View allAll Photos Tagged busticket
At the moment I am restricted to using the bus if I need to get to the shops as I can’t drive following my accident!
As I am now retired, I am eligible for concessionary travel and get free travel on all local bus services. I found this advert on the back of my ticket and luckily it was printed in blue ink! So ideal for use in the theme of ‘blue’ in the Macro Mondays group.
Bus tickets from Tritran, BLTBCo, Cign Transport, BBL and RRCG.
Naalala pa ng kuya ko kung makaka - 1200 PHP worth ng byahe, bibigyan ka nila ng RRCG teddy bear.
28/03/2007 update: the contents of my life have now been viewed 1800 times - the repacked version has 700 views :) will this one make it to 2000?? will the repacked version make it to 1000?? only time will tell. i may have to update - same bag, different contents :)
inspired by a desire to join this group :) no self-censorship and bonus points for the used tissue!
you'll often find the cover page of the sydney morning herald in here too, with the cryptic crossword half done and the sudoku sometimes completed and other times with vicious slashes of ink across it...
sunday edit: i just remembered this blogpost and had to have a look... i still carry the same amount of junk but in a much smaller bag!! spookily enough, miss e and i are going to see eskimo joe again in a few weeks time...
monday edit: i have now put this in this group too - this is what is [was] really in my bag. the water bottle and hat have moved on now :)
Mangels Rasenheizung im Stadion des Ulmer SSV werden die Winterspiele der Kicker im beheizbaren Stadion von Aalen ausgetragen. Normalerweise fährt an diesen "Heimspieltagen" die SVG mit einer ihrer n-Wagengarnituren Sonderzüge für die Fans von Ulm über die Brenzbahn nach Aalen. Für Traktion sorgen stets die 218er der Nesa.
Anders am letzten Spieltag in Aalen, dem 24. Februar 2024: Wegen einer Sperrung der Brenzbahn müssen die Fans von Ulm nach Aalen den Umweg über die Filstalbahn und die Remstalbahn nehmen.
Ob der Tatsache, dass man als Fan mit Shuttle-Bussen eine Stunde später in Ulm losfahren konnte und das subventionierte Busticket hin und retour nur 5 Euro kostete waren so gut wie keine Beförderungsfälle im Zug auszumachen...
Dennoch, den Knipser hat es gefreut: Die gewöhnungsbedürftige und "hutzenlose" 218 256 kam zur passenden Zeit durch Göppingen. Viel mehr Sonnenschein - als den zu Zeiten der Durchfahrt des Fußballsonderzuges - gab es im Filstal an diesem Samstag nicht.
Some of you may recall the Setright register most possibly from a bus journey as for many operators this machine, either for conductor or one person operated services, was in use for many years. For me I certainly remember them as, for several years, I was a bus conductor for Eastern Scottish in Edinburgh and these machines were standard issue. At that time, the late 1970s, we had two 'ranges' of machines - a short distance version that we conductors had and that went to a certain maximum value and an 'OPO range' one that had higher value for longer distance travel. The problems started when on routes such as Edinburgh - Glasgow that we conducted we sold 5-day return tickets on Monday morning and as fares went relentlessly up so did the value of these tickets. Attempting to divide the total value by something like four to so insert the card ticket into the machine 'four times and four ways' and then sort the waybill out was trying to say the least.
The registers were part of a component system in that the waybill allowed for the number of tickets issued, the amount of cash for which the tickets were issued for and the number of return tickets cancelled - these matched the various registers seen on the machine. The tickets were printed from a 'blank' roll and you set the machine via the dia to show the date, the stage issued from, the value in pounds and pence and the type of ticket - single, return, etc. You soon gained, or had to gain, an amount of manual dexterity to set the dial and turn the handle so as not to disturb the dial! Some of us smarty-pants and old-timers could managing this routine single handledly - if you had a rough driver and you were hanging on you had to!
Although this brochure isn't dated it has an sales article dated 1951 tipped in and that feels about right. It gives the company as Setright Registers Ltd who were based at Eastway in Hackney Wick, London. Oddly it does not mention that they were a wholly owned subsidiary of a little known company of some importance - Chambon Ltd of London. Chambon, of French origins, owed their fame to their founder Louis Chambonwho between 1896 and 1900 developed and perfected machines to pre-print tickets and similar products, so enhancing the developing field of rotary multi-colour printing presses. Chambon opened in London in 1913 and they became market leaders in the highly specialised field of packing and package printing as well as security printing.
I had always thought that Setright was as in 'set right' - but amazingly the ticket machine was a development of an Australian, Mr H R Setright, who approached Chambon in 1928 to help him develop and exploit his first love - totaliser machines. The mechanics of such machines led to the Setright Register developed before Mr Setright passed away in 1942. Interestingly Chambon also owned the Oller Company that produced pre-printed tickets for machines such as the Bell Punch. This latter company were probably Setright's biggest competitor in the transport fares field.
Here you can see a selction of the types of ticket the Setright could issue and how, in the case of returns or transfers, they could be cancelled or validated by the machine - using the cancellation dial allowed the passenger number to be registered but no cash value. This was achieved by inserting the proffered ticket into the slot on the register.
Another view of the Gibson bus ticket machine as used by London transport between 1953 and 1994, showing a ticket roll in place.
Bus tickets from Raymond Transportation, Calamba Megatrans Inc., N. Dela Rosa Liner, Jam Liner, and Alps.
Some of you may recall the Setright register most possibly from a bus journey as for many operators this machine, either for conductor or one person operated services, was in use for many years. For me I certainly remember them as, for several years, I was a bus conductor for Eastern Scottish in Edinburgh and these machines were standard issue. At that time, the late 1970s, we had two 'ranges' of machines - a short distance version that we conductors had and that went to a certain maximum value and an 'OPO range' one that had higher value for longer distance travel. The problems started when on routes such as Edinburgh - Glasgow that we conducted we sold 5-day return tickets on Monday morning and as fares went relentlessly up so did the value of these tickets. Attempting to divide the total value by something like four to so insert the card ticket into the machine 'four times and four ways' and then sort the waybill out was trying to say the least.
The registers were part of a component system in that the waybill allowed for the number of tickets issued, the amount of cash for which the tickets were issued for and the number of return tickets cancelled - these matched the various registers seen on the machine. The tickets were printed from a 'blank' roll and you set the machine via the dia to show the date, the stage issued from, the value in pounds and pence and the type of ticket - single, return, etc. You soon gained, or had to gain, an amount of manual dexterity to set the dial and turn the handle so as not to disturb the dial! Some of us smarty-pants and old-timers could managing this routine single handledly - if you had a rough driver and you were hanging on you had to!
Although this brochure isn't dated it has an sales article dated 1951 tipped in and that feels about right. It gives the company as Setright Registers Ltd who were based at Eastway in Hackney Wick, London. Oddly it does not mention that they were a wholly owned subsidiary of a little known company of some importance - Chambon Ltd of London. Chambon, of French origins, owed their fame to their founder Louis Chambonwho between 1896 and 1900 developed and perfected machines to pre-print tickets and similar products, so enhancing the developing field of rotary multi-colour printing presses. Chambon opened in London in 1913 and they became market leaders in the highly specialised field of packing and package printing as well as security printing.
I had always thought that Setright was as in 'set right' - but amazingly the ticket machine was a development of an Australian, Mr H R Setright, who approached Chambon in 1928 to help him develop and exploit his first love - totaliser machines. The mechanics of such machines led to the Setright Register developed before Mr Setright passed away in 1942. Interestingly Chambon also owned the Oller Company that produced pre-printed tickets for machines such as the Bell Punch. This latter company were probably Setright's biggest competitor in the transport fares field.
This page is dominated by the block shaded lettering and the vignette of a trolleybus and speeding coach showing the versitility of operation of the machine. It also notes the security devices that protected against fraud - such as access to internal registers that could allow tampering.
Well, here's something to warm the cockles of any anorak's heart ...or whatever it is we have where our hearts should be. Neatly creased from being folded and placed in the wallets of methodical passengers, or thumbed and wrinkled in the hands of the less fastidious, I probably picked up most of these from the floors of parked buses on various omnibological expeditions during the second half of the seventies. As you'll know, these are all Setright tickets. How pleasing is the colouration, ranging from buff to eau-de-Nil by way of seagull and salmon. The two fourpenny tickets, second and third in on the top row, whose company names are lost to sight, came from Merthyr Tydfil Corporation Omnibus Department (there's glory for you) and Brighton Corporation Transport. The antecedents of the "blank" pink ticket in the second row must now forever remain a mystery; nor can I account for the Jersey Motor Transport Co. Ltd ticket, as I have never visited the eponymous offshore banking paradise. Second in, third row, is a ticket issued by myself. I can't remember the circumstances in which I came to retain it, but ...note the "W'KMAN" classification... it is a "Day Out" ticket, extruded from the machine at fare stage 01 ...Bristol bus station. Other points of interest are the "transitional" Western Welsh/Red & White ticket, dating from after the merger of the two companies but before their reconstitution as National Welsh, and a 1/10d ticket of the "BHAM & MID. MOTOR OMN. CO. LTD." (as M is the final letter of Birmingham, the lack of a full stop is correct). Now where on earth did I get that? Further down, the company makes another appearance, from prosaic decimal days, as "MIDLAND RED OMNIBUS CO. LTD." Two independents, both Scottish, make an appearance, but I'm not sure about A. A. MOTOR SERVICES LTD. Weren't they up in the north-east somewhere?
Ah, back in the days when I was a bus conductor for "SMT", known in my days as Eastern Scottish/Scottish Omnibuses, weekly tickets were often a bind to issue. This was because we had 'short range' Setright ticket machines and on long routes, such as the 16 from Edinburgh to Glasgow where 5 day, or even 6 day, tickets had a high value that required long division and entering the card ticket into the machine on several 'faces' to add up to the total! Bliss was being issued with a 'long distance' machine that were usually the preserve of OPO drivers as that could cope with one sum!
This is the older version of the weekly ticket - a credit card sized ticket that had to have both written entries as well as being 'punched' by the conductor both at the start of validity as well as on a daily basis. I can't quite make out the name on this faded one but it was issued for a five day period of return trips between Prestonpans Station and St Andrew Square in Edinburgh, the then city hub of the SMTs many services before the post-war bus station opened on an adjacent site. It was issued on 13 June 1943 and cost 4/7d - four shillings and seven old pence.
The routes east from Edinburgh out towards Musselburgh and Prestonpans were trunk routes for the SMT in those days, even when some of the route via Musselburgh was still served by Edinburgh's tramcars who had acquired running rights over the once lengthy tram route that ran alongside the Firth of Forth and that had by this time been curtailed to Levenhall. With the slow demise of Eastern Scottish, under First's ownership, "Edinburgh's" buses in the guise of Lothian are now the major operator here even if many of the routes are operated in buses of a green hue rather akin to the SMT all those years ago!
Some of you may recall the Setright register most possibly from a bus journey as for many operators this machine, either for conductor or one person operated services, was in use for many years. For me I certainly remember them as, for several years, I was a bus conductor for Eastern Scottish in Edinburgh and these machines were standard issue. At that time, the late 1970s, we had two 'ranges' of machines - a short distance version that we conductors had and that went to a certain maximum value and an 'OPO range' one that had higher value for longer distance travel. The problems started when on routes such as Edinburgh - Glasgow that we conducted we sold 5-day return tickets on Monday morning and as fares went relentlessly up so did the value of these tickets. Attempting to divide the total value by something like four to so insert the card ticket into the machine 'four times and four ways' and then sort the waybill out was trying to say the least.
The registers were part of a component system in that the waybill allowed for the number of tickets issued, the amount of cash for which the tickets were issued for and the number of return tickets cancelled - these matched the various registers seen on the machine. The tickets were printed from a 'blank' roll and you set the machine via the dia to show the date, the stage issued from, the value in pounds and pence and the type of ticket - single, return, etc. You soon gained, or had to gain, an amount of manual dexterity to set the dial and turn the handle so as not to disturb the dial! Some of us smarty-pants and old-timers could managing this routine single handledly - if you had a rough driver and you were hanging on you had to!
Although this brochure isn't dated it has an sales article dated 1951 tipped in and that feels about right. It gives the company as Setright Registers Ltd who were based at Eastway in Hackney Wick, London. Oddly it does not mention that they were a wholly owned subsidiary of a little known company of some importance - Chambon Ltd of London. Chambon, of French origins, owed their fame to their founder Louis Chambonwho between 1896 and 1900 developed and perfected machines to pre-print tickets and similar products, so enhancing the developing field of rotary multi-colour printing presses. Chambon opened in London in 1913 and they became market leaders in the highly specialised field of packing and package printing as well as security printing.
I had always thought that Setright was as in 'set right' - but amazingly the ticket machine was a development of an Australian, Mr H R Setright, who approached Chambon in 1928 to help him develop and exploit his first love - totaliser machines. The mechanics of such machines led to the Setright Register developed before Mr Setright passed away in 1942. Interestingly Chambon also owned the Oller Company that produced pre-printed tickets for machines such as the Bell Punch. This latter company were probably Setright's biggest competitor in the transport fares field.
This page shows a then typical scene on British buses - the conductor such as me issuing a ticket to a passenger!
Gibson Bus ticket machine operating manual, these machines were designed by an London transport employee at their ticket works in Brixton and they came into use in 1953 and were used until 1994.
Bus tickets from Jam Transit, H.M. Transport, Laguna Transit Co., Inc., MCC, Jaz Transportation ( formerly CJC Transit ), Jam Liner, and CBB.
Some of you may recall the Setright register most possibly from a bus journey as for many operators this machine, either for conductor or one person operated services, was in use for many years. For me I certainly remember them as, for several years, I was a bus conductor for Eastern Scottish in Edinburgh and these machines were standard issue. At that time, the late 1970s, we had two 'ranges' of machines - a short distance version that we conductors had and that went to a certain maximum value and an 'OPO range' one that had higher value for longer distance travel. The problems started when on routes such as Edinburgh - Glasgow that we conducted we sold 5-day return tickets on Monday morning and as fares went relentlessly up so did the value of these tickets. Attempting to divide the total value by something like four to so insert the card ticket into the machine 'four times and four ways' and then sort the waybill out was trying to say the least.
The registers were part of a component system in that the waybill allowed for the number of tickets issued, the amount of cash for which the tickets were issued for and the number of return tickets cancelled - these matched the various registers seen on the machine. The tickets were printed from a 'blank' roll and you set the machine via the dia to show the date, the stage issued from, the value in pounds and pence and the type of ticket - single, return, etc. You soon gained, or had to gain, an amount of manual dexterity to set the dial and turn the handle so as not to disturb the dial! Some of us smarty-pants and old-timers could managing this routine single handledly - if you had a rough driver and you were hanging on you had to!
Although this brochure isn't dated it has an sales article dated 1951 tipped in and that feels about right. It gives the company as Setright Registers Ltd who were based at Eastway in Hackney Wick, London. Oddly it does not mention that they were a wholly owned subsidiary of a little known company of some importance - Chambon Ltd of London. Chambon, of French origins, owed their fame to their founder Louis Chambonwho between 1896 and 1900 developed and perfected machines to pre-print tickets and similar products, so enhancing the developing field of rotary multi-colour printing presses. Chambon opened in London in 1913 and they became market leaders in the highly specialised field of packing and package printing as well as security printing.
I had always thought that Setright was as in 'set right' - but amazingly the ticket machine was a development of an Australian, Mr H R Setright, who approached Chambon in 1928 to help him develop and exploit his first love - totaliser machines. The mechanics of such machines led to the Setright Register developed before Mr Setright passed away in 1942. Interestingly Chambon also owned the Oller Company that produced pre-printed tickets for machines such as the Bell Punch. This latter company were probably Setright's biggest competitor in the transport fares field.
As well as describing the fitting and operation of the blank paper roll upon which the ticket was printed this also shows the card multi-journey ticket that could be issued by use of the slot on the machine to validate it and then cancelled by use of the punch to denote journeys taken.
1931 Dennis 30cwt Bus & King Alfred Buses
King Alfred Motor Services were one of the few privately owned bus companies to run a municipal bus service. The company was a family business, R Chisnell & Sons Ltd, to give it its official name when it became a registered company in 1939. Its fleet always included the latest types and was every bit as professional as the big bus companies that surrounded it. Yet, all the time, King Alfred buses were proudly independent with the statue of King Alfred on their green side panels to add that ultimate distinction.
King Alfred Motor Services was founded by Robert Chisnell Senior, who had many business interests in Winchester, including tobacconist shops, “Sausage Potato & Onion” restaurants and later a garage business.
His first involvement with passenger transport was in 1915, using a variety of small motor vehicles to transport troops to and from various camps in the area (because his horses had been requisitioned for war work!).
The first char-a-banc excursion was to Bournemouth on Whit Monday, 24th May 1920, using a vehicle based on an ex-RAF Leyland chassis. In spite of the unreliability of the early vehicles, the business flourished and the first regular bus services began on 9th October 1922, to the new Council estate at Stanmore via two circular routes, together with another circular, serving Compton, Shawford and Twyford, and a route to Flowerdown.
From these small beginnings, an extensive network was built up, eventually serving most districts of the City and radiating as far afield as Fisher's Pond, Owslebury, East Stratton, Basingstoke, Stockbridge and Broughton. Thus the green and cream buses with the emblem of King Alfred’s Statue on the side became a familiar sight throughout the area.
However, in the early days, there was competition from various other operators on some routes, especially those towards Stockbridge. Even after the Road Traffic Act of 1930 introduced service licensing, this road was also covered by another operator, which changed names and owners several times – successively Empress Coaches, Hants & Surrey, Holland’s Tours of Birmingham and, finally, Buddens. King Alfred eventually had the route to itself when Buddens gave up in 1961.
The 1930s were years of consolidation, resulting from the stability given by the Road Traffic Act. The first generation of vehicles gave way to a fleet of fine modern buses and coaches, with the first double decker being owned in 1942. The coaches were used for excursions, private hires and, from 1928 until 1932, on the London service which operated via Basingstoke and offered several hours in Central London.
By the time the Second World War broke out in September 1939, R Chisnell & Sons Ltd., as the company had become, was acknowledged as the local operator for Winchester, with an enviable reputation. The War, however, brought many difficulties – shortages of fuel, rubber, buses and staff. There were also lots of new passengers – servicemen based ay the many camps, evacuees, and war workers. As a result, several Ministry of Supply specification buses were bought. These were ‘Utility’ designed and featured amongst other things wooden seats (although thankfully these were later replaced!).
The War also saw the employment of a whole troop of ladies to work as conductors – some of these stayed with the firm for many years! Even so the Saturday lunchtime journey from Basingstoke needed four relief buses with just one conductor moving between the vehicles!
Robert Chisnell Senior died on 5th June 1945, after which his two sons continued to run the company. They were known as “Mr Bob” and “Mr Fred”. The early post-war years were a busy time for all bus operators. This was an era when fuel was severely rationed, power was often cut and there was as yet no television – sometimes a bus was the only warm bright place to be!
Bus travel grew and so did the King Alfred fleet. The first of sixteen Leyland Titan double deckers arrived in 1946 permitting increased services; from 1949 the buses carried route numbers from 1 to 11. As Winchester grew through into the 1950s, the King Alfred route network grew with it. For example, services moved into Minden Way in Stanmore in 1949 and Weeke Estate in 1953. In addition, a number of the remaining local operators wee taken over including Greyfriars (who ran to Owslebury and Highcliffe) and Oscar Calloway (who ran from East Stratton).
But the 1950s saw the start of increased motoring. Winchester’s notoriously narrow streets were soon choked with traffic. Often, it would be nothing to take twenty minutes to travel from the Broadway to City Road. The queue for the traffic lights at Southgate Street often started at Ghost Corner. In such circumstances the provision of a regular timetable became a nightmare and staff found conditions strenuous and unattractive.
Increased traffic thus meant fewer passengers as well as staff shortages. From 1963, the route mileage began to be cut back, particularly in the evenings and on Sundays although new routes to Teg Down and Harestock were introduced. Mr Bob, in particular, waged a one-man war against traffic measures such as the Central Car Park that he said would further reduce the attraction of bus services.
Despite the frustrations caused by these problems, the Chisnells continued their policy of buying high quality, modern vehicles for the fleet. High capacity, low height double deckers joined the fleet. These were initially AEC Bridgemasters, moving on to Leyland Atlanteans. New single deckers were introduced bringing the 36-footer to the streets of Winchester in 1962. This policy continued right through to 1971 when King Alfred became the first operator to purchase a batch of Metro-Scania single deckers.
Nonetheless, the particular prosperity of Winchester (having in the 1960s the lowest unemployment rate in Great Britain) meant that obtaining and keeping staff became more and more difficult. Who would want to work unsociable hours in difficult driving conditions for busman’s pay in Winchester? This was especially true when there were highly paid jobs available in the local area – the Ford factory in Swaythling for example. Staff shortages affected all departments, especially engineering. Despite valiant attempts to keep the service on the road, it was something that clearly could not go on forever.
Mr Bob and Mr Fred had, by the start of 1970, reached the age where they looked towards retirement so they started to seek ways in which the business could be sold on. They tried to sell King Alfred to the City Council (which was not possible due to government policy at the time) and then on to other private parties. In the end, events overtook them and with the threat of a Traffic Commissioners’ enquiry hanging over them the Chisnells decided to place their licences in the hands of the Commissioner.
The routes and buses then passed to the National Bus Company, in the guise of Hants & Dorset, who maintained a depot in the City for routes to Southampton, Andover, Fareham and Salisbury.
28th April 1973 was a sad day for the Chisnells and for all King Alfred staff, as well as for the travelling public of Winchester and its surroundings. All too soon the familiar guise of green buses with their proud emblem of King Alfred on the side was swept away, to be replaced by the then all-conquering NBC poppy red paint. For a time, King Alfred Motor Services became no more than a memory.
Time has not stood still for bus operators in Winchester. Hants & Dorset routes were subject to a Market Analysis Report which gave birth to the “Wintonline” local identity in 1980 and in 1983 Hants & Dorset was split up and Winchester routes became part of the network of Hampshire Bus Company Ltd.
When the National Bus Company was privatised in 1987, Hampshire Bus was one of the first companies to be purchased by Stagecoach. In the intervening years, the Stagecoach livery of white, with red, orange and blue stripes became familiar all over the area. The company now operates as Stagecoach South and buses have received a revised livery, still predominantly white but the stripes have given way to ‘swoops’ of the other three colours. Vehicles operating within Winchester are branded 'the King's city' and feature a bespoke colour scheme designed by Best Impressions.
But the memories of King Alfred Motor Services live on, and the Friends of King Alfred Buses does its best to keep those great memories alive, with all the known remaining vehicles in its collection. Founded in 1985, they are a Winchester based transport heritage charity whose volunteers aim to preserve the memory of R Chisnell & Sons, trading as King Alfred Motor Services. The group, which has a membership of over 200, meet regularly to celebrate their work and to enjoy the vehicles they have preserved.
On the14th September 2019 the group will join the Winchester Heritage Open Day with a free vintage bus service and vehicle display. The traditional New Years Day running day is always a favourite and on the 4th of May 2020 another running day will take place to commemorate the King Alfred Motor Services Centenary.
1931 Dennis 30cwt Bus
This is the oldest member of the Friends of King Alfred Buses fleet and was the last of six Dennis 30cwt’s ordered by King Alfred between 1926 and 1931. Bought to serve the lighter rural routes, in particular to Morn Hill, the Dennis’ were one-man operated.
OU 9286 was sold to West Hill Park School, Titchfield in 1947, a school attended by some of the Chisnell children, the school sold it on to Sparshatts of Hilsea in 1959 and later it went to Vernon’s Pools as a promotional vehicle.
It passed to Pat Oikle in 1973 who restored it to King Alfred livery and sold it to the Friends of King Alfred Buses in 1993. Despite its years the Dennis runs well and is always popular at FoKAB Running Days and other events.
Fleet Number: 9286
Registration Number OU 9286
Year: 1931
Chassis: Dennis 30CWT
Engine: White and Poppe 3,164cc
Body: Short B18F
The above history is courtesy of the Friends of King Alfred Buses.
For more details of The Friends of King Alfred Buses see:-
#Lavani Dance
Gifted with its rich culture and #traditions, #Maharashtra has different types of #dance forms The word Lavani derived from Lavanya, meaning beauty. This form is a combination of dance and #music, which is dealt with diffeent and varied topics such as #society, #religion, #politics, #romance, etc.
I'm not so sure of my facts with these non-Setright tickets, and am without experience of other systems ...apart from the Wayfarer system we used during my latter days with what had become B ...B ...Ba ...I can hardly bring myself to type the name... Badgerline! There, I've done it. I feel soiled though. The well-printed, vari-coloured square tickets along the top are very pleasing. Elsewhere the impression is of a decline in quality. Was it inflation or decimalisation that led to London Transport tickets being issued in two parts? ...the example illustrated being, I am fairly certain, one 16p ticket rather than two separate 8p tickets. The ticket which illustrates the two tendered coins by some sort of frottage method ...bloody silly idea I always thought... came from "Cardiff buses" who must have thought it very modern and democratic to use such a banausic title. Elsewhere we mostly have scrappy, ill-printed, flimsy little squares of plain paper, more like till receipts from a chip shop than the emblem of a contract between issuer and holder bestowing legal status and conferring certain entitlements deriving from governmental legislation. S. M. S. had me scratching my head, but fortunately the date is still visible and on 13th August 1977 I was at Pembroke Dock ...so it must be Silcox Motor Services. C. C. T. still has me puzzled though, and the date is no help. I think the form So-and-So Corporation Transport was entirely defunct by 1977, but ticket machines must have continued to show the old style. Colchester? Cardiff? Chesterfield?
Edinburgh Transport - and indeed Lothian Buses later on - issued a small booklet detailing walks that started or finished using the city's bus routes. The cover, in striking pink, shows two walkers int he form of 'TIM' tickets - the style of bus tickets issued at the time in the city - and the only date on the booklet being '1958' on the ticket suggests that it is post-1958 issue.
1968 London transport Red Rover bus ticket priced 7/- (approx. 35p) , how I and many others from my generation spent our weekends bus spotting all over London. From collection.
Damascus
From Wikitravel
Asia : Middle East : Syria : Damascus
The Eastern Gate at the end of the Via RectaDamascus (دمشق) is the capital of Syria and its largest city, with about 4.5 million people.
Understand
Established between 10,000 to 8,000BC, Damascus is credited with being the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world. The old-walled city, in particular, feels very ancient and largely consists of a maze of narrow alleys, punctuated by enigmatic doors that lead into pleasing, verdant courtyards and blank-faced houses. The old city still has an authentic medieval feel to it, although this is vanishing fast due to the increasing tourist traffic as the city continues to be highlighted as an attraction. Life however, goes on in the old-walled city, which is still the religious and social center of the city.
Get in
[edit] By plane
Syria's busiest airport is the Damascus International Airport.There are internal flights to Aleppo, Deir-ez-Zur, Qamishli, and occasionally Latakia, costing approximately 1000 SP one way,
The airport is relatively well-equipped with most standard services. The tax-free assortment is limited, but prices are very low, especially on perfume. You might find better bargains on goods such as Lebanese wine, arak (an unsweetened, aniseed-flavored, alcoholic beverage) and similar items before departing the airport.
The average fare from the airport to the city is 1500 SP. the prices became that high because nowadays only Taxi Companies allowed to pickup customers from the Airport, Fares are typically about 500 SP going from the city to the airport by Taxi, however, may vary depending on your bargaining skills.
There are also buses departing to and from Baramkeh bus station in the center of town (airport buses are the only ones which serve this bus station now - all other services have moved to the new out of town Soumaria bus station). The price is 50 SP + 25 for your luggage and there are departures every half an hour, 24 hours a day. At the airport, come out of the terminal and turn right - you will find the bus at the end of the building. There is a small ticket office. The buses have been upgraded in recent years and they became really good.
By train
There are train services to and from Aleppo, making stops in Homs and Hama. One of the trains continues to Qamishli via Raqqa, Deir ez zoor and Hassaka. There are also services to Latakia, stopping at Homs and Tartus. However, buses or service taxis are more convenient. Syrian trains are slow and make many stops. The Damascus-Aleppo service is good. The main train station is at Qadam, a southern suburb. Service microbuses on the Qadam-Assali route run between Qadam and Sharia al-Thawra in the city center.
International: There are weekly sleeper trains to Istanbul (35-36 hours) and Tehran (60 hours). There are also twice weekly trains to Amman (very slow, generally require a change of trains at the border).
By car
Service Taxis are available to Amman and Irbid in Jordan. Depending on the political situation, these also service Beirut and other points in Lebanon, as well as points in Iraq. Since the closure of the more central Baramkeh Station, these service taxis leave from Soumaria (pronounced like the girls' names "Sue Maria"), which is a 10-15 minute taxi ride from central Damascus, along Autostrade Mezzeh.
By bus
Damascus is well served by buses internally in the country.
Regular buses to Damascus leave Amman, Jordan, the trip including crossing the border takes about 4 hours and cost approximately 6-9JD.
Hatay Turizm from Antakya/Turkey has regular buses to the city. You can board on these in Istanbul as well. Normally, you'll have to reserve a seat one day or more in advance, and although prices may vary, you can get a busticket for 80 Turkish Lira.
When arriving into Damascus by bus, make sure to move away from the bus terminal to find a taxi to the center of town. Otherwise, you run the risk of paying several times the going rate, which should be around SYP150-200, as cars posing as taxis operate next to the terminal. This is normally a two-man operation, with one person trying to distract you, while the driver puts your suitcase into the trunk of the "taxi" and locks it.
Get around
At rush hours (10AM-4PM), the best way of transport is on foot. Smoking is absolutely forbidden in all public transport ways.
On foot
A very good idea is to go on foot especially for a sightseeing, and it's the only way to get around in Old Damascus. Walking in the new city however, should be reserved to the nicer areas of Maliki and Abu-Rumaneh, as the new city tends to be pollution clogged. The driving culture in Damascus is not the safest, so beware as a pedestrian, especially in the new city. Cars will not hesitate to come extremely close to pedestrians or other cars in order to pass.
By car
It isn't a very good idea to rent a car in Damascus. There is almost always a traffic jam, especially in summer, and parking tends to be difficult too; although that isn't the the situation in suburbs.
Buses
Micro buses, also known as servees, are one of the main sources of transportation in Damascus. All journeys inside the city costs 10 Syrian Pounds (20 American Cents approximately). You can go from one place to another in Damascus with at most one or two journeys. When on the bus, give any passenger a coin and he will pass it to the driver and return the change, just remember to tell that passenger how many people you are paying for, whether you are in a group, or tell him that you are paying "for one" ("waahid") if you are alone. The route is written (in Arabic only) on the roof sign. Micro buses do not generally have fixed stops except at very busy points, just beckon to the driver and he will stop near you (Al yameen, andak iza samaht).
Taxi
Taxis on Nasr Street near the Old CityTaxis are plentiful in Damascus, making them a great transportation. The taxis of Star Taxi, a new private company, are more expensive than normal taxis, but they are also more comfortable and safer. You can call their headquarters and they will send the nearest taxi to your door. Taxis with the Damascus Governorate logo on the side and a number on the roof sign are normally equipped with a meter, and it is best to use only these when hailing a taxi on the street. You should normally leave a 10-pound tip as well as the fare on the meter. At night, taxi drivers do not usually use the meter, so you may be best off negotiating the price before you get in. A service taxi to Amman or Beirut cost 700 Syrian pounds and takes around 4 hours and run 24 hours. Do not hesitate to take them; they are new, clean vehicles with air conditioning.
[add listing] See
The Souq al-Hamidiyya, a broad street packed with tiny shops, is entered through columns from a Roman temple built on a site that had been occupied by an even older temple. The souqs themselves smell of cumin and other distinctive spices and you can find passages dedicated to everything from leather and copper goods to inlaid boxes and silk scarves.
The Souq al-HamidiyyaAt the end of Souq al-Hamidiyya stands the great Umayyad mosque; this building with three minarets is an architectural wonder. It was a Greek temple (one can still see ancient Greek carvings on the gate at the Southern wall), then a Roman temple, a church, then a mosque and a church together, and finally a mosque until now. All the symbols are still pretty much there and some Christian drawings can still be very clearly seen on the walls inside. The mosque contains the grave of John the Baptist (for Muslims, prophet Yahya) inside the main lounge. Women are asked to be to cover their hair, arms and legs. Abayas(full-body covers) can be rented near the entrance for 20SP. This is one of the few big mosques in the Islamic world where foreigners are welcome to enter.
At the other end of Souq al-Hamidiyya is a fort-like section of the extant city wall that is the Citadel (but make sure to visit Aleppo's Citadel for a truly amazing experience).
Nearby, you can visit the Mausoleum of Salah al-Din, known in the west as Saladin, the chief anti-crusader. There's a great statue of him on horseback right next to the citadel, which will make you gasp. If you walk all the way around it, there are two dejected Frankish knights underneath the horse's slightly lifted tail. These two knights are identified by inscriptions as Guy de Lusignan, King of Jerusalem, and Reynald de Chatillon, lord of Kerak, an important fortress in the Holy Land. Both were captured during Salah al-Din's definitive victory at Hattin; Guy was imprisoned in Damascus and eventually released, but Reynald was executed as punishment for his many atrocities.
The October War Panorama is out in the suburbs but accessible by minibus or taxi. It's about US$7 to get in and well worth it. It was built with the help of the North Korean Government and the influence shows. There is an exhibit of military hardware outside. English-speaking guides are available.
add listing] Do
View the city from Mount Qasioun is a must-do activity in Damascus as it offers a panoramic view. The peak is accessible at any time, although the view is perhaps most spectacular at night when the whole city is lit up and the minarets of mosques are bathed in green light. The Umayyad Mosque in the old town is particularly impressive when viewed from the mountain. There is a wide range of food and refreshment available on the peak from stalls to fancy restaurants that serve good local cuisine and alcohol. Check the price before you get too comfortable though- it is a well-known scam for local cab drivers to take you to their 'favorite' cafe, where you'll end up paying anything up to 500SP for a cup of tea.
Visit a restaurant in old Damascus. There are many restaurants in the old quarter each with their own unique character, but perhaps the most famous (and touristy) is "Beit Jabri", although "Al-Khawali" is considered by many to be the best dining experience in the old city. Another restaurant in the old city, Narcissus Palace, located close to Maktab Anbar, would offer an enlightening experience. Every night, a singer and band play old Arabic music and create an amazing atmosphere in the restaurant. A good idea, when considering these restaraunts, is to go for breakfast, and then go sightseeing. The breakfast is very cheap, the bill will amount to 1000 SP for about four people.
Bathe in a Hammam, i.e., a Turkish bath. The Nur-al-Din Bath (between the Azem Palace and Straight Street) and the Bakri Bath (first street on the right after entering the Old City at Bab Touma) are two baths that are familiar with Western tourists. A visit to either costs about 500 SP, and includes towels, soap, scrub, and a massage. Nur-al-Din is for men only, Bakri might be able to accommodate women or mixed groups upon prior arrangement. Bakri Bath: for women each day except Friday 10 - 5 pm
Relax at a Hooka cafe "Narjelah" Hooka cafe's are popular in Damascus and are easy to find. When visiting the old city, you'll get a more cultural or traditional experience. You'll probably find a crowd of tea-drinking, backgammon-playing men all smoking hooka. In the modern city, most cafe's cater to a younger crowd and are a big part of the night life offering a huge variety of flavored tobacco ranging from double apple which is the most common, to cappuccino. In almost every major restaurant, hookas are available, including the restaurants in the old city.
Learn Arabic
There are several institutions in Damascus that teach Arabic:
Language Institute at Damascus University [1] - The Language Institute fully immerse their students in Arabic; the course materials and all interaction between students and teachers are done in Arabic. Students are placed in beginning, intermediate, or advanced courses based on a placement test.
Ma'had [2]- This state-run language academy is located in the Mezze district of Damascus. It is the cheapest option, although the courses are not as good as those at Damascus University.
The British Council - While the classes may be expensive, they are mainly aimed toward diplomats and businessmen.
DSA - Damascus Language School for Standard Arabic [3]- The school provides basic courses for beginners and advanced courses also on certain topics as for journalists, physicians, diplomats, engineers etc. Normal classes have maximum 4 Students. Lessons with private teachers are even possible. Twice a year, there are certain courses for students available at half price. Teachers are well experienced in teaching foreigners. Basic courses start every Saturday.
Arabesk Studies in Damascus [4]- The institute offers extensive classes in Arabic. Aide with living arrangement provided.
TikaTrip - Travels and Studies in Syria [5]- Providing private Arabic tutors as well as professional language teachers and all important services: starting with the pickup service at the airport, arranging accommodation and advices on how to tackle the bureaucratic procedures.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Damascus offers some of the best shopping in the Middle East. Prices are cheap, and since very few stores depend on tourists for their income, most will leave you alone to browse until you are ready to buy. Small stores are located throughout the old city, although the Souq al-Hamidiyya, located along the Roman straight street, offers the highest density of shops. The souq is a fantastic experience, but be prepared for the crowds.
[ Eat
A shawarma spit in the Souq al-Hamidiyya[edit] Budget
The famous vegetarian falafel sandwich (15-30 SP), chicken shawarma (30-50 SP) and manakeesh (10-20 SP), bread filled with zatar, spinach, meat, pizza-style tomato and cheese or other fillings are widely available and cheap. Less common but still widely spread are places which sell foul (boiled fava beans with sauce) and hummus.
A typical Damascene dish is fatteh, made up of soaked bread, chickpeas and yogurt. Delicious and extremely filling, it is excellent on a cold winter's day. Try it with lamb or sheep's tongue, or plain with the typical garnish of a little pickle and nuts.
There is a foul restaurant on Souq Saroujah, the same street as hotel Al-Haramein and one at the bab touma square. Also in this "backpacker district" on Souq Sarouja is Mr Pizza, a fast food joint serving good pizzas, sandwiches, burgers and fries. A large plate of fries is 50 SP, a sandwich filled with chicken is 75 SP and a pizza for one person is 110 SP.
Shawarma is, of course, popular in Damascus. It comes in different varieties, including chicken and beef. Station One (near the Noura Supermarket in Abu Rumaneh) is one of many restaurants that serve shawarma throughout the city.
In order to really experience local Syrian cuisine, be sure to visit a section of Damascus called Midan. It lies south of the old city and can easily be reached by walking south from the western entrance to Souq al-Hamadiyya or from Bab Saghir. There is a main street there called Jazmatiya which offers an unlimited amount of shawerma & falafel stands, butcher shops/restaurants and plenty of Syrian pastry shops which are clearly marked by 8 foot towers of sweets stacked on top of each other. Be sure to try Shawarma from "Anas," which makes some of the best sandwiches in Damascus. This main street is best to visit at night and doesn't close till around 3AM. The street is very safe and is always very busy.
Another unusual treat is a camel kebab, available tasty and fresh from the camel butchers outside Bab Saghir. As they typically advertise their wares by hanging a camel head and neck outside the premises, you're unlikely to miss them.
Fresh juice stalls are available all over the city. Orange juice (aasir beerdan) starts at 30-50 SP, other fruits are slightly more expensive. Many fruit stalls also have a range of dishes like hot dog, sojouq (armenian sausage), liver (soda) and meat (kebab etc.). These may not always be the safest to eat.
Fruits and vegetables which are not peeled might cause infections, but are still very good. Select places that have a steady stream of customers.
The area around Martyr's square is polluted with pastry shops selling some of the sweetest, tastiest and cheapest baklava on Earth.
Note: Don't try to eat in empty places only crowded restaurants and food places are safe otherwise you may get food poisoning from Shawerma sandwiches or any other product (especially in summer) so beware!
[edit] Mid-range
Al-Sehhi Restaurant, Sharia al-Abed, Central Damascus, ☎ +963 11 221-1555. This restaurant offers the basics in Middle Eastern cooking, including mezze and a variety of grilled meats. There is a separate family section for diners and women. Alcohol is not served, and credit cards are not accepted. edit
Pizza Pasta, sharia medhat pasha, at the turn to Bab Kisan. This place serves descent pasta and good pizza, and also antipasta and alcohol. The service is often less than good, but it's worth to put up with for some of the real stuff. No menu, just ask for whatever italian dish you fancy and chances are they will have it.
Nadil, a little closer to bab sharqi than pizza pasta, this place serves up typical arabic meat dishes and very good broasted, and does it well and cheap. Takeaway.
Beit Sitti, close to beit jabri in the old city (the street that runs parallel to the street of al-noufara down from the ommayad mosque). Opinions are diverse on the food. But there is no doubt that they have the best lemon and mint juice in damascus and it’s OK just to drink.
Inhouse Coffee, at the airport, in the bab touma shopping street on the way to sahet abbasin and in the shopping street of abu romanih (souq al-kheir, close to benetton shopping centre). This is the place for great coffee. They have everything, including pressed coffee, for those with European cravings. Heavy with smart looking people and bluetooth in the air (in Syria, it’s an acceptable way to flirt).
Cafe Vienna, close to cham palace, follow the street towards Jisr-al-rais, turn right in the alley opposite of the Adidas store. This place is great. They do sandwiches on brown bread and apfelstrudel!
Vino Rosso, in bab touma walk up the stairs beside the police station and ask your way. You can have food fried at the table and they got French cheese. Rather cheap, very cosy. Alcohol is served.
Chinese Restaurant, opposite of Cafe Narcissius close to Beit Jabri. Mom and Pop operation, although the chef's wife is back in China to raise their baby. Does standard Americanized Chinese food. Reasonably priced and good Chinese food, usually full of foreigners or Chinese students. The sweet and sour chicken and beef "hot pan" are highly recommended. Alcohol is served.
Fish place, bourj el-roos. This place is more or less male only, a little rough and does very good fish. about 500 SL per person. Not cheap, but it’s Damascus, it’s fish and it’s good. The same place runs a good place for foul and hommous next by. Alcohol is served.
Spicy, at the abu-roumanih side of jisr al-abiad, first street to the left if your back is faced to the bridge. Daily dishes, "home-made" style Arabic food. Excellent. No alcohol.
Caffe Latte, a small, warm-hearted cafe with the best coffee in town. Serves great muffins and pancakes. A very nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Damascus. Located near the Italian hospital.
[edit] Splurge
Scoozi. It’s close to Noura Supermarket in Abu Rumanneh, if you walk from jisr al-rais towards jebel qasioun it is on your right. Best pizza in Damascus, the rest of the dishes are excellent too. No alcohol.
Haretna (bab touma area, take the stairs beside the police station and follow the sign) this is one of the hippest place speaking now, with some excellent mezze. The western dishes you can give a miss, but it does descent kebabs as well. But first of all, it’s always crowded, with a lot of nice looking people, and younger than most restaurants. A real Damascus favorite. No alcohol during Ramadan though.
Nadi al Sharq, close to hotel Four seasons, this is the best indian in Damascus. They do a great set meal for 600 S.P., which is really much good food. Or you can choose from great alacarte. The president dined here twice.
Rotana Cafe, a theme cafe built at the end of Damascus Boulevard by the Four Seasons. It is part of the Rotana Audio Visuals company which is probably the most famous music records company in the Arabic world. The head of Rotana is Prince Walid bin Talal. The food is great here, as well as the hookah. Some say Rotana cafe offers the best hookas in all of Damascus. There are many westeren dishes here, all cooked by world class chefs. The view from this cafe is great, Mount Kassyoun is visible and the rest of Beiruit Street. There is also a souviner shop and a music store located on the first level.
Cafe Trattoria is located right by the United Colors of Benneton in Abu Rummaneh. It is a beautiful sidewalk cafe that offers Italian food, hookas, and all kinds of western coffees, as well as the traditional Turkish Coffee.
Leila's Restaurant and Terrace, Souq al-Abbabiyya, Central Old City, ☎ +963 11 544-5900. Leila's Restaurant and Terrace has rooftop seating with a gorgeous view of Umayyad Mosque. The restaurant serves traditional Arabic cuisine. Alcohol is served at this location; however, that list is not on the menu. Ask the waiter for the drink availability. edit
Beit Jabri Restaurant, 14 Sharia as-Sawwaf, Central Old City, ☎ +963 11 544-3200, [6]. A favorite among locals and tourists alike, this cafe offers the Syrian classics. The casual eatery is located in the courtyard of a beautiful Damascene house. edit
Arabesque Restaurant, Sharia al-Kineesa, Central Damascus, ☎ +963 11 543-3999. The restaurant offers a combination of Syrian and French classics. While alcohol is served, credit cards are not accepted. Arabesque is on the more elegant side, so semi-formal dress may be more appropriate. edit
Downtown, Sharia al-Amar Izzedin al-Jazzari, Central Damascus, ☎ +963 11 332-2321. This contemporary restaurant offers a wide array of sandwiches, salads, and fresh juices. French is more likely to be spoken than Arabic. The interior is filled with Scandinavian decor. edit
[edit][add listing] Drink
The coffee houses of Old Damascus are something to experience. Hours can dissolve over a cup of shay (tea) or ahwa (coffee) amongst the smoke of a nargileh (water pipe) . An-Naufara (which means 'The Fountain') is a wonderful place to do this its just east of the Ummayad Mosque. There is even a Hakawati (a traditional story teller) present at 7PM most nights.
If you are craving a European coffee, head for Abu Rommeneh street and look for the Bennetton clothing store. There are a number of fancy cafes in the area, including the Middle Eastern chain Inhouse Coffee, which is very much like Starbucks in its prices and atmosphere. A large latte or cappuccino will set you back 135 SP. Free Wi-Fi is offered at each location throughout the city.
Apart from that, many bars and nightclubs have been set up in Damascus for many people to enjoy. These usually crowd up at night time, but they still guarantee nice alcoholic beverages and dances.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
Merjeh SquareSouq-Al-Saroujah is where you find the cluster of backpacker hotels. There are other hotels in the area, but the three below could all be recommended.
Al-Rabie Hotel, Sharia bahsa, Souq saroujah (on an attractive side street about a 5-10 minute walk from the citadel), ☎ +963 11 231-8374 (alrabiehotel@hotmail.com). It has an attractive courtyard, and clean rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Some of the rooms that share a bath are a bit of a hike from the bath and shower rooms. Helpful staff that can arrange tours and otherwise cater to tourist needs. No alcohol allowed on the premises. 350 SP for a shared room, 1200 SP for double with shared bath, 1600 SP for double with ensuite (as of January 2009). You can also sleep on a mattress on the partially enclosed roof in summer for 275 SP.. edit
Al-Haramain Hotel, Sharia bahsa, Souq saroujah (next to the Al-Rabie Hotel), ☎ +963 11 231-9489 (alharamain_hotel@yahoo.com). Some of the rooms on the upper floors lack heaters and can be very cold in the winter unless the door to the common space is left open. The courtyard is smaller than in Al-Rabie, but the staff is nice and friendly. Showers are in the basement. Helpful staff that can arrange tours and otherwise cater to tourist needs. No alcohol allowed on the premises. Be sure to get a reservation in advance. Prices are more expensive than nearby hostels - 560 SP for shared. 700 SP for a single, 1225 SP for a double, 1700 SP for a double with bathroom. Breakfast is always included in the price.. edit
Hotel Al-Ghazal, Sharia souq saroujah (in souq Saroujah, at the street turning out towards Jisr-Al-Thawra, the revolution bridge), ☎ +963 11 231-3736 (info@ghazalhotel.com), [7]. Also known as Ghazal Hotel, this hotel is a newcomer in the Saroujah budget hotels. It has a very attractive, typical Damascus courtyard. For breakfast, they serve the usual range of teas and coffeea and good water pipe free of charge. You can bring alcohol to drink in the courtyard if you like. Rooms and facilities are new. Several new, clean bathrooms with hot water and also a hostel portion in the same structure. Managers keep a safe on the premises for valuables. Owners are helpful and service-minded, but they speak less English than their competitors and don't arrange tours or otherwise on a regular basis (but could still probably help out if you ask). English spoken enough to arrange rooms, get/give directions and special circumstances. For foreign students of Arabic, the hotel staff is very accommodating and surprisingly insightful with the limited English they speak. If you are a light sleeper, you should avoid rooms close to the kitchen, bathrooms, and reception area. The rooms facing onto the courtyard are peaceful. 900 SP for a double with shared bathroom and 400 SP for a dorm room.. edit
Martyr's Square or "Merjeh" in Arabic is the other place worth considering if you're on a tight budget, though many of the places double as brothels. However, at least the hotels below can be recommended. Women alone should avoid hotels at Merjeh Sqaure, because it's the red light district of Damascus.
[edit] Mid range
The rope ladder to the Damascus HostelAl Majed Hotel, 29th May Street (above Yusef Al-'Azmeh Square, behind the Assufara (Ambassadors') Cinema), ☎ +963 11 232-3300 (majed@almajed-group.com, fax: +963 11 232-3304), [8]. completely renovated in 2001, this family-run 60-room hotel remains a very popular, secure and central place to stay for travelers of all sorts - from businessmen to backpackers. The Al Majed Restaurant, open 24 hours, is located on the top floor of the Hotel with a variety of dishes, from traditional Middle Eastern dishes to Continental fare. edit
Damascus Hostel, (Al Abbara Street from Straight Street, or rope ladder on city walls 100m from Bab Sharqi), ☎ +963 11 541-4115, [9]. This hostel has a unique location, with some rooms in a tower on the city wall. While the location is excellent and the rooms are decent, the main reason to stay here is Raymond, the owner. A slightly mental Palestinian who lived in Australia for 40 years, the guy is as friendly and helpful a person as you're ever likely to meet. Laundry service with an automatic washer is 200SYP. Satellite television is available in the common area but there is no on-site Internet access. The website has both a printable map with directions and GPS coordinates. edit
House of Damascus, (info@houseofdamascus.com), [10]. rents a rooms for students studying in Damascus in a beautiful, traditional Arabic house situated in the heart of the Old City of Damascus. The house includes seven bedrooms, two bathrooms, two kitchens, a beautiful courtyard, and a rooftop terrace with a great view over Old Damascus. Each bedroom is furnished with a TV, bed, wardrobe, dresser and heater (A/C in some rooms). The kitchens are fully equipped (gas stove, microwave, kettle, oven etc.) and the modern bathrooms have hot water 24 hours a day. Washing machine, internet access (dial-up) and fixed telephone (landline) are also available. edit
The Old Damascus Hotel, inner courtyardHotel Old Damascus, Bab Tuma Square near Haretna Restaurant, ☎ +963 11 541-4042, [11]. is in the Old City, near the St. Thomas gate, on one of those two-meter-wide pedestrian-only streets that are so common in the older neighborhoods. The Old Damascus has about a dozen rooms and was formerly a typical Arab home of the sort common among prosperous merchants in the early 1900s. A Syrian-Arab family owns and operates the hotel. edit
[edit] Splurge
Cham Hotel, ☎ ''963 11'' 223-2300 (reservations@chamhotels.com, fax: + 963 11 221-2398), [12]. Syria's national hotel chain, and one of the largest business-class hotels in the city. edit
Four Seasons, Shukri Al Quatli Street, ☎ +963 11 339-1000 (fax: +963 11 339-0900), [13]. The Four Seasons, located in downtown Damascus, offers many services, such as spa, baby-sitting, and fitness facilities. This hotel houses the Al Halabi restaurant, which features the Aleppo cuisine of northern Syria. edit
You can also check into the Sheraton Hotel, by Ummayad Square close the Malki and Mezze Area. It has a wide variety of high class restaraunts and a big swimming pool. Many concerts are held in this hotel, outdoors by the pool area, so it would be an enjoyable experience.
Most hotels in Damascus claiming to be 5 stars are actually closer to what Western travelers know as 2 stars. The Syrian government runs its own accreditation agency that gives highly suspect inflated ratings to hotels owned by Syrian chains and those that have paid "baksheesh" (bribes) to the authorities. Due to the American sanctions of Syria, credit cards linked to US Banks will not be accepted (this is pretty much every credit card in the world).
The Cham Hotel[edit] Contact
Most hotels can arrange international phone calls, but prices are very expensive. Most internet cafes are set up for VOIP, and offer a much cheaper alternative, although the price does reflect the quality of the connection.
Internet access is widely available, although the Syrian government censors traffic, which can cause some interesting quirks in connectivity.
Also, for your safety, do not take advice or recommendations, especially about accommodation, doctors and dentists, from taxi drivers.
Cope
Be warned that only very few large banks will cash American Express Traveler Cheques in Damascus and elsewhere in Syria! ATM and Credit cards are NOT a reliable option for the foreign traveler.
Note that the first ATMs were introduced into Syria in 2003, and thus are still a rare novelty in many parts, and are not always in operation. Change houses exist in many areas in Damascus, especially near the large Souks. The Euro, British Pound, and American Dollar can be changed at these shops, usually commission-free. Be sure to look up the current exchange rate before changing money so you do not get cheated. Many shops, especially in the old city), also change money. Though officially illegal, it is a handy option when you're already shopping in the old city and need to change some cash quickly. Just ask around the shopkeepers for a money changer and you will soon be directed to a store that does currency exchange.