Lebanon: Traveling

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

Buses and taxis are the two main means of transport used in Beirut.
Buses are cheap and can be recognised by their colours: white and red. However, they are not regular and there are few of them. There is no existing route map and their itinerary is on a sign stuck to the buses' rear window.
Taxis can be recognised by their red number plates and the yellow light on their roof. Drivers understand French better than the English language however it is advised to show an address written on a piece of paper in Arabic. As they have no meters you have to negotiate the fare before you get in. There is a taxi service which can be shared by 5 people, the Lebanese call it "Services".

Maps of Urban Networks

Maporama
Mapblast
UT Library on line

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Beirut - Rafic Hariri Intl (BEY)	8 km / 5 miles	LBP 30 000 - USD 20	USD 1	-	Available

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

Lebanon is a small country. Three hours are enough to cross it from end to end. To get around, there are bus lines leaving from the bus station in Beirut (Charles Helou stop). The most comfortable bus line is Adhab. From the Cola roundabout, you can catch a bus to Saida, Chtaura, Masna and Damas.
Shared taxis can also serve all cities in the country. To go to the South you may take them from the Cola roundabout. For Northern cities, you should go to the Dora roundabout.

Rail Companies

Airlines

You Can Consult the List of Airlines Banned Within the EU. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling By Yourself

Recommendation

Roads are generally in good condition. Petrol stations are easy to find. In the event of an accident, it is advised to stay with the vehicle and call the company representative that insures the vehicle. If the car comes from abroad, you may ask the concerned insurance company for a local correspondent in order to get contact details of their company representative.

Road Maps

Road map of Lebanon
Lebanon Tourism Office

Find an Itinerary

Itineraries in Lebanon

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical

- Baalbeck's temples are fascinating. They dominate the Bekaaa. By their huge size they illustrate Roman power;
- In the capital Beirut modernism and tradition meet. The 5 columns group discovered in 1963, is located left from the St George Maronite Cathedral;
- The port of Sidon (Saida) located 48 km south of Beirut is a notable site as it has been an attractive trading center since Phoenician times;
- Byblos is among the most ancient cities in the world.

Cultural

There are three international festivals,in Byblos, Baalbeck and Beiteddine, where famous artists promote Lebanon's diversity.

Nature

Lebanon's diversity and topography give it a unique ecosystem. For 10 years, particular attention has been paid to endangered species. Lebanon has 20 natural reserves. One of them, Al Shouf cedar reserve, with its 6 magnificent cedar groves.

Religious

This type of tourism is not very common.

Thermal

This type of tourism is not very common.

Beach

The country has 225 km of Mediterranean coast. The beaches are sandy or rocky. You may explore the fauna and flora of this coast in the Palm Islands Park. You can also explore ancient Roman remains in Tyr. Diving and other underwater sports are available.

Winter Sports

Lebanon has 6 ski resorts where you can ski, cross country ski and walk with showshoes.

Outdoor Activities

You can go diving, snorkeling and do other water sports. Lebanon's mountainous relief is great for hiking, trekking and mountain biking. You can also go paragliding.

Shopping

Lebanon has many luxury boutiques concentrated in the regions of Achrafieh, Hamra, Kaslik, Verdun and in the City Center. A crafts department store, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, is located at the end of the coast road in Beirut. Beirut has a large carpet market.

Tourism Organizations

Ministry of Tourism
Lebanon's Tourism Office

Health and Safety

Health Precautions

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travellers coming from contaminated areas. To protect yourself against traveller’s diarrhoea, you are advised to avoid  seafood, meat, and fish which are under- or  poorly cooked,  raw  vegetables, unpeeled fruits and tap water.

International Hospitals

Clemenceau Medical center
Hotel Dieu de France
American University Medical Center

For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions

World Health Organization web page about Lebanon.

For Further Information on Safety Conditions

Canadian Foreign Office: Advises to travelers
French Foreign Office: Advises to travelers
Lebanon Tour Guide

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference

It is %T:%M %A In Beirut (GMT+2 in winter, GMT+3 in summer)

Summer Time Period

Summer time from March to October