These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Lebanon, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
수법: As you leave arrivals at Beirut airport, drivers approach and quote inflated fares, sometimes fifty to seventy dollars for a short ride into the city, occasionally with a fake meter.
피하는 법: Use the official taxi counter inside the terminal or a ride-hailing app, and agree the price before you get in. Know that central Beirut should cost roughly the standard airport rate, not double or triple it.
수법: Regular street taxis rarely use a meter, so a driver may name a high price only at the end of the ride, or claim a much larger sum than expected once you have arrived.
피하는 법: Always agree the fare through the window before getting in, in dollars, and be ready to walk away if a driver refuses to name a price. A ride-hailing app avoids the issue entirely.
수법: A shared 'service' taxi should be a cheap flat fare, but some drivers accept a foreign passenger without a word and then demand a full private-taxi price at the destination.
피하는 법: Clearly say the word 'service' and your destination before you get in, and confirm it is a shared fare, not a private hire. If the driver hesitates or over-explains, wait for the next car.
수법: With prices quoted in both US dollars and Lebanese pounds at a fast-changing rate, a bill or change can be given at a poor rate, or a price quietly switched between currencies.
피하는 법: Confirm upfront whether a price is in dollars or pounds, carry small US dollar notes, and check your change. Paying by card, where accepted, gives a clear record of the amount charged.
수법: In a few venues, especially so-called 'super nightclubs' and bars you are steered to by a tout or driver, a cheap-sounding entry turns into a shocking bill of undisclosed charges enforced at the end.
피하는 법: Choose well-reviewed bars in Gemmayzeh or Mar Mikhael yourself rather than following anyone's recommendation, check prices before ordering, and never let a taxi driver pick the venue for you.