn’t mean “operating normally everywhere.” Some services are thinner, some routes are longer, and conditions vary by area. A claim that everything is normal, or that nothing is open, would be wrong.
Can Travelers Still Book Oman Tours and Desert Safari Experiences?
Yes, tours are being offered and booked, but the answer depends on the date, route and conditions, so ask before you pay.
Inland experiences such as a desert safari in Oman or a Wahiba Sands sunset day trip run on their own schedules and don’t depend on shipping lanes. They suit travelers who want a short experience from Muscat. Longer Oman tour packages and short packages can be adapted to your dates. Ask which parts are fixed and which can change.
What Should You Check Before Your Oman Trip?
- Government advisory, when you book and again 24 to 72 hours before departure. UK travelers should read the FCDO’s Oman page.
- Airline and airport status.
- Cruise notices, if relevant.
- Insurance wording. Policies differ on advisories and conflict-related events, so ask your insurer.
- Tour and hotel cancellation terms, in writing.
- Road and transport conditions, especially for Nizwa and mountain routes.
- Your sources. Prefer official sources over social media, and note who is reporting any figure.
How to Plan a Flexible Oman Tour in 2026
- Pick a base. Muscat plus day trips is easier to adjust than a moving route.
- Add buffer days, especially around Muscat–Salalah flights.
- Choose changeable bookings where possible.
- Have a Plan B. If a mountain day is cancelled, know what you’d swap in.
- Match the trip to your time. A short Muscat stay, a Muscat and Nizwa route, and a longer trip including Salalah suit different travelers. None is better than the others.
Why Use a Local Oman Tour Operator?
A local operator can track road, weather and schedule changes and adjust pickups when plans shift. Oman Safari Tours is a Muscat-based operator offering Oman tours, day trips and packages, so if a route changes you have one team to speak to. An operator can’t remove risk or override an advisory, and you should ask any company, including us, for its cancellation and rescheduling terms before paying. You can contact Oman Safari Tours or read about us.
Conclusion
Travel to Oman in 2026 is different from previous years, but it isn’t one story. The Strait of Hormuz situation has affected flights, shipping and planning, while Muscat, Nizwa and Salalah each need their own check. Read your government’s advice, confirm flights and tour terms, keep your itinerary flexible, and decide with current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Oman open for tourists in 2026?
Yes, airports are operating and tour operators are still running trips. Several governments advise caution, though. Australia advises reconsidering travel, Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel, and the US lists Oman at Level 3. Check your own government’s advice when you book and again before you leave.
2. Has the Strait of Hormuz situation affected travel to Muscat?
Indirectly. The disruption has mainly affected shipping, some flight routes and cruise schedules. Lufthansa Group has Muscat suspended until 24 October, and airlines have been told to avoid parts of the Gulf waters, which can lengthen some routes. Muscat’s airport has continued to operate, but confirm your flight with your airline.
3. Is Nizwa affected by the current regional travel situation?
The advisories we reviewed are country-level and don’t single out Nizwa. Official guidance names areas such as Duqm, Musandam and the Yemen border instead. Nizwa is inland, so road conditions, weather and tour schedules matter more than flights. Conditions can change, so verify current advice before you go.
4. What should travelers check before flying to Oman?
- Your government’s travel advisory, 24 to 72 hours before departure.
- Your airline’s flight status and Oman Airports information.
- Your insurance wording on advisories and conflict-related events.
- Hotel and tour cancellation terms, in writing.
- Cruise line notices, if you’re arriving by ship.
5. Can travelers combine Muscat, Nizwa and Salalah in one trip?
Yes. Muscat and Nizwa connect by road in about two hours, and most travelers fly from Muscat to Salalah, which is far to the south. Leave buffer time around the flight, and check that your airline is operating the route.
6. How should travelers plan an Oman tour if flights or transport conditions change?
Choose a base such as Muscat and take day trips, which are easier to adjust than a moving route. Book changeable flights and hotels where possible, add spare days, and ask your tour operator in writing how rescheduling works. Have a backup plan for any weather- or road-dependent day, such as a mountain or wadi trip.
7. Are desert safari and Oman tours still available?
Tours are still being offered and booked, but availability depends on the date, route and current conditions. Inland experiences such as a Wahiba Sands desert safari run on their own schedules and don’t depend on shipping lanes. Ask your operator which parts of your itinerary are fixed and which can change.