Beirut - first night

This topic was created by Csaba
[Wed 28 April, 7:25 Tasmanian Standard Time]

Does anyone know a cheap place to stay in Beirut? (possibly
under USD 10).
Is there any way I can get in touch with locals BEFORE I
get there? I would appreciate if I could talk to someone
who is local... ABout general interests, reconstruction,
culture, etc.

[There are 4 posts - the latest was added on Fri 14 May, 19:14]

Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.

Topics | Thorn Tree | Home


  1. No problem Added by: brandon (brandon.lerch@stud.uni-regensburg.de)
    [Timestamp: Sat 1 May, 1:44 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    It is no problem to find a room in Beirut for under $10. The
    Pension Home Valery -THIRD FLOOR- is the place to be. Jamal,
    the owner and manager charges $5 and can give you, in
    impecible english, incredible information about Beirut and
    all of Lebanon.
    The hotel is really easy to find. Just go to the Hard Rock
    Cafe (the one on the water, there's two!). Walk away from
    the water on the street between McDonalds and the Hard Rock.
    After one long block, the building is on your right. Look
    for the Wash-Me car wash with the car hanging above its
    entrace. At the main entrance to this building walk to the
    back of hallway and then the stairs to the third floor.
    There is another Pension of the same name but different
    managment on the second floor. I can't vouch for it but it
    may be a satisfactory back-up. I'm really enthusiastic about
    Lebanon after my visit and I don't think it's possible to
    miss the energie there. Goodluck and e-mail if you have any
    further questions.
    Wait! I found the number: 364906
    I don't have the coutry code and moreover, I'm not sure all
    the land lines in Lebanon have international capability, but
    you'll soon find out.



  2. Airport taxis or: Beirut on a budget Added by: Black Garden
    [Timestamp: Tue 4 May, 17:30 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    If you are both on a tight budget and would like to avoid
    being ripped off by the airport (and for that matter: any)
    taxi drivers, you can walk from the airport to the city. It
    is about 5k along a main motorway and shouldn't take more
    than 1hr. Although overcharging incoming travellers is one
    of the ubiquitous problems at any airports around the world,
    the Lebanese taxi gangsters seem to be most notorious for
    that...

    Although I walked at night, it is not exactly recommended
    due to a certain crime rate around the southern suburbs.
    Maybe I looked to worn down even for them... But it is an
    option for daytime which can easily save you $10 (or
    whatever these bandits demand). It is enough to make your
    way to Cola interchange/bridge (the place with tons of
    busses, minibusses, taxis) to find some reasonable
    transportation to downtown.

    By the way, I have heard about municipal and private busses
    that go from the airport to downtown sometimes but they
    haven't convenient time schedules (i.e. something from 7am
    to 6pm). These would cost you a couple of cents only (500LL
    = 30c) and save you the walk...

    If you don't mind the noise of traffic in Beirut and aren't
    pissed off by the ubiquitous honking, you will find it a
    nice place.



  3. RE: Beirut First Night Added by: Joanne Larvie
    [Timestamp: Fri 14 May, 19:11 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    The Lonnely Planet subWWWay has some excellent link where
    you can find all sorts of information regarding cultural
    events etc. happening throughout the year in the country and
    hotel info etc. I might add that if you are intersted in
    reconstruction, you must check out:
    http://www.solidere.com.lb/. Also, http://www.beirut99.org/
    has all the information related to Beirut being the UNESCO
    Culture Capital of the Arab World, for 1999. Also,
    http://www.lebanon.com/where/ has some more information
    which could be of help. I visited Lebanon this winter and
    had an absolutely wonderful time. As a young woman
    travelling alone, I fealt as comfortable as anywhere in the
    US or Europe. Best of luck!



  4. Calling Added by: Johnathan
    [Timestamp: Fri 14 May, 19:14 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I might be able to add something to Brandon's post: the
    country code for Lebanon is +961 and the city code for
    Beirut is 1. So just add +9611 infront of the number he
    mentioned. All telephone lines in Lebanon can receive
    international calls offcourse, however subscribers may
    activate/deactivate outgoing international calls. The
    people in Lebanon are hospitable to the extreme and I am
    sure you will be able to settle yourself easily!




Add a post

Your name or handle
Your email address (optional)
A title for your post

Away you go...

Topics | Thorn Tree | Home


Lonely Planet Publications

talk2us@lonelyplanet.com.au