iraq

Iraq Travel Guide

Due to the unstable situation and very high level of general risk, traveling to Iraq may be dangerous. Read more
Trek Zone
merhaba
(mer-ha-ba • Arabic)
Say hello
60°F
Saturday
59°F
Sunday

Tourist season

Are December and January good months to visit Iraq?

12

December

Semi-high
season

1

January

Semi-high
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Iraq for tourism.

Visa on arrival

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

Did you know?

The surface area of Iraq is 169.2 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 60 in terms of the area in the world.

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Baghdad (IQ) and Washington D.C. (US) is 6195 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Baghdad click here

Baghdad
Baghdad
Erbil
Mosul
Basra
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
6195
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Iraq to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Iraq on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

4

Level 4 • Do not travel.

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

25 December 2024• Christmas Day

1 January 2025• New Year's Day

Currency

Iraqi Dinar (IQD) - rate compared to selected currencies

1000 IQD
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.72521
1378916
GBP
0.60152
1662457
USD
0.76055
1314842
Update: 13 Dec 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Iraq

Map
Distance matrix
MilesBaghdadMosulArbilBasraSulaymaniyahNajafNasiriyahKarbala
Baghdad-2212002791669119153
Mosul221-50485140308407263
Arbil20050-45091290378247
Basra279485450-375230101266
Sulaymaniyah16614091375-254315219
Najaf91308290230254-13046
Nasiriyah191407378101315130-169
Karbala5326324726621946169-

Best Ways to Experience Iraq

  • Cuisine
  • Art

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Currency

More

Iraqi Dinar (IQD)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • IQD
  • USD
IQD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • IQD
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 13 December 2024
Iraqi DinarIraqi DinarIraqi DinarIraqi DinarIraqi Dinar

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Iraq.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Cholera

Cholera is a disease of the digestive tract caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.The most common infection occurs through the ingestion, mainly through water contaminated with human faeces, and also through food (mainly fruit, seafood). Less often by contact with the sick person and their environment.
Prevention
  • Eat and drink safely
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from or departing to a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagIraq for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa on arrival

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

  • Allowed stay: 60 days
  • U.S. citizens can apply for on-arrival visas at approved land, sea, and air border crossings.

Electricity

230V (50 Hz)

In Iraq the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, D, G sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket CType C
socket DType D
socket GType G

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

36 / 231
Ranking
40 222 493
Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian

Area

60 / 230
Ranking
169.2 thous. mi²
It is approximately 5% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

126 / 196
Ranking
72.9
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 71women 74.9

Median age

30 / 157
Ranking
21.2
Average age of population expressed in years.men 20.8women 21.6

Population growth

37 / 172
Ranking
2.06%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

74 / 131
Ranking
85.6%
Ability to read, write and count.men 91.2%women 79.9%

GDP

119 / 194
Ranking
9 503 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Syria, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder