Nizwa is on the main inland highway about 165 km south-west of Muscat. The drive takes about an hour and forty minutes on a fast, well-maintained dual carriageway — one of the easiest roads in Oman.
ONTC public buses run several times a day from Muscat to Nizwa, with the trip taking around two hours and costing about 3 OMR. Shared taxis depart from Ruwi in Muscat when full and are faster but more expensive. Most travellers, however, hire a car at Muscat airport — the freedom to wander out to Jebel Akhdar, Jabrin, Bahla and Wadi Tanuf at their own pace more than justifies the cost.
The old Firq Air Base south of town no longer has commercial flights.