Oman Car Rental - GMC Yukon Question (and day trip to Wadi Shab)
May 27, 2015, 4:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Dublin
Programs: Aer Lingus
Posts: 357
Oman Car Rental - GMC Yukon Question (and day trip to Wadi Shab)
Hi All,
Please excuse my ignorance here but I've never been to Oman and am looking for some advice. I am thinking of renting a large SUV (Listed as a GMC Yukon or similar on the Europcar website). My question is, in Oman would a car like this be a little too conspicuous and over the top? As a personal preference, I like big SUVs but not if it's going to stand out too much and potentially cause headaches from a personal security point of view? I also have an option of the Ford Explorer. Apologies if this sounds silly to someone with some local experience but thought I should just double check in advance.
Also, I believe day trips to Wadi Shab is doable from Muscat. Would you advise me to drive it myself or get a driver?
Thanks in advance.
Please excuse my ignorance here but I've never been to Oman and am looking for some advice. I am thinking of renting a large SUV (Listed as a GMC Yukon or similar on the Europcar website). My question is, in Oman would a car like this be a little too conspicuous and over the top? As a personal preference, I like big SUVs but not if it's going to stand out too much and potentially cause headaches from a personal security point of view? I also have an option of the Ford Explorer. Apologies if this sounds silly to someone with some local experience but thought I should just double check in advance.
Also, I believe day trips to Wadi Shab is doable from Muscat. Would you advise me to drive it myself or get a driver?
Thanks in advance.
May 27, 2015, 6:43 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, FM Prem, SPG gold
Posts: 581
I drove in a sedan in February. Was very easy, excluding the lack of advanced and accurate maps. Google doesn't do turn by turn.
As for your car choice I don't feel it would really stand out all that much. Parking was generally easy and free everywhere. On the corniche and in mutra may be the exception.
I would certainly suggest driving to wadi shab. Easy to find and great roads. Just keep an eye out for the regularly placed radar cameras.
As for your car choice I don't feel it would really stand out all that much. Parking was generally easy and free everywhere. On the corniche and in mutra may be the exception.
I would certainly suggest driving to wadi shab. Easy to find and great roads. Just keep an eye out for the regularly placed radar cameras.
May 28, 2015, 1:08 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I agree. You see way, way more Landcruisers than anything from GM. Note however that even though the website says Yukon, they might give you a Landcruiser anyways. If its important to you, give the rental facility in Oman a call during their business day and ask. I recall that Avis has Landcruisers BTW.
Aug 11, 2015, 3:48 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Dublin
Programs: Aer Lingus
Posts: 357
Hi All,
Apologies for the delayed update but I had an interesting experience with Europcar. They brought me a Landcruiser as ordered but it was about 5 or 6 years old, in poor overall condition and worn tires. I was very unimpressed so they brought me another. The second car was also in poor condition so they brought me a third. None of the electrics worked in the third Landcruiser!! Realising I was pushing my luck at this stage, I pretty much begged the (very patient) guy to bring me a decent car in good order. They put me into the car and took me to the garage where they basically let me choose whatever was there...so I ended up with a Yukon and had no issues like I initially worried about. I spent four days driving blissfully around this amazing country and Europcar assured my future custom with their (eventually) excellent customer service.
Apologies for the delayed update but I had an interesting experience with Europcar. They brought me a Landcruiser as ordered but it was about 5 or 6 years old, in poor overall condition and worn tires. I was very unimpressed so they brought me another. The second car was also in poor condition so they brought me a third. None of the electrics worked in the third Landcruiser!! Realising I was pushing my luck at this stage, I pretty much begged the (very patient) guy to bring me a decent car in good order. They put me into the car and took me to the garage where they basically let me choose whatever was there...so I ended up with a Yukon and had no issues like I initially worried about. I spent four days driving blissfully around this amazing country and Europcar assured my future custom with their (eventually) excellent customer service.