Currency in Oman - A Full Guide 2024
Planning a trip to Oman? Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.
This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in Oman, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip.
What is the currency in Oman?
The official currency in Oman is the Omani Rial, which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Oman. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown - OMR. In stores and restaurants, Omani Rial prices are likely to use the currency symbol ر.ع..
Once you’re in Oman you’ll see costs of items shown in OMR and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:
banknotes - 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and coins - 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500.
Can you officially pay in GBP when you are in Oman?
You’re unlikely to be able to officially transact in GBP in Oman, which is why it’s time to start getting used to OMR and learning more about the currency exchange rates so you’ll know what you’re spending on your trip.
This guide will walk through all you need to know, including British Pound/Omani Rial rates and where best to get your travel money from.
| Omani Rial | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Omani Rial |
| ISO code | OMR |
| Symbol | ر.ع. |
| Subunit | Baisa |
| Central Bank | Central Bank of Oman |
| Best travel cards to take to Oman | Wise |
Omani Rial coins and banknotes
Here’s a full rundown of the OMR coins and banknotes you’ll need to be familiar with when you’re in Oman.
| OMR banknotes | OMR coins |
|---|---|
| 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 | 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 |
Is GBP accepted in Oman?
As we’ve seen, the official currency in Oman is OMR. If you carry British Pound with you on your trip, you’ll probably need to exchange it before you can spend.
Sometimes when you’re away on a trip abroad you’ll find that merchants will take payments in a selection of major foreign currencies. However, the chances are that where this is offered, you won’t get a good exchange rate for your GBP. Planning smart and convenient ways to spend in OMR when you’re away is likely to mean you save on costs in the end.
Usually, having a few different ways to pay and get cash is the best option for travelers and tourists. That’s because you’ll have a back up plan in case one payment method isn’t accepted for any reason, and you can pick the method that’s best suited to the specific transaction. Having a multi-currency card from a provider like Wise, plus your normal bank debit card, and some local cash in OMR should mean you’ve always got options. You can use your cash for small purchases and tipping, and make low cost payments and cash withdrawals with your multi-currency card, while keeping your bank card in reserve for emergencies.
Use a travel card on your next trip to Oman
Using a travel debit card in Oman is usually cheap, safe and convenient. A few providers in the UK offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in OMR. That allows you to add a balance in GBP and switch over to OMR to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget.
Once you have OMR in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either.
Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in Oman.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card online or in the Wise app, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies and manage your money from your phone. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in OMR - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
✅ Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate ✅ No foreign transaction fees apply ✅ Free to hold and spend 40+ currencies ✅ Receive payments to your Wise account in a selection of global currencies ✅ No minimum balance or ongoing fees | ❌ Card order fee applies ❌ ATM fees apply once you’ve exhausted your free monthly withdrawals |
What is the currency exchange rate for £ 1 GBP/OMR?
It’s helpful to get to know the live GBP/OMR rate so you can easily calculate how much things are costing you while you’re on your trip abroad.
The rate you need to focus on is the mid market rate, which is the one banks and major currency services get when buying and selling currencies. This rate isn’t always passed on to customers. Instead you may find that the GBP/OMR rate you get when exchanging travel cash includes a markup - an extra fee.
Find the GBP/OMR mid-market rate from a currency conversion site or a website like this, so you can keep an eye on the market and compare the rates you’re offered as you travel against the mid-market rate easily.
Should I exchange GBP to OMR before traveling to Oman?
It’s a good idea to exchange British Pounds to Omani Rial before you head off to Oman, as you can often find a better exchange rate and lower overall costs before you travel.
When you’re in Oman you may need OMR in cash for some of your spending - particularly when tipping or making smaller value purchases. Buying your OMR travel money in advance can get you better GBP/OMR exchange rates, and saves you wasting precious time shopping around for a good deal once you arrive in Oman.
Get familiar with the exchange rates offered locally to you, and online, so you can decide whether it’s worth switching some funds in advance of travel, using a card to pay while you’re away, or converting cash on arrival. Both in the UK and in Oman, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. A captive market means that GBP/OMR rates are often worse in the airport than in city centers.
Tips for exchanging money in Oman
At merchants and ATMs, make sure you’re charged in OMR. If you’re asked if you’d rather pay in GBP instead, say no. That’s a sign of dynamic currency conversion, which usually means extra costs. Withdrawing money in target-currency can be easy, particularly in big cities and Muscat, here’s a few other tips if you want to exchange money in Oman
- Avoid using exchange providers at airports or hotels in Oman as they usually offer pretty poor exchange rates because they have a captive market and little competition nearby
- Use a travel debit card like the Wise card while you’re in Oman for fast and cheap conversion between currencies and easy ways to manage your money from your phone
Best place to exchange currency in Oman
You can get your OMR in Oman in a couple of ways.
You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online.
Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in GBP to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city centre are likely to be cheaper overall.
How to pay in Oman?
You’ll need to have OMR to spend in Oman. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won't accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. Here are your key payment options in Oman.
Debit or credit card
Card payments can be helpful in shops, restaurants and hotels but there will be places where cash is also important. Order a travel card from a provider like Wise for cheap and fast transactions, including card payments and cash withdrawals as and when you need travel money in OMR.
Omani Rial cash
You’ll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Oman, but carrying some cash in OMR is also reassuring. It’s often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.
It’s a smart idea to have both a card and some cash in OMR when you’re in Oman. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise alongside your cash for flexibility.
Paying for the trip in GBP
If you’re paying for things in Oman with a GBP bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.
Travel debit cards don’t always work this way. When you make purchases in Oman using the Wise card you can either choose to convert your account balance to OMR in advance in the Wise app, or just leave your balance in British Pound and let the card handle the transaction when you pay. You’ll always get the lowest available fee and there are no extra foreign transaction charges.
Conclusion - Currency in Oman
You won’t be able to pay in GBP when you visit Oman - so learning about the currency you need is essential. Whether you decide to use a travel debit card from a service like Wise , or stock up on OMR in cash in advance, knowing the mid-market exchange rate can help you get the best available deal. Use this guide to learn all you need to know about the options, rates and fees for exchanging GBP to OMR, and make your money go further while you’re away.
The official currency in Oman is OMR. You can’t usually pay in British Pound in Oman, so you’ll need to plan in advance to get your travel money sorted. Consider ordering a travel debit card from a service like Wise, for low cost conversions to OMR and convenient spending and withdrawals - and remember that knowing the GBP to OMR mid-market exchange rate is essential to check you’re getting a fair deal on currency exchange.
FAQ - Currency in Oman
What is the currency in Oman called?
The official currency in Oman is the Omani Rial. You may also see the code OMR and the currency symbol ر.ع..
What's the currency in Muscat?
The official currency in Muscat is the Omani Rial. You’ll only be able to spend in OMR while you’re there.
What is the old Oman currency?
Today the currency in Oman is the Omani Rial. If you’re worried about currencies changing, why not get a travel debit card from a service like Wise which will automatically pick the currency needed in your destination when making a payment - with no penalties or inflated fees.
What is the best currency to take to Oman?
You’ll only be able to spend in OMR while you’re in Oman. Carrying some money in cash and using a travel debit card from a service like Wise is usually the best way to spend while you’re away from home.