Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Damascus

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 Damascus

$8-25 per night

Shared rooms in budget hostels, basic guesthouses, or staying with locals through homestay arrangements

$5-15 per day

Street food, local bakeries, traditional Syrian restaurants in residential areas, shopping at local markets

$2-8 per day

Public buses, shared service taxis (servis), walking for short distances

$3-12 per day

Free walking tours of Old City, visiting mosques and churches, exploring traditional souks, occasional museum entries

Currency: SYP Syrian Pound (though USD is widely accepted and often preferred for tourism)

Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style

Eat at local restaurants in residential neighborhoods rather than tourist areas - typically 40-60% cheaper than Old City establishments

Use public buses and shared service taxis instead of private taxis - usually 70-80% savings on transportation costs

Visit free religious sites like mosques and churches instead of paid attractions - many of Damascus's most beautiful sites have no entry fee

Shop for snacks and water at local markets rather than tourist areas - generally 50-70% less expensive

Book accommodation directly with smaller guesthouses rather than through international booking sites - often 15-25% cheaper

Take advantage of Syrian hospitality by accepting tea invitations - free cultural experiences and local insights

Only eating in tourist-focused restaurants in Old City - typically costs 100-200% more than local neighborhood eateries

Taking private taxis for all transportation instead of learning the public transport system - usually 3-5 times more expensive

Not carrying enough cash - many places don't accept cards, and ATMs can be limited, leading to expensive currency exchange