What is the "BEY Airport to Byblos Taxi Overcharge" scam in Byblos?

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The 40-kilometer coastal highway drive from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) north to Byblos takes approximately 45–70 minutes depending on traffic. Legitimate shared service taxis (service) or negotiated private taxis should cost $25–40 USD for the full journey. Unlicensed drivers and informal taxi operators at the airport arrivals hall quote $60–80 USD or more, citing distance, fuel costs, or time of day. Some drivers agree to a price in Lebanese lira at an artificially low exchange rate that effectively doubles the USD cost. Arrange airport pickup through your hotel in advance — most Byblos hotels offer fixed-rate transfers. If taking a taxi independently, use the official taxi dispatch at BEY arrivals (look for the uniformed dispatcher), agree on the USD price before entering the vehicle, and confirm whether the price is in USD or lira and at what exchange rate. Uber operates in Beirut and can be booked from the airport, typically at lower rates than negotiated taxis.

Taxi & Transport Scams in Byblos

BEY Airport to Byblos Taxi Overcharge

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