Bicycles:
If you are planning to bring a bike with you to Lebanon, make sure it is suitable for the road conditions. Once you leave the costal strip, the landscape is extremely hazardous even if you are still in Beirut. Traffic presents quite a problem for cyclists in Lebanon, especially in Beirut and one should be extremely careful.
Hitchhiking:
Hitchhiking is not very common in Lebanon and could be dangerous. Being a foreigner increases your chances for a lift (it helps if you look foreign). We do not recommend hitchhiking if you are women traveling alone.
Organized Tours:
Local tours operators offer a wide variety of tours in Lebanon and to the main neighboring countries for very reasonable prices.
Tour agencies
Campus Travel |
01 744588 |
Destination Lebanon |
01 293066 |
Greenline |
01 746215 |
Lebanese Adventure |
01 398982 |
Liban Trek |
01 390790 |
Nakhal & Co. |
01 389389 |
Rida Travel |
01 643341 |
Tania Travel |
01 803547 |
Thermique |
09 953756 |
Tour Vacances |
01 424509 |
COMMUNICATION
Telephones:
Lebanon is one of the pioneering countries in telecommunications and media. Lebanese telecommunication networks are well developed and nearly every household has its own private land line. The telephone sector is divided into two major components:
1. The Landlines (Public Sector)
2. The Mobiles (Private Companies)
A Lebanese number is composed as follows: 2 digit region code + 6 digit number (i.e. 01 767676)
The regional codes are:
01 for Greater Beirut
03 for Mobiles
04 for Metn region in Mount Lebanon
05 for Baabda Region in Mount Lebanon
06 for the North
07 for the South
08 for the Bekaa
09 for the Keserwan region in Mount Lebanon
70 for the new Mobile lines
To call a Lebanese number from ABROAD you should dial:
| 00961 |
3 |
676767 |
Lebanon’s International Dialing code |
Region Code |
Telephone number |
To call a Lebanese number from LEBANON you should dial:
03 |
676767 |
Region Code |
Telephone Number |
The landlines are operated by OGERO (Public Company). You can find phone booth in every street in greater Beirut, and in all major squares and the smallest of villages now all over Lebanon. They are grey and come in different forms. You can even find some inside AUH or AUB, like one outside Jafet Memorial Library, and three other booths are located just outside each of the Medical Gate, Main Gate, and Penrose Gate. You need a calling card to use them. These are called “Telecarte” or “Kalam” and you can be bought in bookstores, minimarkets, post offices and cell phone shops. You can choose between three different capacities: 11000LL; 22000LL and 33000LL. A minute to a landline subscriber costs 100LL and 300LL to a mobile line. You can call OGERO at 1515 from any landline to ask for a subscriber’s number.
The Lebanese population use mobile phones heavily; over a third of the Lebanese have cellular phones some aging below 15 years old. Mobile phone shops are very common throughout Beirut. Two private companies control the Lebanese market: Alfa and MTC. They operate using the GSM network. The packages offered by both are nearly equal. Alfa operates by a “Units” system whereas MTC chose the “seconds” timing system. However a consumer would pay approximately the same. A SIM card/number would cost you 60$ per month. SIM cards are available in Cell Phone Shops, and recharge cards are found in Bookstores, supermarkets and Cell Phone Shops. A European phone or any phone that is open to the GSM network should function with no problems with the Lebanese SIM cards.
You can call abroad using the “Telecarte” from any phone booth. Remember that after 20:00, the international call costs 25-33% less than during the day, depending on the destination. For more info, visit www.ogero.gov.lb
Post Mail:
While here in Lebanon you can profit and send your friends and loved ones all over the world some of our nice postcards, or if you prefer, a personal letter. These can be posted in any “Libanpost” Office or in the yellow Libanpost boxes in big malls and other major centers. 
Stamps are available at Libanpost offices and major bookshops. A postcard to Europe costs around 1000LL, a letter 1750LL, and both take about 5-10 days to arrive to destination. The nearest Libanpost office in Hamra is at Makdesi Street; Matta Bldg. Offices are normally open till 14:00 on weekdays and till 12:00 on Saturdays.
Other courier services such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS can be also found and have agents throughout Lebanon and Hamra.
Internet Access and Internet Cafes
Internet is widely used in Lebanon, and access is guaranteed even in the most remote regions. The easiest way to connect is through AUB’s many libraries and computer labs. You will be provided password access to these facilities.
Also there are few internet cafes in Hamra that offer internet access with hourly charge. The closest ones to AUB are Pass Par Tout, which is located in the Blue Building, and The Net which is located across Penrose Gate. Several internet cafes allow network games which often attract teenagers; refreshments and light snacks are available
Not to forget that many restaurants and coffee chops offer wireless free connections for customers. Therefore, we are sure, you won’t be “offline” for long while in Lebanon.
