Damascus to Tyre

Is there a way to travel directly from Damascus to Tyre, by-passing the traffic of Beirut, for example getting a bus from the border?? I'm also a bit confused about the permit situation, do we still need a permit to visit Tyre?? and is the only place to get one in Beirut?? I have an American passport and my boyfriend is Syrian.

Also we'd like to leave Damascus on Thursday after work and make it to Tyre the same night, is this even possible with evening transport and the permit situation??

Thanks!!

It seems that if you go to Tyre on the coastal road there is no need for a permit. I travelled it last week with some Lebanese and there was no check on papers. However when I crossed the Litani further inland (heading towards Marjayoun) earlier in the year, our nationality papers were checked and signs said foreigners could not pass without a permit. So if you do choose to cross the Litani on the coastal road you should be just fine. A diagonal route from Damascus to Tyre does look shorter, but I don't know those roads. Most buses and shared taxis go from Damascus to Chtaura, then some split ways while most continue to Beirut. Another possibility would be renting a car while in Lebanon. That would certainly be the quickest, if possible for you.
Damascus-Beirut is usually three hours, but its the border crossing that takes about an hour which makes it long rather than traffic.
Not sure I've helped much - see what others have to say :-)
gingerbeirut

You should be fine indeed if you take the route Chtaura - Beirut - Saida - Tyre.
No problem with checkpoints, only as said at the Litanie.
The only thing is that roads are badly lit, so you should drive with extreme care.