Currency: Syrian Pound (S£) = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of S£1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of S£25, 10, 5, 2 and 1.
Currency exchange: Syrian currency cannot generally be reconverted to hard currency. The country’s banking system is state-owned, and there is at least one branch of the Commercial Bank of Syria in every main town. Hard currency can be exchanged for local currency in these branches.
Credit & debit cards: American Express and Diners Club are most readily accepted; some hotels will accept MasterCard. Tickets may be bought with credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for merchant acceptability and for other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Can be difficult to exchange and are not generally recommended.
Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is unlimited; the export of local currency is limited to S£5000 (when travelling to Lebanon). The import and export of foreign currency is limited to US$5000.
Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Syrian Pound against Sterling and the US Dollar:
Date May '04 Aug '04 Nov '04 Feb '05
£1.00= 87.18 87.62 98.82 102.98
$1.00= 48.81 47.56 52.18 54.53
Banking hours: Normally Sat-Thurs 0800-1400 (banks tend to close early on Thursdays).
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