Mid-Range Travel Guide: Damascus

Accommodation

$35-85 per night

Private rooms in mid-range hotels, boutique guesthouses in Old City, traditional courtyard hotels

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Mix of traditional restaurants, hotel dining, occasional upscale Syrian cuisine, some international options

Transportation

$8-25 per day

Combination of taxis, private drivers for day trips, occasional organized transport

Activities

$20-50 per day

Guided tours of historical sites, museum entries, day trips to nearby attractions, cultural experiences

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