From what I've read so far on Syria there only seems to be ATMs in Damascus (and maybe Aleppo?), which means getting off the plane with hundreds of Euros stuffed down my trousers, pants, socks etc. Grateful if someone could advise if this is the case.
Thanks!
In Damascus, you'll find plenty on ATMs, and most of them are working. There is none in the Old City but outside Hamadiya and in Qassa, outside Bab Touma. And several branches in the Yusef al-Asmeh square. Just to mention some.
In Aleppo and Hama (for example opposite the Cairo Hotel), you won't have any problems either.
Also remember withdrawing money in Suweida, which isn't a huge city and definitely not touristy, so I guess most cities have them by now.
I'be also withdrawn money in Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Latakia. Essentially you only need one of the major banks with an ATM.
in April/May of 2008, I drove pretty much all over Syria and never had a problem finding an ATM which took my American bankcard. The bankrate was the same as the credit card rate (in other words, the best you can get) and rarely fluctuated, since the Syrian Pound is fixed by the government. Unless you are going to a very small town in the middle of nowhere, it is highly unlikely you will have problems. I experienced none in any of the cities I visited (Dimashq, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Tartous, Lattakia, etc. etc.)
Agree with all above, I would bring a bit of dosh with you though and when travelling think ahead, when the system goes down, it has a habit of doing that at the most awkward of moments, like when you have been frog marched to a machine by a nightclub bouncer etc, when the system goes down it effects almost all of the banks at the same time, my bank is in the UK and the charges and falling pound make it quite expensive.
Have fun
..
.
Falling pound . . . ?
You mean the nose diving suicidal pound . . . ?
In Jordan before 6 months
1 pound sterling = 1.45 JD
Now
1 pound sterling = 0.96 JD
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh !
Quite! One British pound now only buys about 60SYP, as opposed to 100SYP nine months ago...
Anyhow, all the other posters are correct: There are now plenty of ATMs in Syria, but they are very unreliable. It's quite wise to bring some USD or euros as backup.
Syria is very safe and reasonably free of petty theft and pickpocketing. I've never lost money there or felt unsafe carrying wads of cash around.
Please lets not talk about it-am upset enough, I started buying a house just as it went into free fall, now living on Falafel.
Generally speaking, indeed no problem.
There are also a few ATMs in the arrival hall of Damascus Airport ( far right corner when you have passed customs ).
However, some ATMs accept only credit cards, other accept only bank cards with activated Maestro function, some of them accept both card types.
Plenty of ATMs also in the commercial areas near Al Merjeh Square and Saahaf Yousef el-Azmeh Square ( near and opposite Cham Palace hotel ).