Traveling to Syria in 2025: Updated Guide
After the liberation and the fall of the Assad regime, Syria has become a more accessible and welcoming destination for travelers. To help you plan your visit, here’s everything you need to know about arriving, exploring, and experiencing Syria in 2025.
Arriving in Syria
By Air:
If you are flying directly to Damascus or Aleppo airports, the airline companies may request a visa document. If you hold EU nationality and are joining one of our private tours or group tours, we can assist in issuing this visa document for you. This service is currently only available for EU citizens.
Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Royal Jordanian Airlines now offer direct flights to Damascus International Airport and Aleppo International Airport all over the week.
By Land:
You can enter Syria through Lebanon or Jordan:
- Lebanese Borders: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM. The Masnaa–Jdeideh crossing is the only open border; all other crossings remain closed.
- Jordanian Borders: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 12:00 AM. The Naseeb-Jaber borders are the only open borders between Syria and Jordan.
Passport Stamping:
Entering from Damascus Airport, Aleppo Airport, Jordanian borders or Lebanese borders, your passport will be stamped.
Visa Fees
If you fly directly to Syria, visa fees apply. These fees vary based on nationality and are updated as of February 20, 2025, in line with the new structure for visa categories:
- EU Nationalities: $150 USD
- USA: $300 USD
- Canada: $125 USD
- UK: $250 USD
- New Zealand: $250 USD
- Australia: $150 USD
- Brazil: $40 USD
For land travelers, visa fees are not applicable. See the full list of visa fees here.
Border Procedures
- Lebanese Side: Your passport will be stamped with an entry when you enter and exit stamp upon departure.
- Syrian Side: Upon arrival on the Syrian side, you will be given a form to fill out, and they will stamp the form and your passport. No visa fees are required. If you are joining one of our tours, our tour guide will meet you and help you with the entry process.
Practical Tips
- Drones: Only permitted for journalists and require prior permission.
- Filming: Certain locations, such as prisons and palaces, also require permits. Contact us for assistance with applications.
- ATMs: Non-operational in Syria. Bring sufficient cash.
- Currency:
- Official rate: 13,000 SYP = 1 USD.
- Black market rate: ~11,000 SYP = 1 USD.
- Payments can now be made in USD or SYP. Euros are accepted at some hotels and stores.
Transportation
- Fuel: Available in all gas stations, priced at $1.16 per liter.
- Public Buses: Regular routes connect Damascus to Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Tartus, and Latakia.
- Private Transfers: Syrian Guides offers comfortable cars with skilled drivers—contact us for details.
- Taxis: You can use YallaGo application to book a taxi. You can download the app from here.
Alcohol Regulations
You are allowed to bring 1 bottle of alcohol when entering or leaving Syria. Just keep this in mind when preparing your travel plans.
Communication
- SIM Cards: Getting a SIM card in Syria is easy and affordable. All you need is your passport, and you can choose from a range of packages. Here are the available options and their approximate prices:
- 10GB – 13 USD
- 20GB – 15 USD
- 30GB – 20 USD
- 40GB – 25 USD
- 50GB – 30 USD
- E-SIMs are not available in Syria.
- Idlib: Syriatel and MTN operate here, and free public Wi-Fi is accessible in certain areas.
Accommodation
Hotels provide 24/7 electricity, hot water, and internet. Prices range from $40–$150, depending on location and quality.
Recommended Hotels:
- Damascus: Via Recta Hotel, Beit Al Mamluka, Beit Al Wali.
- Aleppo: Quattro Hotel, Rigga Palace, Laurus Hotel.
- Homs: Villa Rosa.
- Latakia: La Mira.
- Tartus: Royal Inn.
Safety and Security
All major cities—Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Palmyra, and Bosra—are safe to visit.
Roads: While most roads are in good condition, some, such as the M4 highway, are damaged due to the war. Avoid driving at night due to poor lighting and infrastructure.
Coastal Region: The coastal region is off-limits for the time being due to recent events. We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated.
Travel to Idlib
Idlib and its surrounding areas, including the UNESCO-listed Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, are now accessible. Be aware:
- Currency: USD, Turkish Lira, and SYP are accepted.
- Connectivity: Syriatel and MTN may not work here; you may need alternative SIM cards.
- Safety: The region is secure, with no recent airstrikes.
For Journalists
Journalists can apply for permission directly through this link. When applying, you should wait until you receive an email granting permission to enter the country. Bear in mind that without this permission, you cannot enter the country as a journalist. This process may take up to 10 days, sometimes longer. Once you receive this permission, you can enter the country. After entering, you will need to visit the Ministry of Tourism to obtain permission to conduct your journalistic activities in the country.
Once in Damascus, journalists can also visit the Ministry of Information to receive additional permits by hand. Popular sites such as Saydnaya Prison, security branches, and other government-related landmarks require a permit from the Ministry of Information. Contact us if you need assistance with the application process.
Explore Syria Through Youtubers’ Eyes
To get a glimpse of Syria’s transformation, you can watch videos from Youtubers who have recently visited Syria with Syrian Guides:
- Bald and Bankrupt: Undercover Inside Syria’s Billion Dollar Narco Empire
- Carrie Patsalis: Entering New Syria For The First Time, Was This A Good Idea?
- Doug Barnard: Inside Syria After the Fall of Assad
These videos showcase how Syria looks and feels in 2025, giving you a real sense of what to expect.
Final Notes
This article is regularly updated as conditions in Syria evolve. Feel free to contact us with any questions or for the latest information.