Libya Travel Guide

Language

The official language of Libya is Arabic (used for all official business), though some English is spoken, especially in the cities and tourist-orientated establishments.

Currency

The official currency is the Dinar (LYD), which is divided into 1,000 dirhams. Credit cards have very limited acceptance (usually only in five-star hotels) and travelers checks are not accepted, therefore it is advised to carry cash. ATMs are unreliable, though available in Tripoli. Banks are usually closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Currency can be exchanged at the airport or any bank in Tripoli.

1.2123

Time

Local time is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current is 127/230 volts, 50Hz. Round 3-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Libya is +218. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)21 for Tripoli and (0)22 for Tripoli International Airport. There are several Internet Service Providers and Internet cafes are available in Tripoli and other major centers, as well as some towns. Mobile phones operate on GSM 900 and 1800 networks and general telecommunications are being modernized.

Duty-Free

Travelers may enter the country with 200 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 250g tobacco, and 250ml perfume. All alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited, as well as all foodstuffs (including canned goods). There is also an extensive list of banned items, including any articles manufactured or produced in Israel or countries that trade with Israel, and it is best to consult a Libyan Embassy for more information.

Tourist Office

Department of Tourism, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 360 3400

Embassies in Libya

• United States Liaison Office, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1846 or (0)21 335 1235.
• British Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 340 3644/5.
• Canadian Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1633.
• Australian Consulate-General, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1468/69.
• South African Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 333 7006 or (0)21 444 7225.
• Irish Embassy, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Libya): +39 06 697 9121.

Libya Embassies Abroad

• Libyan Representative Office, Washinton DC, United States: +1 202 944 9601.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.
• Libyan Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 (613) 321 2300 919.
• Libyan People's Bureau, ACT, Australia: +61 (2) 6290 7900.
• Libyan Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 3902.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.

Emergency

Emergencies: 119 (Ambulance)

Language

The official language of Libya is Arabic (used for all official business), though some English is spoken, especially in the cities and tourist-orientated establishments.

Currency

The official currency is the Dinar (LYD), which is divided into 1,000 dirhams. Credit cards have very limited acceptance (usually only in five-star hotels) and travelers checks are not accepted, therefore it is advised to carry cash. ATMs are unreliable, though available in Tripoli. Banks are usually closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Currency can be exchanged at the airport or any bank in Tripoli.

1.2123

Time

Local time is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current is 127/230 volts, 50Hz. Round 3-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Libya is +218. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)21 for Tripoli and (0)22 for Tripoli International Airport. There are several Internet Service Providers and Internet cafes are available in Tripoli and other major centers, as well as some towns. Mobile phones operate on GSM 900 and 1800 networks and general telecommunications are being modernized.

Duty-Free

Travelers may enter the country with 200 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 250g tobacco, and 250ml perfume. All alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited, as well as all foodstuffs (including canned goods). There is also an extensive list of banned items, including any articles manufactured or produced in Israel or countries that trade with Israel, and it is best to consult a Libyan Embassy for more information.

Tourist Office

Department of Tourism, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 360 3400

Embassies in Libya

• United States Liaison Office, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1846 or (0)21 335 1235.
• British Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 340 3644/5.
• Canadian Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1633.
• Australian Consulate-General, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1468/69.
• South African Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 333 7006 or (0)21 444 7225.
• Irish Embassy, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Libya): +39 06 697 9121.

Libya Embassies Abroad

• Libyan Representative Office, Washinton DC, United States: +1 202 944 9601.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.
• Libyan Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 (613) 321 2300 919.
• Libyan People's Bureau, ACT, Australia: +61 (2) 6290 7900.
• Libyan Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 3902.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.

Emergency

Emergencies: 119 (Ambulance)

Language

The official language of Libya is Arabic (used for all official business), though some English is spoken, especially in the cities and tourist-orientated establishments.

Currency

The official currency is the Dinar (LYD), which is divided into 1,000 dirhams. Credit cards have very limited acceptance (usually only in five-star hotels) and travelers checks are not accepted, therefore it is advised to carry cash. ATMs are unreliable, though available in Tripoli. Banks are usually closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Currency can be exchanged at the airport or any bank in Tripoli.

1.2123

Time

Local time is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current is 127/230 volts, 50Hz. Round 3-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Libya is +218. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)21 for Tripoli and (0)22 for Tripoli International Airport. There are several Internet Service Providers and Internet cafes are available in Tripoli and other major centers, as well as some towns. Mobile phones operate on GSM 900 and 1800 networks and general telecommunications are being modernized.

Duty-Free

Travelers may enter the country with 200 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 250g tobacco, and 250ml perfume. All alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited, as well as all foodstuffs (including canned goods). There is also an extensive list of banned items, including any articles manufactured or produced in Israel or countries that trade with Israel, and it is best to consult a Libyan Embassy for more information.

Tourist Office

Department of Tourism, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 360 3400

Embassies in Libya

• United States Liaison Office, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1846 or (0)21 335 1235.
• British Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 340 3644/5.
• Canadian Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1633.
• Australian Consulate-General, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1468/69.
• South African Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 333 7006 or (0)21 444 7225.
• Irish Embassy, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Libya): +39 06 697 9121.

Libya Embassies Abroad

• Libyan Representative Office, Washinton DC, United States: +1 202 944 9601.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.
• Libyan Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 (613) 321 2300 919.
• Libyan People's Bureau, ACT, Australia: +61 (2) 6290 7900.
• Libyan Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 3902.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.

Emergency

Emergencies: 119 (Ambulance)

Language

The official language of Libya is Arabic (used for all official business), though some English is spoken, especially in the cities and tourist-orientated establishments.

Currency

The official currency is the Dinar (LYD), which is divided into 1,000 dirhams. Credit cards have very limited acceptance (usually only in five-star hotels) and travelers checks are not accepted, therefore it is advised to carry cash. ATMs are unreliable, though available in Tripoli. Banks are usually closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Currency can be exchanged at the airport or any bank in Tripoli.

1.2123

Time

Local time is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current is 127/230 volts, 50Hz. Round 3-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international dialing code for Libya is +218. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)21 for Tripoli and (0)22 for Tripoli International Airport. There are several Internet Service Providers and Internet cafes are available in Tripoli and other major centers, as well as some towns. Mobile phones operate on GSM 900 and 1800 networks and general telecommunications are being modernized.

Duty-Free

Travelers may enter the country with 200 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 250g tobacco, and 250ml perfume. All alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited, as well as all foodstuffs (including canned goods). There is also an extensive list of banned items, including any articles manufactured or produced in Israel or countries that trade with Israel, and it is best to consult a Libyan Embassy for more information.

Tourist Office

Department of Tourism, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 360 3400

Embassies in Libya

• United States Liaison Office, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1846 or (0)21 335 1235.
• British Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 340 3644/5.
• Canadian Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1633.
• Australian Consulate-General, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 335 1468/69.
• South African Embassy, Tripoli: +218 (0)21 333 7006 or (0)21 444 7225.
• Irish Embassy, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Libya): +39 06 697 9121.

Libya Embassies Abroad

• Libyan Representative Office, Washinton DC, United States: +1 202 944 9601.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.
• Libyan Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 (613) 321 2300 919.
• Libyan People's Bureau, ACT, Australia: +61 (2) 6290 7900.
• Libyan Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 3902.
• Libyan People's Bureau, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (020) 7201 8280 or (0)20 7589 6120.

Emergency

Emergencies: 119 (Ambulance)