Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Syria
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $18-60 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Syria
Accommodation
$8-25 per night
Basic guesthouses, budget hotels, shared rooms in traditional houses
Food & Dining
$5-15 per day
Street food, local bakeries, traditional Syrian meals at neighborhood restaurants, self-catering with market ingredients
Transportation
$2-8 per day
Public buses, shared taxis (servis), walking, occasional private taxi for short distances
Activities
$3-12 per day
Free walking tours of old cities, mosque visits, public markets, occasional museum entries
Currency: SYP Syrian Pound (though USD is widely accepted and often preferred for tourism services)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Syria
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local neighborhood restaurants instead of tourist areas - typically 40-60% cheaper with more authentic food
Use public buses and shared taxis (servis) instead of private taxis - usually 70-80% savings on transportation costs
Stay in guesthouses in residential areas rather than city centers - generally 30-50% lower accommodation costs
Shop for snacks and water at local markets rather than tourist sites - typically 50-70% cheaper
Visit mosques and walk through old city quarters for free cultural experiences instead of paid tours
Travel during shoulder seasons when possible - accommodation can be 20-40% cheaper than peak times
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Only eating in hotel restaurants or tourist districts - typically costs 100-200% more than local establishments
Taking private taxis for all transportation instead of learning the public transport system - can triple daily transport costs
Not carrying small bills for local purchases - vendors often cannot make change, leading to overpaying