Travel Notes

How to travel to Libya?

BY AIR FROM EUROPE TO TRIPOLI:
Air Line Destination
KlM (From Amsterdam to Tripoli)
British Airways (From London to Tripoli)
Alitalia (From Rome to Tripoli)
Lufthansa (From Frankfurt to Tripoli)
Air Malta (From Malta to Tripoli)
Swiss Air (From Zurich to Tripoli)
Austrian Airline (From Vienna to Tripoli)
Turkish Airline (From Istanbul to Tripoli)
Malev Airlines (From Budapest to Tripoli)
Afriqiyah Airlines (From Geneva , Brussels &
Paris to Tripoli)

BY AIR FROM EUROPE TO BENGHAZI:
Air Line Destination
Alitalia (From Rome to Benghazi)
Swiss Air (From Zurich to Benghazi)
Egypt Air (From Cairo to Benghazi)
Tunis Air (From Tunis to Benghazi)
Syrian Airline (From Damascus to Benghazi)


BY LAND:
Land Border
Tunisia (Djerba) Ras Jdir
Egypt Emsad


Health requirements
A very limited malaria risk exists in the southwest of the country from February to August. No indigenous cases have been reported in recent years.

Medical Services
Medical facilities outside the main cities are limited. Full health insurance is recommended.

Food & Drink
Water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Traditional dishes include couscous, a dish based on savoury semolina that can be combined with chicken, lamb or vegetables and is a staple dish in many northern African countries; and ruuz, a rice dish with a variety of spices, meat and vegetables.

Alcohol-free Libya
Libya once upon a time had a wine industry, with the Tarhuna region producing some very palatable red wines. The country also had a brewery. Producing the heavy Oea beer but this all in the past now. Libya is now a dry country and it is unwise to try to bring any alcohol into the country. As foreigner abide by Libyan rules. Nevertheless, home-brewing is said to be flourishing.

Shopping
Souks in the main towns are the workplaces of many weavers, copper-, gold- and silver-smiths and leatherworkers. There are numerous other stalls selling a variety of items including spices, metal engravings and various pieces of jewellery.

Currency
Libyan Dinar (LD) = 1000 dirham.
Notes are in denominations of LD10, 5 and 1, and 500 and 250 dirham. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 dirham.

Banks
Banking hours are:
Sat-Wed 08.00-12.00 h in winter,
Sat-Thurs 08.00-12.00 h and Sat-Wed 16.00-17.00 h in summer.

Credit Cards
Limited acceptance of Diners Club and Visa. Check with your credit or debit Card Company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers Cheques
Travellers Cheques are not accepted. This might change very soon though.

Observing Etiquette
Some other matters of etiquette to observe include:
Only use your right hand when offering or receiving things
Always ask permission before taking photographs, especially of native women
Be mindful of religious practices to avoid causing offence
Avoid pointing the soles of your feet directly at other people


Greeting Someone in Libya
Usual practice is the use of "Sayed" (Mr) or "Sayeda" (Mrs) followed by the first name. The first name should always be prefixed with the honorific title, especially in business situations.

Telephones
Country Code 218, outgoing international code: 00. IDD service is available.
City Code: Tripoli 21, Tripoli International Airport 22, Benghazi 61, Agelat 282, Benina 63, Derna 81, Misuratha 51, Sabratha 24, Sebha 71, Tagura 26, , Zawai 23, Zuara 25.

Time
GMT + 2

Electricity 220 v