Syria, told with depth.

Arriving at Damascus airport

Damascus International Airport is about 30 km south-east of the city centre. The drive usually takes 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and checkpoints.

• Taxis wait outside arrivals. They have no meters, so agree the fare in Syrian pounds before you get in. Fares usually go up after midnight.
• The official taxi desk in the arrivals hall charges set fares. Ask for the current rate before you book.
• The public bus to Baramkeh, in central Damascus, is the cheapest way into town but only runs every 30 to 60 minutes.
• The arrivals hall has ATMs that give Syrian pounds, exchange counters and mobile network kiosks. Change a small amount for your first costs.

With White Minaret: every sample programme includes a private airport transfer, so you won’t need a taxi.

SIM cards and mobile data

Syria has two mobile networks, Syriatel and MTN Syria. A local SIM or eSIM is cheap and far more reliable than roaming.

• Buy one at a network kiosk in the airport arrivals hall or at an official Syriatel or MTN branch in the city. Airport kiosks may be closed overnight.
• Bring your passport with its Syrian entry stamp, and make sure your phone is unlocked. Registration takes 15 minutes to an hour.
• Both networks sell local eSIMs at their branches. To check whether your phone supports eSIM, dial *#06#. If you see an EID number, it does.
• A month of calls and data on a tourist bundle costs a few US dollars. Prices change often, so ask for a written receipt.
• Roaming and travel eSIMs bought abroad often have patchy coverage in Syria or don’t work at all, so don’t rely on one as your only connection.
• MTN Syria is expected to become Zain Syria in early 2027, so you may see either name.

With White Minaret: your pre-departure briefing covers connectivity, so you’ll know what to buy before you land.

Weather and what to pack

Spring (April to May) and autumn (late September to November) are the most comfortable months for touring. Summers are hot and dry; winters are cool and wet.

• These are typical figures for Damascus. Palmyra and the desert are hotter in summer, while Aleppo and the mountains around Maaloula are colder in winter, when snow is possible.
• Most rain falls between November and March.
• For mosques and churches, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Women should bring a scarf to cover their hair in mosques.

With White Minaret: your pre-departure briefing covers dress and packing for your dates.

Safety and travel advice

Several governments currently advise against travel to Syria. As of 30 October 2026, the UK advises against all travel, and the US advisory is at Level 4: Do not travel.

• Travelling against your government’s advice can invalidate standard travel insurance. Check your policy, and look for cover that includes Syria, before you book.
• Your embassy may not be able to help you inside Syria. The UK, for example, offers no consular support in the country.
• Unexploded ordnance remains a risk in rural areas. Stay on roads and marked paths, and follow your guide’s directions.
• Regional tensions can cause sudden flight cancellations and airspace closures, so leave some flexibility in your travel plans.
• Carry your passport. Ask before photographing people, and don’t photograph checkpoints, military sites or government buildings.

Read the latest UK travel adviceRead the latest US travel advisory

With White Minaret: we confirm every route only after checking local access and operating conditions for your dates, and adjust plans when conditions change.

Internet, apps and VPNs

For years, many international apps and websites blocked users in Syria because of US sanctions. Those blocks come from the companies themselves, and they are being lifted gradually.

• Services are reopening one by one. Google Play, for example, began working without a VPN for many users in January 2026, and Syria’s removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism in August 2026 should speed this up.
• Some services still block Syrian connections, and some work on Wi-Fi but not on mobile data. Streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and US Netflix remain blocked.
• Before you travel, install a reputable VPN, download offline maps of Damascus and your route, and tell your bank you’ll be in Syria, as logins from Syria may be flagged.
• Hotel Wi-Fi is common in the cities but can be slow. Expect weak or no signal on some desert and mountain roads.
• Internet access has been cut nationwide during national school exams. If your trip falls in exam season, expect short outages.

With White Minaret: your pre-departure briefing covers which apps to set up before you travel.