Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is about 10 km south of downtown Beirut. With no traffic, the drive from Beirut airport to city center takes 15 to 20 minutes, and longer at rush hour. How you make the trip depends on when you land, how much luggage you have, and where you are going next.
Taxis in Lebanon quote in US dollars, so all prices here are in dollars.
Beirut airport to city center at a glance
| Option | Cost to central Beirut | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | $18 by day, $22 at night | Arriving without a booking | Confirm the fare before you leave |
| Uber or another ride app | Varies with demand | Light luggage and working mobile data | Pickup point may be in the parking area |
| Shared van and service taxi | A few dollars | Backpackers with one small bag | No stop at arrivals, hard at night |
| Rental car | Daily rental rate | Travelers driving around Lebanon | Beirut traffic and parking |
| Pre-booked private driver | Agreed before you land | Late flights, families, onward trips | Needs booking in advance |
Official airport taxis: the fixed fares
In 2026 the Ministry of Public Works and Transport published fixed fares for taxis leaving the airport, reported in June 2026 by Beirut.com. Day rates apply from 6:00 to 22:00 and night rates from 22:00 to 6:00.
| From the airport to | Day fare | Night fare |
|---|---|---|
| Beirut and suburbs | $18 | $22 |
| Jounieh | $27 | $31 |
| Broumana | $27 | $31 |
| Byblos (Jbeil) | $43 | $47 |
| Sidon (Saida) | $49 | $54 |
| Tripoli | $80 | $87 |
Waiting time is charged at $4 an hour, and the price can change if you add stops or change the route. Before you get in, tell the driver your exact address and agree on the fare in dollars. If something goes wrong, the tourism police take complaints on +961 1 629 493.
For one or two people going straight to a hotel in Beirut, the official taxi is usually the simplest choice. Expect a queue when several flights land together.
Uber and other ride apps
Uber works in Beirut, but airport pickups do not happen at the arrivals door. Uber’s own guidance for Beirut airport is to request the ride after you have your bags and to walk to the pickup point the app shows, which may not be the nearest exit. Travel guides from 2026 place that point in the parking area.
You need mobile data to book and to find your driver. The airport has Wi-Fi, and the two local networks, Touch and Alfa, have counters in the arrivals hall, though travelers report they are not always open for late-night flights. Pickup rules for ride apps at the airport have changed several times over the years, so follow the pin in the app rather than an old blog post.
Shared vans and public transport
There is no airport bus that stops at the terminal. Shared minivans run toward Cola and Dora on the roads near the airport, and from there shared “service” taxis and city buses continue into Beirut. It is by far the cheapest option, often a dollar or two in total, but the vans leave when they are full, routes are not posted, and travelers report that they no longer stop at the arrivals gate.
It suits a traveler with a backpack who lands in daylight. With suitcases, children, or a late flight, it is not practical.
Renting a car at the airport
Rental companies have desks at the airport, and a car makes sense if you plan to drive around Lebanon on your own. For the first trip into the city it is less useful: traffic in Beirut is heavy, lanes are loosely followed, and parking near hotels in Hamra, Achrafieh, or downtown is hard to find. Many visitors pick up a rental car a day or two later, once they are settled.
A private driver waiting at arrivals
With a pre-booked driver, the price is agreed before you fly and the driver waits for you at the arrivals gate. That is our service at William Transfer: you send your flight details and destination on WhatsApp, we reply with a price per car, not per person, and the car is there when you come out. See the Beirut airport taxi page for how booking works.
If you are one person going to central Beirut, compare our quote with the official $18 fare. A private driver is most useful when:
- your flight lands late at night and you do not want to queue or negotiate;
- you are traveling as a family or group and need a minivan (up to 7 passengers) or a child seat;
- you are going straight on to another town, such as Byblos, Batroun, or the ski slopes at Faraya;
- you are continuing to Damascus, which needs a driver used to the border (see our Lebanon to Syria guide).
How long the drive takes from the airport
| Destination | Usual drive time |
|---|---|
| Downtown, Hamra, Achrafieh | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Jounieh | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Byblos | About 1 hour |
| Batroun | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Faraya and Mzaar | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Tripoli | About 1.5 hours or more |
These are times without heavy traffic. Weekday rush hours and summer weekends on the coastal highway make every one of them longer.
Before you leave the arrivals hall
- Bring some cash in small US dollar notes. Dollars are widely accepted, and a driver may not have change for a $100 note.
- Save your hotel address and its map pin on your phone, since many streets in Beirut are known by landmarks rather than numbers.
- If you need a local SIM card, buy it at the Touch or Alfa counter if it is open, or in town the next day.
- Do not get into a car that approaches you with an offer. Use the official taxi, your app, or the driver you booked.
Questions travelers ask
How much is a taxi from Beirut airport to the city center?
The official fare to Beirut and its suburbs is $18 between 6:00 and 22:00 and $22 at night, according to the fare list published in 2026. Agree the price before the ride starts.
Can I take Uber from Beirut airport?
Yes. Request the ride once you have your bags and walk to the pickup point shown in the app, which may be in the parking area rather than at the arrivals exit.
Is there a bus from Beirut airport to the city?
Not from the terminal. Shared vans run on the roads nearby, but they are hard to use with luggage or at night.
Where will a pre-booked driver meet me?
With William Transfer, the driver waits for you at the arrivals gate. Send your flight details on WhatsApp and we reply with the price.
