Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Syria

Direct flight routes to Syria

• Currently, no direct commercial flights operate between European airports and Syria due to ongoing travel restrictions and security concerns.

Layover/stopover options

Beirut (BEY) serves as the primary gateway to Syria. Middle East Airlines operates frequent connections, with average layover times of 4-6 hours. The airport offers reliable ground transportation to Damascus.

Istanbul (IST) offers connections via Turkish Airlines, with typical layover times of 3-5 hours. The new airport provides extensive shopping facilities and efficient transit procedures. Land transport to Syria is available.

Dubai (DXB) connects through Emirates airline with 5-8 hour layovers. The hub offers premium transit facilities and multiple daily connections to Damascus. Excellent airport amenities make longer layovers comfortable.

Time vs money

Multi-stop routes typically cost 20-40% less than the most direct routing options. Longer layovers generally result in lower fares, while shorter connection times command premium prices.

Tips and recommendations

• Book separate tickets for each leg of the journey to potentially save money, but ensure sufficient connection time.


• Consider overnight layovers in Istanbul or Beirut, as they often offer better rates and allow for city exploration.


• Check visa requirements for transit countries, particularly for longer layovers.


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer the best fares.


• Book flights 2-3 months in advance for optimal pricing, especially during summer months.

• Turkish Airlines offers the most extensive network to Syria via Istanbul, with daily flights to Damascus and Aleppo resuming in March 2024. Economy fares from secondary European cities like Budapest or Bucharest to Damascus can be up to 30% cheaper than from major hubs. The layover in Istanbul typically ranges from 2-4 hours, allowing comfortable connections.
• Consider departing from Cyprus with Cyprus Airways, which operates direct flights to Damascus three times weekly with competitive fares averaging €280 round-trip. Their Airbus A320 aircraft feature a comfortable 32-inch pitch in economy, and flight time is just 1 hour.
• Booking flights through Beirut as a gateway can save up to 40% compared to direct options, with MEA (Middle East Airlines) offering frequent connections to Damascus and Aleppo. The Beirut-Syria leg is operated with modern Airbus A321neo aircraft, featuring enhanced cabin comfort and reduced engine noise.
• Royal Jordanian provides reliable service via Amman with particularly good value from Rome, Athens, and Vienna. Their crown lounge in Amman offers economical day passes for layovers, and the airline maintains consistent service despite regional tensions.
• For travelers from Eastern Europe, Fly Baghdad offers surprising value with routes via Baghdad International Airport to Damascus, though schedules can be irregular. Average fares from cities like Warsaw or Bucharest via this route are typically 45% lower than traditional carriers, with basic but adequate service on Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

1. Not checking visa requirements beforehand Due to the complex political situation, European travelers often overlook that Syria requires both a visa and special security clearance, which can take several weeks to process.
2. Booking direct flights that don’t exist Since most European airlines suspended services to Syria, travelers need to plan routes through hub airports like Beirut (Lebanon) or Amman (Jordan) with subsequent ground transportation.
3. Ignoring seasonal travel restrictions Many connecting flights to Damascus International Airport operate on reduced schedules during winter months, particularly from November to February, requiring more flexible travel planning.
4. Choosing Damascus as the only arrival option Focusing solely on Damascus International Airport while overlooking alternative entry points like flying to Beirut and using ground transportation can result in limited and expensive flight options.
5. Missing transfer documentation When routing through Middle Eastern hubs like Beirut or Amman, travelers often forget to arrange transit visas or necessary documentation for their connecting country.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most extensive route network to Syria with 15 European departure points including Istanbul, London, and Paris.

Operating daily flights to Damascus and Aleppo via Istanbul, Turkish Airlines offers the most reliable connection to Syria. Their Economy Class features comfortable seats with 31-32 inch pitch, award-winning Turkish cuisine, and comprehensive entertainment system. Layovers in Istanbul are typically 2-4 hours, and the airline maintains an average passenger satisfaction rating of 4.1/5.

MEA (Middle East Airlines)

Best for: Shortest average layover times with connections through Beirut from 8 European cities including Frankfurt, Rome, and Geneva.

MEA provides consistent service to Damascus with convenient Beirut stopovers averaging just 90 minutes. Economy Class offers 32-inch seat pitch, traditional Lebanese meals, and basic entertainment options. Passenger ratings average 3.9/5, with particular praise for efficient transfers and punctuality.

Royal Jordanian

Best for: Most competitive prices and flexible booking conditions from 10 European departure points including Amsterdam, Vienna, and Madrid.

Flying via Amman, Royal Jordanian maintains regular connections to Damascus. Economy Class provides 31-inch seat pitch, Middle Eastern and international cuisine options, and personal entertainment screens. Average passenger rating is 3.8/5, with positive feedback for value for money and friendly service.

Cham Wings Airlines

Best for: Only Syrian carrier offering direct flights from 6 European destinations including Moscow, Berlin, and Bucharest.

While operating fewer routes than other carriers, Cham Wings provides essential direct services to Damascus. Economy Class features 30-inch seat pitch and basic meal service. Though entertainment options are limited, passengers rate the airline 3.7/5 for its direct routing and authentic Syrian hospitality.

Using APAC carriers for Europe-Syria routes

Strategic use of regional Asian carriers can significantly reduce costs when traveling between Europe and Syria, particularly by breaking up the journey into segments.

Key money-saving strategies

1. Book separate tickets through major Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai or Doha, then connect to Syrian destinations using regional carriers like FlyDubai or Air Arabia
2. Consider Turkish budget airlines for the Europe-Middle East segment, as they often offer competitive rates to Damascus
3. Utilize lesser-known APAC carriers like Air Asia or Cebu Pacific to reach Middle Eastern hubs from secondary Asian cities, then connect to Syria

Important considerations

When booking separate tickets, allow minimum 4-hour layovers to account for potential delays and terminal transfers. Remember that baggage typically needs to be collected and re-checked when using separate tickets.

The most cost-effective combinations often involve flying to Istanbul with a budget carrier, then connecting to Damascus via Middle Eastern regional airlines. This approach can save up to 40% compared to traditional single-ticket bookings through major carriers.