Middle East on the budget

This topic was created by Pablito (pbanczyk@kki.net.pl)
[Sun 23 May, 20:39 Tasmanian Standard Time]

A couple of questions about costs. I need to know if I'm
able to do the whole thing with my savings, so please let
me know:
1. Prices of the budget accomodation in Syria, Lebanon,
Egypt and Jordan. Budget means for me max. $6-8 for a
double room or max $3-4 for the dorm bed (if there are any
dorms there).
2. Transport costs: e.g. prices of the bus/train trip from
Hallepo to Damascus, Amman to Aquaba, Aquaga to Nuwayati
(ferry).
3. Syrian consulates in Turkey? Istambul? How many days of
waiting for the visa? Kinds of visas? Prices?
4. Does Syria any of the countries mentioned in 1. have
something like the special Tourist prices (as it is in some
countries for transport)
5. Any problems on the borders or with the police when in
the country?
6. Has anyone gone to Libia? (...and came back?)
Thanks
PS I know that I can find these answers in the LP guide
book, but I cannot get one here, so please share your
knowledge and experience.

[There are 5 posts - the latest was added on Tue 25 May, 12:11]

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  1. Pablo Added by: microcheetah@usa.net (microcheetah@usa.net)
    [Timestamp: Mon 24 May, 22:40 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I don't know what you mean Haleppo - Aleppo? Nuwayati - Nuweiba? Where are you from? North Pole? Poland?



  2. Pablo Added by: microcheetah@usa.net (microcheetah@usa.net)
    [Timestamp: Mon 24 May, 22:42 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I don't know what you mean Haleppo - Aleppo? Nuwayati - Nuweiba? Where are you from? North Pole? Poland?



  3. it's all cheap Added by: b
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 3:16 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    You can find places in Egypt and Syria for under $2,
    especially if you stay on the roof - Jordan is also within
    your bugdet and so is Lebanon
    However you'll need to sort a Syrian visa out before you go
    and if you want to visit Lebanon, it will need to be a
    multi-entry to get back to Syria, which may be expensive.



  4. prices Added by: Tony (tbonnaud@cyberia.net.lb)
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 4:48 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Pablito,
    1) Yes, you can find a $3-$4 bed in Syria and Egypt easily
    enough, but you'll have to look harder in Jordan. Lebanon
    is much more expensive generally, and there is very little
    budget accommodation in teh whole country.
    2) Bus prices in the region are low - about $2 per 100km. I
    paid JD4 (about $6) for a share taxi seat Amman-Petra,
    SP110 (about $2) for Damascus-Palmyra in a good bus, and
    LL1000 (70 cents) for Beirut-Tripoli on a local bus.
    3) Visas are quite expensive for Jordan and Syria, although
    it is different for each nationality. I had to pay $55 for
    Jordan and $56 for Syria; everyone pays LL 25,000 ($16) for
    Lebanon. You must get Syrian visas in advance, but you can
    get visas on arrival in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt. Check this!
    Things change and you're stuffed if you're stuck at the
    border!
    5) I doubt you'll have any problems with the police. These
    countries have lots of soldiers and police, but as a
    tourist you will feel safe - they are looking for men who
    haven't done their military service, Islamic activists and
    so on, not harassing tourists. Lebanon, Syria and Jordan
    are all much safer than European cities. Egypt - well,
    that's depends on what you think about the "tourist
    atrocities" of the last couple of years.
    If you can get an International Student card, bring it. In
    Syria the museums are SP300 ($6), but students pay the same
    price as the Syrians - usually only SP15! This might work
    in Egypt too. Only Syria has a "street price" for cash - 50-
    52 Syrian pounds for a dollar instead of 45 in the bank.
    You can buy all currencies in Beirut at the zillions of
    exchange booths. Cash American dollars is by far the most
    useful thing to have - the ONLY thing in Syria.
    Enjoy your trip. There's lots to see, the people are very
    friendly to tourists, and it's pretty easy to get around.



  5. JORDAN Added by: Tamam F. Koudeih (tamam@hotmail.com)
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 12:11 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I'm a 21 years old man.If you come to Jordan I have all the
    information
    you need about Jordan,
    places to visit,Prices,Places to stay,Rental Cars,Places to
    eat
    .............etc.
    I do tours around Jordan for all budgets, whatever is your
    budget!
    whether you go on my tour or you don't you can get
    absolutely FREE
    INFORMATION
    I'll be very happy to tell all he information you need for
    free and I'll
    try to do my best.
    you can find me in Amman at the Bdeiwi Hotel the hotel is
    very clean,
    quiet and cheap just 8 JD for a Double Room. Free hot
    showers.
    BDEIWI HOTEL
    Khayyam St. Down Town Amman-JORDAN
    Tel. 4643394
    4643386
    or you can e-mail me: tamam@hotmail.com




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