Overview
Damascus is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, a place of Roman streets, the great Umayyad Mosque and a walled Old City layered with centuries of history. Most UK travellers flying to Damascus are visiting relatives or travelling for heritage and faith reasons. Please note that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to Syria, which affects travel insurance and planning; our advisers can talk you through the practicalities before you commit.
Best time to fly to Damascus
Damascus has a dry, Mediterranean-influenced climate sharpened by its inland elevation. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) bring warm days and cool evenings and are the most pleasant times to visit. Summers are hot and arid; winter nights are cold, with occasional rain and snow on the surrounding hills. Fares climb around Eid and the summer school holidays, so check the When to book chart above to see how prices shift through the year.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Damascus, so you will connect through a regional hub. Qatar Airways via Doha, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Royal Jordanian via Amman and EgyptAir via Cairo are among the carriers that have resumed or expanded Damascus flights, while Air Arabia flies in from Sharjah. From London, allow roughly 9 to 13 hours in total depending on the layover; from Manchester, expect a little longer, routing via London or the hub airline's base.
Things to do in Damascus
The pleasure of Damascus lies in wandering its old quarters and markets.
- Umayyad Mosque: one of Islam's oldest and grandest mosques, famed for its golden mosaics.
- The Old City: a UNESCO-listed warren of courtyard houses, churches and hammams inside Roman walls.
- Souk al-Hamidiyya: the great covered bazaar, ending at the ruined columns of the Temple of Jupiter.
- Azm Palace: a graceful 18th-century Ottoman residence set around shaded courtyards.
- Straight Street (Via Recta): the Roman road named in the Book of Acts, still lined with workshops and chapels.
At Damascus International Airport (DAM)
The airport lies about 25 km south-east of the city centre, typically a 30 to 45 minute drive in normal traffic. Taxis are the standard way in, so agree the fare before setting off, or pre-book a private transfer so a driver is waiting for you. Facilities are basic, and card payments are unreliable, so carry enough cash.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Damascus
- Book early: seat capacity is limited, so the lowest fares on the popular hubs tend to go months ahead. The price charts on this page show the pattern.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper and quieter than weekend flights.
- Stay flexible: shifting your dates by a few days, and avoiding Eid and peak summer, can cut the fare noticeably.
- Compare hubs: prices via Doha, Istanbul, Amman and Cairo can differ widely for the same week, so compare them side by side.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Syria. The Syrian Embassy in London has not offered normal consular services for many years and entry rules have changed considerably, so confirm the current process well before you travel. The currency is the Syrian pound (SYP); Syria remains largely a cash economy and UK bank cards and ATMs generally do not work, so bring US dollars or euros to exchange. Arrange comprehensive travel insurance that covers the region, keep up to date with FCDO advice, and check that your routine vaccinations are current.
