Dubai to Muscat Bus: What Actually Runs Now?
You can still travel from Dubai to Muscat by bus, but not on the service most websites describe. The old RTA and Mwasalat Route 201 was suspended in February 2023 and reporting through 2026 indicates it has not resumed. The direct route is now run by Al Khanjry Transport at around AED 100 one way. The journey takes about six hours including the Hatta border crossing.
- Ignore listings quoting the old AED 55 RTA fare.
- Sort your Oman visa before travelling.
- Budget the AED 35 UAE exit fee on top of the ticket.
The service that was suspended
Start here, because this is where most published information goes wrong. For years the Dubai to Muscat bus was Route 201, operated by Dubai’s RTA in partnership with Mwasalat, Oman’s national transport company. That service was suspended in February 2023.
| Detail | Old RTA and Mwasalat service |
|---|---|
| Route number | 201 |
| Status | Suspended since February 2023 |
| Old one-way fare | AED 55, no longer applicable |
| Old return fare | AED 90, no longer applicable |
| Old departure points | Al Rashidiya, Airport Terminal 2, Abu Hail |
Plenty of guides and route listings still show Route 201 with its old timings and the AED 55 fare as though you could turn up and board tomorrow. If a page quotes that price, it is describing a service that has not operated for years. Treat those figures as historical.
The current Dubai to Muscat bus
The direct link is now operated commercially rather than by the transport authorities, which is why the fare is higher.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Al Khanjry Transport |
| One-way fare | Around AED 100 |
| Return fare | Roughly AED 180 to 190 |
| Departures | Three times daily |
| Booking | Available online |
| On board | Air conditioning and free Wi-Fi |
At around AED 100 the fare is roughly double the old subsidised price, but it remains far cheaper than flying once you account for airport transfers and baggage, and it is considerably cheaper than driving and paying the border charges on a private vehicle.
Three departures a day gives reasonable flexibility for a six-hour international journey. Book ahead rather than turning up, since online booking is now the norm and seats on a single daily service fill quickly at busy periods.
The border crossing at Hatta
This is an international journey, and the border is the part that turns a four-hour drive into a six-hour trip.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Crossing point | Hatta on the UAE side, Al Wajajah on the Oman side |
| UAE exit | All passengers leave the bus for immigration |
| Oman entry | All passengers leave the bus again |
| Typical delay | An extra 30 to 60 minutes on a normal day |
You get off the bus twice, once on each side, and go through immigration on foot before reboarding. It is routine but it is not quick, and at peak times such as public holidays the delay can be considerably longer than an hour.
You will need an Oman visa arranged in advance, and a passport with adequate validity. Check the current entry requirements for your nationality with the Omani authorities before booking, since these vary and change. Do not assume that UAE residence alone is sufficient.
Costs beyond the ticket
The advertised fare is not the full cost, and the extra is easy to overlook when budgeting.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bus ticket one way | Around AED 100 |
| UAE exit fee at the border | AED 35 per person |
| Oman visa | Varies by nationality |
| Realistic one-way total | AED 135 plus visa costs |
The AED 35 UAE exit fee is charged per person at the border and is separate from your ticket, so carry it rather than assuming the fare covers everything. For a return trip you should budget for that charge in both directions.
What the journey is like?
Six hours is a long ride, but the buses are equipped for it with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and the route through the Hajar mountains around Hatta is genuinely scenic.
If you want to break the trip, Hatta itself is a worthwhile stop on the UAE side and is reachable separately by local bus, as covered in our Dubai to Hatta bus timings guide. That makes it possible to see Hatta first and continue to Oman another day.
Because this is a cross-border commercial service rather than part of the RTA network, your Nol card is not used and none of the usual UAE fare rules apply. Domestic intercity routes, where Nol is required, are covered in our UAE bus timings guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a bus from Dubai to Muscat?
Yes, but not the old RTA Route 201, which was suspended in February 2023 and has not resumed. The direct service is now operated by Al Khanjry Transport at around AED 100 one way, running three times daily with online booking.
How much is the Dubai to Muscat bus?
Around AED 100 one way and roughly AED 180 to 190 return. Add the AED 35 UAE exit fee charged per person at the border, plus the cost of an Oman visa. The old AED 55 fare belonged to the suspended RTA service.
How long does the Dubai to Muscat bus take?
About six hours including immigration. The border crossing at Hatta and Al Wajajah typically adds 30 to 60 minutes, and longer at busy periods, because all passengers must leave the bus on both the UAE and Oman sides.
Do I need a visa for the Dubai to Muscat bus?
Yes, you need an Oman visa arranged before you travel, along with a passport with adequate validity. Requirements vary by nationality and change, so confirm the current rules with the Omani authorities before booking rather than relying on a general guide.
Last verified: October 2026. The RTA and Mwasalat Route 201 has been suspended since February 2023 and reporting through 2026 indicates it has not resumed, so older listings quoting that service are out of date. Confirm operator schedules and entry requirements before booking.
Written by Roman Shah ยท Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); operator listings
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