Syria: Can I go there? 

Although Syria has been involved in a civil war since 2011, it is safe for travelers to visit if they stay within the main cities and travel with a tour agency. Damascus International Airport is the largest airport in Syria. Although the airport has experienced a general decline in use since the onset of the civil war, it is still open to the public and Syria Air and Cham Wings provide flights to and from Damascus. Damascus International Airport has two terminals: one for domestic flights and the other for international flights. Flights into Syria only operate from 11 countries (Russia, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Sudan, Libya, Jordan, Abu Dhabi and Tunisia), so if coming from a country where these airlines don’t operate, passengers must take a connecting flight to one of the countries mentioned above. 

Getting into Syria

Despite the fact that the American government and many other international governments advise strongly against travelling to Syria and give it the highest danger rating, there are no restrictions on the movements of passengers. In order to enter Syria, passengers must have a valid passport which shows no evidence of travelling to Israel. Passengers who have traveled to Israel will be banned from entering Syria. 

Getting a tourist visa

Getting a tourist visa to Syria has changed in the past few years. Now, it is necessary for travelers to apply for a tourist visa through a certified travel agency (with whom passengers will be obliged to do a tour). The first thing the travel agency will do is run a background check on the travelers, which can take from 2 weeks to 2 months to receive. Once passengers have a received their clear background check, which is valid for 90 days, they can buy a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport. The cost of a 10 day tourist visa for American citizens is $160 USD. There is no way for passengers to get a background check done without also paying for a tour with a travel agency. However, once the background check and visa are obtained, it may be possible to travel around the country independently for 10 days. If doing this, it is imperative to stay within the tourist areas inside the cities. There are many dangerous or sensitive areas that are not open for tourists to explore, and entering these areas could result in being arrested.

Getting around Damascus Airport

After landing in the country, passengers will exit the plane and proceed to the security checks. Here, passengers will be required to show their background check (the airport database will also have a copy of this in its system) and after being approved, can buy a tourist visa. It is a good idea to change money to the Syrian Pound before entering the country, but passengers should always keep some US dollars with them in case of emergencies. The visa can be paid for with US dollars. After everything has been cleared, passengers will be able to pick up their luggage and leave the airport.

Damascus International Airport is located 30 minutes away from downtown Damascus (Umayyad Square). There are a few ways to get to Damascus from the airport, which are explained below. 

Taxi

Taxis are available 24 hours a day, and a taxi from the airport to downtown Damascus will cost around 500-700 Syrian Pounds. Passengers will be able to find taxis outside the international arrivals terminal, which are recognizable by their yellow color. It is recommended to ask the taxi driver to put the meter on to avoid overcharging. Taxi fares double after midnight. Most taxi drivers will only speak Arabic so it is recommended to learn basic Arabic words before traveling to Syria. 

Bus

There is one bus that operates between Damascus International Airport and central Damascus (Ali Ibn Abi Taleb Boulevard bus station in the Baramkeh district). The bus departs the airport every 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the time of day) and costs 100 Syrian Pounds. Passengers should ask airport staff where the bus stop is.

Rental Car

Damascus International Airport offers car rental services (with or without a driver) from the airport. There are several car rental companies located inside the airport, where passengers are able to book a car. These companies operate 24 hours a day so passengers can rent a car whenever they arrive. A petrol station is located at the entrance to the airport, so passengers are able to refill the rental car before returning it.

Which travel agency?

Many travel agencies offer tours in Syria, which involves arranging a security check for passengers.  It us up to the traveler to choose the best travel agency for their trip, most of which can be found in a Google search. It is a good idea to contact the travel agency a few months in advance to allow processing times for the security check.

Things to remember

The official language in Syria is Levantine Arabic, and although some locals may have a rudimentary understanding of English, it is helpful for travelers to learn some basic Arabic greetings and numbers. Although Syria is a predominantly Islamic country, with a the next biggest religion being Christianity, travelers don’t have to cover their arms, legs and heads as they do in other countries. When entering a mosque or church, visitors must wear long pants, but otherwise women and men can wear shorts and t-shirts. That said, it is recommended to always have a change of clothes in case the situation requires more modest clothes. Additionally, travelers should be careful to not take photos of any military property or personnel, as this is illegal.