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|hitch = {{Very Good}}<rating country='sy' />

[[ImageFile:Road-South-from-Aleppo.jpg|thumb|rightleft|300px|Road South from [[Aleppo]]]]It might be wise to learn at least some basic Arabic to communicate with locals. Not many people speak more English than the ''phrase "Welcome to Syria'' phrase". Sometimes you can find old people speaking French. Some people also, from the older and middle generation, speak Russian due to the fact that they studied or worked in Eastern Europe. Especially for explaining your hitchhiking intention (and to ask for the way the driver goes), it is an absolute advantage to know some Arabic.

Most European tourists can get their visa directly at the border, but of course check your local embassy for country-specific visa requirements. The prices are in US$, so it's best if you have some of this currency on you before you head towards the Syrian border. If you're only planning to stay a couple of days you should get a transit visa, which was 15$ for Dutch citizens in December 2010.  As of February 2012, prices for VOA's are divided into two categories. 3-day transit, and 10-day transit. Typically the 3-days are considerably cheaper. Prices range from 5US$ to over 200US$ For German passports, 3-day: 8US$, 10-day: 33. But for some, are the same. For Canadian passports it's 56US$ for either.  As of June 2016, it is '''not''' possible to obtain a visa on arrival at a land border crossing.  When entering Syria, you also get an entry/exit card. Don't loose it, you need it when leaving the county. When leaving [[Syria]], you additionally have to buy an exit/return-ticket at the border checkpoints. These can be bought in most cases in little supermarkets just in front of the ''we stamp your passport''-offices. As in August 2008of December 2010, the price for an exit card was 550 500 Syrian Pound (500 SYP exit card, 50 SYP taxes).

* ''[[Kilis ]] checkpoint'': The northern checkpoint with [[Turkey]], easy to reach from [[Aleppo]] (~70km). The different checkpoints are not far from each other, so you can go by walking distance. Be aware of street dogs. When traveling from Aleppo, also be careful in the city of [[Azaz]] and surrounding area near the border. More about it at the specific [[Azaz]] city article. * ''[[Kasab]] checkpoint'': Westernmost border transition to [[Turkey]], close to [[Lattakia]]. The checkpoints are right next to each other, walking across the border is no problem. It's straight forward to catch rides to [[Antakya]]. Enjoy the amazing landscape. * ''[[Nusaybin]] checkpoint'': Easternmost border transition to [[Turkey]]. The border is between [[Al-Qamishli]] ([[Syria]]) and [[Nusaybin]] ([[Turkey]]). This border is open from 9am in the morning until 3pm in the afternoon. It's easy to walk across, as it is rather quiet here. When arriving too late, Al-Qamishli has several hotels, in which you should always try to bargain for the price.

* ''[[Daraa]] checkpoint'': It is [[User:Guaka|guaka]] didn't experience any troubles heading to Jordan in October 2008 and in December 2010. CRCulver experienced that it was not permitted to walk across the border, and any cars going across must have a formal manifest of all passengers. The guards on the Syrian side are generally not willing to allow a hitchiker hitchhiker to stand at the border gate to wait for a car, and any car willing to drive back into the city to add your name to the manifest at the transportation office will want money. Gekko crossed the border at this point in March 2011 and didn't experience problems concerning a formal passenger manifest. Walking across the border is not allowed. Border officials enjoy telling travellers that pedestrians would be shot by sharpshooters. However, finding a ride seems to be easy, generally. On February 24th 2012, [[User:LordOfTheCheese|LordOfTheCheese]] reached the first checkpoint via camion and was told the truck will be in quarantine for one or two days. They then had him wait for a taxi to cross. Outside the taxi, the driver seemed all right with a free ride, but then tried to charge 300 Syrian pound just to cross to the Jordanian side. He was then left before the final check, but the guards were friendly and got him a ride over the border.