Beirut Travel Forum

I need to get to Beirut by the end of next week. Any suggestions. Seems I have two options coming from Dubai with US passport. One is to fly to Larnaca and take ferry to Jouineh or fly to Damascus after securing a visa and then hiring a car. Any help is appreciated

I don't know the ground conditions there.... but I doubt you will be allowed to get on any boat going from Cyprus to Lebanon. You have to get to the Syrian-Lebanese border, then find a driver who knows the roads... you will certainly be paying a premium fee to the driver...

Thanks Mike...Do you know if I can get a visa for transitting Syria from the Consulate in Dubai?

The ferry to Jounieh stopped operating a long time ago as far as I know. The other option is to take one of the ships that evacuate people from the Lebanon. Contact the Lebanese Embassy in Nicosia (00357 22 878282). I am sure they can help. I would suggest you contact the Syrian Embassy here too (00357 22817333)and ask if you can get a visa as a non resident US citizen. Maybe...

it is possible that you could get a visa from the Syrian visa in Dubai... i would just gather all your necessary info ahead of time... i would say to get it in your home country, but i'm guessing you don't have too much time. Plus, the Syrian embassy in your country would probably take three weeks to process... just don't show up at the border and expect them to let you in... you should a multiple entry visa for syria, as you will likely have to come out that way as well... good luck and be safe...

Hi, I'm sure that I don't need to tell you about the risk but I'm sure you have your reasons. Best way to go to Damascus. You need to contact the Syrian Embassy for the visa. From Damascus, you need to take a taxi to Beirut. I escaped 10 days back from Beirut and they took USD 500 for the taxi upto airport. I heard that the situation has worsened since( it is becoming more risky plus there are shortage of fuel due the curfew in Lebanon). Now, the rates are in the USD 2000 per taxi ( in normal times , it's only USD 75 from airport).
Drop me a line in case you need further help...