Getting around

Every government advisory checked for this chapter still tells its citizens not to travel to Syria. This guide does not describe any road, city or region as safe. Read the current advisory of your own government before you book, and again before each long journey inside the country.

The UK (FCDO) advises against all travel to Syria because of unpredictable security conditions and the threat of terrorist attacks. It says road travel is very dangerous in many parts of the country, roads may be blocked without warning, there are security-force checkpoints on major routes, and driving at night is particularly dangerous. It names Suwayda (Sweida) province as an area where some places are controlled by local armed groups.

The US State Department keeps Syria at Level 4 – Do not travel (issued 7 August 2026). It warns of hostile activity, harassment or abduction at official and unofficial checkpoints, says it cannot recommend taxis or ride-shares in Syria, and notes that the US Embassy in Damascus has suspended operations.

Germany's Auswärtiges Amt keeps a travel warning for all of Syria (as of 30 October 2026). It says travel after dark should be avoided at all costs, warns of extensive and partly irregular checks at checkpoints (including demands for money), and mentions repeated shootings at buses and minibuses around Homs, bomb attacks in Damascus in summer 2026, kidnappings in the coastal region, Israeli military operations in Daraa and Quneitra, and fighting in Hasakah and Kobani in early 2026.

Canada says avoid all travel (updated 23 July 2026). It says roadblocks are common, including on highways linking Damascus to Aleppo, Jordan and Beirut, that you should never try to cross a roadblock even if it looks unattended, and that you should avoid driving or travelling after dark. France formally advises against travel to the whole country, including Damascus, Aleppo and Palmyra; the French page we saw carried old section dates (2022–2023), so check it directly. Australia says do not travel and warns that civilian airports, including Damascus and Aleppo, could come under attack.

UK FCDO

Advises against all travel to Syria (page updated 27 Oct 2026, still current 30 Oct 2026) as of October 30, 2026

US State Dept

Level 4 – Do not travel (issued 7 Aug 2026) as of August 7, 2026

Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)

Reisewarnung – travel warning for all of Syria as of October 30, 2026

France (Diplomatie)

Whole country 'formellement déconseillé' (formally advised against); page section dates 2022–2023 as of October 31, 2026

Canada

Avoid all travel (updated 23 Jul 2026) as of July 23, 2026

Australia (Smartraveller)

Do not travel (no update date shown on page) as of October 31, 2026

Travel insurance

FCDO: insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice as of July 22, 2026

Sources:

• UK FCDO – Syria travel advice (summary page) October 27, 2026
• UK FCDO – Syria: Safety and security September 2, 2026
• UK FCDO – Syria: Warnings and insurance July 22, 2026
• US Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory (Level 4) August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• France Diplomatie – Conseils aux voyageurs: Syrie
• Government of Canada – Travel advice: Syria July 23, 2026
• Australian Government Smartraveller – Syria

Damascus International Airport (DAM) and Aleppo International Airport (ALP) are the two airports with regular international flights. The UK FCDO says Damascus and Aleppo are operating with some international flights and that 'other airports remain closed'; that page predates or does not reflect the Deir ez-Zor reopening reported below, so treat it as a conflict between sources.

Damascus airport is about 25 km south-east of central Damascus. Aleppo airport is about 10–13 km east of central Aleppo. Both have official websites with airline lists, destinations and flight boards, and both advise you to confirm flight times with your airline.

Deir ez-Zor Airport returned to service on 5 August 2026 after rehabilitation, according to a SANA report carried by Arab News. Syrian Airlines flies there from Damascus, Jazeera Airways launched Kuwait flights on 8 August 2026, and LEAV Aviation began Cologne flights on 1 September 2026, per the same report. The airport's own website still describes services as being added gradually.

Qamishli Airport in the north-east has had no civilian operations since 8 December 2024. A preparatory flight from Damascus landed in February 2026. In September 2026 Wego said it remained closed pending rehabilitation, while SANA (via Arab News) said rehabilitation was in its final stages. No reopening date was found.

Latakia International Airport (formerly Bassel al-Assad International Airport, next to the Russian Hmeimim base) had no civilian airlines as of March 2026 per Wikipedia. On 28 September 2026 Arab News reported that Syria had begun restoring it after talks with Russia, with no timeline for passenger flights. Separately, SANA reported plans to open Mezzeh airport in Damascus to limited civilian (mainly private and executive) use and to build a new Aleppo airport; these are projects, not current services.

Damascus (DAM)

Open; main international airport; ~25 km SE of centre as of October 31, 2026

Aleppo (ALP)

Open; international flights; ~10–13 km E of centre as of October 31, 2026

Deir ez-Zor (DEZ)

Reopened 5 Aug 2026; domestic flight from Damascus plus Kuwait and Cologne services reported as of September 14, 2026

Qamishli (KAC)

No civilian flights; rehabilitation since Feb 2026; no reopening date as of September 14, 2026

Latakia (LTK)

Closed to civilian traffic; restoration announced Sep 2026, no timeline as of September 28, 2026

Renaming

Latakia: 'Bassel Al-Assad International Airport' until 2024 per Wikipedia (uncited); now referred to as Latakia International Airport as of September 28, 2026

Sources:

• UK FCDO – Syria travel advice (summary page) October 27, 2026
• UK FCDO – Syria: Safety and security September 2, 2026
• Wego Travel Blog – Syria airspace status: are Damascus flights operating? (first published 2026-04-09, updated 2026-09-10) September 10, 2026
• Damascus International Airport (official) – Airlines
• Aleppo International Airport (official) – Airlines
• Deir ez-Zor Airport (official website)
• Arab News (SANA report) – Syria's aviation revival gathers pace with new routes, airport projects September 14, 2026
• Arab News Pakistan – Syria moves to restore Latakia International Airport after Russian handover agreement September 28, 2026
• Wikipedia – Latakia International Airport
• Shafaq News – First civilian flight lands at Qamishli Airport under SDF–Damascus deal February 21, 2026
• Syrian Guides – Entering Syria in 2026 guide (published 2025-05-15, modified 2026-08-07) August 7, 2026
• Damascus International Airport (official) – home page
• Aleppo International Airport (official) – home page

Flights to Syria were badly disrupted in 2026 by the regional war involving Iran. On 28 February 2026 Syria closed its southern air corridors. Northern corridors and Aleppo airport reopened on 3–4 March, while Damascus airport stayed closed until all corridors reopened on 8 April 2026, after a US–Iran ceasefire, according to Enab Baladi.

On 8 June 2026 Syria's civil aviation authority again closed the southern corridors and suspended Damascus airport operations until 11 p.m. that day; some Syrian Airlines flights were moved to Aleppo (SP Today). Many foreign airlines restarted Syria flights around 1 May 2026 after the spring suspension (Middle East Monitor).

The UK FCDO warns travellers to be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and airports that could close at short notice. Germany says that in an escalation there can be massive restrictions up to complete airspace closures, as happened in spring 2026. Wego reported that the European aviation regulator EASA still advises its operators not to use the Damascus flight information region, in a bulletin valid until 31 October 2026, and the US State Department says the FAA prohibits US flights in Syrian airspace.

Spring 2026 closure

Southern corridors closed 28 Feb; Aleppo reopened 4 Mar; Damascus reopened 8 Apr 2026 as of April 2026

June 2026 closure

Damascus airport suspended on 8 Jun 2026 (until 23:00) as of June 8, 2026

EASA bulletin

CZIB-2017-03R19 advises EASA operators not to use the Damascus FIR; valid to 31 Oct 2026 (as reported by Wego) as of September 10, 2026

US carriers

FAA prohibits US flights within Syrian airspace as of August 7, 2026

Sources:

• UK FCDO – Syria: Warnings and insurance July 22, 2026
• US Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory (Level 4) August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• Enab Baladi (English) – Syria reopens airspace and Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon (April 2026)
• SP Today – Damascus airport suspended amid airspace closure (June 2026)
• Wego Travel Blog – Syria airspace status: are Damascus flights operating? (first published 2026-04-09, updated 2026-09-10) September 10, 2026
• Middle East Monitor – 12 airlines resume flights to and from Syria May 1, 2026

The official Damascus airport website lists 17 airlines: Syrian Airlines, Fly Cham, Turkish Airlines, AJet, Qatar Airways, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Royal Jordanian, flynas, flyadeal, Salam Air, Sundair, LEAV Aviation and Dan Air. Its destinations page includes Istanbul (both airports), Ankara, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Kuwait, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Amman, Muscat, Baghdad, Erbil, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Vienna, Amsterdam and Moscow, plus Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor. Neither page gives dates, so it is not a timetable.

The official Aleppo airport website lists 13 airlines: Fly Cham, Syrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus, SunExpress, Royal Jordanian, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai, flynas, LEAV Aviation and Dan Air. Its destinations include Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, Amman, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Erbil and Cologne.

Fly Cham is a private Syrian airline that took over Cham Wings and began flying on 11 June 2025, with hubs in Damascus and Aleppo. Syrian Airlines (Syrian Air) is the national carrier; it resumed Amsterdam–Damascus on 2 July 2026 per Syrian Guides and SANA.

Emirates is not on the current Damascus airport list. Air Journal reported on 1 August 2026 that Emirates' Damascus route, stopped in November 2025, remained suspended with no return date. Saudia filed plans to restart Damascus in February 2026 (AeroRoutes, November 2025), but it is not on the official airline list we saw and we could not confirm that it flies. Middle East Airlines and Gulf Air were not found on either official list. Aegean Airlines plans Athens–Damascus from 2 December 2026, up to four times a week.

Routes change often and some were suspended at short notice in 2026. Book only flights you can see in the airline's own booking system, and check the airport's flight board a day before you travel.

Qatar Airways

Doha–Damascus resumed 7 Jan 2025 as of January 3, 2025

Royal Jordanian

Amman–Damascus resumed end of Jan 2025 (4 weekly at start); also serves Aleppo as of January 16, 2025

Turkish Airlines

Istanbul–Damascus resumed 23 Jan 2025; restarted after spring suspension around 1 May 2026; also serves Aleppo as of May 1, 2026

Fly Cham

Started 11 Jun 2025 (successor of Cham Wings); Damascus and Aleppo hubs as of December 2025

Pegasus

Istanbul SAW–Aleppo from 2 Jun 2026 (3 weekly); SAW–Damascus from 3 Jun 2026 (4 weekly) as of May 20, 2026

flynas

Riyadh–Aleppo from 1 Aug 2026; Jeddah–Damascus 2 daily from 25 Oct 2026; also Riyadh and Dammam–Damascus as of October 9, 2026

Jazeera Airways

Kuwait–Aleppo from 25 Jun 2026; Kuwait–Damascus four daily from 14 Jul 2026; Kuwait–Deir ez-Zor from 8 Aug 2026 as of September 14, 2026

Kuwait Airways

Returned to Damascus in July 2026 (15 Jul per Syrian Guides) as of July 17, 2026

Etihad

Abu Dhabi–Damascus daily from 15 Jul 2026 (up from 4 weekly) as of July 17, 2026

Air Arabia

Sharjah–Aleppo daily from 4 Jul 2026; Air Arabia Abu Dhabi–Aleppo 3 weekly; both also serve Damascus as of July 17, 2026

flydubai

Listed at Damascus; Dubai–Aleppo daily from 20 Jul 2026 as of September 14, 2026

SunExpress

Antalya and Izmir–Aleppo, expected from 1–2 Aug 2026 (2 weekly) as of July 17, 2026

LEAV Aviation

German carrier; Düsseldorf–Damascus from 29 Jul 2026; Cologne–Deir ez-Zor from 1 Sep 2026 as of September 14, 2026

Dan Air

Bucharest–Damascus; Bucharest–Aleppo from 1 Jul 2026 as of July 17, 2026

Aegean Airlines

Athens–Damascus planned from 2 Dec 2026, up to 4 weekly as of October 7, 2026

Emirates

Damascus suspended since Nov 2025; no return date (Aug 2026) as of August 1, 2026

Saudia

Planned Damascus restart Feb 2026; not confirmed operating as of November 17, 2025

Sources:

• Syrian Guides – Syria flights July 2026: new Damascus & Aleppo routes July 17, 2026
• Middle East Monitor – 12 airlines resume flights to and from Syria May 1, 2026
• Damascus International Airport (official) – Airlines
• Damascus International Airport (official) – Destinations
• Aleppo International Airport (official) – Airlines
• Aleppo International Airport (official) – Destinations
• Arab News (SANA report) – Syria's aviation revival gathers pace with new routes, airport projects September 14, 2026
• Air Journal – Emirates ajuste son réseau régional: Téhéran et Damas restent à l'arrêt August 1, 2026
• AeroRoutes – Pegasus adds Syria service from June 2026 May 20, 2026
• AeroRoutes – flynas expands Jeddah–Damascus flights in NW26 October 9, 2026
• Greek City Times – Greece's AEGEAN launches direct Athens–Damascus flights October 7, 2026
• AeroRoutes – Saudia intends to resume Damascus service in 1Q26 November 17, 2025
• flynas (official) – flynas celebrates launch of first direct flights between Riyadh and Aleppo August 1, 2026
• Enab Baladi (English) – With four weekly flights, Royal Jordanian resumes flights to Damascus January 16, 2025
• Enab Baladi (English) – Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Syria
• Gulf News – After 13 years, Qatar Airways to resume flights to Syria January 3, 2025
• Wikipedia – Fly Cham

Domestic flying is very limited. The Damascus airport destinations page lists Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor, each with only one or two flights in the listing. SANA (via Arab News) reported that Syrian Airlines flies Damascus–Deir ez-Zor since the airport reopened in August 2026.

We found no published schedule or fare for Damascus–Aleppo or Damascus–Deir ez-Zor. Check Syrian Airlines directly. Qamishli and Latakia had no civilian flights at the time of checking.

Damascus–Deir ez-Zor

Syrian Airlines, since Aug 2026; schedule not published in sources found as of September 14, 2026

Damascus–Aleppo

Listed as a destination on the Damascus airport site; frequency unclear as of October 31, 2026

Sources:

• Damascus International Airport (official) – Destinations
• Arab News (SANA report) – Syria's aviation revival gathers pace with new routes, airport projects September 14, 2026

Damascus: the airport says licensed taxis work from the arrivals area. In Your Pocket (modified 21 October 2026) says an Orbis taxi desk in the arrivals hall sells pre-booked rides at a fixed 4,000 SYP (about USD 30), which it calls relatively high. Yellow taxis outside can be negotiated, possibly to around 1,500 SYP. Ride-hailing apps such as YallaGo, Zakinn and ElectroTaxi usually charge about 2,000–3,000 SYP to the centre, per the same source. The drive takes about 30–45 minutes.

There is an airport bus between the terminal and Al-Baramkeh (Baramkeh garage), south of the National Museum in central Damascus. In Your Pocket and Walk Beside give the fare as 500 SYP (new pounds), paid in cash to the driver, and describe a timetable announced in October 2026 with departures roughly hourly in the daytime plus night departures at 01:00 and 04:00. The airport's own FAQ says buses run every 30–60 minutes. Check the time at the airport.

Private drivers listed by In Your Pocket charge around USD 20–25 for an airport run (2026). Several car-rental firms have desks at or deliver to Damascus airport (see Car rental).

Aleppo: the airport FAQ says licensed taxis work from the arrivals area. Walk Beside says an Aleppo airport bus is planned but not running. We found no reliable 2026 fare for Aleppo airport to the city. Deir ez-Zor airport is about 7 km south-east of the city; no ground-transport information was published.

Prices in Syria are now quoted in new Syrian pounds (two zeros removed; new notes from 1 January 2026). Older guides quote figures 100 times higher, for example 250,000 SYP for the Damascus airport taxi desk, which equals 2,500 new SYP. Always confirm which pound a driver means.

DAM taxi desk (Orbis)

4,000 SYP fixed (~USD 30) as of October 21, 2026

DAM yellow taxi (negotiated)

around 1,500 SYP as of October 21, 2026

DAM ride-hailing app

about 2,000–3,000 SYP to centre as of October 21, 2026

Older quote (old pounds)

Taxi stand ~250,000 old SYP; apps ~200,000 old SYP (Way4i citing In Your Pocket, mid-2026) as of July 15, 2026

DAM airport bus

500 SYP, Baramkeh ↔ airport, cash as of October 2026

Private driver, DAM airport

USD 20–25 as of October 4, 2026

Journey time DAM–centre

30–45 min as of August 7, 2026

ALP–centre

Licensed taxis; ~20–30 min; fare not verified; airport bus planned as of August 2026

Sources:

• Damascus International Airport (official) – FAQ
• Aleppo International Airport (official) – FAQ
• Deir ez-Zor Airport (official website)
• In Your Pocket – A guide to Damascus Airport (published 2026-06-19, modified 2026-10-21) October 21, 2026
• Syrian Guides – Entering Syria in 2026 guide (published 2025-05-15, modified 2026-08-07) August 7, 2026
• In Your Pocket – Taxis, drivers and guides (published 2026-03-04, modified 2026-10-04) October 4, 2026
• Way4i – Damascus Transport Hub (content 'as of 15 July 2026', modified 2026-10-13) October 13, 2026
• Walk Beside (Syrian travel agency) – Syria travel guide 2026 (budget guide) July 19, 2026
• The National – Syria to introduce new banknotes on January 1 (search snippet only) December 25, 2025

Yellow (and some white) taxis are common in Damascus. Travel guides advise agreeing the fare, in Syrian pounds, before you get in. We found no 2026 source confirming that meters are used; a Damascus meter tariff from 2023 exists but is outdated after the currency change.

Several local ride-hailing apps operate. They show an estimated fare before you confirm and let you see the driver's name and car. An Enab Baladi report (June 2025) found an app ride cheaper than a street taxi on the same Damascus route (about 42,000 vs 55,000 old SYP, i.e. 420 vs 550 new SYP). Payment is mostly in cash. In Your Pocket says a local phone number is usually needed. App names and details are listed in the site's apps section (for example YallaGo, Zakinn, ElectroTaxi, Shahm Taxi, and Waddini in Aleppo).

No source checked showed Uber or Careem operating in Syria. The US State Department says it cannot recommend the use of taxis and ride-shares in Syria. Women travellers should note Germany's warning about an increased risk of assault at checkpoints and Canada's warning about crime after dark.

Street taxi fare

Negotiate before departure; meters not confirmed as of July 19, 2026

Example (June 2025)

al-Dweila–al-Mazzeh, Damascus: ~550 new SYP street taxi vs ~420 by app (quoted as 55,000/42,000 old SYP) as of June 2025

App payment

Mostly cash as of June 2025

US advice

Cannot recommend taxis and ride-shares in Syria as of August 7, 2026

Sources:

• US Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory (Level 4) August 7, 2026
• In Your Pocket – A guide to Damascus Airport (published 2026-06-19, modified 2026-10-21) October 21, 2026
• Way4i – Damascus Transport Hub (content 'as of 15 July 2026', modified 2026-10-13) October 13, 2026
• Enab Baladi (English) – Ride-hailing apps in Syria: safer and cheaper (June 2025)
• Walk Beside (Syrian travel agency) – Syria travel guide 2026 (budget guide) July 19, 2026

Shared minibuses ('servees') run fixed routes in cities and between towns and are the cheapest way to move. They are mostly used by locals, signs are usually in Arabic only, and you pay in cash. Way4i advises against using them on your first arrival, with luggage, or when time matters.

We found no current (2026) official fare table for city buses or servees in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs or Latakia. Walk Beside lists minibus pick-up points in Aleppo, Latakia and Deir ez-Zor but no fares. Germany's advisory mentions repeated shootings at buses and minibuses in the Homs area.

Sources:

• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• Way4i – Damascus Transport Hub (content 'as of 15 July 2026', modified 2026-10-13) October 13, 2026
• Walk Beside (Syrian travel agency) – Syria travel guide 2026 (budget guide) July 19, 2026

Buses and shared minibuses connect the main cities. In Damascus, long-distance services to the north (Homs, Aleppo, Latakia, Palmyra) traditionally leave from the Harasta 'Pullman' garage on the Damascus–Homs road, about 5 km north-east of the centre; Way4i notes this is based on older route information. Services towards Jordan and Lebanon use other garages, and several bus companies to Amman leave from near Al-Qadam railway station.

Walk Beside (a Syrian travel agency) published approximate 2026 fares in new Syrian pounds: for example Damascus–Tartus about 850 SYP, Damascus–Latakia 1,000–1,300 SYP, Homs–Damascus 550–750 SYP, Damascus–Palmyra 750–1,000 SYP and Aleppo–Homs 850 SYP. It says fares vary by company and vehicle type. These are indicative only.

We could not verify current operators (such as Al-Qadmous or other well-known Syrian coach firms), their booking channels or a Damascus–Aleppo fare from a 2026 source. Ask your hotel or the bus garage the day before. Daytime travel matters: Germany, Canada and the UK all warn against moving after dark.

Damascus–Tartus

~850 SYP (~USD 7) as of July 19, 2026

Damascus–Latakia

1,000–1,300 SYP (~USD 8–11) as of July 19, 2026

Homs–Damascus

550–750 SYP (~USD 4.5–6) as of July 19, 2026

Aleppo–Homs

~850 SYP (~USD 7) as of July 19, 2026

Hama–Aleppo

~500 SYP (~USD 4) as of July 19, 2026

Aleppo–Latakia

~750 SYP (~USD 6.5) as of July 19, 2026

Damascus–Palmyra

750–1,000 SYP as of July 19, 2026

Deir ez-Zor–Damascus

~1,250 SYP (~USD 10) as of July 19, 2026

Northbound garage, Damascus

Harasta 'Pullman' garage, Damascus–Homs road (older information) as of July 15, 2026

Sources:

• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• Government of Canada – Travel advice: Syria July 23, 2026
• Way4i – Damascus Transport Hub (content 'as of 15 July 2026', modified 2026-10-13) October 13, 2026
• Walk Beside (Syrian travel agency) – Syria travel guide 2026 (budget guide) July 19, 2026
• In Your Pocket – Damascus transport listings (bus companies, car rental, taxis)

Syria's railways (CFS / General Establishment of Syrian Railways) are being repaired but we found no regular, bookable intercity passenger service in 2026. A trial passenger run between Aleppo and Hama took place on 6 August 2025, the first since 2012; no timetable or fare was published.

SANA reported free passenger trains between Al-Qadam station in Damascus and the Damascus International Fair grounds during the 62nd Damascus International Fair (the article gives no calendar date), and rehabilitation work on the Tartus port–Tellkalakh line. In May 2026 Enab Baladi reported (headline seen in search results) that the Latakia–Adra line restarted for freight only. The historic Hejaz station in central Damascus is a landmark, not a working station. Do not plan a trip around trains unless you can see a current official timetable.

Regular intercity passenger trains

None confirmed for 2026 as of October 31, 2026

Aleppo–Hama

Trial passenger run 6 Aug 2025; no regular service confirmed as of August 8, 2025

Latakia–Adra line

Restarted for freight only (May 2026) as of May 2026

Sources:

• Way4i – Damascus Transport Hub (content 'as of 15 July 2026', modified 2026-10-13) October 13, 2026
• Enab Baladi (English) – After 13 years of suspension, the Aleppo–Hama train returns to service August 8, 2025
• Wikipedia – Rail transport in Syria
• SANA – Railways resume free passenger trips Qadam–Madinat al-Ma'arid during the 62nd Damascus International Fair
• SANA – Tartus railway branch completes first phase of line rehabilitation (Tartus port–Tellkalakh)
• Enab Baladi (English) – Latakia–Adra freight rail line restarts after 14 years (search result title only)

Car rental is new in Syria and no big international brands operate yet (In Your Pocket, October 2026). Local firms include Auris (Turkish, desks at Damascus airport and offices in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs), Syrents (Damascus, airport delivery, one-way rentals), Horses Car Rental (from about USD 15 per day) and Beit al Salam (Old Town hostel). Payment and deposits are usually in cash: Syrents asks a USD 150 refundable deposit, Beit al Salam USD 500. Many firms also offer a car with driver.

Licence rules differ by source. Germany and Canada say an International Driving Permit is required (Germany: valid only together with your national licence). In Your Pocket says rental firms do not ask for one but recommends carrying it. Carry both. Canada adds a minimum age of 18, a certificate of third-party insurance, and zero tolerance for alcohol. The UK says that a driver involved in an accident with a pedestrian is likely to be held legally responsible.

In Your Pocket gives speed limits of 40–60 km/h in towns and 80–100 km/h on highways and warns of city gridlock at rush hours, regular checkpoints and potholes. The UK, Germany and Canada all describe poor roads, poor driving standards and a high accident rate. We could not verify current fuel prices or fuel availability from a 2026 source.

International Driving Permit

Required (Germany, Canada); not asked by rental firms (In Your Pocket) as of October 30, 2026

Deposit

Usually cash; USD 150 (Syrents) to USD 500 (Beit al Salam) as of October 2, 2026

Daily rate

From about USD 15/day (Horses Car Rental listing) as of October 31, 2026

Speed limits

40–60 km/h urban; 80–100 km/h highways as of October 2, 2026

Minimum driving age

18; third-party insurance certificate required as of July 23, 2026

Fuel price

Not verified as of October 31, 2026

Sources:

• UK FCDO – Syria: Safety and security September 2, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• Government of Canada – Travel advice: Syria July 23, 2026
• In Your Pocket – Car rental in Syria (published 2026-05-09, modified 2026-10-02) October 2, 2026
• In Your Pocket – Damascus transport listings (bus companies, car rental, taxis)

Checkpoints are frequent on main roads and at city entrances. Carry your passport (with visa or entry stamp) at all times and keep it ready. Canada says never try to pass a roadblock, even if it looks unattended. Australia advises not to use your phone at checkpoints. Germany warns that checks may be irregular and may include demands for money, gunfire or arbitrary arrest, and that photographing military sites is banned and interpreted broadly.

Roads may close without warning. Canada names roadblocks on the highways from Damascus to Aleppo, Jordan and Beirut. Every advisory that addresses it warns against travelling after dark: the UK says driving at night is particularly dangerous, Germany says moving after dark should be avoided at all costs, and Canada says avoid driving after dark. The US says it is very difficult to see pedestrians at night.

Plan long journeys to finish well before sunset, tell someone your route, and check local news on the morning you travel.

Night travel

Advised against by UK, Germany, Canada as of October 30, 2026

Roadblocks

Common incl. Damascus–Aleppo, Damascus–Jordan, Damascus–Beirut highways (Canada) as of July 23, 2026

Checkpoint risks

Harassment or abduction at official and unofficial checkpoints (US) as of August 7, 2026

Sources:

• UK FCDO – Syria: Safety and security September 2, 2026
• US Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory (Level 4) August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• Government of Canada – Travel advice: Syria July 23, 2026
• Australian Government Smartraveller – Syria

No official Syrian list of border crossings open to foreigners was found, and the UK entry-requirements page (updated 27 October 2026) does not name any. Germany says some crossings remain closed to passengers and others can close at short notice, and that Syrian visas cannot always be issued at land borders. The US says tourist visas can be issued on arrival when entering by land from Lebanon or Jordan, and that a departure tax is charged at land and sea borders. See the visa chapter for formalities.

Lebanon: the main crossing is Jdeidet Yabous (Syria) / Masnaa (Lebanon). It closed twice in spring 2026 after Israeli warnings and reopened on 9 April 2026, working around the clock (Enab Baladi). In Your Pocket (October 2026) says to cross Masnaa between 06:00 and 23:00 Syrian time and lists other crossings (Joussieh/Al-Qaa, Dabousiyeh/Aboudieh, Arida – reportedly foot traffic only) that you should check locally. Shared taxis from Beirut cost about USD 25–75 per seat and buses about USD 20–25; the trip takes about 3.5–4 hours. France (older text) says its citizens cannot get a visa at the border and that the Lebanon land route is limited for visas; check the visa chapter.

Jordan: buses run from Amman to Damascus and Aleppo (for example JETT, Al-Kamal, Al-Emprator); the trip takes about 4–8 hours depending on border checks (Walk Beside). The name and hours of the crossing were not confirmed from an official source in this pass. Iraq: Walk Beside reports a Baghdad–Damascus bus three times a week. Turkey: Walk Beside says crossing from Turkey is generally not possible for travellers who are not Syrian or Turkish nationals; Germany refers to a separate notice for leaving towards Turkey. Israel: entry from Israel is not permitted (US).

Jdeidet Yabous / Masnaa (Lebanon)

Open; reopened 9 Apr 2026 after closures; 24h per Enab Baladi, 06:00–23:00 per In Your Pocket as of October 30, 2026

Beirut–Damascus shared taxi

USD 25–75 per seat (varies by operator) as of October 30, 2026

Beirut–Damascus bus (Singer Tours)

USD 20–25 one way as of October 30, 2026

Amman–Damascus bus

Several companies; 4–8 h incl. border as of July 19, 2026

Visa at land border

Possible from Lebanon/Jordan (US); 'not always possible' (Germany) as of October 30, 2026

Departure tax

Payable at Syrian land and sea borders (amount not stated) as of August 7, 2026

Turkey

Generally not possible for foreigners (agency report, not official) as of July 19, 2026

Sources:

• UK FCDO – Syria: Entry requirements October 27, 2026
• US Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory (Level 4) August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• France Diplomatie – Conseils aux voyageurs: Syrie
• Australian Government Smartraveller – Syria
• Enab Baladi (English) – Syria reopens airspace and Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon (April 2026)
• Walk Beside (Syrian travel agency) – Syria travel guide 2026 (budget guide) July 19, 2026
• In Your Pocket – Travelling from Lebanon to Syria (published 2026-03-01, modified 2026-10-30) October 30, 2026
• In Your Pocket – Damascus transport listings (bus companies, car rental, taxis)

Explosive remnants of the war are a serious risk across Syria. HALO Trust, quoted by Al-Monitor on 1 September 2026, said someone becomes a casualty about every six hours; at least 2,375 people, including more than 850 children, were killed or injured by unexploded ordnance between December 2024 and September 2026, per UN Mine Action Service-led counts. More than 60% of incidents happen on farmland and grazing land.

The UK says major routes and populated areas are largely clear but risk remains in rural and less populated areas, and you should not step off roads and paved areas without an experienced guide. The US says to stay off roadside ditches, shoulders and unmarked trails. Germany warns that entering empty houses and plots can be fatal and that booby traps occur especially in the north and east.

Practical rules: stay on paved, well-used surfaces; do not enter damaged or empty buildings; do not touch unknown objects; at archaeological sites use only marked paths and go with a local guide.

UXO casualties Dec 2024–Sep 2026

At least 2,375 killed or injured (UNMAS-led count via HALO/Al-Monitor) as of September 1, 2026

Rate

About one casualty every six hours (HALO) as of September 1, 2026

Highest-risk land

Farmland and grazing land (>60% of incidents) as of September 1, 2026

Sources:

• UK FCDO – Syria: Safety and security September 2, 2026
• US Department of State – Syria Travel Advisory (Level 4) August 7, 2026
• Auswärtiges Amt – Syrien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung) October 29, 2026
• Al-Monitor – Syria UXO causing death or injury every six hours: charity (HALO Trust) September 1, 2026
• HALO Trust USA – Syria landmine crisis spirals as millions begin to return home February 3, 2025