Lebanon Travel Budget: Daily Costs and Money-Saving Tips

How much does Lebanon cost?

Lebanon is small but surprisingly varied in price. Beirut is pricey by regional standards, while the Bekaa Valley, Tripoli and the mountains are far gentler on the wallet. Prices are quoted in this guide in US dollars, because that is how most of the country now trades.

Daily budgets

• Backpacker: 35 to 55 USD per day. Hostel dorm, manousheh and falafel meals, shared vans (service taxis), one paid site.
• Midrange: 80 to 150 USD per day. A comfortable hotel or guesthouse, restaurant dinners, the odd private taxi, a day trip.
• Comfort: 200 USD and up. Boutique Beirut hotels, fine dining in Mar Mikhael, drivers and guided tours.

Sample prices

• Manousheh (zaatar flatbread): 1.50 to 3 USD
• Falafel or shawarma sandwich: 3 to 5 USD
• Sit-down dinner with arak: 20 to 40 USD per person
• Almaza beer in a bar: 4 to 7 USD
• Hostel dorm bed: 12 to 20 USD
• Midrange Beirut hotel: 60 to 110 USD
• Service taxi shared ride in Beirut: about 1 to 2 USD
• Private taxi across Beirut: 7 to 12 USD
• Day with a hired driver: 80 to 120 USD
• Jeita Grotto entry: around 18 USD
• Byblos crusader castle: about 6 USD

Money and cards

Lebanon runs largely on cash, and mostly US dollars. Carry clean, undamaged bills. The Lebanese pound still circulates for small change, but its rate moves, so confirm the day's rate before paying in pounds. Cards work in larger Beirut hotels, malls and some restaurants, but assume small shops, taxis and rural spots are cash only. ATMs can be unreliable and often dispense limited dollar amounts, so bring enough cash with you and split it across bags.

Saving money

• Eat where locals do: a manousheh breakfast and a shawarma lunch keep food costs under 10 USD a day.
• Use service taxis rather than private rides for short hops.
• Travel between cities by shared van from Cola or Dora hubs for a couple of dollars.
• Many of the best sights are free: the Corniche, Raouche Rocks, Tripoli's old souks, Baatara waterfall viewpoints.
• Visit the mountains and Bekaa as day trips from cheaper bases rather than staying in pricey Beirut.
• Always agree taxi fares before getting in.

Stay connected in Lebanon

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online the moment you land, so you can use maps, translate menus, compare taxi fares and confirm bookings without paying roaming charges.