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:
Qatar Airways now offers direct flights to Damascus International Airport three times a week on Monday, Friday, and Saturday:
- Flight QR410: Departs Doha at 8:35 AM, arrives in Damascus at 11:30 AM.
- Flight QR411: Departs Damascus at 1:30 PM, lands in Doha at 4:05 PM.
Turkish Airlines
Flights to Damascus resume on Jan. 23, 2025, with direct flights from Istanbul three times a week:
- Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays
- Departures from Istanbul at 9:00 AM.
- Return flights from Damascus International Airport operate on the same days.
Royal Jordanian Airlines
Flights resume 31 January 2025, after a 13-year suspension.
- Operates 4 times weekly between Amman and Damascus.
- Connects Damascus to 45+ destinations across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and the Gulf.
By Land:
You can enter Syria through Lebanon or Jordan:
- Lebanese Borders: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Masnaa–Jdeideh crossing is the only open border; all other crossings remain closed.
- Jordanian Borders: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM. The Naseeb-Jaber borders are the only open borders between Syria and Jordan.
Passport Stamping:
- Entering from Damascus Airport or Jordanian borders, your passport will be stamped.
- Entering from Lebanon, the stamp will be placed on a separate piece of paper, not in your passport.
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 exit stamp.
- Syrian Side: Upon arrival on the Syrian side, our tour guide will meet you and help you with the entry process. You will be given a form to fill out, and they will stamp the form. Keep this form because they will stamp it again on your way out. Instead of stamping your passport, you’ll receive a stamped entry card. No visa fees are required.
Note: Lebanese cars cannot enter Syria. You will change cars at the Lebanese borders. Our other driver will meet you after passport control on the Lebanese side to continue your journey to Damascus.
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.
- 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.
Communication
- SIM Cards: MTN and Syriatel offer affordable plans with 4G service (e.g., 50GB for $10). No phone registration is required. Virtual SIM cards are unavailable.
- Idlib: Syriatel and MTN don’t operate here, but 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: Rigga Palace, Laurus Hotel.
- Homs: Villa Rosa.
- Latakia: La Mira.
- Tartus: Royal Inn.
Safety and Security
All major cities—Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Latakia, and Tartus—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.
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?
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.