Beirut,Lebanon.

Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) is Lebanon's sole commercial international gateway, located roughly 9 km (5.6 miles) south of the city center — about 15–20 minutes by car in normal traffic. It serves as a hub for Middle East Airlines (MEA) and connects to major cities across Europe, the Gulf, and Africa. There are no operational passenger trains in Lebanon and no rail link to the airport. Official airport taxis (identifiable by the airport logo on the door) operate from the designated taxi stand outside arrivals; a regulated fare to the city center runs approximately €17 (~$18 USD). Uber and Careem also operate pickups at BEY and are a transparent, fare-confirmed alternative. Budget-conscious travelers can take a minibus from outside the Departures Hall, though space for luggage is limited. Note: as of mid-2025, the Lebanese government introduced regulated, published fare schedules for airport taxis to end years of pricing inconsistency — scan the QR code displayed at the terminal for the official rate sheet.

Beirut has no metro or tram system. The primary modes of local transport are shared taxis ('service'), private taxis, and app-based ride-hailing. Shared service taxis follow fixed routes and are the cheapest option locals rely on daily, but routes can be hard to navigate for first-time visitors. Uber and Careem both operate in the city, offering metered fares and route confirmation upfront — the easiest choice for visitors. Traffic congestion is severe, especially along the coastal road and downtown core during morning and evening peaks; a trip that looks like 15 minutes on a map can take 45 minutes. Avoid renting a car within the city — parking is scarce and driving is assertive. Mobile 4G internet is fast (30+ Mbps), and a local SIM (e.g., Touch Lebanon, ~$25/month for 20 GB) makes ride-hailing seamless. Cash is essential: credit cards are rarely accepted in many establishments due to Lebanon's ongoing financial crisis.

Spring (April–May) is widely considered the best time to visit Beirut. Temperatures settle in the comfortable high-teens to low-20s°C, crowds are smaller than peak summer, and hotel rates are lower. You can explore ancient ruins, stroll the Corniche, and enjoy outdoor dining without the baking heat. Early autumn — September through mid-November — is an equally strong window: summer heat eases, crowds thin, and the city's cultural calendar picks back up after the August frenzy. Summer (June–August) is peak season with festivals, beach clubs, and electric nightlife, but expect soaring humidity, higher prices, and busy sights. Lebanon's famous novelty — skiing in the mountains in the morning and swimming in the Mediterranean in the afternoon — is best experienced in late winter or early spring, when mountain snowpack is still viable. Winter (November–February) brings rain and cooler temperatures, but offers rock-bottom prices and a more local, unhurried Beirut.