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.
یہ کیسے کام کرتا ہے: 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.
اس سے کیسے بچیں: 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.
یہ کیسے کام کرتا ہے: 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.
اس سے کیسے بچیں: 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.
یہ کیسے کام کرتا ہے: 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.
اس سے کیسے بچیں: 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.
یہ کیسے کام کرتا ہے: 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.
اس سے کیسے بچیں: 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.
یہ کیسے کام کرتا ہے: 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.
اس سے کیسے بچیں: 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.