not a dumb question
but the flights are at odd times - ie arrive at 3 am for example
and not everyday
and REALLY pricey most of the time

cheaper to go through turkey - and more of an adventure

I went to Syria three years ago. We combined it with a East-Anatolia visit, so we flew into Van, went to Diyarbakir, Nemrut and Sanli Urfa. From Urfa we took a Minibus to the border (there is one) and we walked across the boarder. Then I think some guy took us to a busstation and from there we continued to Raqqa, which is an ordinary city without any sights. Well anyway from this city we started our tour. Syria has a good bus system - you can easily find connections. We spent one week there and we saw a lot. Great place!!! One thing I want to recommend because I will never forget this in my whole life. The first bus we took was for a ~ 150 km distance. When we entered the bus I was very thirsty so I almost finished the 1,5 liter bottle of water I had. After 30 minutes the feeling started - the first stop was about 3,5 hours later....
You know if there was any tree in between these two cities I would have communicated with the driver (with hand and feet) but there was just flat land - there was nothing I could do. No gas station, no restaurants - no fu....... nothing!!!!!!!!

Syria is very interesting! Have a great time!

I think you should not miss: Palmyra, Maalula and Hama

I'm in Diyarbakir right now, tomorrow off to Hasankeyf, then Sanlurfa and Harrem I think - then meeting some peeps in Gazientep on Sunday and taking the taxi across to aleppo and then on from there for a week. I believe the taxi costs 80 dollars. Should be awesome!

yes... i talked to the taxi guy and he is saying 80 US
are there any buses in Gtepe that go to allepo as well? and while you are there... can you find out how to get BACK to Gtepe? bus? same taxi service? and when and where they leave from Allepo?
thanks James - and have a really great time!!!

here's some info about GAntep & getting to Syria from there:

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/phpB ... 0df24840b6

http://www.worldturkey.com/cities/kilis/index.html

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/gaziantep.htm

i'll be in GAntep from 14th to 16th (150ytl RT air on THY) just for the hell of it

anyway, fyi THY's 111s of the week include Damascus this month

thanks for the info.
i am not going this week
instead i am probably taking my mom in november... i am trying to figure stuff out ahead of time
i think it makes sense to get the visa here
fly to gtepe and either take a taxi (80 US haleptaksi) or a bus
but nobody can seem to tell me WHAT buses leave Gtepe and what time
and how to get back to Gtepe from Allepo.
any ideas anyone?