Getting to Beirut: By plane

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Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport www.beirutairport.gov.lb (IATA: BEY), is the country's only international airport and the hub of Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA www.mea.com.lb/MEA/English). Most international airlines have daily flights between Beirut and the major European capitals. The airport is located 7km south of Beirut, and is roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from the city center.

You may purchase a 15-day tourist visa at the airport for $17 or a 30-day tourist visa for $34. Citizens of certain countries (Most European countries and Turkey recently) do not require a visa to enter , and can go straight through the "Immigration" terminal. Check with your embassy or a Lebanese embassy for detailed inquiries.

At the moment, there is no public transportation to or from the airport. However, taxis are plentiful, and comfortable taxis that are authorized by the airport are parked next to the terminal in the arrivals level and have an airport logo on the side (official airport taxi fares www.beirutairport.gov.lb/taxi.html). As these taxis are regulated by the airport authorities, they are guaranteed to be honest in their rates. Regular taxis are also available and are located a little farther from the airport, but these are not guaranteed and are to be used at ones own risk. In the future, there are plans to offer regularly scheduled bus services from the airport to various parts of the city and even other parts of the country. Bus shelters are already constructed at the airport.

All major car rental companies have booking offices inside the airport.

• www.beirutairport.gov.lb
• www.mea.com.lb/MEA/English
• www.beirutairport.gov.lb/taxi.html