Travelling around Syria

Bus from Damascus to Palmyra-not shared taxi, cost a bit over 100 SYL, The Ishtar is nice but 3 days may be too much time, try to fit in Hama at some point (on way back from Aleppo)and some of the places withing easy reach.
Have fun

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You should take bus from Palmyra to Hama and stay there three days, then go to Aleppo.

No buses ost more than 100 SP.

Consider the overnight train from Aleppo to Damascus- full length beds- 350 SP first class.....

Also useful : there is now an afternoon train from Aleppo to Damascus, around 15.00 hrs., even if not yet published on the Syrian Railways website ( www.cfssyria.com ), calling at Hama and Homs. This train is mentioned on the recent,
printed timetable I have got at Aleppo station last September, and this is more up-to-date than the CFS website. This
train is definitely a good alternative to the buses - advance booking advised ! -, very comfortable and punctual.

i was in syria 3 weeks ago. there is nothing much at der-es-zor. you should just leave after seeing Mari and Doura Europos. Spend some time in Hama if you can, its quite pretty. Damascus is too much of a city, after you have spent time in the rest of Syria , it will be a bit of a disappointment. Even the souq isnt that exciting as Aleppo's. Aleppo is beautiful and a great city to chill out in. You should also try to fit in Marmusa into your trip. Have a good time.

Maybe fly back from Aleppo to Damascus its really cheap with Syrian Air, it will give you an extra day, I would spend 3 days in Hama there is nothing there

Two nights in Palmyra is enough, and one at a pinch, especially if you leave Damascus early and spend don't leave Palmyra until late morning the next day. I liked the Ishtar a lot.

Use the spare time to visit Hama, which can be used as a base for Krak des Chevaliers and the dead cities. Riad hotel was absolutely fantastic, I have never felt so welcome in my life, and the tour prices were good.

I didn't much like the Al Gawaher in Aleppo, but think that may have been partly due to my mood as much as anything.

Try
Damascus - bus to Palmyra - bus to Hama (will involve change in Homs - don't worry, someone will tell you where to go) - bus to Aleppo - train or bus to Damascus

I agree with #6 above, take an early bus from Damascus to Palmyra from the Harasta Pullman station, spend two nights in Palmyra, then go to Hama and make day trips from there. You'll have enough with two nights at Aleppo.

I flew Aleppo-Amman for 50 euros, so probably Aleppo-Damascus will be even cheaper and take around 45 minutes.

Thanks everybody. I was thinking about changes and you gave me good tips. I'm flying in just 15 days. Post the results after. Thanks

Enjoy it. There's a really nice shawarma place in Palmyra, just walk into city from the museum along the main street (where hotels are) and take the broad street on the left at about 100 metres, you'll see it on the left.

If you fancy a beer, there's a good place next to the internet cafe, to the left of the museum. They have Syrian and international beers (Efes and Heineken, at least) at good prices.