Tag: travel-tips

Bus from Amman to Damascus

by Anna Powaska, posted in Asia, Jordan, Syria

My Experience end of 2025

With 2025 coming to an end, I decided to take a journey: traveling by bus from Amman (Jordan) to Damascus (Syria). For Damasus – Amman bus click here. Here’s how it went:

✅ Booking the bus ticket
I booked my ticket on the official JETT website: https://www.jett.com.jo. There’s technically a round-trip option online, but I could only snag a one-way ticket (Amman International → Damascus) for 10 JOD (about 14 USD). The return? That’s where the plot twist happens: the full round trip costs 15 JOD (around 21 USD). Instead, you stroll into the JETT office on the day you’re heading to Damascus, flash your original ticket – they hand you the return for just 5 JOD extra.

The Abdali office opens bright and early at 6 a.m., so even if you skipped buying the ticket online, don’t panic. You can grab one on the day of departure—my bus had a few empty seats,

✅ Getting to the Abdali bus station
I stayed in the city center, and from there, I took an Uber to the JETT Abdali Office for just 1.25 JOD.

✅ Important departure time details
The bus departs every day from the JETT Abdali stop (right here) at 8:00 a.m. and possibly at 1:00 p.m. The website says 7:00 and 12:00 (see below), but in reality, from Abdali, it’s 8:00. I asked at the office, and they confirmed that 7:00 is from a different station (not sure which one). So, the only time I can personally confirm from Abdali is 8:00 a.m. The afternoon departure is likely 13.00, but officially the site still lists 12:00.

Important: the stop is around the corner from the Abdali office here, not where domestic buses to Petra, for example, leave.

The website lists several other stops, but in my experience the bus only made one stop after Abdali, around 8:15 a.m.

The bus was already waiting from 7:30 a.m., and it departed exactly at 8:00 a.m.

✅ Border crossing
This was the most interesting part!

  • Passports were checked six times (three times on the Jordanian side, three times on the Syrian side). Two full 30-minute stops to stamp out of Jordan and stamp into Syria.
  • I read that leaving Jordan (exit tax) by land costs 10 JOD, but I paid nothing.
  • On the Syrian side, my visa was supposed to cost 75 USD (official info from the Syrian embassy in Poland), but I paid only 50 USD, the option I happily accepted. Cash or card is OK. Getting it in advance for a land border crossing is no longer possible, but make sure to check before you travel—rules can change.
  • I was the only tourist, so the process was quick: pay for the visa, get the receipt, then the stamp. Everyone was extremely polite and helpful. Very curious about my visit to Damascus.
  • Though it is no longer required, I had a printed reservation for the hotel. I have been asked about the purpose of my visit and whether I know anyone in Syria. I said that I didn’t know anyone, and that was not a problem for border control.

Time at the border
We spent about 3 hours there because of passport checks and a full bus inspection. The return Damascus-Amman was 6 hours at the border!

✅ Arrival in Damascus
The bus arrives at the Damascus bus station here (where return buses also depart). From there, I took a taxi to the city center for 15 USD — four times more than what it was supposed to be, but I didn’t mind since I saved 25 USD on the visa and 10 JOD (approx. 14 USD) on the exit tax.

Tips for Travelers

  • Book a bus ticket online for convenience, but ask for the return tickets at the JETT office (if you’re going back). No need to print, they will email you the ticket straight away.
  • Just in case, bring cash (USD and JOD) for visas.
  • Be patient at the border — checks are thorough but friendly.
  • If you’re the only tourist, like I was, expect extra attention (in a good way!).
  • You can exchange your money at the border and also buy a SIM card there.
  • There is also a duty‑free zone that many Syrians make use of. They may ask you to carry something across the border for them — I agreed.

How to book hotel in Syria here

How to Get from Chișinău to Comrat in Gagauzia

by Anna Powaska, posted in comrat, Europe, Gagauzia, moldova

Comrat – capital of Gagauzia. It sounds mysterious, and it is. But it’s also reachable. Here’s the breakdown for fellow wanderers.

Why Comrat?

Comrat isn’t just a stop — it’s the capital of an autonomous region where ethnic Turks speak Russian, wave Moldovan flags, and drink ayran. It’s where geopolitics gets cozy with kebab, and where you’re never quite sure if you’re closer to Istanbul or Moscow…

🛂 Border Crossing & Travel Requirements

Gagauzia is part of Moldova, so traveling to Comrat does not involve any border control, passport checks, or special permits. It’s just like going from Katowice to Wrocław, but with more grapevines and unexpected kebab stands.

This is the opposite of Transnistria, where entry does require a quick stop at a de facto border, and you’ll usually fill out a migration card upon arrival. While Transnistria isn’t internationally recognized, it functions with its own rules — including border formalities, checkpoints, and a charm straight out of a Cold War novella.

So if you’re heading to Comrat, relax: your passport can stay buried in your backpack.

Option 1 (and best?): Marshrutka from Gara de Sud (Stand 16)

  • Link to map of bus station here.
  • Departures are roughly every hour – mine left Monday at 9:00 or 9.10 AM (cant remember)
  • Marshrutkas leave from Stand 16 at Chișinău’s Southern Bus Station (Gara de Sud)
  • Tickets: buy them at the booth right next to the number 16 stand – card payment accepted. The marshrutka ticket from Chișinău to Comrat costs 67 Moldovan lei, which is around $3.80 USD. I don’t think you can buy a ticket in advance. When I arrived in Comrat, I tried to purchase a return ticket, but the woman selling them didn’t want to sell it to me — I couldn’t understand her. Then the bus driver who had brought me arrived, talked to her, and she ended up selling it to me
  • Just say: “Comrat?” – smiles and head nods
  • Duration: 1h 30min to 2h 30min, depending on traffic, road karma, and whether the driver feels
  • The main bus stop in Comrat is located at Strada Victoriei 2, right in the heart of town. Locally, it’s known as the Comrat Bus Station, and it’s just a short walk from the central park and Lenin Street — so if you see a statue or a cathedral nearby, you’re probably close!
  • From Komrat to Chișinău’s Southern Bus Station at: 6.00, 6.30, 6.50, 7.00, 7.15, 7.30, 7.36, 7.55, 8.15, 8.20, 8.45, 9.00, 9.15, 9.55, 10.00, 10.25, 11.20, 12.20, 13.05, 13.35, 14.15, 14.26, 15.00, 15.30, 16.00, 16.30, 17.50, 18.20, 19.00.
  • 💡 Pro tip from the road: if you have time before departure, there’s a tiny spot around the corner serving delicious borscht – comfort soup

Option 2: Taxi

  • Duration: around 1h 20min
  • Cost: $26–31 USD
  • Not sure YandexGo will take you all the way, but it’s worth checking
  • Great for chats about local politics or sharing sunflower seeds with the driver

Getting to Gara de Sud from Chișinău City Center

If you’re staying near the city center (like around the Cathedral Park or Boulevard Ștefan cel Mare), here’s how to reach Gara de Sud:

Public Transport Options:

  • Bus 120, 124 or 186 – all stop near Gara de Sud
  • Trolleybus 9, 17 or 36 – also good options if you’re near a trolley line

🕒 Travel time: 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic. Cost: ~6 MDL (~$0.30 USD) and you can buy it inside the bus from conductor ;)– pay onboard or via e-ticket app (I paid in cash, not sure about card). Stop to look for: Gara de Sud / Autogara de Sud

How to Travel from Almaty to Bishkek by Bus

by Anna Powaska, posted in Uncategorized

If you’re planning a journey from Almaty to Bishkek by bus, here’s all you need to know:

  1. Departure Point – Sayran Bus Station (mine was from stand 1) In Almaty, the buses to Bishkek depart from the Sayran International Bus Station. Known locally as “Avtovokzal Sayran,” this terminal is the main hub for long-distance travel. You can reach the station conveniently by local buses, a taxi, or ride-hailing apps like Yandex Go (very very cheap “central Asian uber”).
  2. Ticket Price and Schedule
    • Cost: A one-way ticket typically costs around 3,280 KZT Webside(Kazakhstani Tenge), which is approximately 7.50 USD.
    • Web: https://ma-sairan.kz/
    • Frequency: There are usually several departures a day—with typical departure times at roughly 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 18:00. (Keep in mind that schedules may vary, so it’s wise to check ahead or purchase tickets online.)
  3. Journey Duration and Border Crossing The bus covers approximately 320 km and the journey generally takes about 5 to 6 hours. This time frame includes the drive and the process of crossing the Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan border at Korday. Make sure to have all your travel documents handy, as border formalities might add a little extra time. Go troug two border checks and fallow the people to wait for the bus (3 mins walk to the parking – you will know). I waited 20 mins only.
  4. You will arrive at New Bishkek Bus Terminal here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bishkek+Avtovokzal./@42.9421615,74.6437023,18z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x389eb90012ab8659:0xf94abeb39d7fbcfb!8m2!3d42.942506!4d74.6444121!16s%2Fg%2F11vrrq0rs_?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQxNi4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D You can take a bus or taxi to the center (no cash machine at bus terminal, but the driver can stop at cash point on the way).
  5. Additional Tips
    • Ticket Purchase: You can buy your tickets online directly through the Sayran Bus Station website or in person at the station. Purchasing in advance is advisable if you plan to travel during peak times and you can pick a nice sit :).
    • Plan Ahead: Allow extra time around departures, and be prepared for slight schedule variations or delays, especially at the border.

This comprehensive guide should help you confidently plan your bus trip from Almaty to Bishkek. If you need more details about the route, tips on navigating the border, or any other travel insights, feel free to ask!