| Popular Airport | Damascus Intl. Airport |
|---|---|
| Popular Airlines | |
| Approximate Flight Duration | 6 hour 45 min |
| Approximate Travel Distance | 1809 Km |
Located around 25 kilometers from Abha, the capital of Saudi Arabia's Asir Province, Abha Airport offers convenient transportation options, including taxis, rental cars, and hotel shuttles. Here's what you need to know:
TaxiTaxis are readily available outside the terminal, particularly during flight times, and provide a comfortable way to reach the city center. To avoid confusion, it’s helpful to have your destination written down to show the driver. While most taxis accept payment in Saudi Riyals, some drivers may also accept US Dollars. Confirm the fare before starting your journey to ensure a smooth experience. Also, car-hailing services like Uber and Careem are available for alternative to taxis.
For travelers seeking independence, car rental services are available at the airport terminal. To secure your preferred vehicle, it’s advisable to book in advance and pick it up upon arrival. Using a navigation app or device can help you easily find your way to the city center or nearby attractions. Keep in mind that some car rental companies may require an international driver’s permit.
Hotel ShuttlesHotel shuttles are an affordable and hassle-free option for transferring to your accommodation. These services are particularly useful if you’re traveling with heavy luggage. Contact your hotel beforehand to confirm if shuttle services are available, inquire about any associated fees, and make a reservation if necessary.
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.
