Our round trip through Oman is by far one of the most beautiful and exciting trips we’ve ever taken. We traveled across the country for 17 days and experienced many amazing moments that will remain in our minds forever. Even before the trip, we familiarized ourselves with the country and did a lot of research, for example, on the currency and paying and withdrawing money in Oman.

How do you pay in Oman? Can you pay by credit card? How much are the fees? How much does a trip through Oman cost? Can you exchange money at a currency exchange office? In the following article, we would like to share all of our experiences and tips with you.

  • Currency in Oman
  • Withdrawing money in Oman
  • Fees for withdrawing money in Oman
  • Exchanging money in Oman
  • Paying with a credit card in Oman
  • Safety tips for your trip
  • The best travel credit card for Oman
  • Current prices in Oman
  • Conclusion on paying and withdrawing money in Oman

Currency in Oman

The official currency of Oman is theOmani Rial (OMR). There are notes in denominations of 100, 200, and 500 Baisa, as well as 1/2, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Omani Rials. The rial is further divided into thousand baisa. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 baisa, but are very rare to see or obtain.

Banknotes are the common form of Omani currency in the country. And did you know that the Omani rial has its origins in the Portuguese real? For several centuries, the Kingdom of Portugal maintained a lucrative trade along the Omani coast. Click here for the currency converter.

Currency in Oman: Banknotes

Withdrawing Money in Oman

There are several ways to withdraw money in Oman. Most cities and tourist areas in Oman have ATMs where you can withdraw cash using international credit or debit cards. Major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro are generally accepted.

Make sure your card is activated for international use before traveling abroad. We frequently withdrew money from ATMs of Bank Muscat, Bank Dhofar, and the National Bank of Oman.

You can also withdraw cash at bank branches. Most banks accept international cards, but opening hours may vary depending on the bank. In larger cities and tourist areas, there are also exchange bureaus where you can exchange cash for Omani rials.

Note, however, that exchange rates may not be as favorable as those at ATMs. Some hotels may allow you to withdraw cash at the reception desk, but it is advisable to check the fees and conditions in advance.

Fees when Withdrawing Money in Oman

In some cases, the ATM operator in Oman may charge a fee for using the ATM. These fees are usually displayed on the screen before the transaction, so you can decide whether to accept the fee. We never had to pay any ATM fees at the NBO and Bank Muscat ATMs. Unfortunately, we don’t know if this is generally the case.

However, your own bank may charge fees for international withdrawals. These fees vary and can be a percentage of the withdrawn amount or a fixed fee. Currency conversions may incur additional charges. This can be done either by the bank or the credit card company. We had to pay €2 per withdrawal.

Foreign currency fees for payments may also apply, depending on the bank. We always had to pay a fee of 2% of the amount when paying with our credit card in a café, restaurant, or supermarket. Since we mostly travel for business, we use a different credit card than when traveling privately.

Exchanging Money in Oman

We never actually exchange money abroad, but always withdraw the local currency from ATMs or banks. The fees and exchange rates are usually significantly worse. Most banks in Oman offer currency exchange services.

This is often a safe and reliable option. However, be aware that exchange rates at banks may not be as favorable as at specialized exchange bureaus.

In larger cities and tourist areas, there are specialized exchange bureaus where you can exchange cash for local currency. These establishments can sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates, but it’s important to check the fees.

Some hotels also offer currency exchange services at the reception desk. However, keep in mind that exchange rates in hotels are often not as competitive as elsewhere.

Paying by Credit Card in Oman

In Oman, you can easily pay by credit card (VISA, Mastercard) almost everywhere. However, our American Express credit card was rarely accepted, except, of course, in larger hotels and some restaurants. In Oman, credit cards are generally accepted in many shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and tourist establishments, especially in urban areas and tourist centers. However, acceptance may be more limited in more remote areas or small shops.

Again, keep in mind that some shops or banks may charge fees for credit card transactions. This can be a fixed fee or a percentage of the transaction amount. It is advisable to check your bank’s fee policy before shopping or using credit cards. With our Hanseatic Bank* credit card, we pay no fees for payments and cash withdrawals abroad.

Tip: If you are asked to pay in the local currency (Omani Rial), select this to avoid unfavorable exchange rates. However, many credit card companies now offer favorable exchange rates.

Safety Tips for Your Trip

Using credit cards safely abroad is important to avoid financial losses and other problems. Here are some tips for you:

1. Notify Your Bank: Inform your bank in advance of your travel plans. This helps prevent potential credit card freezes or security warnings if sudden international transactions occur.

2. PIN and signature: In some countries, the use of the PIN number is required at ATMs and when making purchases. Make sure you know your PIN and that it is activated. In other countries, a signature may be required. We can change our credit card PINs directly via the respective banking apps.

3. Using secure ATMs: Use ATMs in secure and well-lit areas, preferably bank branches. Check the ATM for suspicious devices that could indicate card fraud.

4. Keep an eye on your card: Never leave your card unattended and never let it out of your hands. Make sure you always have your card in sight to prevent potential misuse.

5. Copies and emergency numbers: Make copies of your credit cards, passports, and other important documents. We always have such documents stored online in our cloud. Make a note of your bank’s emergency number in case you lose your cards or they get stolen.

6. Avoid public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi, especially when accessing bank accounts or making transactions. Instead, use secure networks whenever possible and activate a VPN if necessary. We’ve been using Nord VPN* for years.

7. Keep receipts: Keep all receipts and invoices from credit card transactions. This can be helpful if there are any discrepancies or problems with the transactions.

8. Security software and updates: Make sure the security software on your smartphone or laptop is up to date. Also, regularly update the software for your banking apps.

9. Cash reserves: Always keep a certain amount of cash on hand. There may be places where credit cards are not accepted. We always kept 20 to 50 rials in our travel wallet.

10. Emergency Plan: Develop an emergency plan in case your credit card is stolen. This could include quickly contacting your bank and reporting the theft to the local authorities.

The Best Travel Credit Card for Oman

There probably isn’t one best travel credit card for Oman. Ultimately, it always depends on your needs. Our Qonto credit card is certainly not the best, but it offers everything we need in other business areas. We’ve been using the cards from Hanseatic Bank*, DKB*, N26*, and AMEX* for a long time. We also want to try the Revolut card in the future.

DKB Visa Card

We’ve been using the DKB Visa Card* for nine years now and are still very satisfied. With this card, the two of them have always been able to withdraw money from ATMs and pay in hotels and shops without any problems. Although DKB no longer reimburses third-party ATM fees, it’s still a very good travel credit card for active customers.

  • Pay worldwide free of charge
  • Withdraw cash worldwide free of charge (almost everywhere)
  • No annual fee (debit card included with a checking account)
  • Credit card for €2.49 per month

Hanseatic Bank credit card

A very good alternative is the Hanseatic Bank credit card*. It is permanently free of charge and can be used at ATMs worldwide. Another advantage is that you can easily link your account with this Hanseatic Bank credit card without having to open another checking account (account management = free). We’ve been using the card privately for quite some time now and are very satisfied.

Advantages at a glance:

  • Pay worldwide free of charge
  • Withdraw cash worldwide free of charge
  • No annual fee (no need to change accounts)

You can take a closer look at the different cards in our comprehensive credit card comparison. We definitely recommend using at least two credit cards for traveling abroad. It can always happen that a card is not accepted, stolen, or blocked. And what do you do then? You can’t access your money for a while. All information about this can also be found here: Security tips for credit cards. Note: The post about credit cards will be updated soon!

Current prices in Oman

To help you prepare for your trip and calculate your budget, we’ve listed some current prices here. These are not listed in Omani currency, but rather converted into euros. We found most of the prices at Lulu Hypermarket. As of November 2023.

Other prices in Oman:

  • Hotel: between €60 and €180 per night (depending on the type)
  • Taxi: approx. €0.70 per kilometer
  • Local restaurant (simple): meal from €2 to €3 per person
  • Regular restaurant: at least €12 to €15 per person
  • 1 piece of cheesecake: €3.59 – €5
  • Car wash (manual): €3.60
  • 1 liter of gasoline: €0.55
  • Rental car: €40 – €80 per day (depending on the class)
  • Magnet (souvenir): from €2.50
  • 1 can of cola: 0.60 €

Costs Supermarket Oman Hypermarket

Conclusion on Paying and Withdrawing Money in Oman

Before you set off on your trip, it is advisable to inform your bank that you are abroad to ensure that your card works smoothly. It is also helpful to have an alternative payment method, such as cash, in case credit cards are not accepted. Before you travel, find out what the fees are for withdrawing money abroad or paying with your debit or credit card.

It is also advisable to read the fee information on the screen before withdrawing money from an ATM to avoid unpleasant surprises. Some banks also offer special travel cards that may offer lower fees for international transactions and cash withdrawals.

For a trip through Oman, you should expect a daily budget of around €100 to €140 per person (excluding flights). Be sure to check out our post about the costs of our trip. It details the cost of our 17-day trip. So, what are you waiting for? Have you booked your flights yet?