Aviation & Transport  to Syria

The Ultimate Guide for Flights and Transportation 

Planning a trip to Syria requires thorough preparation. As the country cautiously reopens tourism, it's essential to understand that infrastructure remains in development and security conditions may vary. This guide offers the latest practical insights to help you navigate visa requirements, flights, border crossings, and transportation options throughout 2025.

Visa on Arrival (VoA):

Syria grants visas on arrival to most nationalities, with the exception of citizens from Israel, Iran, Russia, and Iraq. The easiest place to obtain a visa on arrival is at the land border crossings with Lebanon or Jordan. For travelers flying directly into Syria, some airlines may still request a visa in advance at the airport, as not all carriers have updated information on the new regulations.
The cost of a visa depends on the traveler's nationality and the type of visa issued (whether single-entry, multiple-entry).
Payment must be made in US dollars or in Syrian Pounds, calculated according to the official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Syria.
Visa fees are collected at border checkpoints or upon arrival at airports in Syria.
For the latest official information, refer to the Visa fee Now 
Syria Visa
Warning
Important:

 Always confirm requirements with your tour operator before departure.

How to Get to Syria? Air and Land Routes

There are two primary methods for entering Syria: either flying directly into the country or crossing the border overland from a neighboring nation.

Option 1: Flying Directly to Syria 

Syria has two main operational international airports: 

Aleppo International Airport

Reopened in 2024, ALP is expanding services with flights from the UAE and Iraq. Pre-arrange airport pickup, as taxis are scarce.

See AleppoAirport Updates.

Aleppo International Airport (ALP):

Damascus International Airport (DAM):

The country's primary hub and best-connected airport. 

ViewDamascus Airport Travel Tips. ​Damascus International Airport

A growing number of regional airlines have established routes into Damascus and Aleppo. This list represents the most active carriers as of 2025:

AnadoluJet (Turkish Airlines): 

Connects Istanbul (SAW) and Ankara (ESB) with Damascus.

  • Frequency: 4 weekly flights (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)  
  •  Flight Duration: 2h 15m  

 Flydubai (UAE)

About it:

  • Routes: Dubai (DXB) to Damascus (DAM)  
  •  Frequency: Daily flights  
  • Flight Duration: 2h 45m  

Fly Cham (Syria/UAE): 

The popular private Syrian airline Cham Wings has recently rebranded itself as “Fly Cham” (also known as Fly Sham) to reflect a fresh, modern image and to highlight new investments in aviation backed by the UAE.

  • Routes: Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Damascus (DAM) - 3 weekly           Dubai (DXB) to Damascus (DAM) - 4 weekly  
  • Flight Duration: 2h 30m-3h

Dan Air (Romania): 

Connects Bucharest (OTP) with Damascus (DAM)  

  • Frequency: 4 weekly flights (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)  
  • Flight Duration: 2h 45m  
  •  This route marks the first direct EU-Syria connection since 2011, offering a vital link for families, businesses, and travelers between Europe and the Levant. Dan Air operates the route with Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to expand service to other European cities via Bucharest.  
 
Qatar Airways (Qatar)
  •  Routes: Doha (DOH) to Damascus (DAM)
  • Frequency: Daily flights  
  • Flight Duration: 2h 15m  
Royal Jordanian (Jordan)
  • Routes: Amman (AMM) to Damascus (DAM)
  •  Frequency: 5 weekly flights  
  • Flight Duration: 55m  
Syrian Air (Syria)
  • The national carrier connects Damascus with Cairo and Dubai. Flight Map .
  • Routes: Damascus (DAM) to Cairo (CAI) - 3 weekly                   
  • Damascus (DAM) to Dubai (DXB) - 2 weekly  
  • Flight Duration: 1h 30m-3h  

For the latest developments, see: 

Airlines Resuming Syria Flights.  

Option 2: Overland Entry via Neighboring Countries

🇯🇴 Jordan (Amman) – Jaber/Nassib Border Crossing 

1. Tabarbour Bus Station (Amman North Terminal)

Primary Hub: 

Buses to Syria depart from here.

Location:

Northern Amman (taxi/Uber accessible).

Key Companies:

JETT Bus

  • Route: Amman → Damascus
  • Schedule: Daily at 7:30 AM (arrives ~ noon)
  • Cost: USD 16 (pay in cash at the station)
  • Notes: Most reliable option; pre-booking advised.

Al-Kamal Bus

  • Route: Amman → Damascus
  • Schedule: Daily at 2:00 PM (arrives ~6 PM)
  • Cost: 25 JOD (~$35 USD)
  • Notes: Older buses are less comfortable than JETT.

2. Abdali Bus Station (Downtown Amman )

Secondary Option:

 Some shared taxis/minibuses operate here.

Cost: 

$20–30 USD (shared taxi, faster but less comfortable).

Warning:

Avoid unlicensed drivers offering "direct" trips.

Border Process (Jaber/Nassib Crossing)

- Jordan Exit Fee: 10 JOD (~ USD 14) (paid at border).
- Syria Entry: ​A Paid visa is required if arriving by land (for eligible nationalities).
- Travel Time: 3–4 hours total (Amman to Damascus).

Jordan (Jaber-Nassib Border Crossing

Status:

Open and fully operational.

Bus Services:

o Al Kamal Bus Company: Departs daily at 2:00 PM (JOD 25).
o JETT Bus: Departs daily at 7:30 AM (USD 16).

Book via the JETT Schedule.

🇱🇧 Lebanon (Beirut) – Masnaa Border Crossing

1. Charles Helou Bus Station (Beirut)

Main Hub: 

Buses and shared vans to Damascus.

Location:

Near Beirut Port (taxi accessible).

Key Transport Options:

Shared Minibuses ("Service Taxis")

  • Route: Beirut → Damascus
  • Schedule: ​Every 60–90 mins from 6 AM–4 PM
  • Cost: $25–40 USD
  • Duration:  3–4 hours (depending on border delays).

Private Taxis

  • Cost: $100–125 USD (negotiate before departure).
  • Duration:  3 hours 

2. Cola Intersection (Alternative Pickup)

Informal Hub:

Shared taxis gather here.

Cost: 

$25–35 USD (cheaper but less reliable).

Border Process (Masnaa Crossing)

  • Lebanon Exit Fee: None.
  • Syria Entry: A Visa on Arrival (VoA) is allowed for many nationalities.
  • Travel Time: 2.5–3 hours (Beirut to Damascus).

A Detailed Guide to Syria's Land Borders

Traveling across Syria’s land borders demands a thorough understanding of which crossing points are both operational and considered safe.

Operational and Recommended Borders Currently, only the land borders with Lebanon and Jordan are considered viable for tourist entry.  

Lebanon (Masnaa Border Crossing)

Status:

Open and the most frequently used crossing.

Transport Options:


o Private Taxi: Fastest option (~$125, 2.5–3 hours).
o Shared Minibus: Cheapest option (~$35), but slower.

Border Tip:

Always have exact US dollars in cash ready for visa fees.

For more information about Syria’s land borders, visit

Read More

Closed/High-Risk Borders: 

1. Turkey-Syria Borders: 

- Official Status: All official crossing points remain closed to tourist traffic by Turkish government decree since 2020.

2. Iraq-Syria Borders:

- Only the Al-Qa'im crossing (near Deir ez-Zor) operates for limited commercial traffic
- Strictly prohibited for tourists due to:
- Active Iranian-backed militia presence
- ISIS insurgency risks
- No visa processing capabilities

01

Transport:

The Safest option is a pre-arranged private driver (via tour operators).

02

Money: 

Cash-based economy—bring USD/EUR to exchange for Syrian pounds (SYP).

03

Customer-Centricity

Purchase local Syriatel or MTN for mobile data.

04

Accommodation:

Book through tour operators (boutique hotels, business hotels).

Essential On-the-Ground Travel Information

Once in Syria, navigating daily logistics is crucial.

For a full packing list, see the  Syria Travel Essentials Guide. For personalized advice, contact  Syria travel experts