What is the per diem rate for Syria?

For Damascus the maximum is $474 a day: up to $388 for lodging, plus $86 for meals and incidental expenses. Other locations in the country have their own rates, listed in the table above.

Who sets these rates, and who uses them?

The US Department of State sets per diem rates for every foreign location and revises them monthly. They are binding for US government civilian travel, and many companies, universities and contractors adopt them as their own travel policy limits.

What does the meals and incidentals rate cover?

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and small incidental costs such as tips and laundry. When a meal is provided, the State Department deducts a fixed share: 15% for breakfast, 25% for lunch and 40% for dinner, leaving 20% for incidentals.

Is the lodging rate what a hotel actually costs?

No. It is a ceiling, set from the price of hotels suitable for official travel in that location, and actual costs are reimbursed up to it. A traveler choosing their own hotel will often pay less.

Per diem rates: Syria

Syria: as of November 12, 2026, the US State Department's maximum per diem for Damascus is $474 a day, made up of $388 for lodging and $86 for meals and incidental expenses. Anywhere in the country without its own rate falls under “Other”: $474 a day ($388 lodging, $86 meals and incidentals).

Maximum per diem · Damascus

$474

Per day, in US dollars. Effective Oct 1, 2026.

Lodging ceiling

$388

Actual hotel cost is reimbursed up to this amount per night.

Meals and incidentals

$86

Breakfast: $13
Lunch: $22
Dinner: $34
Incidentals: $17

Against real prices

Per diem is a ceiling, not a typical spend. Our own model puts a comfortable day of travel in this country at about $160 per person and a mid-range day at $70. See what Syria costs right now

Syria: maximum per diem by location, in US dollars
Location	Season	Lodging	Meals & incidentals	Total	Effective
Damascus	All year	$388	$86	$474	Oct 1, 2026
Other (everywhere else)	All year	$388	$86	$474	Oct 1, 2026

Source: US Department of State, Office of Allowances, foreign per diem rates, retrieved November 13, 2026. Rates are published in US dollars and revised on the first of each month; where a location has seasons, the row that applies today is shown in full strength. Confirm against the official table before filing an expense claim.

Questions people ask

What is the per diem rate for Syria?: For Damascus the maximum is $474 a day: up to $388 for lodging, plus $86 for meals and incidental expenses. Other locations in the country have their own rates, listed in the table above.
Who sets these rates, and who uses them?: The US Department of State sets per diem rates for every foreign location and revises them monthly. They are binding for US government civilian travel, and many companies, universities and contractors adopt them as their own travel policy limits.
What does the meals and incidentals rate cover?: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and small incidental costs such as tips and laundry. When a meal is provided, the State Department deducts a fixed share: 15% for breakfast, 25% for lunch and 40% for dinner, leaving 20% for incidentals.
Is the lodging rate what a hotel actually costs?: No. It is a ceiling, set from the price of hotels suitable for official travel in that location, and actual costs are reimbursed up to it. A traveler choosing their own hotel will often pay less.

Per diem elsewhere: Middle East

Per diem rates: Syria