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A Friend’s Journey: UmrahPlus Oman

The other day over teh tarik, my friend Jamal leaned in with a grin.
“Bro, I just came back from Umrah,” he said, “but I didn’t fly direct.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Then how?”

“Oman Air,” he replied. “Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah, but with a 7-hour transit in Muscat. I got to see Oman—even just for a while.”

That caught my attention. Jamal isn’t the type to splurge on extra trips. He’s practical, always looking for value—but also curious about the world. So, I asked him to tell me everything, and here’s what I’m now sharing with you.

The Oman Air Experience

Jamal didn’t find this route by chance—he hunted for it. He set a price alert on Trip.com and waited patiently. A few weeks later, the notification popped up: a fare within his budget. He booked on the spot, knowing good Umrah deals vanish quickly.

(You can try the same method — here’s the Trip.com price alert link to set yours.)

He flew Economy Class, which he said was comfortable without being over the top:

• Hot meals on both legs.
• USB port & power outlet.
• Seatback entertainment with Quran recitations and movies.
• Wi-Fi available for a small fee.

He was especially happy about the baggage allowance:

• Carry-on: 7 kg.
• Checked: 20 kg.
• No need to collect or re-check baggage in Muscat—everything was handled until Jeddah.

How Jamal Found the Deal

Here’s how Jamal snagged the fare:

1. Went to Trip.com and searched for Kuala Lumpur → Jeddah (return).
2. Selected his travel dates or a flexible range.
3. Clicked “Set Price Alert” to let the system track fares.
4. Waited for the alert—then booked immediately when the price dropped.

(Set your price alert now with this affiliate link. )

A Glimpse of Muscat

With about 7 hours in transit, Jamal decided to step out and explore a little. He saw:

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (20 mins) – breathtaking architecture.
• Mutrah Corniche & Souq (15 mins) – scent of frankincense, small keepsakes like silver pendants (OMR 2–5) or Omani halwa.
• Al Alam Palace (15 mins) – regal in blue and gold.
• Corniche – peaceful walk by the sea.
• Bait Al Zubair Museum (10 mins) – history via swords, khanjars, Bedouin crafts; entry 2 OMR (~RM 25).

He told me it wasn’t about ticking off attractions—it was about enjoying a short window into another world before reaching the Holy Land.

Oman Visa: What Malaysian Travelers Should Know

Jamal also checked visa rules before his trip. Here's what he found:

• Visa-free entry: Malaysians can enter Oman without a visa for up to 14 days, as long as they have a valid passport (≥ 6 months), a return ticket, confirmed hotel reservation, travel insurance, and proof of funds.
  Foreign Ministry of Oman oman-evisa.com
• Transit without visa: If you're not leaving the airport and your baggage is checked through, you don't need a transit visa.
• Airport Transit Visa (up to 72 hours): Airlines can arrange a transit visa (valid up to 72 hours) on behalf of passengers, but since Jamal exited the airport, he needed regular entry eligibility.

So for short transits like his—exiting the airport for sightseeing—Malaysians are covered under visa-free entry.

The Money Side

Jamal warned me about the Omani Rial’s strength—about RM 11= 1 OMR. His Muscat expenses included:

• Taxi (~6 OMR ≈ RM 66).
• Light lunch (~3 OMR ≈ RM 33).
• Souvenirs (~5 OMR ≈ RM 55).

He considered bus No. 1A (0.5 OMR, ~RM 6) to Mutrah, but he didn’t dare try it this time. He kept his spending modest, focusing on the journey ahead.

How It Compared

Jamal’s rough costs per person:

• Oman Air return ticket: RM 2,500–2,800 (sale fare).
• Muscat transit expenses: RM 150–200.
• Total: RM 2,650–3,000.

Meanwhile, direct flights at that time were around RM 3,200–3,500. So he saved a few hundred ringgit—and got a mini-adventure.

Comparing the Routes to Jeddah

Why This Route Resonates

• Spiritual Calm: Muscat’s serenity offers a peaceful pause before entering Makkah.
• Cost Clarity: Baggage and meals included on Oman Air fare—no surprise fees.
• Human Pace: No rushing through mega-terminals; just quiet moments by the sea and fellow feeling.

His Takeaway

“The Umrah itself is the heart of the journey,” Jamal told me. “But Allah sometimes gives you little extras—like a chance to see a new land, meet someone kind, or watch the sea before entering Makkah. That 7-hour stop in Oman felt like a bonus blessing.”

That’s why I’m sharing his story—not to compare which route is best—but to show that UmrahPlus Oman can be a thoughtful, affordable, and enriching choice for those open to a slightly different path.