About Syria

Syria budget travel offers visitors a chance to explore a land of ancient cities, exotic culture, beautiful landscapes and scenery, plus all the warmth of friendly and welcoming locals in one of the Middle East’s largest and most travel-friendly destinations.

Syria Budget Travel

Below is a list of Syria's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Damascus

Fast Facts

Currency
Syrian Pound (SYP)

Dialing Code
963

AIDS

Syria HIV/AIDS is extremely low risk in the country, with a 0.1% prevalence rate. Travellers who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS before their travellers should take extra precaution to avoid unprotected sex, tattoos and any other activities that could transfer the virus and travellers who are not affected should also take basic precautions to be on the safe side.

Airports

Syria airports include the following major airports: • Damascus International Airport (DAM) - Damascus • Aleppo International Airport (ALP) - Aleppo • Lattakia International Airport (LTK) - Lattakia

Conservation

With a large number of endangered and protected species, with some on the brink of extinction, Syria conservation is a hugely important issue in the country. Due to environmental hazards such as deforestation, pollution, oil spills and other issues, much of the country's forest habitats have been destroyed, resulting in habitat loss for many species of bird and animal. Other issues such as hunting have also depleted Syria's wildlife.

Culture

Syria culture includes the following traditions and past times: • Food and drink plays a major role in the average Syrian's life • Music is also a popular culture form in the country • Literature dates back to early days, and has evolved over the centuries • Fairs and festivals play a big role in life, with many festivals and holidays throughout the year

Customs

Syria customs allow for the following items to be imported: • 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 50 cigarillos or 250g tobacco • 1 pint / 0.570 liter of spirits • 3.30g of perfume for personal use • 0.5 liter of lotion and 0.5 liter of eau-de-Cologne • gifts up to a value of SYP 250

Health

Syria health information is as follows: • Pharmacies are found in most of the cities and towns • Doctors can be called out to your hotel in an emergency, or you can visit one of the local hospitals which are fairly well-run • Basic medication for things like upset stomach and other minor conditions can be found at pharmacies • Always ask for ‘foreign' EU or US brand medication • Try to stick to bottled water and avoid roadside food stalls

Innoculations

Syria inoculations include the following: • Diphtheria • Hepatitis A & B • Tetanus • Malaria • Yellow fever • Rabies

Languages

Syria languages include the following: • Arabic • French • English • Kurdish

Malaria

Risk of malaria in Syria is not very high, so malaria tablets are not recommended. Protection against mosquito bites can be done by using impregnated bed nets at night and using mosquito repellent will reduce any small risk of Malaria.

Money

Syria money and banking info is as follows: • Syrian Pound (SYP/S£) = 100 piastres • American Express and Diners Club are generally accepted • Banking hours: Saturday-Thursday 08:00-14:00 (banks close early on Thursdays) • Traveller's cheques can be difficult to exchange • Notes are in denominations of S£1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 • Coins are in denominations of S£25, 10, 5, 2 and 1

People

Syria people include the following groups: • Syrians • Kurds • Armenians • Turks • Circassians • Assyrians

Phrase

Syria local phrases include the following: • Hello: Marhaba • Good morning: S-bahh Al-khair • Good evening: Masa Al-khair • Please: Men-fadllaak (m) • Please: Men-fadllake (f) • How much: Gha-daish?

Plants

Syria plant life is limited, with much of the country's natural vegetation areas reclaimed for farming and other domestic use, and a large portion of non-arable land where nothing but desert and shrub can be found. With that said, the country has a limited percentage of forests, and a range of plant species from fir trees to edible plants.

Population

According to a 2005 UN estimate, the population in Syria is at 18.6 million people.

Religion

Syria religion includes the following groups: • Muslim (Sunni) 80% • Christian (Orthodox and Catholic) • Jewish

Safety Tips

Syria safety tips include the following: • Generally speaking, Syria is safe for travel and does not offer any major risks for tourists • There is a general risk of terrorism within the Middle East however, especially near the borders of Iraq • Avoid public demonstrations that may turn violent, and avoid protests and other potentially dangerous situations • Petty crime can occur in the cities, however crime is mostly not a huge problem in Syria - keep valuables safe just to be sure • Road accidents are quite common, and the risk of accident when travelling by taxi or road is fairly high - always be careful when crossing roads or using road transportation

Transport

Syria local transport includes the following options: • Taxi • Bus • Microbus • Bicycle • Train

Travel Books

Syria recommended travel books include the following: • Lonely Planet Syria by Andrew Humphreys and Damien Simonis • Syria: A Historical And Architectural Guide by Warwick Ball • Syria: Bradt Travel Guide by Diana Darke • The Road from Damascus: A Journey Through Syria by Scott C. Davis • Culture Shock! Syria: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette by Coleman South

Visa Requirements

Syria visa requirements are as follows: • Original passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity • 2 passport photographs • Copy of return trip tickets or confirmed itinerary • Passport must not contain any evidence of prior or intended travel to Israel

What To Buy

What to buy for holidays in Syria: • Spare batteries for torches and camera • Guide books and Arabic phrase books • Thick socks for hiking boots • First aid kit for travel purposes • Large refillable water bottle, or plenty of bottled water

What To Pack

What to pack for safari in Syria: • Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses • Bathing suit and towels • Headscarves for women, plus long skirts and t-shirts that cover shoulders • Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals • Casual and smarter clothes for various activities • Camera with spare batteries and memory card/film • Binoculars for bird spotting • Guide book and phrase book • Basic first aid kit

When To Go

When to go to Syria: • The best time to visit is Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) • Summer (June-August) is the hottest time, with temperatures of 45C/110F • Winter (December-February) is very cold and wet for travel in the country • Ramadan month is not the best month for western visitors