Changes

There are three border checkpoints with [[Syria]]. One in the west of the country (towards [[Damascus]]) and two in the north. There is also a checkpoint to [[Israel]], but it's not open.

* '''Aaboudiye checkpoint''': Checkpoint in the north of Lebanon and north-west of Syria, might be a choice if you come from [[Tripoli (Lebanon)|Tripoli]] going towards [[Tartus]], [[Homs]] or [[Aleppo]]. The bus from [[Beirut]] to [[Aleppo]] goes this way. Small border checkpoint, very bad condition of the roads, mostly taxi's and buses around here. Not much traffic at all. Take care! [[User:Platschi|Platschi]] recommends to take the Masnaa checkpoint, which in fact is much further away (if going to Hama/Homs or Aleppo), but also possible to hitch in one day from Beirut. If you're lucky (as many tourists are, as there are in fact not many traveling this checkpoint), officers might give you even a 30 days visa for '''Lebanon''' for free.

[[User:Platschi|Platschi]] recommends to take the Masnaa checkpoint, which in fact is much further away (if going to Hama/Homs or Aleppo), but also possible to hitch in one day from Beirut. If you're lucky (as many tourists are, as there are in fact not many traveling this checkpoint), officers might give you even a 30 days visa for '''Lebanon''' for free. * '''Masnaa checkpoint''': The only open checkpoint with [[Syria]] on the eastern border. It is located directly on the highway [[Beirut]]-[[Damascus]] and is very easy to hitch. Get a ride to the border, where many cars will wait to get over the controls. Just talk to people who have an empty car and get a ride to Damascus, where nearly everyone here goes. The passport checks are in a nearly collapsing building on the right side (if coming from Lebanon). When entering from Syria, try to get a 48-hours transit visa for free, if only staying in the country for 2 days. Even if officers don't want to give you this visa, it's still available and you have a right the get it. [[User:Platschi|Platschi]] experienced this, and also heard of other people having the same problem at this border checkpoint. Otherwise, a 15 days visa costs you 25,000 LBP (July 2008). There is no bank around, so make sure you have some Lebanese Pound with you in advance, or at least to know the latest exchange course to change your money with the strange guys on the street in the no-man's-land between the two countries. There is also a checkpoint to [[Israel]], but it's not open. And considering the tense situation between the countries it doesn't like like it's going to be open to travelers any time soon.