Iraq

Iraq is a Middle Eastern country bordered by Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria. Often referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization," it encompasses ancient Mesopotamia and contains some of the world's most significant archaeological sites. The country is also a major destination for religious tourism, with millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims visiting the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala annually.

Iraq's aviation landscape is divided between federal Iraq and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north. Baghdad International Airport (BGW) is the largest airport and serves as the hub for Iraqi Airways, the national carrier. Erbil International Airport (EBL) is the main gateway to Kurdistan and offers more relaxed visa policies and better security conditions, making it the preferred entry point for many international travelers.

The Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok) is generally considered safer and more accessible for tourism than other parts of Iraq. Religious tourism to Najaf and Karbala drives significant passenger traffic, particularly during Shia religious observances. Before traveling, always check current government travel advisories.

International Gateways

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
BGW	Baghdad	National hub	Iraqi Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines
EBL	Erbil	Kurdistan gateway	Iraqi Airways, Turkish Airlines, flydubai
BSR	Basra	Southern Iraq gateway	Iraqi Airways, Kuwait Airways
NJF	Najaf	Religious tourism	Iraqi Airways, Iran Air, Saudia
SDA	Sulaymaniyah	Kurdistan secondary	Iraqi Airways, Turkish Airlines

Baghdad International Airport (BGW)

Iraq's primary airport, located 16 km west of central Baghdad. Formerly known as Saddam International Airport, it was extensively used as a military base during the 2003-2011 period. Now operates as a civilian airport with modern terminal facilities.

Facilities:

• Single passenger terminal with domestic and international areas
• Duty-free shopping and restaurants
• Currency exchange and ATMs
• Taxi and shuttle services to Baghdad center

Flight time from BGW:

• Istanbul: 3 hours
• Dubai: 2 hours
• Amman: 1.5 hours
• Tehran: 1.5 hours

Erbil International Airport (EBL)

The busiest airport in the Kurdistan Region, serving the regional capital Erbil. Modern terminal opened in 2010. Often preferred by international travelers due to Kurdistan's visa-on-arrival policy and better security conditions.

Facilities:

• Modern terminal with international standards
• Duty-free shopping
• Car rental agencies
• Taxi services to city center (20-minute drive)

Note: Kurdistan's visa-on-arrival makes EBL the easiest entry point for many nationalities.

Basra International Airport (BSR)

Serves southern Iraq and the oil industry. Located 15 km from Basra city center. Primarily used for business travel related to the petroleum sector and by travelers visiting southern Iraq.

Al Najaf International Airport (NJF)

Purpose-built to serve religious pilgrims visiting the holy shrines of Imam Ali in Najaf and Imam Hussein in nearby Karbala. Significant traffic during religious occasions, particularly Arbaeen (one of the world's largest annual pilgrimages, with millions of visitors).

Sulaymaniyah International Airport (SDA)

Secondary airport in Kurdistan Region, serving Sulaymaniyah, Iraq's second-largest Kurdish city. Good alternative gateway to Kurdistan, particularly for travelers heading to the mountainous eastern areas.

Flag Carrier

Iraqi Airways (IA) is the national airline, founded in 1945. After sanctions and conflicts, it has rebuilt its network and now operates from Baghdad to destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

• Hub: BGW (Baghdad)
• Key routes: Istanbul, Dubai, Amman, Cairo, Delhi, Guangzhou
• Fleet: Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft
• Note: Service quality varies; check recent reviews

Kurdistan Regional Carriers

FlyBaghdad — Private Iraqi carrier operating domestic routes and regional international services from Baghdad and Erbil.

International Airlines Serving Iraq

Middle Eastern carriers:

• Emirates — Daily Dubai to Baghdad
• Turkish Airlines — Multiple daily flights to Baghdad and Erbil from Istanbul
• Qatar Airways — Doha to Baghdad and Erbil
• flydubai — Budget option from Dubai to Baghdad and Erbil
• Kuwait Airways — Service from Kuwait City
• Royal Jordanian — Amman connections

Regional carriers:

• Iran Air — Tehran to Baghdad and Najaf (pilgrimage traffic)
• Saudia — Jeddah to Najaf and Baghdad
• MEA (Middle East Airlines) — Beirut connections

European carriers:

• Austrian Airlines — Vienna to Erbil (intermittent service)
• Limited direct European service; most connections via Istanbul or Gulf hubs

Federal Iraq Visa

Most nationalities require a visa to enter federal Iraq (Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, etc.):

• Visa on arrival: Available for some nationalities at BGW, BSR, and NJF
• Pre-arranged visa: Many nationalities must obtain visa from Iraqi embassy before travel
• Business visa: Requires invitation letter from Iraqi company
• Religious visa: Special provisions for pilgrims to Najaf and Karbala

Requirements:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Return or onward ticket
• Hotel reservation or invitation letter
• Visa fee varies by nationality

Kurdistan Region Visa

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has a separate, more liberal visa policy:

Visa on arrival at EBL (Erbil) and SDA (Sulaymaniyah) for citizens of:

• All EU countries
• USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• UK, Switzerland, Norway
• Japan, South Korea
• Many other countries

Kurdistan visa details:

• Duration: 30 days (extendable)
• Fee: Free for many nationalities
• Note: Kurdistan visa is only valid for Kurdistan Region; separate visa required for federal Iraq

Important Considerations

• Dual entry: If flying into Erbil but planning to visit Baghdad, you need both Kurdistan entry permit and federal Iraq visa
• Israeli stamps: Iraq does not admit travelers with Israeli passport stamps or evidence of travel to Israel
• Check current requirements: Visa policies change frequently; verify with Iraqi embassy or KRG representation before travel

Official information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Domestic Flights

Iraqi Airways and FlyBaghdad operate domestic routes:

Route	Frequency	Duration
BGW ↔ EBL	Multiple daily	1 hour
BGW ↔ BSR	Daily	1 hour
BGW ↔ NJF	Daily	45 minutes
BGW ↔ SDA	Several weekly	1 hour
EBL ↔ BSR	Weekly	1.5 hours

Domestic flights are the safest way to travel between major cities.

Road Travel

Within Kurdistan Region:

• Road infrastructure is good
• Car rental available in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah
• Shared taxis (service) between cities
• Generally safe for independent travel

In Federal Iraq:

• Independent road travel not recommended for tourists in most areas
• Security conditions vary significantly by region
• If necessary, use vetted local drivers or organized tours
• Baghdad has heavy traffic and complex navigation

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

• Careem operates in Baghdad and Erbil
• Local taxis available but negotiate fare beforehand
• Hotel taxis recommended for airport transfers

Organized Tours

Recommended for visiting archaeological sites and areas outside major cities. Many tour operators specialize in:

• Kurdistan Region tourism (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, historical sites)
• Religious tourism (Najaf, Karbala pilgrimages)
• Archaeological tours (Babylon, Ur, Ctesiphon)

Shoulder Seasons (March-May, October-November)

Best weather for sightseeing. Comfortable temperatures throughout the country. Spring has pleasant conditions; autumn offers clear skies.

• Temperatures: 20-30°C (68-86°F)
• Ideal for outdoor exploration
• Religious tourism moderate outside major events

Summer (June-September)

Extremely hot throughout Iraq. Baghdad and southern Iraq can exceed 50°C (122°F).

• Avoid: Outdoor sightseeing in central and southern Iraq
• Kurdistan mountains: Cooler at higher elevations, pleasant for summer visits
• Arbaeen pilgrimage: Usually falls in this period (date varies with Islamic calendar)

Winter (December-February)

Mild in southern Iraq. Cold in Kurdistan with snow in mountainous areas.

• Baghdad: 5-15°C (41-59°F)
• Kurdistan mountains: Cold, occasional snow
• Good for visiting Mesopotamian sites in the south

Religious Calendar

Major events that affect travel:

• Arbaeen: Millions of pilgrims visit Karbala (one of world's largest gatherings)
• Ashura: Significant religious observance
• Ramadan: Reduced services during daylight hours

Kurdistan Region

Destination	Nearest Airport	Travel Time	Known For
Erbil	EBL	20 min	Citadel, bazaars, safest major city
Sulaymaniyah	SDA	20 min	Culture, museums, mountain scenery
Duhok	EBL	2 hr	Mountain resort town, waterfalls
Amadiya	EBL	3 hr	Ancient hilltop town, scenic setting

Religious Sites

Destination	Nearest Airport	Travel Time	Known For
Najaf	NJF	15 min	Imam Ali shrine, Shia holy city
Karbala	NJF or BGW	1 hr / 1.5 hr	Imam Hussein shrine, Arbaeen
Samarra	BGW	2 hr	Al-Askari Shrine, spiral minaret

Ancient Mesopotamia

Destination	Nearest Airport	Travel Time	Known For
Babylon	BGW	1.5 hr	Ancient city, Ishtar Gate site
Ur	BSR	1 hr	Ziggurat, birthplace of Abraham
Ctesiphon	BGW	45 min	Arch of Ctesiphon, Sasanian capital
Hatra	EBL	3 hr	UNESCO site, Parthian city
Nineveh	EBL	1.5 hr	Ancient Assyrian capital (Mosul area)

Cities

Erbil — Capital of Kurdistan Region with a history spanning over 6,000 years. The Erbil Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Modern malls, restaurants, and hotels make it the most tourist-friendly city in Iraq.

Baghdad — Capital of Iraq, straddling the Tigris River. Historical sites include the Iraq Museum (Mesopotamian artifacts), Al-Mustansiriya Madrasa, and various mosques. Security improved but caution still advised.

Basra — Southern port city near the Persian Gulf. Known as the "Venice of the East" for its canals. Access point for visiting Ur and the Mesopotamian marshlands.

Money

• Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 USD = 1,300 IQD (rates fluctuate)
• Cash: Essential; carry US dollars to exchange locally
• Cards: Limited acceptance; larger hotels may accept cards
• ATMs: Available in major cities but often unreliable
• Tipping: Not expected but appreciated for good service

Electrical

• Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
• Plug types: C (Europlug), D (three large round pins), G (UK-style)
• Note: Power outages common; generators supplement in many buildings
• Adapters: Bring universal adapter

Connectivity

• Mobile networks: Asiacell, Korek, Zain
• SIM cards: Available at airports and shops; bring passport
• eSIM: Limited availability; check provider coverage
• WiFi: Available in hotels and some cafes
• Internet: Can be slow or intermittent outside major cities

Safety

Critical: Check your government's travel advisory before visiting Iraq.

Kurdistan Region:

• Generally considered safe for tourists
• Active tourism infrastructure
• Low crime rate
• Exercise normal precautions

Federal Iraq (Baghdad, Basra, Najaf):

• Security situation varies
• Avoid large gatherings and protests
• Use trusted local guides and transportation
• Register with your embassy
• Follow local news and security updates

Areas to avoid:

• Border regions
• Areas with ongoing security operations
• Travel at night outside cities

Cultural Notes

• Dress: Conservative dress recommended, especially for women
• Alcohol: Available in Kurdistan; restricted in federal Iraq
• Photography: Ask permission; avoid military/security installations
• Hospitality: Iraqis are known for generous hospitality
• Religious sites: Remove shoes, dress modestly, women cover hair
• Friday: Weekend day for government offices

Health

• Water: Drink bottled water only
• Heat: Extreme in summer; stay hydrated
• Medical care: Adequate private facilities in Erbil and Baghdad
• Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance essential
• Vaccinations: Check CDC/WHO recommendations before travel

Useful Phrases (Arabic)

• Hello: Marhaba / As-salaam alaikum
• Thank you: Shukran
• Yes / No: Na'am / La
• How much?: Shgad? (Iraqi dialect)
• Please: Min fadlak

Useful Phrases (Kurdish - Sorani)

• Hello: Silav / Roj bash
• Thank you: Supas
• Yes / No: Beleh / Na
• How much?: Chendie?

• Tourism: Iraq Ministry of Tourism
• Visa Information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Kurdistan Tourism: Kurdistan Region Tourism
• Iraqi Airways: iraqiairways.com.iq
• Travel Advisory (US): travel.state.gov/iraq
• Travel Advisory (UK): gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq