Iraq

Iraq is one of the most rewarding — and complex — destinations you can visit, so thoughtful planning goes a long way. Start by mapping out how many days you have: 7–10 days is enough for the classic southern loop (Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah and the Mesopotamian Marshes), while two weeks lets you add Mosul, Samarra and a finish in Kurdistan around Erbil and the mountains.

Before you book, check current travel advisories and talk with local operators about which regions are suitable at the time you travel. Many travellers choose to focus on Baghdad plus nearby heritage sites or stick to Kurdistan for hiking and more relaxed sightseeing.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to keep everything in one place: flight details into Baghdad, Basra, Najaf or Erbil, hotel confirmations, and notes on checkpoints or guide contacts. A printed copy of your itinerary and hotel addresses in Arabic is useful on the ground, but having the same plan synced in Hello makes it easy to adjust if road conditions or security advice change. Aim for a slow pace: Iraq’s highlights are as much the tea-house conversations and shrine courtyards as the big-ticket ruins.

Distances in Iraq are long, roads can be busy with checkpoints, and summer heat is intense — so getting around is part logistics, part art. Most travellers fly into Baghdad or Erbil, then use a mix of domestic flights, city taxis and private drivers. Short hops, like Baghdad to Basra or Erbil to Sulaymaniyah, can be done by air, while regional exploring (Baghdad–Babylon–Karbala–Najaf, or Erbil to Rawandiz and the Hamilton Road) works best with a trusted driver.

Avoid night travel between cities; roads are poorly lit and checkpoints may not expect foreign visitors after dark. Inside cities, agree taxi prices in advance or ask your hotel for approximate fares, and always carry your hotel address written in Arabic. Keep your passport and visa handy, as you’ll show them frequently.

Reliable data on the road makes a big difference: activate a Hello eSIM before you land so you can use maps, translate signs, and message your driver without worrying about roaming charges. Pin key locations in Hello’s trip planning feature — like your accommodation, bus stations, and major shrines — so everyone in your group knows where they’re heading next.

Iraq uses the Iraqi dinar (IQD), and most daily expenses are paid in cash. ATMs exist in major cities like Baghdad, Basra and Erbil, but they can be unreliable, so keep some backup cash and withdraw when you can. As a rough guide, budget around $20–80 USD equivalent in IQD per night for accommodation (simple guesthouses to mid-range hotels), $10–30 USD equivalent for food and café culture, and $20–50 USD equivalent for transport, depending on whether you’re using buses, shared taxis or private drivers.

Restaurants and teahouses rarely split bills, so Hello’s expense splitting feature is handy if you’re travelling with companions. Track who paid for the masgouf dinner, who covered the boat ride in the Chibayish marshes, and who booked the driver down to Babylon, without awkward spreadsheet sessions.

Use Hello’s budget tracking to log expenses in IQD and see how your spending compares to your daily plan. It’s especially useful on multi-stop itineraries where small costs — chai in Mutanabbi Street, extra monastery entry fees near Mosul, or spontaneous detours — add up quickly. Keeping an eye on your numbers helps you decide when to splurge on a guide or an internal flight, and when to stick to local buses and street food.

Iraq’s culture runs deep: expect strong hospitality, layered history and vibrant religious life. Modest dress is essential almost everywhere. Men should wear long trousers; women are expected to cover arms and legs, and in holy cities like Najaf and Karbala, an abaya and headscarf are standard. Pack light, breathable fabrics and carry a spare scarf for shrines and sun protection.

When invited for tea or a meal, it’s polite to accept at least a small serving. You’ll encounter dishes like masgouf (slow-grilled river fish), kubba (stuffed dumplings), and endless glasses of sweet chai. Many places won’t have English menus; having connectivity through a Hello eSIM makes it easy to translate and learn basic Arabic phrases for greetings and thanks.

A few quick etiquette tips:

• Photography: Avoid taking pictures of soldiers, checkpoints, bridges and government buildings.
• Shrines and mosques: Ask before photographing; follow gender-segregated areas and local instructions.
• Conversation: Politics and recent conflicts can be sensitive; let locals lead.

Save cultural notes, key phrases and recommended cafés in Hello’s trip planning so you can revisit favourites in Baghdad’s Mutanabbi Street or Erbil’s citadel — and share them easily with future travel companions.