Tourism Visas for Syria and Jordan (overland)

eleMental

Hi All. Am supposedly going on an overland trip from Cairo to Istanbul in 3 weeks (pending any political change!). The itinerary goes Egypt -> Jordan -> Syria -> Turkey. I know I can get an Egyptian visa on arrival into Cairo and Turkey is fine too.

However just wondering, does anyone know if is it possible to get visas for Jordan coming from Egypt, and similarly for Syria coming from Jordan or do I have to get these before I leave? I do not have any Israeli stamps in my passport and its a regular Irish passport, valid for 8 more years.

All advice really appreciated as have only just realised the closest embassies are in the UK so I need to pull the finger out if I have to get these before I leave.

Thanks! :rolleyes:

amcalester

I went from Egypt to Jordan last summer, I got the ferry from Nuweiba in Sinai to Aqaba in Jordan. Visa's to enter Jordan are arranged on the ferry, all you do is hand your passport to the Visa office on the ferry and when you arrive in Aqaba it'll be waiting for you.

Getting from Jordan into Syria is easy if you are an Irish passport holder. As there is no Syrian Embassy or Consulate in Ireland you can apply for a Visa at the boarder crossing. Just make sure you have no Israeli stamps in your passport.

If you have any more questions please let me know.

eleMental

Wow no thats perfect. I'm travelling from Nuweiba to Aquaba too, so sounds like Jordan is fine. And my only option for Syria is to send it off in the post to the embassy in the UK and it costs about £30. If I can get it on the border I will just wait til then (esp the way things are, as the trip is still likely to get cancelled if things deteriorate any further in the Middle East and then I'd have paid for the visa for nothing).

Can I ask if you remember how much the visa costs for both Jordan and Syria (or are they free?) and did you need any passport photos? (although I'm probly bring some anyway just incase).

Many thanks.

amcalester

The Syrian visa costs whatever they decide to charge you. It could be $20, $100 or more.

I think the ferry and visa into Jordan cost about $70 so you should have some USD with you to pay for the ticket. There are 2 ferries, a fast ferry and a slow ferry. Get the fast ferry, its $10 more expensive but you'll have AC and a seat.

Remember the ferries run on Egyptian time so don't be surprised if it runs 3-4 hours late.

In Amman taxis run from the bus station when they have 4 passengers to Damascus or you can just rent the car and driver. It's about 2 hours to the boarder and then 1.5 to Damascus, it can take anything from 1 hour to 4 to get through the boarder, the driver will wait.

I'm sure you are aware of the troubles in Syria. I live in Jordan and protests have started here too. Two people killed yesterday, beaten to death by riot Police. With that said Jordan is still safe to visit for now. I spoke to a friend who lives in Syria last night and hes thinking of leaving. Wait to see what happens, hopefully by the time you travel things will be fine. PM me if you like.

The visa into Jordan is now 20 Jordan Dinars and there will be a departures tax, I think its 8 Jordan Dinars. The Syrian visa for Irish citizens is 50 US dollars and you can only pay in US dollars, they will not accept Jordan Dinars or Syrian pounds for entry visas.

eleMental

Thanks for this - yep watching the situation in Syria day-by-day. I'm doing the trip with GAP and tbh am a bit frustrated at their lack of decision making on whether or not trips are still going ahead? Theres a departure scheduled for this day week that they still havent made a call on - really unprofessional imho.

I'm going to watch what happens in the next week and then make a call - no point in going on "holidays" somewhere if youre going to be on edge the whole time I reckon.... and its always interesting to get updated info from people actually in the region so really appreciate your info

darrenh

I spent a week in Jordan two weeks ago. A fantastic place. Really friendly country.

blorg

I went from Turkey to Syria, visa at the border, back in September. 50 USD as Stephen says although they took Euros at a chronically bad exchange rate (I think 40 or 45 EUR, it was whatever I had.)

hypervalve

How long are you going to spend travelling this route. I'm planning on doing all or part of it next September but I'm limited to 3 weeks maximum. Does this sound feasible?

sarkozy

hypervalve wrote: »

How long are you going to spend travelling this route. I'm planning on doing all or part of it next September but I'm limited to 3 weeks maximum. Does this sound feasible?

You're able to get a visa for Jordan via Dublin. There's an honorary consulate here.

darrenh

sarkozy wrote: »

You're able to get a visa for Jordan via Dublin. There's an honorary consulate here.

You dont need to get one before you go. As an Irish citizen you just pay for one at their border.