landmark
Corniche + Pigeon Rocks (Raouché)
4.8 km Mediterranean seafront promenade. Pigeon Rocks are Beirut's natural offshore arches. Free. Best at sunset.
Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) · Lebanon
12-Hour Layover in Beirut: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Beirut?
Entry
Visa-on-arrival USD 17 for US, UK, EU, Canada, AU, NZ, Japan + 60 nationalities (30 days). Passport must have 6+ months validity. NO entry if Israeli stamp.
Into town
Taxi (negotiate fixed fare): 15–25 min, USD 15–25.
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from BEY arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Beirut: Where to Go
The sights in Beirut worth leaving the airport for.
neighbourhood
Downtown Beirut + Martyrs' Square
Reconstructed Ottoman + French Mandate district. Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque + St George Cathedral side-by-side (the Beirut symbol). Free.
3National Museum of Beirut
Lebanon's archaeological treasures — Phoenician sarcophagi + Roman mosaics. USD 5. 1.5 hours.
Photo: Elie plus (talk), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
food
Mezze at Tawlet Souk el Tayeb
Farm-to-table cooperative — daily-changing buffet by rotating Lebanese village cooks. USD 35. The Beirut food experience.
Itinerary ideas for Beirut
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
12 hours
You are here12 hours in Beirut
6–8 hours exploring
Insider tip
BEY is 9km from downtown — taxis are easy but ALWAYS negotiate the fare BEFORE getting in (target USD 15-20 to Downtown). Beirut is one of the few Middle East cities where 3-hour layovers reach the Corniche easily. Avoid evenings near border zones; daytime city centre is fine.
Into Beirut
Getting to Beirut City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi (negotiate fixed fare) | USD 15–25 | 15–25 min |
| Service taxi (shared) | USD 3–5 | 25–35 min |
| Hotel airport shuttle (free if booked) | Included | 15–25 min |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Beirut
Manakish (za'atar flatbread). Hummus + tabbouleh. Kibbeh nayyeh (raw lamb tartare). Sfeeha. Almaza beer + arak.
12 hours in Beirut
12-Hour Itinerary
1
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Beirut
Take Taxi (negotiate fixed fare) (15–25 min, USD 15–25).
2
1–4 hrs
Corniche + Pigeon Rocks (Raouché)
4.8 km Mediterranean seafront promenade. Pigeon Rocks are Beirut's natural offshore arches. Free. Best at sunset.
3
4–6 hrs
Downtown Beirut + Martyrs' Square
Reconstructed Ottoman + French Mandate district. Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque + St George Cathedral side-by-side (the Beirut symbol). Free.
4
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Manakish (za'atar flatbread). Hummus + tabbouleh. Kibbeh nayyeh (raw lamb tartare). Sfeeha. Almaza beer + arak.
5
8–10 hrs
National Museum of Beirut
Lebanon's archaeological treasures — Phoenician sarcophagi + Roman mosaics. USD 5. 1.5 hours.
6
10–12 hrs
Back to Rafic Hariri International Airport
Head back to Rafic Hariri International Airport by Taxi (negotiate fixed fare) (15–25 min, USD 15–25). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Beirut?
Visa-on-arrival USD 17 for US, UK, EU, Canada, AU, NZ, Japan + 60 nationalities (30 days). Passport must have 6+ months validity. NO entry if Israeli stamp. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 12 hours enough to leave Rafic Hariri International Airport?
6–8 hours exploring. Getting into Beirut by Taxi (negotiate fixed fare) takes 15–25 min each way.
How do I get from Rafic Hariri International Airport to Beirut centre?
Taxi (negotiate fixed fare): 15–25 min, USD 15–25. Service taxi (shared): 25–35 min, USD 3–5. Hotel airport shuttle (free if booked): 15–25 min, Included.
Getting out of Rafic Hariri International Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Beirut
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Beirut and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse Beirut
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Beirut Airport
With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Beirut
Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia
Search hotels
Also useful for your Beirut trip
Airlines that fly to Beirut
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from BEY.
Middle East Airlines route mapAegean Airlines route mapAir Arabia route mapAir Arabia Abu Dhabi route mapAir Arabia Egypt route mapAir Cairo route mapAir France route mapAJet route mapCondor route mapEgyptAir route mapEmirates route mapEthiopian Airlines route mapEtihad Airways route mapEurowings route mapflydubai route mapflynas route mapIran Air route mapIraqi Airways route map
Airport lounges at Rafic Hariri Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Beirut travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Beirut works
01
Check you can leave
Visa-on-arrival USD 17 for US, UK, EU, Canada, AU, NZ, Japan + 60 nationalities (30 days). Passport must have 6+ months validity. NO entry if Israeli stamp.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Rafic Hariri International Airport by Taxi (negotiate fixed fare) (15–25 min, USD 15–25). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Ready for Beirut?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in Beirut runs from about 9.8 hours in Dec to 14.2 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.