Iraq

Iraq can be one of the most rewarding places you’ll ever visit, but it demands extra preparation and caution. Before you book anything, check the latest travel advisories from your government and understand that parts of the country may be off-limits or require local contacts and permits. Once you arrive, you’ll notice frequent checkpoints, especially in the south and around key cities. Keep your passport and visa handy, stay patient, and always be respectful with security staff.

In Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and Najaf, stick to trusted drivers recommended by your accommodation or a reputable local guide. Avoid discussing politics or taking photos of military sites, police stations, or checkpoints. Dress modestly, particularly in holy cities like Karbala and Najaf, where long trousers and covered shoulders are expected, and women may need a headscarf in shrines.

Staying connected helps with navigation and quick changes of plan. Activating a Hello eSIM before you land means you can use maps and translation apps the moment you step off the plane, without hunting for a local SIM. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to keep track of hotel addresses, contacts for guides, and backup copies of documents so everything you need is in one place if plans shift unexpectedly.

Distances in Iraq are big, but getting between major cities is surprisingly straightforward. Shared taxis and minibuses connect hubs like Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Karbala, and Mosul, usually leaving when full and making for a social, if sometimes cramped, ride. Expect to pay roughly 15,000–30,000 IQD (around 10–20 USD) for longer intercity routes, and 3,000–7,000 IQD for taxi trips across Baghdad, depending on distance and traffic.

For maximum flexibility, some travellers rent cars in both Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, but driving here is best suited to confident, experienced drivers. Traffic can be aggressive, and signage patchy, especially in English. If you do drive, avoid night travel, plan fuel stops in advance, and keep both physical and digital maps handy.

This is where Hello eSIM really helps: reliable data lets you use real-time navigation and ride-hailing apps where available, and share your live location with friends or guides. Save key routes in the Hello trip planning section—like Baghdad–Karbala or Erbil–Sulaymaniyah—so you can quickly compare transport options on the day. For day trips to places like Babylon, Hatra, or the Marshes, it’s usually easier and safer to hire a driver via your hotel or a local agency rather than attempting public transport.

Iraqi cuisine is hearty, fragrant, and built for sharing. In Baghdad’s Karrada district or around Mosul’s old town, look for restaurants serving masgouf (grilled river fish), quzi (slow-cooked lamb with rice and nuts), and endless plates of kebabs. A generous meal in a local spot might cost 10,000–20,000 IQD (7–14 USD), while street snacks—falafel, shawarma, or fresh bread from a tanoor oven—can be just a couple of thousand dinars.

Tea culture is huge. Traditional chaikhana (tea houses) in Baghdad or Najaf are perfect for people-watching over strong, sweet black tea. Coffee is common too, but tea is the default. It’s polite to accept at least one small glass when offered in shops or homes.

When eating with locals, you may find food served family-style. Use your right hand, and wait to see how others start before diving in. If you’re splitting the bill with travel companions, Hello’s expense splitting feature saves you from awkward math, especially when a generous host insists on paying part of the meal. Pair it with budget tracking in the Hello app to keep an eye on how many generous feasts you’re saying yes to as you move from city to city.

Iraq is generally affordable compared with many destinations, but costs vary between Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Cash in Iraqi dinar (IQD) is still king, especially in markets, small eateries, and for taxis. ATMs are common in bigger cities like Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, though not always reliable, so withdraw when you find a working machine and keep small notes for everyday spending.

As a rough guide, budget travellers can get by on the equivalent of 60–90 USD per day, covering basic hotels, local food, and public transport. Mid-range travellers who prefer private taxis and nicer hotels should plan more. There are very few hostels, so expect simple hotels and guesthouses instead—bookable online in larger cities, but sometimes arranged by phone in smaller towns.

Use Hello’s budget tracking to log expenses in IQD and see a running total in your home currency, helping you avoid overspending early in the trip. The trip planning tools are handy for structuring classic routes, such as:

• Baghdad – Samarra – Karbala – Najaf – Nasiriyah & the Marshes – Basra
• Erbil – Lalish – Dohuk – Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region

Save accommodation details, rough daily budgets, and transport estimates so you have a realistic overview before you land.