Independent travel is not currently allowed in Libya, but this doesn’t mean that travellers are not welcome. With the new evisa system in place, Libya is slowly opening up more and more to tourism, but there are still some restrictions. All of your travel must be booked through a tour agency (like SAIGA Tours), and you will be required by the government to have a police escort with you at all times, which will be arranged for you. Additionally, you cannot decide your plans as you go as your plans and permits must be approved and arranged ahead of time. For example, if you are meant to visit Leptis Magna on a Wednesday, you can’t decide on Tuesday afternoon that you’d like to visit the site on Thursday instead, unless you get an expedited permit change. It is possible to change your plans if needed, but it is best to have everything in place and approved beforehand, as all changes need to go through several different sets of hands.
Do I have to have a tourist police escort everywhere in Libya?
Yes, the current rule is that all foreigners must be accompanied at all times in Libya. Even if you are just making a quick run to the corner store from your hotel, you must be escorted by security. Occasionally, if it is just a quick venture somewhere, your guide alone can escort you, but this is also usually only okay after a little bit of trust is built between you and your police escort. Currently, travellers from the US, UK, and Russia are required to have 2 escorts, while nationals from other countries only need to have one. However, this rule about the number of escorts seems to be a bit flexible on a case-by-case basis and is entirely up to the discretion of the tourist police.
The tourist police is also now required to stay at the same hotel as you, after an incident a couple years ago where a tourist left the hotel to visit a friend without a word, and was declared “missing” for almost a week. The person was perfectly safe, just visiting a friend and not answering calls, but their decision has caused repercussions for every tourist that has visited Libya since, as security is stricter now. Unfortunately for budget travellers, the cost of the police officer’s accommodation is passed on to you, the tourist.
In addition to have a police escort, you are also required to have a local guide with you as a part of your travel arrangements. This can also be a hinderance to travellers looking to save money, or people who prefer to enjoy sites on their own.
Can I travel to both Western and Eastern Libya?
Currently, Western and Eastern Libya are controlled by different governments, but travel to both is entirely possible. There are some things to keep in mind however. There is some difficulty with arriving in Western Libya for the first time from Eastern Libya. Tripoli does not currently recognize entry visas from Eastern Libya and there have been many cases of immigration refusing entry into Tripoli. You can however enter into Eastern Libya from Western Libya, and even back again, without issue. Right now, this is only possible by flight, and you cannot travel by car from Western to Eastern Libya. This is constantly changing however, so it could be possible to drive from West to East at the time of your travel, but it’s something that is difficult to plan in advance.
You can also visit Eastern Libya alone, with no visit to Tripoli or Western Libya (and vice versa, of course). Do visit Eastern Libya, whether on its own or in combination with Western Libya, a pricy permit for the region costing $600 USD is required. This must of course be obtained in advance. In Eastern Libya, only one tourist police escort is required for all nationalities, and there are far less police checkpoints on the roads.
Can I visit the south of Libya?
With incredible prehistoric rock art and stunning geological features, many travellers are interested in exploring Libya’s southern Fezzan region. Most of the region is open to tourism but involves additional permits and many days of driving. Fezzan holds stunning dunes, fantastic rock formations, and popular natural sites like the Ubari lakes and the otherworldly Waw an Namus volcanic field. You can also visit Tuareg towns like Ghat and the ancient ruins of Germa. Many of these sites are quite remote, so you will need several days to visit this region.
Travel to the south is possible, but local militias and smugglers make certain areas of the south volatile. You might have trouble getting permission to visit some areas, particularly areas close to the southern border. Certain areas can close without warning, and if a militia gains control of a road checkpoint, it is entirely up to them if you are let through, regardless of whether you have the permits in place. Your tour agency should know the status of the area when you book your travel, and will get updates leading up to your trip, to make sure you have the safest and most achievable plan.
Is there a curfew for tourists in Libya?
There is not a set enforced curfew, however the government tends to not like tourists on the road after dark, as this is typically when skirmishes tend to happen. Of course, we’ve been on the road after dark many times, sometimes its unavoidable, but in general it is discouraged. As for walking around at night, it is generally fine. Of course, if your escort tells you it’s time to go back to the hotel, you must listen.
How can I travel to Libya?
The best, and only, way to visit Libya is by booking an organized private or group tour. Your tour agency will provide a Letter of Invitation and sponsor ID which are needed to obtain the Libya evisa. Because of the required costs of the government-mandated tourist police and guide, the most cost-effective way to explore Libya is by booking a group tour. You can check out our Libya Group Tours Here ! If you like the look of the tour, but our dates don’t work for you, send us an email at [email protected] to discuss a custom private tour.
