Embedded Files
How do I get around?
How do I get around?
Beirut is the capital of Lebanon, housing over 2 million residents, spanning just 20 square kilometers. Despite the crowds this set-up can create there is one advantage that outweighs it all: the short transportation times. But after all the years of civil unrest this country has been put through, it is natural to assume that the public transportation system is quite limited - with a few buses circulating around the city at a couple of stops per neighborhood. This is why most streets are lined with cars on either side. Most locals use cars, walk, or take taxis (through local companies, Uber, Bolt, etc). Here's how you can get around at the best rates, in true Lebanese style...
1.Uber
1.Uber
Apps like uber and bolt are your best bet for reliable transportation around the city. This is because the prices are regulated externally, and tend to be quite reliable for short-distance trips. Most of their cars are teh driver's personal vehicles, with varying levels of cleanliness from a few stains here and there to cars equipped with tissues hand sanitizers and more - depending on the driver's choices. However, it is advised to learn a few words of informal levantine arabic for quick chats when locating the car - modern standard arabic will not do you any good here! In case you're place of lodging is an Airbnb that is not on the Uber map, make sure to ask the owner what landmarks are around it and howto describe it for future car trips. Key tip: set your payment method to cash only. Why? Because foreign credit or debit cards often don’t process properly through the local banking systems, and even if they appear to work, drivers may reject card payments or the fare may get stuck in pending charges. Also, if drivers choose the pay in LBP option, this could end up with you paying much more than you meant to since there has not been an update on the value of a Lebanese lira against an american dollar since the economic crash in 2020. Paying cash ensures avoids unnecessary complications, with most rides that are 10 minutes long costing 4-5 USD depending on traffic and availability.
It is best to carry small bills in both dollars and lebanese lira, but remember that lira is the typical currency one uses when paying for such services. Also, even though some drivers know english, it is best to know a few arabic phrases like:
Hello: Marḥaba (مرحبا)
Where are you?: Wēnak? (وينك؟) — to a male OR Wēnik? (وينكِ؟) — to a female
I'm here: Ana hon (أنا هون)
I'm coming: Jāyé (جايي) – male OR Jāyé – female
Are you nearby?: Inta ʾarīb? (إنت قريب؟)
I'm waiting near...: Nāṭir ḥadd [landmark] (ناطر حد [..])
How long will you take?: Addēh baddak waqt? (قديه بدك وقت؟)
Can you wait for me?: Fīk teñṭirné shuway? (فيك تنطرني شوي؟)
2. Car Rentals
2. Car Rentals
Renting a car for a day or two from trusted car rental companies like Advanced Car Rentals (with cheapest daily rates at $30), Cezar Rent a Car (with cheapest daily rates at $66), and Hala Rent a Car (with cheapest daily rates at $35) - in order of reliability from best to least based on customer reviews. This is the best option for people who have packed schedules around beirut, or would like to take long road trips to other parts of the country. Although, this convenience comes with it's negatives. Driving in Lebanon can feel like road rules are more of a suggestion than a law much like in parts of Italy, Greece, or Turkey. Expect aggressive overtaking, minimal lane discipline, and the occasional car driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Stay alert, drive defensively, and don’t assume other drivers will follow conventional right-of-way.
When refueling, some gas station attendants might raise the price if they hear a foreign accent, especially at smaller or independent stations. To avoid this, stick to well-known chains like TotalEnergies, Medco (the only one with EV charging), IPT, or Coral—these tend to be more transparent and consistent. As a rule of thumb, the average price for a 95 should be 15 dollars or 1,348,000 lebanese lira.
Pro tip: Ask for 95 (regular) or 98 (premium) when refilling
How to ask at the station:
“ʿabbīlī khamsa w tissʿīn” (95)
“ʿabbīlī tmānye w tissʿīn” (98)
Translation: “Fill me up with 95/98.”
And always confirm the price per liter before they start pumping!
3. Local Buses
3. Local Buses
The new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) bus system is a great alternative way to get around Beirut at a fraction of a price (see photo above for an example of what these buses tend to look like). Since Beirut is a small city that is more or less walkable, using the bus system is a sensible choice to make - with due patience. Using the public bus system comes with its advantages, like the app Katsh, which provides a map showing running bus lines and gives users the ability to book seats for long distance trips. Besides that, there is always the public transportation hotline (ACTC Public Transportation Hotline: +961 03 114 664). Also, the fares are usually less than a dollar, at 70,000LBP or 0.7 USD for short trips! Remember, cash is the only acceptable method of payment, so make sure to carry small bills in both LBP and USD! Here are some key details on actually using public bus systems: 1. Always wave the bus down at the spot you are at (which would be along their route) - otherwise it won't stop for you, 2. Simply ask the driver to stop once you approach your destination, 3. Pay the driver directly before starting your journey. These buses tend to run from 6:00am to 6:00pm, where buses run ever 10-20 minutes. Also note that these buses are more regular on weekdays than weekends.
Besides this, there are also some private bus companies like the Lebanese Commuting Company or Nakhal (a tourist transport company), which offers similar services at similar rates - often with more consistent schedules and cleaner vehicles.
Even though most private transportation companies will have English-speaking drivers, it is important for you to know a few basic sentences to communicate with drivers who operate public buses:
Are you going to [destination]? - Rayiḥ ʿa [destination]?
I want to get off here. - Baddi enzil hon.
Please stop here. - Law samaḥt, hawn nizilné.
How much is the fare? - Addēh el ʾajra?
Do you speak English? - Btiḥki Inglīzī?
4. Local Taxis
4. Local Taxis
Placed on the last spot of the list for a reason, local taxis tend to be the least-desirable option for tourists who are new to the region. The level of cleanliness tends to be lower than that of cars on Uber, as is the regulation of prices. If this is your only option, it is best to book local taxis through known taxi service companies like Allo Taxi. You can alsoask your Airbnb owner or hotel for company numbers to contact through Whatsapp. If you are staying at a hotel and are on a budget, it is best to ask locals for these numbers since some hotels may have partnerships with firms that 2x the usual rates.
However, there is one advantage to using local taxis on the road - pure convenience. This comes with a few risks, but nothing that street smarts and a little local knowledge can't fix! There 4 main types of taxis in Beirut.
The first is the "service taxi", which is typically an older, white car with a red-number plate that already has people in it. This is similar to ridesharing, and is the cheapest option with most trips being at a fixed low rate of 50,000 LBP - 100,000 LBP per passenger. Trust in the hospitality of the locals already in the taxi when getting an estimate of the fare of your ride, and be prepared to be refused if this destination is not along the route of the first few passengers!
"Private" taxis also have red-number plates, and tend to be slightly cleaner and newer than "service" taxis. To avoid being scammed, remember that a trip within Beirut would be under $5, and to know your rights and negotiate and agree on a price before getting in.
The next option is hotel taxis, which tend to be the cleanest and most reliable of the 4, but tend to be overpriced.
Finally, we have the type of taxi to avoid at all cost: street taxis. Street taxis do not have red-number plates (since all official taxis in Lebanon are mandated to have red-number plates by law), no meter inside, and no taxi sign on the roof. Typically spotted waiting for customers outside regular spots like nightclubs and malls, some of these cars tend to look more polished to attract tourists. These taxis can be unsafe, especially for women, so to avoid severe overcharging and possible safety concerns, avoid these at all costs.
Key tips for all 4 taxi services - quick summary:
Always negotiate the fare first.
Use known landmarks since most taxi drivers don't use GPS. Share your Google Maps location via whatsapp if contacting a taxi cab company, and caption it with the nearest gas station, pharmacy, etc.
Use uber as an example of a fair price before negotiating, and carry small bills to avoid "no change" tricks.
Expect night rates to be about 20-30% higher than day rates.
As an alternative, you can use the previously mentioned WhatsApp Taxis for better service.
Some of these WhatsApp taxis even offer taxis to hire for day trips, at rates ranging from 40-100 dollars a day, depending on distance, waiting time, and whether fuel is included.
Know that local taxis do not tend to speak much English, so here are some essential phrases to last you through your trip:
Where are you going? - Wēnak rāyeḥ? (for "service" taxis)
Take me to Hamra. - Khodni ʿa Hamra.
Stop here, please. - Law samaḥt, hon baddé nzil.
Too expensive! - Hāy kteer ghalé! (to negotiate)
How safe is Beirut?
How safe is Beirut?
Lebanon is generally safe for tourits, especially in popular areas like Hamra, Downtown, Gemmayzeh, and Achrafieh. Petty crime such as pickpocketing can happen in crow-heavy areas like markets in Bourj Hammoud, but violent incidents inovolving tourists are rare. Though they can happen, tourist scams in shops and restaurants are quite rare, after all, Lebanon is known for it's hospitality towards newcomers! While the country occasionally experiences political unrest or regional tension, there is no active conflict in major tourist zones, and daily life continues as usual for locals and visitors alike. As with any destination, staying alert, avoiding protests, and checking travel advisories before your trip is recommended.
- Areas to avoid
Though a ceasefire was declared in November 2024, Israel continues to make targeted strikes (mostly targeting certain apartment buildings, or an entire street) in the south of Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
In Beirut, it is best to avoid Areas like Dahiyeh, Cola, Karantina, Bourj Hammoud, and Bir Hassan. These areas are known for high political tension or military presence, typical targets for Israeli rockets. Sticking to more central and tourist-friendly neighborhoods like Hamra, Gemmayze, Mar Mikhael, and Achrafieh is generally safer, especially during the day.
Outside of Beirut, it is best to stay away from areas near the border and in the South. As a general rule of thumb, avoid areas below the airport.
2. Precautions in Transport
2. Precautions in Transport
When driving a rented car, avoid driving at night outside of Beirut and always keep your windoes up in heavy traffic or at stops. This is because there are people on the streets who disguise themselves as beggars, or sell things like tissues and lighters, to reach into your car and steal money or belongings left out in the open. Though some may be honest, better safe than sorry!
When using taxis, agee on the fare before starting the trip and avoid hailing taxis alone late at night. As previously mentioned, avoid unmarked street taxis and use apps like Uber for fair, regulated pricing.
In public buses and shared taxis, keep your belongings close and secure to keep yourself safe from pickpocketing. Stay alert to sudden stops or detours during rare periods of unrest and find a way to reach your destination while taking the new revised route into consideration.
At military checkpoints, be patient and cooperative and have your ID or passport ready to show. Do not take photos of checkpoints or military personnel. Make sure to follow local advice on which routes are safer to take since this can change depending on when you visit the country.
3. Tourist Scams
3. Tourist Scams
In small shops or busy markets, use small bills to avoid confusion and lower the risk of shortchanging. After the baking crisis of 2020, it is common for items to not have price tags, but provides more room for the inflation of prices for tourists. To avoid this, ask: "Hayda el se'r la kel el nas?" - which translates to "this is the price for everyone?", and use some common sense through the currency conversion tool on your calculator app. Also, it is best to buy sim cards directly from providers like Alfa or Touch instead of from electronic stores on the street, which may sell "Tourist SIMs" at a markup.
While scams are much less common in restaurants, it is important to check the prices of dishes on the menu before ordering and make a mental note of them to ensure the receipt is the same. Some smaller restaurants may attempt to trick tourists by giving written receipts, in which case you should always ask for a printed receipt (called a fettoura) - they will always have the machine for it. In most restaurants, water is not included since tap water is not safe to drink, meaning bottled water is the only option. However, nuts and bread which are served on the side of drinks or before the main dishes tend to be included.
Outside of shops and restaurants, some ATM machines on the street (especially in tourist-heavy areas), may be tampered with. To avoid losing your money, always use ATMs inside banks or major malls only.
Sources of Help
Sources of Help
For emergencies involving health or safety, there are a few key numbers to take note of before visting:
Police: 112
Ambulance (Red Cross): 140
Fire department: 175
Tourist Police (higher chance of finding english or french speakers): +961 1 422 824
There are also some situations where these numbers will not help you, in which case you must contact your embassy in Beirut. They can help with lost passports, arrests or detainment, and emergency evacuations. Most of these embassies are located in the Baabda or Hazmieh area: safe suburbs of Beirut located about 10-12 km to the south-east of downtown Beirut.
In the case of medical emergencies on the streets of Beirut, you can use our map provided here, to find pharmacies and hospitals with English-speaking staff. In the majority of the country, emergency workers, especially those on staff late at night, tend to be students in training - most of whom study in English and use it in social settings!
Hospitals like AUB Medical Center located on Cairo Street in Hamra (known for its high quality-care and specializations in trauma, stroke, and cardiac emergencies), LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital located on Zahar Street in Achrafieh (offers emergency triage and care and can take care of serious medical conditions), and Hopital Francais du Levant - or "Levant" as dubbed by locals - located on Fouad Shehab Street in Sin El-Fil (a private hospital equipped with emergency services and known for attentive patient care) are great for tourists. The first two options are university-affiliated hospitals which are open 24/7 and are supplied with staff who are fluent in English, and sometimes French. The third is a private hospital visited by locals, and may have less English-speaking staff, but is also accredited by several French universities (operates 24/7). However, all hospitals are known to be more compatible with international insurance than others, despite occasionally long waiting times when being processed.
Like hospitals, larger pharamcies in Lebanon tend to be open for long hours - some operating 24/7! In case of less serious emergencies, pharmacies are a quicker way of getting the care you need. Pharmacies Mazen, open 24/7 and located in Mazraa, is supplied with English-speaking staff. It offers a wide range of beauty products and medications, and has the ability to adminster vaccines like travel shots and adult boosters. Other similar pharmacies include Le Gabriel, located on Naccache road in Achrafieh (open all week from 8:00am-12:00am), and Al-Madina pharmacy, located in Hamra (open 24/7).
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse