Travelling in Syria over Eid

In Syria, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are public holidays and also the busiest travel weeks of the year. Families move between cities, money arrives from relatives abroad, and firecrackers go off in the street. For a traveller that has four consequences. The exact holiday dates are settled at the last minute, cash and the exchange rate move, accidents on the road increase, and some provinces bring in extra security restrictions. Which day each Eid falls on is covered on the public holidays page; this page is about getting through that week on the road.

When the holiday is announced and how long it lasts

The Eid itself depends on the sighting of the moon, and the length of the official holiday is set by a separate decision each year. For Eid al-Fitr in 2026 the holiday began on Tuesday 17 March, so it also covered the days before the Eid. The decision came at the last moment: government offices kept working until the instruction arrived.

In 2027 Eid al-Fitr is expected around 9 March and Eid al-Adha around 16 May. Plan the start and length of the holiday around that year’s official announcement, not these approximate dates.

What is open and what is closed

Government offices and banks are closed for the whole official holiday. Museums close on the first day of Eid; have someone phone ahead about the days after. Souqs and restaurants are open, but on the morning of Eid most shops keep their shutters down. At first sight the city looks closed, while the streets are full of families in their best clothes.

Why to sort out cash in advance

Before Eid, remittances from abroad increase and that affects the exchange rate; after Eid, as they fall away, the rate moves again. In 2026 the dollar was reported rising both after Eid al-Fitr, at the end of March, and after Eid al-Adha, at the end of May. Banks are shut for the holiday, so change enough cash for the week before it begins. Where and how is on the changing money page.

Is it sensible to travel over Eid?

Yes, with preparation. On the first day of Eid both intercity buses and hotels are full; book the seat and the room early, or spend that day in one place. Bus stations and transport options are on the getting around Syria page.

Accidents rise noticeably that week. Over Eid al-Fitr in 2026 the Ministry of Health’s ambulance teams answered 839 calls nationwide, 73 of them road accidents. In Tartus, two crashes on the Hariseen bridge killed 3 people. Avoiding intercity driving at night matters more than usual that week.

Firecrackers and fireworks are part of Eid, and some people fire guns into the air. On the first day of Eid a hospital in Deir ez-Zor took in 17 cases: 13 road accidents and 3 firework burns, and a woman was hit by a stray bullet. If you are travelling with children, keep that in mind in crowded streets.

Health and emergencies over Eid

Provincial health directorates put on extra cover for the holiday. For Eid al-Adha in 2026, Hama set up 16 first-aid points at mosques and crowded squares that worked day and night through the holiday; 5 of them were in the city of Hama itself. Hama National Hospital received 6594 patients over the Eid. Emergency departments stay open but get crowded. For emergency numbers and duty pharmacies, see the health and emergencies page.

Extra restrictions in some provinces

In Hasakah, the security measures taken for Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz in 2026 were extended when bad weather postponed the Nowruz celebrations. Lorries and tankers were barred from entering towns, all motorcycle traffic was stopped, and firing into the air was banned. Similar decisions can come out in other provinces; if you are heading to one during Eid week, check that province’s security announcement.

Confirm before you set out. Holiday dates, exchange rates and bus schedules are set again for every Eid.