Syrian Expats: Renting a Car in Damascus on Your Visit Home (2026)

For Syrian expats coming home — to see family, handle paperwork, or simply reconnect — having your own car changes the whole visit. No waiting on lifts, no negotiating every trip across the city. This 2026 guide is written for returning expats and explains, honestly, how to rent a car in Damascus and what to plan for.

Book ahead, before you travel

The expats who have the smoothest arrival almost always arrange the car before they fly. You send your dates, flight and the kind of car you need to the Auris support team on WhatsApp, and the team confirms availability so the car is ready when you land. This matters most in summer, when family visits peak and the best cars go first.

Auris coverage is centred on Damascus and Damascus International Airport, with pickup in the city and, when the service is available, Damascus airport car rental arranged around your flight.

Documents for returning expats

What to carry

• Your passport (or national ID, as applicable for Syrian nationals)
• A valid driving licence held for the rental period; an International Driving Permit alongside it removes doubt if your licence is foreign and not in Latin script
• The rental documents, kept in the car
• Some cash, as card payment is not available everywhere

The booking should be in the main driver name. If it has been years since you last drove in Syria, give yourself an easy first day.

Arriving and getting moving

Many expats prefer a car with a driver for the first leg from Damascus International Airport after a long flight, then switch to self-drive once rested and reoriented. Both can be arranged through Auris. Share your flight details so airport pickup timing is confirmed before you arrive.

Tips for a smooth visit

• Choose the car for the trip: an economy car for light city driving, a mid-size SUV or van for family and luggage
• Plan around Damascus traffic, which peaks in the morning and late afternoon
• Download an offline map of Damascus, and lean on landmarks in dense districts
• Keep your documents and the Auris contact reachable for checkpoints and support
• If you would rather not deal with parking and directions while visiting relatives across the city, a private driver in Damascus takes that off your plate

Honest about onward travel

If your visit includes travel to another Syrian city, tell the team in advance. Auris will explain honestly what is and is not possible rather than overpromise, so your plan is realistic from the start. For the wider practicalities of roads, checkpoints and fuel, the driving in Syria guide is worth a read, and the Auris support team can answer anything specific.

Coming home soon? Send your dates and flight to the Auris support team and rent a car in Damascus with everything confirmed before you land.