SYRIA (continued)
6. How do I get there?
Visas
Airlines
Airport to City
Roads and Borders
Boat
Train
Departure Taxes
VISAS
You must acquire a visa before arriving in Syria. It's best to do this in your own country. Expect this process to take four days to two weeks to complete.
Most nationals can get a visa while visiting other countries that have Syrian embassies and consulates. But don't plan to get a visa at a border crossing unless you come from a country that does not have a Syrian embassy or consulates.
Unlike neighboring Jordan, which issues visas at all nine border crossings, except the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge crossing, Syria's visa requirements are more restrictive.
The costs of visas varies depending on your nationality and reciprocal costs. In other words, Syria will charge whatever a country charges Syrians for a similar visa.
For example, U.S. citizens pay US$100 for a Syrian visa because the U.S. charges Syrians the same amount to acquire a U.S. visa.
Visa requirements are clearly spelled out by the Syrian Embassy in Washington, DC: - Submit a valid passport to the Embassy or one of the honorary consulates in California, Texas, or Michigan, along with two visa application forms and two photos. (Instructions and application forms can be downloaded from the embassy website: www.syrianembassy.us/syrian_visa_requirements.htm.)
- Enclose a money order for $100 to cover the visa fee. (They only accept money orders.)
- Visas are valid for three months from the date of issuance. (Don’t get it too early!)
- The $100 entry visa fee is for either one or two entries.
- Enclose a self-addressed return envelope (FedEx or Express mail).
- The Consular Section accepts visa application forms submitted in person: between 9:15 AM and 3:15 PM, Monday through Friday.
- Send application to, or show up in person at:
Consular Section
Embassy of Syria
2215 Wyoming Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel:(202) 232-6313, ext. 106
Since visa requirements vary with different nationalities, it's best to check with the Syrian Embassy or consulates in your country for specific visa requirements, including costs and downloadable application forms.
The Ministry of Tourism also spells out visa requirements on its website: www.syriatourism.com.
Once you arrive in Syria, your visa is valid for three months. You can extend it through an immigration office which you'll find major cities and towns.
WARNING: One very important detail you need to know: You will not be granted entry into Syria, or even given a visa, if your passport has an Israeli visa stamped in it.
If you ever visit Israel, ask the immigration officials to give you a separate visa paper rather than a passport stamp, which they routinely do for visitors who plan to go on to nearby Arab countries that are officially anti-Israel.
In fact, you'll notice that Syria never uses the word "Israel" when referring to its southern neighbor, which currently controls Syria's Golan Heights. The politically correct reference is to neighboring "Palestine," which theoretically encompasses all of Israel. Welcome to Greater Syria and the politics of the Levantine!
AIRLINES
The national carrier is Syrian Air (www.syrian-airlines.com), which flies directly from major cities in Europe, South Asia, North Africa, and other Middle Eastern countries.
Syria has two international airports - Damascus and Aleppo - which daily receives dozens of direct flights from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Major international airlines that offer regular service to Damascus include: Air France
British Airways
Cyprus Airways
Egypt Air
Emirates
Gulf Air
Lufthansa
Royal Jordanian Airline
Turkish Airlines
A few international airlines fly directly into Aleppo: Syrian Air, British Airways, Royal Jordanian, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Jazeera Airlines (Kuwait), and Air Arabia (Sharjah). Syrian Air offers the most flights to Aleppo - from 16 destinations in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
AIRPORT TO CITY
The international airport in Damascus is located 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the city. The most convenient way to get from the airport to the city is by taxi.
While licensed taxis are metered, many drivers want to haggle for higher prices with tourists. Most taxis charge tourists a flat rate (SŁ500-600 or US$10-12) to go from the airport to the city, although you can bargain for a better rate.
You can book a taxi by phone or online through Taxitel (www.taxitel-sy.com).
The cheapest way to get from the city to the airport is by bus - SŁ10 (US$.25).
The airport (Najrab) in Aleppo is located 10 kilometers (6.5 miles) northeast of the city. It's conveniently serviced by taxis and buses. The trip from the airport to the city takes about 20 minutes and costs a flat SŁ500 (US$10).
ROADS AND BORDERS
You can enter Syria from several border crossings as long as you have a valid entry visa prior to arrival. Border officials will issue visas to those individuals who come from countries which do not have a Syrian Embassy or consulate.
Major border crossings are with Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. The border crossing with Iraq should be avoided.
Expect to spend at least an hour getting your paperwork processed through these border crossings.
Many tourists cross the borders by luxury buses or taxis. The trip from Amman to Damascus takes four to five hours by bus, including the border-crossing wait. Beirut to Damascus takes three to four hours. Buses from Turkey make the run from Antakya to Aleppo or Damascus.
BOAT
Visitors also can enter Syria through the coastal port cities of Lattakia and Tartous. Ferry services from Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey connect to these ports.
Several Mediterranean cruise lines make port calls at Lattakia and Tartous.
TRAIN
You can enter Syria by train. One line connects Tehran to Aleppo and Damascus. Another line connects Istanbul to Aleppo and Damascus. And still another line connects Damascus to Amman, Jordan.
Within Syria, train travel is limited but very cheap. A main lines connects Damascus, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zur, Hassake, and Qamishle.
If you are coming in from Jordan, a train connects Damascus with Amman once a week. It departs from Amman on Monday at 8 AM and arrives in Damascus at 5 PM. Alternatively, it leaves Damascus on Sunday at 7:30 AM and arrives in Amman at 5 PM.
It's a cheap ride, with tickets costing only US$3.50, and they can be purchased on the day of departure. Taking approximately nine hours, this is a very slow train. Driving is much faster.
DEPARTURE TAXES
The international airport departure tax for most tourists is SŁ200 (US$4). It's much higher for Syrians (SŁ1,700) and other Arab nationalities (SŁ800).
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