Costs of things in Damascus

Common purchases, their amounts in Syrian pounds and US dollars, and some conclusions about the cost of living in Damascus…

• 1 ride on micro-bus = 5-10 SYP ($0.10 - $0.20)
• 1 kilogram of eggplants = 15 SYP ($0.30)
• 1 taxi ride across town = 50-80 SYP ($1.00 - $1.75)
• 500 grams of chickpeas = 50 SYP ($1.00)
• 1 hour in an internet cafe = 60 SYP ($1.30)
• 12 pencils = 120 SYP ($2.50)
• 6 1.5 liter bottles of water = 120 SYP ($2.50)
• 1 frappacino type coffee drink = 185 SYP ($4)
• AIDS test* = 500 SYP ($11)  *free when enrolling with Uni. of Damascus
• 2 towels = 500 SYP ($11)
• Dinner for four at mid-range studenty restaurant = 800 SYP ($17)
• Dinner for two at a very fancy restaurant = 1200 SYP ($26)
• Full bedding set (sheets, pillow cases, etc.) = 1400 SYP ($30)
• 1 month Arabic lessons at University = 18,000 SYP ($390)

Getting around the city is shockingly cheap. Likewise, food, when bought and prepared yourself, is extremely cheap. Even eating out is much cheaper than what you might be used to in a major European or American city, though it’s funny how quickly you stop converting and start comparing local prices to each other (“I can’t believe that hummus, eggplant, grilled chicken and lamb, salad, bread, juice and coffee came to 1200 SYP!! Oh.. wait.. that’s an amazing deal.”)

Western style things and imported goods are roughly the price you’d expect or slightly cheaper. For one, you’ll only see posh things like frappacinos served in posh establishments catering to foreigners and the richest members of Syrian society; the novelty factor of feeling modern (eg dust-free floors, clean toilets, meat that’s safe to eat) with it a premium, but it’s not outrageous. You’ll also pay a premium for things manufactured outside of Syria, especially when there’s a Syrian-produced equivalent. This applies to mostly everything, from ice cream and canned foods to CDs and televisions.

I can’t really say how reasonably priced Damascus University is… it’ll depend on the experience and what I’m able to get out of it. But consider this: the other well-known Arabic teaching program at the French Institute of Damascus costs over 32,000 SYP ($700) per month.