Land border Syria/Lebanon - Visa on arrival for Lebanon

Guys, happy to report that I cleared both borders with ease..took perhaps all of 10 minutes at each point. I was not charged anything for the Lebanese visa. I did have to pay the departure tax. The total journey time from Beirut to Amman was 12 hours (a LONG day!), starting at 7:30am, 3 hour layover in Damascus and 5 hour journey to Amman. Contrary to info I had heard earlier about all buses terminating at Tarabour, the bus (Challenge company) stopped right outside Abdali station walking distance to downtown which was really convenient.

aoia, it's certainly possible, a lot of people on the bus apply for a Syrian visa at the border but some are refused. It's a 50/50 shot. I would say your chances of getting one are higher here at the Masnaa crossing (Beirut - Damascus) rather than the Bal-al-Hawa crossing up north which is very chaotic. The Beirut to Damascus border crossing is not too busy.

Great stuff, Sam1000, that's very useful info. Thanks! Best of luck with the rest of your trip. If in Jordan now, don't miss Wadi Rum -- awesome, if you're into deserts.

Anyone else have the same/different impression? And any idea who might get refused going into Syria; is that specific nationalities, or just randomly?

It depends on your nationality. If you don't have a Syrian embassy at your home country you can be pretty sure that you can get the visa on the border. If there is an embassy at your home country it's more like 50/50 chance. It depends on person at the border. He don't have to give a visa for you but he may give it anyway.