🚴 🏍️ 🚙 Adventure Travelers

Ride Syria.
Your Way.

The complete guide for cyclists, motorcyclists and overlanders traveling to Syria — routes, maps, border crossings, community stories and everything you need to know.

🗺️ View Routes 📖 Read Stories ✍️ Share Your Story

🚲 Bicycle / Touring

🏍️ Motorcycle

🚙 4x4 / Overland

🚐 Campervan

🛵 Scooter

🗺️

Routes Mapped

📖

Traveler Stories

📍

Key Spots

🌍

20+

Countries Connected

🛂 Essential Information

Getting Your Vehicle Into Syria

Everything you need to know about bringing your bicycle, motorcycle or vehicle across the border

🛂

Visa Requirements

Most nationalities require a visa in advance. Apply at the Syrian Embassy in your country minimum 4–6 weeks before travel. Some nationalities can get visa on arrival — check current regulations.

📄

Carnet de Passage

Motorcycles and cars MUST have a Carnet de Passage (vehicle passport) for temporary import. Obtain this through your national automobile club (AA, ADAC, etc.) before departure.

🚲

Bicycles

Bicycles generally do not require a Carnet. At border, declare your bicycle and keep the entry stamp. Exit with the same bicycle.

⛽

Fuel

Fuel is available and affordable throughout Syria. Petrol stations are common in cities. Desert routes require planning — carry extra fuel.

🛡️

Insurance

Syrian third-party insurance is required for motorized vehicles. Available at the border crossing. ~$30–50 for 30 days.

📱

Connectivity

Syrian SIM cards available at the border and in cities. Syriatel and MTN Syria. Data speeds variable. Download offline maps before crossing.

🏥

Medical

Travel insurance with medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Carry a comprehensive first aid kit. Major hospitals in Damascus and Aleppo.

💵

Money

Syrian Pounds (SYP) required for local expenses. USD widely accepted in tourist areas. ATMs available in major cities but may not accept foreign cards. Carry sufficient cash.

🚩 Border Crossings

Entry Points into Syria

Border Crossing	Country	Best For	Status	Notes
Nassib / Jaber	🇯🇴 Jordan	All vehicles	✅ Open	Most popular for overlanders coming from Jordan/Arabia
Bab al-Hawa	🇹🇷 Turkey	Cyclists & Motorcycles	✅ Open	Main entry from Turkey — busy but efficient
Bab al-Salameh	🇹🇷 Turkey	All vehicles	✅ Open	Alternative Turkish crossing, quieter
Abu al-Duhur	🇹🇷 Turkey	4x4 & Overland	⚠️ Check	Less used — verify status before travel
Masnaa	🇱🇧 Lebanon	All vehicles	✅ Open	Beirut to Damascus via Masnaa — fastest from Lebanon
Aarida	🇱🇧 Lebanon	Cyclists	✅ Open	Coastal crossing from Lebanon, popular with cyclists

⚠️ Border status can change. Always verify current situation before travel.

🗺️ Routes

Syria Adventure Routes

Curated routes for cyclists, motorcyclists and overlanders — verified by real travelers

🛣️ Mixed Moderate 🛣️ Paved Road ✅ Verified

Damascus to Aleppo — The Classic Syrian Road

📍 Damascus → Aleppo

The most iconic road trip in Syria, connecting the two greatest cities. The M5 highway is well-paved and passes through the fertile heart of Syria including Homs and Hama....

✨ Highlights

Hama water wheels (Norias), Homs citadel, Syrian countryside, famous hospitality stops along the way

⚠️ Important Notes

Summer temperatures can reach 40°C — carry extra water. Some road sections are under repair.

360

days

↑800m

elevation

🗓️ Spring & Autumn

🛣️ Mixed Hard 🛣️ Paved Road ✅ Verified

Damascus to Palmyra — Desert Highway

📍 Damascus → Palmyra

Cross the Syrian desert on the T2 highway to reach the legendary Palmyra ruins. An unforgettable desert ride through endless golden landscapes....

✨ Highlights

Desert sunrise, Roman ruins, Bedouin hospitality, star-gazing in the desert at night

⚠️ Important Notes

Carry minimum 3L water per person. No fuel stations between Deir Attiyeh and Palmyra (180km). Desert sandstorms possible April-May.

240

days

↑400m

elevation

🗓️ Winter & Spring

🚲 Cycling Moderate 🛣️ Paved Road ✅ Verified

The Syrian Coastal Road — Mediterranean Bliss

📍 Tartus → Latakia

Ride along the stunning Syrian Mediterranean coast. This is one of the most scenic cycling routes in the Levant, with mountain villages, sea views, and fresh seafood....

✨ Highlights

Mediterranean views, Crusader Castles (Krak des Chevaliers), Qadisha valley, coastal fishing villages, fresh seafood

⚠️ Important Notes

Coastal road has some steep climbs. Summer is hot but sea breeze helps.

200

days

↑2,200m

elevation

🗓️ Spring, Summer & Autumn

🏍️ Motorcycle Moderate 🛣️ Paved Road ✅ Verified

Damascus to Jordan — The Levant Connection

📍 Damascus → Daraa (Jordan Border)

From Damascus south through the ancient Hauran region to the Jordanian border at Jaber/Nassib crossing. Pass through Bosra with its magnificent Roman theatre....

✨ Highlights

Bosra Roman Theatre, Hauran landscape, ancient basalt villages, Silk Road history

⚠️ Important Notes

Border crossing requires advance planning. Carnet de Passage required for motorcycles.

120

days

↑300m

elevation

🗓️ Spring & Autumn

🏍️ Motorcycle Extreme 🛣️ Off-Road ✅ Verified

Northern Syria Mountain Loop — Offroad Adventure

📍 Aleppo → Aleppo

A challenging loop through the mountains of northern Syria including the Dead Cities archaeological sites, Afrin valley, and the stunning Jebel Simeon area. Mostly gravel and dirt...

✨ Highlights

Dead Cities (UNESCO), Byzantine ruins, mountain villages, ancient olive groves, off-the-beaten-path adventure

⚠️ Important Notes

Requires a capable off-road motorcycle or bicycle. GPS essential. Limited accommodation — camping gear recommended.

450

days

↑4,500m

elevation

🗓️ Spring

🚲 Cycling Hard 🛣️ Mixed Surface ✅ Verified

The Eurasian Cyclist — Entering Syria from Turkey

📍 Turkish Border (Bab al-Hawa) → Jordanian Border (Nassib)

The classic Eurasian cycling route through Syria, following the ancient Silk Road from Turkey to Jordan. Passes through Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Damascus, and Bosra....

✨ Highlights

Full cross-country experience, all major cities, diverse landscapes from Mediterranean coast to desert

⚠️ Important Notes

Requires Syria tourist visa in advance. Plan carefully around border crossing timings.

800

days

↑3,200m

elevation

🗓️ Spring & Autumn

📍 Adventure Spots Map

Key Spots for Adventurers

Campsites, mechanics, fuel stations and rest spots used by real travelers

🏕️ Campsite

🔧 Mechanic

⛽ Fuel Station

💧 Water Point

🍽️ Food Stop

🛂 Border Crossing

🏨 Rest Stop

📖 Community

Real Stories from Real Travelers

Verified experiences from cyclists, motorcyclists and overlanders who traveled Syria

Marco Rossi

Italy

🏍️

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

BMW R1250GS

Riding Syria on my BMW — An Unforgettable Journey

I arrived at the Turkish-Syrian border at Bab al-Hawa after 3 months on the road from Europe. Nothing could have prepared me for the warmth of the Syrian people. Within 10 minutes...

💡 Top Tip

Fill up completely before the desert stretch. Syrian fuel is cheap. Carry extra oil if your bike use...

📅 Sep 2024 · 📍 1,850km

🛣️ 5/5 🤝 5/5

Sarah Chen

Netherlands

🚲

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Trek 920

Solo Cycling Syria — My Most Rewarding Adventure

I cycled from Aleppo to Damascus over 8 days, averaging 80km per day. As a solo female cyclist, I was nervous before I started — I needn't have been. Every single day Syrian people...

💡 Top Tip

Syrian drivers are not used to cyclists — be visible and predictable. The dog situation in rural vil...

📅 Apr 2024 · 📍 650km

🛣️ 4/5 🤝 5/5

Thomas Mueller

Germany

🚙

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mercedes G-Class

Overlanding Syria — A Week in the Desert

Drove from Germany through Turkey and into Syria with my G-Wagon. The Carnet de Passage process was smooth at the Turkish-Syrian border. Highlights: Palmyra at sunrise (absolute...

💡 Top Tip

Get your Syrian visa before departure — apply at Syrian embassy minimum 4 weeks ahead. Carnet de Pas...

📅 Nov 2024 · 📍 2,200km

🛣️ 3/5 🤝 5/5

🎒 Gear

Essential Gear for Syria

🚲

For Cyclists

✓Helmet (mandatory)
✓Front & rear lights
✓Panniers or bikepacking bags
✓Puncture repair kit (carry 3+ tubes)
✓Chain lube (hard to find in rural areas)
✓Water bladder + bottles (min 3L capacity)
✓Handlebar phone mount & power bank
✓Offline maps downloaded (Maps.me / Komoot)

🏍️

For Motorcyclists

✓Full protective gear (jacket, pants, gloves, boots)
✓Tank bag + panniers
✓Tool kit + spare parts (chain, oil, bulbs)
✓Jerry can for desert stretches
✓Chain lock + disc lock
✓GPS device (smartphone + dedicated GPS)
✓Satellite communicator (SPOT/Garmin InReach)
✓First aid kit + emergency blanket

🚙

For Overlanders & 4x4

✓Recovery gear (shovel, traction boards, tow rope)
✓Hi-lift jack
✓Extra fuel cans (desert routes)
✓Water storage (min 20L)
✓Tire repair kit + 12V compressor
✓Satellite phone or communicator
✓Complete tool kit
✓Offline navigation (iOverlander, Maps.me)

Ride Syria.Your Way.

Getting Your Vehicle Into Syria

Entry Points into Syria

Syria Adventure Routes

Damascus to Aleppo — The Classic Syrian Road

Damascus to Palmyra — Desert Highway

The Syrian Coastal Road — Mediterranean Bliss

Damascus to Jordan — The Levant Connection

Northern Syria Mountain Loop — Offroad Adventure

The Eurasian Cyclist — Entering Syria from Turkey

Key Spots for Adventurers

Real Stories from Real Travelers

Riding Syria on my BMW — An Unforgettable Journey

Solo Cycling Syria — My Most Rewarding Adventure

Overlanding Syria — A Week in the Desert

Share Your Syria Adventure

Essential Gear for Syria

For Cyclists

For Motorcyclists

For Overlanders & 4x4

Ride Syria.
Your Way.