TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(SYP)
Syrian Pound |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 963, City Code, Damascus and Rural areas 11+7D, Al-Nebek
12+6D, Palmyra 34+6D |
Safety
Syria is relatively safe and the police are extremely
efficient. But take basic precautions against crime (as you do
in your country). Avoid conspicuous displays of wealth and behave
conservatively. Women should dress modestly, especially in small
villages.
Business
Hours
Banks are open 8 AM–2 PM Saturday–Thursday.
Shops are open 8 AM–1 PM and 4–7 PM Saturday–Thursday
in winter, 8 AM–1 PM and 4–8 PM in summer. Offices
are open 8 AM–2:30 PM Saturday–Thursday. Government
offices are open 8 AM–2 PM Saturday–Thursday.
Tipping
A 10 percent tip is standard for taxi drivers and restaurant staff.
Electricity
Current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Emergencies
Dial 112 for police, 115 for traffic police, 113 or 91 in case
of fire, and 110 to summon an ambulance.
Currency
The unit of currency in Syria is the Syrian Pound or Lira, divided
into 100 Piasters. There are banknotes of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200,
500 and 1000 SP, and coins of 25 and 50 Piasters and 1, 2, 5,
10, and 25 Pounds. You will be welcomed in Syria with all foreign
currencies, you will not be able to pay by cheque or credit card
in many Syrian shops, but main hotels, restaurants and souvenir
shops accept them.
When
to travel?
You will have to travel preferably between the cold and the hot
seasons (lasting respectively, between December-February and July-August).
Winter is usually very cold except for the coastal region. In
summer, temperatures are extremely high, especially in July and
August, and the humidity on the coast is not very pleasant. Summer
temperatures could rise above 35C in July and August during the
day, but the evenings are usually cooler with mild breezes. If
you have the choice, April and May, and also mid-September to
mid-November are the best times to make a visit to Syria.
Getting
There & Away
Syria has two international airports, one 35km (22mi) south-east
of Damascus, the other just north-east of Aleppo. Both have regular
connections to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Flights
tend to be quite expensive. There's a departure tax of about US$5.
All foreign visitors require a visa, except nationals of some
Arab countries. Tourist visas are usually valid for 15 or 30 days.
Buses run between Aleppo or Damascus and Istanbul (Turkey), between
Damascus and Amman (Jordan), Damascus and Beirut or Tripoli (Lebanon)
and Damascus and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Trains go from Aleppo
to Istanbul and from Damascus to Amman. Service taxis also run
from Damascus to most of the neighboring countries. You can bring
your own vehicle into Syria, but you will need a carnet de passage
and local third-party insurance. If you prefer the ferry, there's
a weekly service from Lattakia for Alexandria (Egypt) via Beirut.
In summer, the ferry also stops in Cyprus.
Getting Around
There are internal flights between Damascus and Aleppo, Qamishly,
Lattakia and Deir ez-Zur. Syria's road network is excellent, and
buses are frequent and cheap - most Syrians use the bus. Distances
are short and most trips take under four hours. Bus types include
the traditional coach, minibuses and small vans known as microbuses.
Service taxis operate on the major bus routes but are considerably
more expensive than microbuses.
Syria's trains are a modern lot, made in Russia. They're cheap
and punctual, but the stations are usually a fair way out of town.
The main line connects Damascus, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zur, Hasakeh
and Qamishle, with a secondary line along the coast. There are
a few car rental companies in Syria, but rates are around 50%
higher than in the West. Syrians drive on the right.
What
to take with you?
Take clothes to suit the season as if you were traveling to southern
France or Italy. Do not forget that in high altitudes (Damascus
has a minimum altitude of 690,) the climate may be somewhat cool
from December to March, and summer is a little hotter. A raincoat
is not needed from May to September. Good walking shoes are a
must for visiting archaeological sites or climbing the long slopes
leading to old castles. Sunglasses and a hat are useful to protect
you from the burning sun of the Syrian desert.
[Source:
Damascus-Online]
