What is the Time Difference in Syria?
Planning to visit Syria? Knowing about the time difference in Syria can help you when traveling, managing business, or scheduling online meetings.
Standard Syrian Time officially observes a permanent time offset of UTC+3, meaning the local time is three hours ahead of Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). Syria no longer shifts clocks twice yearly between EET and EEST since it ended seasonal DST changes in 2022.
Whether checking Syria local time or asking what is the time in Syria now, staying aware of the country’s time zones and DST changes is essential for efficiency, punctuality, and avoiding unnecessary stress during trips or remote work activities.
Time Difference in Syria: Key Takeaways
- Syria doesn’t have any Daylight Saving Time (DST).
- Syria uses UTC+3 year-round, aligned with Arabia Standard Time.
- Damascus serves as the standard reference for Syria local time, with Aleppo and other cities aligned.
- The single time zone simplifies domestic travel, flight scheduling, and event planning.
- Time differences in Syria vary widely between the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.
- Asia-Pacific countries are generally several hours ahead of Syria.
What Time Zone Does Syria Use?
Syria operates under a single, unified Syria time zone. It applies the same to the time in Damascus and other major cities such as Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia, and Tartus.
This regularity facilitates internal scheduling, government operations, and domestic travel. Unlike nations with various longitudinal spans, Syria's geographic size enables a single official time to work effectively across the country.
Syria local time is based on a standard UTC+3 offset, but it may change during daylight saving time depending on government policy. The country used to have a DST policy until 2022.
Once travelers set their watches to the time zone in Syria, shifting across cities won’t require updates. This makes calculating the time difference in Syria from other countries easier.
Time Difference in Syria vs Australia (Oceania)
Across Oceania, clocks shift across numerous zones, making the region far ahead of Syria. Since Syria sticks to UTC+3 year-round, the gap grows wider when parts of Australia spring forward due to their local DST.
Key Takeaways:
- Syria is 7–9 hours behind major Australian cities and New Zealand.
- Evening in Syria corresponds to morning in Oceania, ideal for virtual meetings.
- Flight planning requires adjusting for the large time gap.
| Offset | Syria Time | Key Locations | DST Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC+08:00 | 5 hours behind | Western Australia (Perth) | No DST changes |
| UTC+09:30 | 6.5 hours behind | Central Australia (Adelaide, Darwin) | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC+10:00 | 7 hours behind | Eastern Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC+12:00 | 9 hours behind | New Zealand, Fiji | +1 hour during DST |
Time Difference in Syria vs Europe
Over by a narrow margin in longitude, Europe lines up fairly well with Syria when syncing clocks across distances. In places such as Germany or Italy, the shift usually lands at either one or two hours later than Syrian time, varying by season.
Key Takeaways:
- Syria is 1–3 hours ahead of Western and Central Europe.
- No DST in Syria keeps time consistent year-round.
- Early afternoon in Syria aligns well with European late morning for meetings.
| Offset | Syria Time | Key Locations | DST Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC−01:00 | 3 hours behind | Azores | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC±00:00 | 2 hours behind | United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC+01:00 | 1 hour behind | France, Germany, Italy, Spain | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC+02:00 | Same | Greece, Finland, Eastern Europe | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC+03:00 | 1 hour ahead | Turkey | Seasonal DST |
Time Difference in Syria vs North America
Ahead by nearly half a day, Syria clocks in well before North American mornings begin. Seen from New York, the Middle Eastern nation runs seven to eight hours ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- Calls require early-morning or late-night planning in Syria.
- Eastern US is 7 hours behind Syria; West Coast is 10 hours behind.
- Accurate time awareness is critical for business or remote work coordination.
| Offset | Syria Time | Key Locations | DST Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC−10:00 | 12 hours behind | Hawaii, Tahiti | No DST |
| UTC−09:00 | 11 hours behind | Alaska | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC−08:00 | 10 hours behind | California, British Columbia | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC−07:00 | 9 hours behind | Arizona, Alberta | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC−06:00 | 8 hours behind | Central US, Mexico City | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC−05:00 | 7 hours behind | New York, Ontario | +1 hour during DST |
| UTC−04:00 | 6 hours behind | Nova Scotia, Puerto Rico | +1 hour during DST |
Time Difference in Syria vs South America
Most of South America stays several hours behind Syria. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile typically fall six or seven hours back, shaped by longitude and domestic daylight decisions.
Key Takeaways:
- Afternoon in Syria corresponds to morning in South America.
- Travelers should adjust schedules for flights and calls.
- Planning is easier with Syria’s stable UTC+3 time.
| Offset | Syria Time | Key Locations | DST Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC−05:00 | 7 hours behind | Colombia, Peru | No DST |
| UTC−04:00 | 6 hours behind | Venezuela, Bolivia | No DST |
| UTC−03:00 | 5 hours behind | Argentina, Chile, Brazil | Seasonal DST in some regions |
Time Difference in Syria vs Asia
Not every part of Asia lines up neatly with Syria’s clock. Some match closely, while others run much earlier. Westward, nations such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey keep nearly the same time, smoothing movement across borders for both people and goods.
Key Takeaways:
- West Asian time aligns closely with time in Syria.
- East Asia is several hours ahead of Syria.
| UTC Offset | Syria Time Difference | Key Locations | DST Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC+03:00 | 1 hour ahead | Turkey (Asian), Kenya, Tanzania | No DST |
| UTC+04:00 | 2 hours ahead | UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) | No DST |
| UTC+05:30 | 3.5 hours ahead | India, Sri Lanka | No DST |
| UTC+07:00 | 5 hours ahead | Thailand, Vietnam | No DST |
| UTC+08:00 | 6 hours ahead | China, Singapore, Syria | No DST |
| UTC+09:00 | 7 hours ahead | Syria, South Korea | No DST |
Time Difference in Syria vs Africa
Across Africa, time zone shifts are limited, so adjustments stay straightforward. In East Africa, countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda run at UTC+3, matching Syrian countries. This eliminates the need for mental calculations during coordination.
Key Takeaways:
- West Africa is several hours behind Syria.
- North and East Africa are closer to the Syrian countries.
| Offset | Syria Time | Key Locations | DST Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC±00:00 | 2 hours behind | Ghana, Senegal | No DST |
| UTC+02:00 | Same | South Africa, Egypt | No DST |
| UTC+03:00 | 1 hour ahead | Kenya, Tanzania | No DST |
Why Does Syria Not Have Multiple Time Zones?
Syria doesn’t have multiple time zones because of its simple geography, position on the International Date Line, and east-west longitudinal span.
From west to east, Syria covers a relatively short distance compared to vast nations, so daylight shifts do not vary greatly from one end to the other.
Sunrise appears at nearly identical moments across the country because its width is limited. Even the far edges experience dusk around the same time, thanks to modest geographic spread. This helps knowing the time difference in Syria remains consistent and predictable.
Across Syria, a uniform clock supports the smoother administration of public services. Whether someone travels near the Mediterranean shore or deep into central regions, predicting the Syria local time is easy.
Does Syria Use DST?
No, Syria doesn’t use Daylight Saving Time (DST) since 2022. The country now maintains a consistent time year-round.
When Syria used to observe DST, it typically shifted between Eastern European Time (UTC+2) and Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3) for decades.
This yearly ritual came to an end in October 2022, when the Syrian government joined many other countries in the area in agreeing to implement a permanent, year-round offset system.
By making UTC+3 the fixed time, it aimed to facilitate and boost international coordination.
Time Difference in Syria and Popular Countries
Syria’s UTC+03:00 placement creates specific time differences with widely visited or business-critical countries. Understanding these differences is crucial for planning travel, meetings, or remote work schedules.
Australia
Syria is 6–7 hours behind Western and Central Australia and 8–9 hours behind Eastern Australia, depending on daylight saving time in Australia. For example, a 9:00 AM meeting in Sydney falls around 1:00–3:00 AM in Damascus, requiring careful planning to coordinate calls or online conferences.
New Zealand
Syria is 9 hours behind New Zealand, making early morning or late-night meetings necessary. Travelers from Syria may need to adjust sleeping patterns to align with New Zealand business hours or online courses.
USA
The time difference between Syria and the United States ranges from 7 hours ahead (Eastern US) to 15 hours ahead (Hawaii). Scheduling calls often requires evening participation from Syria when interacting with North American offices.
Canada
Syria is 7–11 hours ahead of Canadian provinces, depending on their time zones and DST status. For businesses, understanding these differences is essential to prevent missed deadlines or meetings.
UK & Europe
Syria is generally 2–3 hours ahead of Western and Central Europe. Awareness of this difference allows smoother planning for travel, online classes, or international collaboration, especially during DST changes in European countries.
How the Syria Time Difference Affects Travel
Travelers heading to or from Syria must consider the time difference in Syria to minimize jet lag and manage itineraries efficiently.
- Flights from Europe or Asia often require early morning departures or late evening arrivals to synchronize schedules with local time in Damascus or Aleppo.
- Adjusting watches and mobile devices before arrival helps travelers avoid confusion.
- For long-haul trips from North or South America, the significant time gap can affect sleep patterns, business appointments, and sightseeing plans.
- Being aware of Syria’s time zone in advance enables a smooth transition and ensures travelers remain punctual for flights, tours, or meetings.
Staying Connected While Managing Time Difference in Syria
Staying connected while managing the time difference in Syria is simpler with modern solutions like SimCorner Middle East eSIM and Middle East SIM cards.
These options provide reliable local network access, instant setup, and 24/7 support, allowing travelers and remote workers to maintain seamless communication without roaming fees. Travelers can advantage from transparent plans with hotspot sharing and local data rates, ensuring business calls, video conferences, and social interactions remain uninterrupted.
By combining knowledge of the time difference in Syria with affordable, reliable SIM solutions, anyone can coordinate meetings, attend virtual events, or navigate the country confidently, without worrying about connectivity or missed appointments.







