Iraq

Iraq
Iraq🇮🇶

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Traveling to Iraq? Land Connected.

Iraq is the land between two rivers — ancient citadels, Mesopotamian ruins, holy cities and Kurdish mountains. It is a trip that needs more planning than most, and data from touchdown helps with trusted drivers, maps and bookings from the moment you land.

Choose the Plan That Fits Your Trip

  • Fixed data or unlimited: pick from the plan grid above by trip length and data use — fixed-data plans for maps, messaging and light browsing, unlimited plans for heavy video, navigation and hotspot use.
  • Instant delivery: your QR code and installation link are emailed within minutes of checkout. Install before your flight; validity starts on the day you activate.
  • Good to know: your phone must support eSIM (dial *#06# and look for an EID), and your 15-digit IMEI is required at checkout so your eSIM can be provisioned.

Travel Highlights

  • Erbil Citadel: the ancient fortified mound at the heart of Erbil, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world.
  • Babylon: the ruins of the ancient city south of Baghdad, including the reconstructed Ishtar Gate area.
  • Baghdad: the historic core along the Tigris, Al-Mutanabbi Street's book market and the Iraq Museum's Mesopotamian collection.
  • Karbala and Najaf: the holy shrine cities of Shia Islam, visited by millions of pilgrims each year — dress and behave respectfully at shrines.
  • The Mesopotamian Marshes: the southern wetlands of reeds, water buffalo and stilt villages, best visited with a local guide.

Getting Around

  • Airports: Baghdad International Airport (BGW) and Erbil International Airport (EBL) are the main gateways; pre-book a hotel or trusted driver pickup, especially for late arrivals.
  • City transport: taxis are the main way around Baghdad and Erbil; agree the fare before you set off, and use hotel-recommended drivers for longer trips.
  • Ride-hailing — available in the main cities: Careem operates in Baghdad and Erbil; outside the main cities, hotel and street taxis are the norm.
  • Between cities: intercity travel is by taxi or shared taxi, and checkpoints are common on main roads — carry ID and allow extra time.

Safety and Practical Tips

Iraq travel needs more planning than most destinations: check your government's current travel advice before you book, stick to well-traveled areas, and use trusted local drivers and guides rather than exploring alone.

Carry ID at all times, expect checkpoints on intercity roads, and keep your phone charged — coverage can be patchy outside cities. Summers are extremely hot, so plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning and carry plenty of water.

Entry and Visa

Visa rules depend on your passport and on where you are going: Iraq's Kurdistan Region has its own visa arrangements, separate from federal Iraq, so a visa that covers one does not necessarily cover the other. Check which arrangement covers your itinerary and the latest requirements for your passport before you book.

Weather and Climate

  • Hot summers, mild winters: Baghdad summers are extremely hot, often above 40°C, with almost no rain; winters are mild and cooler, with most rain falling between November and April.
  • The north is cooler: Erbil and the Kurdistan mountains are cooler than the south, with cold winters and occasional snow in the high mountains.
  • Best months: March to April and October to November are generally the best for sightseeing — warm but not extreme. Summer is best avoided for outdoor ruins unless you start very early.
  • What to pack: light, breathable clothes and sun protection for summer; a jacket for winter evenings and the mountains. Modest clothing covers shrine and mosque visits.

Money and Payments

  • Currency and cards: Iraqi dinars (IQD); US dollars are also widely accepted. Cards are accepted in major hotels and malls in Baghdad and Erbil, but cash dominates everywhere else — carry enough dinars for taxis, markets and smaller towns.
  • WISE and similar travel cards — supported where cards are accepted: the Wise card works in Iraq wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted. Similar multi-currency cards, such as Revolut, work the same way on the Visa/Mastercard network. Check the card app for current ATM limits and fees before you travel, as these change.
  • Tipping: rounding up or a small tip is appreciated for guides, drivers and restaurant staff, but not expected everywhere.
  • Cash tips: use ATMs in major hotels and malls rather than street exchange counters, and always choose to pay in dinars (local currency) if a terminal or ATM offers to convert to your home currency.