Getting around Damascus is best done by taxi, though increasing traffic jams mean that walking sometimes really is the faster option. In the Old Town area, car traffic is near impossible; make sure you get dropped off or picked up at a conveniently close city gate and walk. For the main souks, the road in front of the Damascus citadel is slightly chaotic but still the most convenient taxi meeting point. 

Taxis

Taxis are an easy and fun way to get around Damascus, although increasing car ownership and the lack of public transport planning often clog up the main streets. Taxis are safe to travel with and nowadays are also easy to hail using one of the many new taxi apps available to visitors; you'll find our selection of these linked below. These taxi apps only work with local phone numbers. 

The regular yellow taxis in Damascus can simply be hailed on the street or found waiting at major crossings and landmarks. Forget about fare meters; these still indicate pre-inflation prices. Instead, mention or show your destination and ask 'kam?' to find out how much the driver has in mind and then, to agree, negotiate a better price or look for another car. When negotiating prices, keep in mind that nowadays regular taxi drivers earn just 50,000 Syrian pounds per day, a third of what they made last year; do make sure to tip good service. 

ElectroTaxi

With a fully electric fleet of bright blue Chinese cars, neatly dressed drivers, and a healthy focus on passenger safety, ElectroTaxi is a smooth and clean way to get around, if perhaps priced a little higher than others. The app indicates an estimated price when you book; this can vary slightly if more time or a detour is needed – you'll see the amount increase in the app as the ride proceeds. Payment is in cash at the end of the ride. ElectroTaxi also offers transport between or tours of cities across Syria. See the link below for app details.

YallaGo! 

The most popular ride-hailing app in the Middle East is named after the popular term for 'come on, let's go!'. It has a good reputation in Syria and a large number of safeer ('travel ambassador' drivers) on call. You can choose for cheaper classic vehicles (some without a/c), standard comfort or VIP cars. Pricing is dynamic with differences throughout the day, with an estimated fare shown in the app when you book. You'll need a local number to use the app, and payment is in cash at the end of the ride. See the link below for app details.
 

Drivers & Guides

You can readily hire experienced guides who double as drivers with a car or minivan for day trips around Damascus or longer adventures throughout Syria. Here are driver guides that are recommended by us and the Traveller Community Syria WhatsApp group.
 

Contact each individual driver guide to get a price quote; payment is in dollars – and don't forget to invite them for lunch if you're on a longer trip. 

Ahmad Sadat

Tel. +963 944 289 860
The affable owner of the Rosa Damascena Guesthouse has decades of touring experience and can take tourists to sights around the country in his white Mercedes. We joined him to Bosra in 2025 and had a great time.

Ziyara Ride

Tel. ‪+963 992 185 219‬
Fluent in English, experienced, and highly recommended, Mohammad is a self-proclaimed 'storyteller on the road' and a careful driver who can take you on adventures throughout Syria. A good choice for day trips, for example, combining Sednaya, Maaloula and Mar Musa. 

Khaled Alloush

Tel. +963 933 567 229
An experienced English-speaking driver and guide, available for domestic trips, with a minibus seating 6 persons. He took us on a day trip from Damascus to Palmyra in 2025 and was great company. 

Dr Adeeb

Tel. +963 997 493 592‬
The driving dentist, Dr Adeeb has several years' experience driving tourists on trips from Damascus to Maaloula, Sednaya, Bosra, Palmyra, and further afield. Contact him directly to discuss availability and prices... for both his travel and dentistry services. 

Gulizar Mammo

Tel. +963 996 729 366, Email, Instagram
A recommended female licensed tour guide, Gulizar offers historical and cultural walking tours and city experiences in both the old and modern districts of Damascus, as well as day trips to sights such as Maaloula, Sednaya and Deir Mar Musa. 

Shufi Syria

Tel. +963 938 367 503, Instagram
Alhussein Mousleh is a friendly and passionate guide, fixer and aspiring hostel owner, with a spontaneous touring style that lets travellers have wonderful encounters with Syrians of all walks of life, in and outside Damascus. See his insta feed for his latest wacky adventures. 

Omar

Tel. +963 932 510 609
Recommended in the Traveler Community Syria chat group, Omar can whisk you to the main day-trip destinations or as far as the coastal cities in his white BYD car. Example prices are $20 for a trip to Sednaya, $60 if you also visit Maaloula.

Ahmad Magribi

Tel. +963 982 006 937
Based in Aleppo, Ahmad is a well-reviewed licensed tour guide, former English teacher and Syria travel expert on Tripadvisor who works with trusted drivers to organise trips throughout Syria with full guiding and transport. 

Mohammed

Tel. ‪+963 986 564 041‬
A driver guide recommended by several travellers, in 2025 he offered a day trip from Damascus to Krak des Chevaliers castle for $200 and a long combination day trip of Palmyra and Krak des Chevaliers for $300.