Recently traveled to Syria. Here's my experience.

[u/Traveller_East_West]

Hi,

Arrived at Aleppo airport. They charged me $200 for visa on arrival and it is only for 15 days. There was no multi-entry option. It is possible to extend it for another month at 'Passports and Immigration' office. It didn't cost me anything to extend but your mileage may vary. They also asked for the address I will be staying and a phone number during visa issuance.

I got a sim at the airport. Esim didn't work so I had to get a physical sim.

I had to take a taxi to the inter city bus station at Ramouse(الراموسة). I was told that it costs about 2000 Syrian pounds but they charged me 3000. I knew they were overcharging but I didn't feel like walking. On the way back from Ramouse(الراموسة) to the airport, I only paid 1500. There are apps that you can call taxi with but they don't seem to come to the airport.

Even though many car rental companies advertise to be at the airport, there were none. I guess if you book a car, they meet you there.

Intercity buses are cheap. They are also fast so a good option to travel between major cities.

On the way out, I asked the immigration officer what happens if someone overstays. They said, you have to pay a penalty of 500SYP(less then $0.5) per day and it isn't an issue to overstay up to 30 days. You can just pay the fine and leave but if you go over 30 days there are more penalties. I didn't ask what they are but probably an entry ban.

Overall it was a fun trip and my only gripe is the visa cost. I can't image a family of five dropping $1000 just on fees. I hope they come up with some multi-year multi entry options.

[u/Emergency-Candy1677]

lol you only talked about the airport experience what about the rest!!

[u/mycoctopus → u/Emergency-Candy1677]

Yeah i mean there's some good info but I want to hear about the actual experience, not just the travel to and from lol 😂

Op where did you stay, how long, where did you eat, what did you order, was it tasty, did you speak to many/any locals, how did you feel, did you go and see any particular places/attractions/historical site etc, did anything stand out to you, what new things did you learn and anything else you can think of?

Lots of things you could tell us i'm sure of it lol

[u/dublindown21]

Where else did you go and what do you see ? Interested in going one day

[u/Traveller_East_West]

Sorry, there isn't much more to say. I stayed with family and had great time with them and didn't go out that much. Main highlights of the trip ended up being the airport experience. I hope it is useful to some.

People, including government officials were very friendly. Even taxi drivers were very kind like everyone else.

Highly recommend Halawet el Jibn (حلاوة الجبن). It is a dessert that belongs to ..., never mind. I’m not going to say, just to avoid starting a fight.

I also asked around about residency. I was previously quoted $800-$1000 for 2 year residency by some agents that advertise online. When we went to the passports and immigration office, they told us that it only costs $12 for 2 years for a spouse and also $12 for 3 years for a child of a Syrian citizen. You have to not be away more than 6 months to maintain it. I hope this is useful to some.

Sorry to disappoint but this all I can share and can't wait to go back.

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[u/AideComprehensive601]

Dude, please don't mislead us in fake subject points. I had to read the whole thing to know this is just an " airport experience" and has nothing to do with you travel experience. Thank you for wasting my time. And this trash visa fees it's one of the many inherited Assad theft and fraud mechanism. They keep the whole thing. Why not it's in the instructions book on how to steal everything every Syrian person got. That Assad handed to al Sharee' on the way out.

[u/reddithereyesterday]

200 per person? These visa fees differ from one country to another, and you are probably from a country that has the highest fees, which one is it if you don't mind.

[u/Enough_Tart_235]

I don’t think visa fee is an issue as everything else compared to other countries in GCC, Europe or West is a lot cheaper?