Getting to Beirut

It is possible to reach Beirut by road, air and sea, but in reality, the vast majority of tourists fly to the city. Rafic Hariri International Airport has recently undergone significant improvements and is of a high standard. It is possible to drive here via Syria and Turkey, and there are also buses travelling along these routes. Beirut is also a port for some cruise liners.

By car

Reaching Beirut by car is possible, but not the most common method of transport. The most viable international routes are via Turkey and Syria on the coastal road. It is also possible to travel on the Beirut to Damascus road. Driving standards and road conditions can vary hugely here, so travellers should take extra care if they consider this option.

By bus

There are regular bus services to other cities in Lebanon as well as to major cities in Syria, and most buses leave from the Charles Helou Station in Beirut. Buses to Aleppo (Syria) take around 6 hours, but this generally depends on how long it takes at the border; the Serraj bus company operate services on this route and buses are generally comfortable. The journey between Beirut and Damascus takes around 4 hours.

There are bus services available from destinations in Europe, and many of these travel via Damascus and Aleppo in Syria.

By air

Rafic Hariri International Airport, formerly known as Beirut International Airport, is located just over five miles south of the city centre, and is the only commercial airport in Lebanon. It is the main entry point to Beirut, and most travellers chose to fly here. It is also the base of Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national air carrier.

Following the Civil War, there was an ambitious reconstruction plan for the airport, and Rafic Hariri International Airport has been rated among the top in the Middle East. The airport was out of operation for a short time during the 2006 military crisis with Israel, but full services have now been resumed.

There are regular flights to Beirut from Europe, Africa, Asia and other destinations in the Middle East, and the major airlines operating here include Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Middle East Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Transport to the airport is limited, and there is no public transport at present. However, the airport is very close to the city and there are dozens of taxis available, both from the airport and the city itself.

By ferry

It is possible to reach Beirut by ferry and there are a number of different routes. One of the most popular routes is from Limassol. Typically, the journey takes about 12 hours and there are night boats leaving Limassol at 20:00. There are some cabins on the boats, and the price of the ticket often includes meals.

There are a number of cruise ships that connect Beirut with worldwide destinations, and Fred Olsen Cruises are one of the main cruise lines to port at Beirut.

Rafic Hariri International Airport

Following a large redevelopment, Rafic Hariri International Airport is a high standard airport with excellent facilities. The main terminal building is modern, with 23 departure gates split between two wings (east and west). The airport currently has the capacity to serve around six million passengers a year.

The main terminal building has four levels; the ground floor is for arrivals, the second floor is for departures, the third floor holds the airline lounges and the fourth floor houses administration offices.

There are good facilities for passengers, with a large duty-free section and a range of shops selling the usual airport items as well as some Lebanese souvenirs. There are shops in the Arrivals area, but the majority are located in the Departure area. There are plenty of food and drink choices. In the Arrivals area, there is a restaurant, Akle, and a café, Café Matik. The Departures zone has a Japanese seafood bar and a café in both the east and west wings. There are plans to open further eateries in the future.

The airport has banks and exchange counters as well as four ATMs. There are also internet kiosks dotted around the airport as well as a wireless hotspot, for which you will need to purchase cards. 

Rafic Hariri International Airport transportation

Although there are few transport choices here, the airport is located close to the city and transport is fairly straightforward. There are dozens of taxis available at the airport to take you to the city centre and it is also easy to get a taxi to many other destinations in Lebanon, with prices fixed by the airport.

For those who want to drive themselves, there are a number of car rental companies represented in the Arrivals Hall.