Damascus train station

Can anyone tell me if it is safe to hang out overnight at Damascus train station. I get to Damascus at 2 am and want to catch an early train to aleppo.Is it true that the first train is at 5.15 am

Hi the New train to aleppo leaves Damascus 7 am and also 3.30 avo
The old train cho cho (just joking) train leaves Midnight

Syriafullbottle from dmascushostel.com

Not sure what the times are-there is a web site some place, I wouldnt be too supprised if the train you are arrving on is late anyway-but where are you coming from??
The station is safe enough and you can get tea and coffee etc.

Syrian trains are VERY slow!

Website [link name http://www.cfssyria.org/en/national_trips.htm]

Raki_Man, they've had newer (and significantly faster) trains running since early this year. The Damascus - Aleppo route takes a similar amount of time as the bus now. The Aleppo - Lattakia route is also very good.

You can find the schedules on www.cfssyria.org, then click on 'call offers', and finally on trips - national trips.

However, this schedule is NOT completely up-to-date : there is now also an afternoon train from Aleppo to Damascus, and this ( only day ) train is NOT mentioned on this website ! Last September I found newly printed schedules ( although only in Arab, but deducting the times and comparing with the timetable on the website, you can more or less find out what you need ) in Aleppo station, curiously not in Damascus !

Raki_Man's impression about the 'very slow' trains is definitely not correct : the new trains reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, are pretty punctual, and the new trains ( South Korean built, operating since last April on the routes Damascus > Homs > Hama > Aleppo, Damascus > Lattakia and Aleppo > Lattakia must be the most modern and comfortable ones in the Middle East, along with the better trains in Turkey and perhaps ( no experience so far ) in Iran. Tickets are very cheap, expect some SYP 200 in 1st class ( approx. € 3 or US$ 5 ), including the daily paper, but unfortunately not the ( limited ) catering anymore.

Booking is essential, as the new train sets have less capacity than the conventional locomotive hauled trains. Don't forget to bring your passport.
As usual also in bus stations, there is a security check when entering the railway station grounds. But I would not mind about safety risk at night, Syria must be among the safest countries in the world.

Have a nice trip !