Syria Lebanon - should I take US $?

In Lebanon the US$ is used as a second currenency and you can pay with it for almost everything like with Lebanese pounds. In Syria you generally use Syrian pounds which you get can with ATM cards (which will work with a least one ATM in every major city) or by exchanging foreign currency. Euros & Dollars are equally good for that
What you will need to budget depends very much on what you want to do and where you want to stay. Decent quality hotels are rather expensive, especially in Beirut & Damascus, and Beirut is rather expensive in most other respects as well, while Syrian prices are more moderate and good food is comparatively cheap.
NB With 7 days you will need to hire a car (with or without a driver) to see all the main sites (Beirut, Baabek, Byblos, Damascus, Palmyra, Krak, Dead Cities, Aleppo), as otherwise you won't get even close to making it - it's a big stretch even then. For the car you need to budget at least $50 per day.

George has pretty much covered it. ATMs are no longer rare in Syria, but they still are quite unreliable, so it's always good to have a cash backup.

It's hard to give any sort of estimate - it really depends what you want to do. You can eat very well and very cheaply in both countries, but whether you want to stick to street food and cheap cafes, or whether you want to eat in restaurants, for example, will have a big effect on how much you spend, particularly in Lebanon.

Timely advice.
When eating in streets look for busy food stalls .Now with the hot weather food like shawarma and sandwiches that contains mayonaise,can easily go off in a short time.We have people at hostel falling ill every day as a result of eating in streets.When you travelling you cnt afford to get sick and lay in bed.You can always manage with a good apple or banana
As SPDL mentioned food is pretty cheap in Syria.You can have 5 plates of dips for $ 5 in a good restaurants in Damascus or any big city
Petrol is no longer cheap in Syria and Lebanon.You can add $ 20-30 on top of a car hire daily.
The most reliable ATM in Damascus is at Bank Audi in Sahet Almuhafaza down town.

Dear friend

good day from Damascus

It seems that no one can add to my friends comment, however, i would like to emphasiz on the issue of food, i am syrian & used to eat from souk, but now i rarely eat outside home because i got ill many times.

regarding accommodation you can find DBL Room for about 40$ per day, hotel with this rate should be clean and central but with no fancy at all.

For hiring a car, you need about 120$ for tours out of Damascus, you don't need a car for Damascus Tour as you can do most of it by feet.

i wish you a nice stay in Syria

AA2

I just got back.

Dollars are probably better, accepted everywhere in Lebanon. I didn't try to use them in Syria.
My ATM worked in every place I tried in Lebanon. In Syria use Bank Bemo Saudi Fransi which my card worked everytime, also the Internation Bank of Finance and Trade (opposite Hijaz train station) works well.

Biggest problem I had in Syria was getting change, as ATM will give out large denominations.

As for food ..... tell me about it ...... 2 days sick in Beirut and another 2 days in Damascus ... not fun.

usd you can change most places in syria lot of men asked me if i wanted to change money I would sometimes ask there rate and usually not out of line You can also take bused when possible between lager cities