Getting Around Lebanon: Buses, Taxis, Apps and Car Rental

Trains and metro

Lebanon has no passenger trains and no metro. The old Ottoman and French rail lines along the coast and to the Bekaa stopped running during the civil war and were never rebuilt. Beirut has no underground system either, so all transport is by road.

Service taxis and regular taxis

The backbone of city travel is the service (servees) - a shared red-plate taxi that follows loose routes. You flag one, say your destination, and if it suits the driver's direction you hop in. A single hop within Beirut is usually 2-3 USD (paid in Lebanese pounds at the day's rate). Say taxi instead of servees if you want the car to yourself - expect 8-15 USD and always agree the fare before getting in.

Buses and vans

• OCFTC public buses run set Beirut routes (like Bus 2, Hamra to Antelias) for under 1 USD, but they are slow and unmarked.
• Private vans (Number 4, 5, 6, etc.) cover the city and suburbs cheaply, though they stop anywhere and fill up fast.
• Intercity vans and coaches leave from Charles Helou and Cola stations in Beirut. Connexion and Lebanese Commuting Company run comfortable coaches north to Tripoli and south to Saida (Sidon) and Tyre for a few dollars.

Ride-hailing apps

Bolt is the most widely used app in Beirut, with Uber also operating. They give you fixed, transparent pricing and spare you haggling - a big advantage for visitors. Coverage is strongest in Greater Beirut; in the mountains or the south you may wait longer or fall back on service taxis.

Car rental and driving

Renting a car is the best way to reach Baalbek, the Cedars, Byblos (Jbeil) and Bekaa wineries. Major firms and local agencies operate at Beirut airport; expect from 25-40 USD per day. Driving is assertive, lane markings are optional, and fuel is sold by the 20-litre tank. Keep cash for army and ISF checkpoints, and avoid mountain roads after dark in winter.

Intercity tips

• Carry small cash in Lebanese pounds; the exchange rate moves daily.
• Confirm prices before departure - tourist overcharging is common.
• Traffic into Beirut peaks 7-9am and 4-7pm; plan day trips early.
• Google Maps works well, but live traffic and a translation app help enormously.

Stay connected in Lebanon

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online for maps, translation and ride-app bookings the moment you land, with no roaming bills. Install it before your flight and arrive ready to move.