My husband and I are planning extended travel, 6 months, throughout Europe. We are also planning to visit Morocco. I would alos like to go to Jordan and possibly Syria. Our time is flexible, beginning July 1 2010. How difficult is it to travel to Syria,as a US citizen. Also how much planning shoud we do and how much being "open" should we attempt?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23624 posts
Probably need to contact the state department web site for that information. I am not sure I would rely on anyone here for that information. Remember you are only allowed 90 days out of 180 days in the Schengen zone countries without a special visa. What do you mean by being "open?"
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I'm working and wishing on that since there's a castle there that I really want to see. I can't go until my passport runs down and I get a new one since the one I have is pretty well clobbered with Isreali entry stamps -- an absolute no-starter for entry.
Here's a place to start looking:
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1600 posts
Not sure which countries you are hitting but Syria is one place where you should get your visa ahead of time. It is a straightforward process - you should be able to get the visa from the Embassy in DC within 2 weeks. Also as Ed mentioned, you will not be able to enter Syria or get a visa if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport. If planning to also visit Israel on this trip, make sure you visit Syria first. Also, if planning on entering Lebanon, make sure you get a multiple entry Syrian visa (no difference in cost)
We were in Syria during May-June of 2008 and didn't have any issues traveling through the country (Palmyra, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Tartous, Krak des Chevaliers, and Damascus). Syria and most of the ME countries are easy to visit and much safer (my opinion) than most of the European countries and the US. Your main worry will probably be the taxi drivers trying to overcharge you.
Caveat: It may actually be possible to get a Syrian visa at the border but my research (from 2 yrs ago) indicated you may have to wait from 6-8 hrs while the border guys communicate with Damascus, etc. You can get more upto date info from the thorntree forum (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa).
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
417 posts
I have heard that it is also advised, if you are going to Israel, to go there after any other ME countries, because of the "tenseness" between them. Otherwise you can have trouble at the border with questions about why you were in Israel, etc.