Getting Around Syria
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use microbuses and taxis for Damascus and Aleppo. Rural: Rent a car for Palmyra exploration. Coast: Buses and shared taxis. For convenience, book airport transfers from Damascus to your destination.
Train Travel
Syrian Railways Network
Limited but improving rail services connecting major cities like Damascus and Aleppo with scheduled departures.
Cost: Damascus to Aleppo SYP 5,000-10,000, journeys 4-6 hours between key routes.
Tickets: Purchase at stations or through local agents. Cash payments preferred, limited online options.
Peak Times: Avoid Friday mornings and holiday periods for better availability and seating.
Rail Passes
Multi-journey tickets available for frequent travelers, offering discounts on repeated routes for SYP 20,000-30,000.
Best For: Multiple stops along the Damascus-Homs-Aleppo line, savings for 3+ trips.
Where to Buy: Major stations in Damascus or Aleppo, or through railway offices with ID required.
Regional Connections
Hijaz Railway remnants connect to Jordan borders, with limited services to Latakia and Tartus ports.
Booking: Advance purchase recommended for international links, discounts for groups up to 30%.
Main Stations: Damascus Central is the hub, with connections to Homs and Deir ez-Zor lines.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Useful for rural sites like Bosra and Apamea. Compare rental prices from SYP 50,000-100,000/day at Damascus Airport and cities.
Requirements: International license, passport, deposit; minimum age 21-25 with local insurance.
Insurance: Mandatory third-party coverage, full options add SYP 10,000-20,000 per rental.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 100 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal on main roads like M5, occasional checkpoints may charge small fees.
Priority: Yield to roundabouts and oncoming traffic on narrow roads, pedestrians in medinas.
Parking: Free in rural areas, paid zones SYP 1,000-2,000/hour in Damascus old city.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel available at SYP 4,000-5,000/liter for petrol, stations in cities but sparse in remote areas.
Apps: Use offline Google Maps or Maps.me due to variable signal in rural Syria.
Traffic: Heavy in Damascus rush hours, caution for checkpoints and road conditions.
Urban Transport
Damascus Metro & Trams
Emerging light rail in Damascus, single ticket SYP 500, day pass SYP 2,000, multi-ride cards SYP 5,000.
Validation: Tickets bought at kiosks, validate on board; random checks common.
Apps: Local transport apps for routes and schedules, though English limited.
Bike Rentals
Bike shares in Aleppo and Damascus souks, SYP 2,000-5,000/day with stations in tourist areas.
Routes: Flat paths along Euphrates and in coastal cities like Latakia.
Tours: Guided eco-tours in safer zones, combining history with cycling.
Buses & Local Services
Public buses and microbuses cover cities and intercity routes via state operators.
Tickets: SYP 200-500 per ride, pay driver or at stops with cash only.
Coastal Lines: Frequent services to Tartus and Banias, SYP 1,000-3,000 for longer trips.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near souks in cities for easy access, central Damascus or Aleppo Old Town for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for spring (March-May) and major festivals like Eid.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for security-related travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, security, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Improving 4G in cities like Damascus, 3G in rural areas with ongoing expansions.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from SYP 5,000 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Syriatel and MTN Syria offer prepaid SIMs from SYP 5,000-10,000 with urban coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, phone shops, or markets with passport registration required.
Data Plans: 2GB for SYP 10,000, 5GB for SYP 20,000, unlimited for SYP 30,000/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, cafes, and some souks; public access improving in tourist zones.
Public Hotspots: Major squares and stations offer limited free WiFi.
Speed: 5-50 Mbps in cities, suitable for messaging and maps.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET), UTC+2, daylight saving March-October (EEST, UTC+3).
- Airport Transfers: Damascus Airport 25km from city center, taxi SYP 5,000 (30 min), or book private transfer for SYP 10,000-20,000.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus stations (SYP 2,000-5,000/day) and hotels in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and taxis vary, historic sites like Krak des Chevaliers have steps and uneven paths.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses with carrier (small fee SYP 1,000), check accommodation policies.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on buses off-peak for SYP 2,000, easier on trains if available.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Syria
Damascus International Airport (DAM) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Damascus International (DAM): Primary gateway, 25km southeast of city with taxi connections.
Aleppo International (ALP): Regional hub 10km from city, bus to center SYP 2,000 (20 min).
Latakia Airport (LTK): Coastal access with limited flights, convenient for northwest Syria.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for spring travel (March-May) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Beirut or Amman and taking bus to Syria for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Cham Wings, Flynas, and Air Arabia serve Damascus with Middle East connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Available in cities, fees SYP 1,000-2,000, use bank machines; USD often preferred.
- Credit Cards: Visa limited, Mastercard in hotels; cash dominant in markets.
- Contactless Payment: Emerging in urban areas, but cash recommended for reliability.
- Cash: Essential for transport, vendors; keep SYP 50,000-100,000 and some USD.
- Tipping: Not customary, small amounts SYP 500-1,000 for good service in restaurants.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid informal exchangers with variable rates.