MONEY MATTERS
The Syrian currency is the pound (£S), which is commonly referred to as the "lira." The exchange rate (2007) for US dollars is: $1US = 52 lira (1S£ = US$.019).
You can check current exchange rates by going to these online currency converters:
www.oanda.com
www.xe.com
www.x-rates.com
Coins and bank notes are available in the following denominations:Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, and 25 liras
Banknotes: Printed in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 liras
You can exchange money at banks, hotels, and private money changes (only accept cash). Check the official exchange rate for the day. You'll also find a black market operating in and around the souks.
Banks are open Saturday through Thursday, 8 AM to 6 PM.
If you carry traveler's checks, expect to get a slightly lower exchange rate per check. Also, banks often charge transaction fees on traveler's check.
It's best to carry traveler's checks in denominates of $100 or more. Lower denominations can be a hassle when faced with local paper work and commissions.
ATMs are increasingly available in Damascus and Aleppo. However, not all ATMs are connected to international networks. To locate an ATM, check out these websites:
Visa
MasterCard
American Express
Keep these tips in mind when using money in Syria:- Take lots of cash; it will always come in handy, especially in souks and outside Damascus and Aleppo.
- Plan to pay for your departure tax with local currency.
- If using US dollars to exchange money, bring crisp new notes, preferably $100 notes.
- Use credit cards in places that readily accept them and where there is no advantage in using cash – major hotels, restaurants, and shops.
- Plan to use cash which shopping in the local souqs and small street shops.
- Carry lots of small change for taxis, small purchases, and public toilets - many taxis drivers are short of small change. S£50 and 100 notes will come in handy with taxis. S£5, 10, and 25 coins make useful tips. Public toilets require S£10 coins.
Accommodations
Budget travelers can find basic rooms in many parts of Syria little as US$8 a day. Mid-range hotels can run from $40 to $60 a day. Four-and five-star properties go for $70 to $250 a day, depending on the season.
For pricing details on accommodations, including discounted hotels and resorts, check out our hotel and resort section.
DINING
Syria offers a variety of dining options that appeal of all budgets and travel lifestyles. Outside the top international hotels, you'll seldom pay more than US$10 for a meal - US$30 for a three-course dinner with wine for two.
If one of the highlights in visiting a country is to sample its best restaurants, you'll be able to find many excellent restaurants in Aleppo and Damascus at very responsible prices.
Sissi House (www.sissihouse.com) in Aleppo, for example, is one of those must-visit restaurants. It continues to get rave reviews as one of Syria’s finest restaurants for both its great dishes and atmosphere.
Restaurants in the top hotels, such as the Four Seasons, Le Meridian, Sheraton, and Cham Palace in Damascus, will be more expensive. We identify many of the best places to dine in Damascus and Aleppo in our restaurant section.
At the same time, you can find some excellent local restaurants and eateries that offer substantial meals for as little at $3-5 per person. Your least expensive (also known as local fast-food) dining choices are shwarma and falafel (fried ball stuffed with fava beans and/or chickpeas).
TRANSPORTATION
The cost of getting to Syria will vary greatly depending on the airline, time of year, and special fares. Check our airline reservation system for special rates to Syria.
The cost of local transportation is relatively cheap. City taxis are both plentiful and inexpensive as long as you pay local rates. Taxis are metered but few drivers use the meters. Consequently, you’ll need to ask about the fare before getting into the cab.
Most rides within Damascus and Aleppo run about US$1 (S£50). While many drivers will give you an accurate price, others may try to charge you a much higher rate since you are a foreigner. Agree on the taxi fare before getting into the taxi.
The taxi fare from the airport to the city in both Damascus and Aleppo, which is a fixed rate, runs about US$10-12 (S£500-600). Microbuses are less expensive than taxis, but they operate along fixed routes and can be inconvenient.
If you decide to rent a car or hire a car with driver, expect to pay US$50 to US$100 a day. Be sure to ask for discounts and special rates, especially if you are renting a car for one week or more.
For information on rental cars and cars with drivers, see our transportation section.
ENTRANCE FEES
While many sites are free, sites with entrance fees usually change either S£75 (US$1.50) or S£150 (US$3.00) per person.
DEPARTURE TAX
The airport departure tax is S£200 (US$4) per person for non-Syrians and non-Arabs. The departure tax for Syrians and Arabs is five to eight times more.
TOURS
You can select from a variety of package tours, independent tours, and local guides that can range from $50 to $500 a day per person.
For prices and other details on such services, check out the websites we listed under tours and tour groups.
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