No — every major Western government still advises against all travel to Syria, even as the transitional government works to stabilise the country a year and a half after the Assad regime’s fall. Damascus and Aleppo airports are both open, and new Gulf-to-Aleppo routes are launching this very week.
Sectarian violence, an active ISIS insurgency and unexploded ordnance are the risks driving that warning today — not the Gulf-wide tensions that dominated headlines earlier this year. Flights are expanding fast, but security on the ground remains uneven.
Is Syria Safe to Travel to Right Now?
No. The US, UK, Australia and Canada all still rate Syria at their highest travel-warning level, even as President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s transitional government works to consolidate power and normalise the country internationally.
Consular support remains extremely limited — no major Western government runs a full embassy in Syria — even though sanctions are largely lifted and diplomatic visits are now happening, including French President Emmanuel Macron’s early-July trip to Damascus. That normalisation hasn’t reached street level: twin blasts hit central Damascus near Macron’s convoy on 7 July 2026, with no group claiming responsibility. Political progress and on-the-ground safety are clearly two different things in Syria right now.
Government Travel Advisories
All four major Western advisories keep Syria at their strictest level, and none have downgraded despite the political transition.
| Country | Advisory Level | Key Risks Cited |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Level 4 — Do Not Travel | Terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, unexploded ordnance |
| United Kingdom | Advise Against All Travel | Unpredictable security, terrorism, no consular support |
| Australia | Do Not Travel | Armed conflict, kidnapping, sectarian unrest, detention |
| Canada | Avoid All Travel | Kidnapping, terrorism, sectarian violence, criminality |
Syria’s Security Situation Today
Syria’s risk profile today is driven by its own fragile transition, not by the Gulf’s US-Iran standoff. President al-Sharaa’s government convened Syria’s first post-revolution Parliament in mid-July 2026, a milestone for the transition, but state capacity remains limited outside major cities.
Sectarian violence is the biggest recurring flashpoint, with clashes between Druze and Sunni Arab communities in Suwayda province having killed an estimated 1,700 people and displaced more than 185,000, at times drawing Israeli military intervention.
ISIS continues to operate as an active insurgency in eastern Syria, with sporadic attacks reaching major cities.
Flights to Syria
Both of Syria’s main international airports are open. Damascus International Airport now hosts around 15 airlines, though frequencies vary — Qatar Airways, for instance, runs just one to two flights a week, while Etihad Airways flies four times weekly from Abu Dhabi.
Aleppo International Airport is also open, with routes to Istanbul and Jeddah. flydubai starts a daily nonstop Dubai–Aleppo service today, and flynas adds twice-weekly Riyadh–Aleppo flights from 1 August — the first Gulf links to Aleppo in over a decade. Latakia Airport remains closed.
| Airline | Airport | Route(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | Damascus | Istanbul |
| AJet | Damascus | Ankara, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen |
| Fly Cham | Damascus | Kuwait, Muscat, Erbil, Baghdad |
| Saudia | Damascus | Jeddah, Riyadh |
| flynas | Damascus | Riyadh, Jeddah |
| flynas | Aleppo | Riyadh (twice-weekly, from 1 August 2026) |
| Air Arabia | Damascus | Sharjah, Abu Dhabi |
| flydubai | Aleppo | Dubai (daily, from 20 July 2026) |
| Dan Air | Damascus | Bucharest (only direct European route) |
| flyadeal | Damascus | Jeddah, Riyadh |
| Qatar Airways | Damascus | Doha (1–2x weekly) |
| Etihad Airways | Damascus | Abu Dhabi (4x weekly) |
Check live status on the Wego Flight Tracker, or search flights to Damascus to compare fares. European, US, UK and Canadian aviation regulators continue to advise against overflying Syria, and carriers from those countries remain barred from Syrian airspace, so book flexible or refundable fares given how often schedules have shifted in 2026.
Key Risks to Be Aware Of
Syria’s risks are real but straightforward to understand. Here’s what every government advisory flags:
- Terrorism and insurgency — ISIS operates as an active insurgency in eastern Syria, with sporadic attacks reaching major cities, including the July 2026 Damascus bombing.
- Sectarian violence — clashes centred on Suwayda province have killed an estimated 1,700 people and can escalate with little warning.
- Kidnapping — foreign nationals remain a target risk across the country.
- Unexploded ordnance — landmines and munitions contaminate former conflict zones, especially in the east and south. Stay on well-trodden paths.
- Limited healthcare — medical facilities lack supplies and specialist staff, and advanced treatment may not be available.
- Limited consular support — no Western government runs a full embassy in Syria yet, though the US and UK have re-established some diplomatic presence since the transition began.
Practical Information If You Still Plan to Travel
Visa Requirements
Most nationalities can get a 15- to 30-day tourist visa on arrival, but Damascus airport now requires advance entry approval for most travellers before they fly.
Approval typically takes three days to a week for non-restricted nationalities, and up to a month for others — including Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Indonesian citizens, per the US State Department. Visa costs run to roughly $200 and must be paid in cash (USD or EUR); ATMs and card payments still don’t work in Syria.
Iranian and Israeli nationals are barred from entry entirely, and any passport stamp showing travel to Israel results in denied entry.
Travel Insurance
Standard policies won’t cover Syria. You need specialist high-risk insurance from providers like IATI Insurance, Battleface, or High Risk Voyager.
Make sure your policy explicitly covers conflict zones and medical evacuation.
Other Essentials
- Travel with a licensed tour operator — this is the safest and most practical way to visit. Operators handle visas, transport, and local logistics.
- Carry enough cash in USD or EUR for your entire trip. Syria’s banking system doesn’t work for international visitors.
- Register with your government’s travel advisory service for emergency alerts.
- Have an exit plan via Turkey, Jordan, or Lebanon in case flights are suddenly canceled.
- Best time to visit: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) for comfortable weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Syria’s transitional government stable?
It’s making political progress — Syria convened its first post-revolution Parliament in mid-July 2026 — but sectarian violence, an active ISIS insurgency, and a Damascus bombing near a visiting foreign leader’s convoy the same month show the transition is still fragile.
Can I fly to Damascus right now?
Yes. Damascus International Airport is operational with around 15 airlines serving the Gulf, Turkey, and Europe, though frequencies vary — Qatar Airways runs 1–2 flights weekly while Etihad Airways flies four times weekly from Abu Dhabi. Check the Wego Flight Tracker for Damascus for live status.
Can I fly directly to Aleppo now?
Yes. flydubai runs a daily nonstop Dubai–Aleppo service, and flynas adds twice-weekly Riyadh–Aleppo flights from 1 August 2026 — the first Gulf links to Aleppo in over a decade.
Do I need a visa to visit Syria?
Most nationalities can get a 15- to 30-day tourist visa on arrival for roughly $200, cash only. Damascus airport now requires advance approval first — a few days for most nationalities, up to a month for some, including Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Indonesian citizens.
Will my travel insurance cover Syria?
Standard policies won’t. You need specialist high-risk insurance from providers like IATI, Battleface, or High Risk Voyager that explicitly cover conflict zones.
What’s the safest way to visit Syria?
Travel with a licensed tour operator. They handle visas, transport, and security. Carry cash, book refundable flights, and always have a backup exit route via Turkey, Jordan, or Lebanon.
Sources
- US State Department — Syria Travel Advisory
- UK FCDO — Syria Travel Advice
- Australia Smartraveller — Syria Advisory
- Government of Canada — Syria Travel Advisory
- The Soufan Center — Syria’s Transition Advances Amid Persistent Security Challenges (15 July 2026)
- Christian Science Monitor — Syrians Put on Brave Face After Damascus Bombings
- ACLED — Sectarian Violence Threatens Syria’s Chance at Stability
- PBS News — Syria Welcomes Permanent Repeal of US Sanctions
- Human Rights Watch — World Report 2026: Syria
- Middle East Monitor — 12 Airlines Resume Flights to and From Syria
- Enab Baladi — Northern Air Corridors Reopen, Aleppo Airport Resumes Flights
- Wego Travel Blog — Flying to Syria in 2026: flydubai and flynas Launch New Routes to Aleppo
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
