Arrival Lebanon & Beirut
By Car
Given the fact that the border between Lebanon and Israel is closed, the only way to enter the country by car is via Syria. With the current situation in Syria, this is clearly not an option.
By Plane
Rafiq Hariri International Airport is the only international airport in Lebanon. Therefore, it is very likely that you will enter and leave the country from there. Getting to the centre of Beirut from the airport by car takes about 20 minutes (seven kilometres). For a taxi to and from the airport, try to pay between 10 and 25 USD. If you do not feel comfortable negotiating, your hotel can probably arrange your pick-up for about 20 USD.
An overview of taxi rates to all Lebanese regions for taxis that are allowed to park at the airport exit is provided by the Ministry of Tourism.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Lebanon use the universal European emergency number 112 for Police/Fire/Ambulance. An operator will redirect the call to the appropriate service.
For specific cases, use the following numbers:
International Calls Operator: 100
Telephone Directory: 120
Telephone Repair: 113
Police: 112/999
Civil Defence: 125
Fire Department: 175
Red Cross-Lebanon: 140
General Security: 1717
The telephone prefix for Lebanon is +961.
Currency
The Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound.
Abbreviation: LBP
Exchange rates for foreign currencies, valid on 5 December 2018:
€1 = LBP 1,720
ATM
ATM machines are available at main banks and at airports and shopping centres.
Language and Alphabet
The official language is Lebanese Arabic but French is also commonly spoken. Lebanese is a dialect of Levantine Arabic, though some people consider it a language in its own right. It is spoken mainly in Lebanon by about 4 million people, and includes some vocabulary which comes from Aramaic, Greek, French, and Turkish.
Electricity
In Lebanon the power plugs and sockets are of type A, B, C, D and G. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Time Zone
In April, Lebanon operates on UTC+3.
Weather
Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool, rainy winters. The climate is determined by Lebanon’s location between the subtropical aridity of the African continent and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area.
The average temperature in April is 20°C.
Tourist Information
Tourist Information Centre
Address: 550 Central Bank Street, Hamra, Beirut
Phone: +961 (0)1 340 940
Website: Beirut Tourism
First time in Beirut? Check out things to do to make the most of your stay outside of the meeting.