Syria’s official land border crossings recorded more than seven million passenger movements in the first half of 2026. This indicates the growing importance of overland travel between Syria and its neighboring countries.
Figures released by the General Authority for Borders and Customs show about 7.069 million crossings in both directions. These crossings occurred between Syria and Lebanon, Jordan, Türkiye, and Iraq. The figure reflects border movements, not seven million tourists; a traveler may enter and depart during the period. The figure represents border movements rather than seven million individual tourists, as the same traveler may have entered and departed during the reporting period.
Syria’s crossings with Lebanon handled 2.47 million passenger movements, the highest total among the four neighboring countries. Jdeidet Yabous, connected to Lebanon’s Masnaa crossing, recorded approximately 1.7 million movements. Jousieh received around 625,000, while Jisr Qamar handled approximately 100,000 after reopening in May.
For our guests arriving from Beirut, Jdeidet Yabous–Masnaa remains the principal route between Lebanon and Damascus. Its high passenger numbers confirm its central role for travelers, although busy periods can result in longer processing times at both sides of the border.
The Nasib crossing between Syria and Jordan recorded approximately 2.2 million passenger movements. It remains the main overland route for travelers entering Syria from Amman and for passengers continuing between Syria, Jordan and the Gulf countries.
Crossings with Türkiye handled approximately 2.013 million movements. The Salameh crossing in Aleppo province recorded around 1.04 million, followed by Bab al-Hawa with approximately 500,000. Other movements were recorded through Al-Rai, Kasab, Tal Abyad and Jarablus.
Syria’s border crossings with Iraq handled approximately 386,000 movements. These included passengers, truck drivers and other travelers using Al-Tanf, Al-Bukamal, Semalka and Al-Yarubiyah.
The figures also included approximately 391,000 Syrians who returned voluntarily during the reporting period. The largest number entered through Jousieh, followed by Salameh, Bab al-Hawa, Jdeidet Yabous and Nasib.
For Syrian Guides guests, the figures show that overland travel remains an important and widely used way to reach Syria. Beirut and Amman continue to provide the most practical international arrival points for travelers entering Damascus by road.
Guests should note that the passenger figures cover the first half of 2026 and do not automatically confirm the current status of every crossing. Al-Arida was temporarily closed to passenger traffic from 6 August for 15 days, despite recording approximately 45,000 movements during the earlier reporting period.
Syrian Guides follows the operational status of the main crossings and arranges private transfers from Beirut, Amman and the Syrian border. The most suitable route depends on the guest’s arrival city, itinerary and current border conditions.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency