Prepare the practical side of your trip
A compact bilingual toolkit for money, connectivity, getting around, emergency contacts, and offline backups. Uncertain operational details are clearly marked for confirmation.
Everything for a Smooth Trip: Money, SIMs, Ride Apps & Emergency Help
Practical preparation guidance for cash, connectivity, and local transport, with uncertain details clearly marked for confirmation.
Use the New Syrian Pound
Old Syrian banknotes stopped being legal tender on 31 July 2026. The official conversion was 100 old pounds to 1 new pound. Do not accept old notes in payment or exchange; holders can now withdraw their value only through the Central Bank appointment process.
Plan for a Cash-First Trip
International-card acceptance remains limited and travelers should not rely on foreign cards or ATMs. Carry sufficient clean USD or EUR notes, divide cash securely, and confirm current customs declaration rules before travel.
Banknote Quality Requirements
Licensed exchangers may reject old, torn, marked, or badly folded foreign notes. Bring clean notes in more than one denomination and inspect them before departure.
Official vs Commercial Rate
The Central Bank of Syria publishes exchange bulletins. Use licensed banks or exchange companies and request a receipt; do not treat an unofficial online rate as a guaranteed cash rate.
Syria’s published aviation information requires arriving travelers to declare foreign currency exceeding $5,000 USD (or equivalent). Retain the stamped declaration and confirm current departure limits with customs before travel.
Authorized Money Transfer & Cash Pickup Networks
Licensed local transfer companies
Branch availability varies by city
💡 Confirm the receiving agent, currency, identification requirement, and fee before sending money.
Western Union / MoneyGram
Approved Syrian agents; availability varies
💡 Confirm that the chosen agent and payout currency are available before sending.
SP-Today (الليرة اليوم)
Unofficial referenceAn unofficial third-party exchange-rate tracker. Use it only as a market reference and compare it with the latest Central Bank bulletin or a licensed exchanger.