Practical Information for visiting Syria

The currency is the Syrian pound (SYP), which has lost enormous value and remains unstable. Prices in pounds change quickly, and many larger transactions are quoted or settled in US dollars.

Syria is a cash economy for visitors. International sanctions mean foreign cards, ATMs and bank transfers generally do not work, and you should assume they will not. Bring enough cash in clean, undamaged US dollars or euros for the whole trip, plus a margin.

Change money through your hotel or a reputable dealer arranged by a local contact rather than on the street. Rates vary considerably between official and market channels.

Sanctions also restrict what your own bank and insurer will do, which is worth checking before travelling rather than discovering afterwards.

Tipping is customary and, given the economic situation, meaningful: round up generously, and tip guides and drivers well.

Coverage for mobile networks exists across the cities and main roads through Syriatel and MTN Syria, mostly 3G and 4G, with quality varying and service interrupted in places.

Power cuts are the real constraint. Electricity is rationed in much of the country, often available for only a few hours a day, and that governs internet access, lighting and hot water more than any network limitation. Bring a large power bank and charge whenever you can.

Local SIMs are available with a passport; foreign roaming may not work at all, partly because of sanctions.

Wi-Fi in hotels is common but slow and intermittent.

Assume that communications may be monitored, and be careful what you write about people, politics or the security situation while in the country.

This is the section that matters. Most Western governments advise against all, or all but essential, travel to Syria, and have done for over a decade. Such advice normally invalidates travel insurance, and consular assistance is extremely limited or unavailable because many embassies remain closed.

• The situation is fluid. The Assad government fell in December 2024 and the country is in a transitional period. Conditions differ sharply by region and can change with little warning. Anything written in advance, including this page, may be out of date.
• Unexploded ordnance and landmines are a serious, continuing hazard in formerly contested areas. Never walk off made surfaces, never enter damaged buildings, and never pick anything up.
• Arbitrary detention of foreigners, including dual nationals, has been a documented risk. Dual nationals may not be granted consular access.
• Kidnapping risk persists in parts of the country.
• Border regions with Turkey, Iraq and the Golan carry particular risk, and some areas are outside central control.
• Photography of checkpoints, military, government buildings or personnel can lead to arrest.

The health system has been devastated. Many hospitals were damaged or destroyed, a large share of medical staff left the country, and medicines and equipment are in short supply. Do not assume that treatment for a serious problem is available.

Insurance covering Syria is difficult to obtain and standard policies exclude countries under an advisory against travel. Specialist cover including medical evacuation is essential, and evacuation itself may be slow or impossible.

Bring what you need. Carry a full supply of any prescription medication, in original packaging with a doctor’s letter, plus a well-stocked first aid kit. Do not count on buying anything locally.

Vaccinations: routine cover fully up to date, plus hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies. Polio has re-emerged in the region, so confirm a booster. Leishmaniasis is present and transmitted by sandflies — use repellent.

Water: treat all tap water as unsafe; use bottled or properly treated water, including for teeth.

Dress conservatively. Shoulders, upper arms and knees covered for everyone; women should carry a scarf for mosques and conservative areas, and loose clothing is more comfortable as well as more appropriate.

Mosques: remove shoes, dress modestly, avoid prayer times, and follow instruction at the door. The Umayyad Mosque provides cloaks for visitors.

Politics. Do not discuss politics, the war or the security forces in public or with people you do not know well, and be conscious that a conversation can expose the Syrian in it rather than you.

Photography: never photograph military, police, checkpoints or government buildings. Always ask before photographing people, and do not photograph damaged neighbourhoods casually.

Right hand for eating, giving and receiving. Remove shoes entering a home.

Ramadan: do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight.

Alcohol is legal and available in some restaurants and Christian areas, but public drinking is not acceptable.

Emergency numbers: 110 for police, 113 for ambulance, 113 for fire. Response is limited and English is unlikely.

Consular assistance is severely limited. Many Western embassies in Damascus have been closed for years, and some governments state plainly that they cannot help citizens in Syria. Establish before travelling which mission, if any, covers you and from which country — it may be an embassy in Beirut or Amman.

Your local contact is your real emergency service. A reputable local operator, fixer or driver will know which hospital is functioning, which roads are open and whom to call, and that knowledge is not available remotely.

Medical evacuation should be arranged in advance through a specialist provider; assume it will be slow.

Leave copies of your passport, visa and itinerary with someone outside the country, and agree a schedule for checking in.