Syria is opening up in fits and starts, and by 2026 the pitch is basically louder: more routes, more access, fewer formal gatekept restrictions than before. Still, the country isn’t suddenly “easy” just because planes and tour schedules start to look more normal.
Misryoum newsroom desk notes that in December 2024, Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad and took control, ushering in a new era for travel. The previous “proper war zone” era for tourists, when visiting was essentially off-limits from 2011 to early 2018, is now a distant memory. After early 2018, some West Syria areas began gaining stability and the regime opened the door to international tourism—though independent travel and “real backpacking” weren’t really the norm at the height of recovery.
For 2026 travellers, the biggest practical change is visa handling. Misryoum editorial team stated that until December 2024, security clearance arranged through a valid tour operator was required. With the new Government in January 2025, visas are available on arrival, with no pre-arrangements needed. You can collect your visa on arrival if entering Syria from Lebanon, Jordan, and also via Damascus International Airport (DAM). The visa allows 30 days of travel inside Syria, and Misryoum analysis indicates all nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival, including US citizens.
Cost details are where the numbers get real, and they vary by passport. Since June 2025, the visa fee is listed as follows: EU passports (including Switzerland and Norway) $75; Canada $100; UK/Australia/New Zealand $150; USA $200. Some passports are cheaper, including Colombia/Mexico/Venezuela at $50, and “Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania: Free.” Multiple other categories are set at $25, $50, $75, and $100 depending on nationality. It’s a bit of a spreadsheet situation, yes—but at least it’s clear.
Getting there also depends on where you’re starting. Misryoum travel desk reported that the land option most people use is crossing from Lebanon to Damascus, with Beirut only 115km away and the trip taking 3 to 4 hours including customs. Shared taxis operate from Cola station toward Chtoura, then onward to Damascus (the guidance says shouldn’t cost more than 20 USD), while private taxi ranges are given at $100–125 USD. From Amman, the border can take “sometimes the whole day,” and Misryoum editorial team noted a daily bus service (Al Kamal) from Amman to Damascus departs at 2pm, with tickets at 25 JOD.
Safety remains the question that never fully goes away. Misryoum newsroom reported that West Syria is described as relatively safe for tourism, with cities like Aleppo and Damascus drawing visitors, and bazaars, old cities, and cafés still “equally packed.” But that doesn’t mean risk disappears overnight—post-war instability still applies. The same desk added that while Damascus’ Old City can feel lively, travel decisions also depend heavily on which areas you go to. Some guidance suggests avoiding the Syrian coast for now—especially Latakia—citing persecution of certain minorities, including Alawites, and mentioning reports of massacres in Latakia in 2025. There are also new layers of caution around transport and photos: checkpoints are common, and photographing military-related sites can bring trouble.
One small, very human detail tends to stick with visitors: the smell of street-side sweets in a place that’s been through a lot. Misryoum desk recalled a moment from earlier travel—buying a kilo of sweets in a small bakery shop in Homs, then giving them to a young boy searching among the trash. It’s the kind of scene that’s hard to forget, and it’s exactly why “responsible tourism” keeps coming up.
As for what travellers should actually expect on the ground, Misryoum analysis indicates new rules are already visible: a new flag is shown widely, Bashar al-Assad’s portraits are gone, checkpoints now feature long beards, and some liquor stores and bars have shut—not necessarily because of direct HTS orders, but because people are afraid of reactions. Independent travel is described as allowed now, and newly opened areas like Idlib or parts north of Aleppo in Afrin are said to be accessible.
So the 2026 takeaway is this: Syria can be visited, visas are easier than they were, and routes are gradually returning—but planning still has to feel like planning, not wishful thinking. And honestly, you’re going to want to travel with a clear safety routine and cash in hand, because even the small stuff—like where you can connect to the internet or whether you can pay by card—can change how smooth the whole trip feels.
Bhutan opens up, then treks back in: Druk Path & Trans Bhutan Trail
A Better Way to Stay Connected When You Travel
Do airline credit cards cancel out bag fees? We ran the numbers