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

Airports

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

Read more on Airports in Syria.

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.

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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

Read more on culture in Syria.

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

Read more on health in Syria.

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.

Read more on AIDS in Syria.

Vaccinations

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

Read more on Vaccinations in Syria.

Languages

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

Read more on languages in Syria.

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

Read more on money in Syria.

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?

Read more on phrase in Syria.

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.

Read more on plants in Syria.

People

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

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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

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Religion

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

Read more on religion in Syria.

Transport

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

Read more on transport in Syria.

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

Read more on travel books in Syria.

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

Read more on Visa Requirements in Syria.

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

Read more on what to pack in Syria.

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

Read more on what to buy in Syria.

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

Read more on when to go in Syria.