| Popular Airport | Damascus Intl. Airport |
|---|---|
| Popular Airlines | |
| Approximate Flight Duration | 26 hour 30 min |
| Approximate Travel Distance | 3550 Km |
You can easily travel to Allama Iqbal International Airport from Lahore city center by getting on a taxi or renting a car. If you prefer using a means of public transportation, you can get on a bus going to the airport. Whichever alternative you prefer, you should not forget that traffic in Lahore can be very heavy. You should take the road a bit earlier in order not to miss your flight.
There are many car rental companies in the city center. When renting a car, pay attention to the terms of the contract and bargain if possible. Keep in mind that the traffic can be heavy, and most of the drivers are careless. If you have enough budget, rent a car with a driver. You can reach Allama Iqbal International Airport from the city center by driving eastward on Aziz Bhatti, Canal Bank or Zarrar Shaheed Road and following the airport signs.
Taxi is not a commonly used transportation option since rickshaws are more preferred for short distances in the city center. However, your hotel can arrange a taxi for you. Make sure to bargain on the fare. Travelling to the airport from the city center costs approximately 600-700 Pakistani Rupee.
You can reach Allama Iqbal International Airport from many parts of the city by using the bus routes B-08 and B-28. The bus route B-08 departs from the main bus station and passes through the main train station. You shouldn’t forget that there are separate seats for women in the buses.
Lahore's main airport was once Walton Airport. When Pakistan International Airlines acquired its first Boeing 720, Walton Airport was unable to handle the landing and take-off this aircraft. Therefore, it was decided to build a new airport. This new airport called Allama Iqbal International Airport allowed Lahore to open its gates to the world. Today, regular flights are organized from the airport to many important cities such as İstanbul, Dubai, Paris, New York and Tokyo. Allama Iqbal International Airport, which is the second busiest airport of Pakistan, is located 15 kilometers of the city center.
The airport includes two terminals as domestic and international. The international terminal has a lounge, duty free shops and various eating and drinking areas. In addition, passengers can benefit from the Wi-Fi network at the airport for free. At the airport, you can buy souvenirs consisting of local Pakistani desserts.
Public transport in the city of Damascus is carried out by buses, minibuses and trains. However, tourists are advised not to use public transport for safety reasons. Public transportation services provided by the municipalities do not provide continuity and order due to military and political turmoil in the country. Another disadvantage of public transport is that all signs and warnings are in Arabic and most foreigners do not understand it.
Taxis are very common in Damascus. Although it is regarded as safer from public transport, it is best to get a taxi, which is recommended by your acquaintance or your hotel. In this big city, taxi driving is not a widely registered commercial business, but an extra and informal job for everyone who has a car. For this reason you should not expect a standard price tag or taximeter. You should definitely talk with the car owner about the place you will go ahead and determine the price. You can bargain without hesitation. In general, taxi fares are very good in Damascus. Although tourists are offered a higher rate than usual, you can see much cheaper prices in this city than in many other countries. Figures rise in the intense traffic of the city center, but fall as you move away from the center.
During your stay in the city, you can rent a car and have a relatively comfortable and free transportation option. Cheap gas prices also make it advantageous to rent a car. Prices for car rental in Damascus are also very reasonable. You should pay attention to the fact that the papers of the vehicle you are renting are complete and any scratches or damages are detected and recorded in advance. Traffic is very dense and complex throughout the city. Most of the drivers do not care about traffic rules. For this reason you should be very careful when driving. You can rent your car with a private driver.
If you do not have visa problems, you can get to Beirut in 1.5 hours by car. There are also bus services between Damascus and Beirut and the journey takes about 2 hours on average. The number of alternatives you can get to the city center from Damascus International Airport is limited. Especially during the period of civil war, state-run public transport services were stopped. On the other hand, there is a private bus service between the airport and the city center. Taxi and car rental are the other transportation alternatives that are often preferred.
There are bus stops at the terminal exit of the airport, but they are out of service for a while. It is not known yet when the buses will start to operate again. But shuttle buses of a private company are closing this gap. You can easily get to the city center by taking these buses for an affordable fee.
Taxi usage is very common in Damascus. You can reach the city center at a convenient fare by taking a taxi from one of the taxi stands you can see in front of the airport. Since there is no taximeter in the taxis and there is no standard tariff, you should definitely negotiate with the driver about the fare. If possible, you can ask your hotel to send you a taxi; thus, you can get on a reliable taxi .
There are some car rental offices in Damascus Airport. By agreeing with one of these, you can have a comfortable means of transport throughout your trip. Prices are quite affordable. For this reason, you can also rent your car with a driver. Thus, you can have the opportunity to minimize the impact of the intense and turbulent traffic of Damascus.
