Domestic flights
Iraqi Airways and a handful of regional carriers link Baghdad, Erbil, Basra and Najaf daily. An hour in the air against five or six on the road makes this the backbone of most itineraries.
See the destinationsTransport guide
Getting Around
The distances are long and the sites are scattered. Flying between the hubs and driving from each one is how most itineraries are built.
Modes of travel
Four options cover almost every itinerary: fly between the big cities, hire a car and driver for the day trips out of them, take the sleeper if you want the journey to be part of the trip, and use ride-hailing apps within cities.
Self-drive is possible in the Kurdistan Region and rare elsewhere. Most visitors to federal Iraq travel with a driver, which also smooths the checkpoints.
Car and driver
Hired by the day, with fuel and the driver's time included. The right way to do Babylon from Baghdad, Ur from Nasiriyah, or Hatra from Mosul.
The sleeper south
The overnight Baghdad–Basra service still runs. Book a sleeper compartment, watch the palm groves go past at dusk, and arrive in the morning.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Careem and local apps work well in Baghdad, Erbil and Basra, and settle the fare before you get in. Street taxis are everywhere; agree the price first.
- Careem
- Baly
- Otaxi
Journey times
Approximate door-to-door durations between the main hubs. Road times assume daylight and normal checkpoint traffic.
| Route | Flight | Car | Train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baghdad → Erbil | 1h | 5h 30m | — |
| Baghdad → Basra | 1h 10m | 6h 30m | 10h overnight |
| Baghdad → Najaf | 45m | 2h 30m | — |
| Erbil → Sulaymaniyah | — | 2h 45m | — |
| Basra → Nasiriyah (Ur) | — | 2h 30m | — |
Entry rules, fees, opening hours and road conditions all change. Treat this as a starting point and confirm the detail with your nearest Iraqi embassy or your operator before you book.
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