Iraq offers an extraordinary journey through the cradle of civilization, from the ancient Mesopotamian ruins to the bustling streets of Baghdad and the stunning mountains of Kurdistan. Experience authentic Middle Eastern culture, world-class archaeological sites, and warm hospitality in this historically rich nation.
Local currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD) — US Dollar (USD) widely accepted.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Iraq.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- N/A (no hostels currently)
- Budget
- $25-45 (budget hotel like Deluxe Hotel Erbil or budget Baghdad guesthouses)
- Midrange
- $70-130 (3-star hotels like Tangram Erbil or Pearl Baghdad)
- Luxury
- $200-500+ (5-star like Mövenpick Baghdad, Divan Erbil, or Erbil Rotana)
Food
- Street
- $2-5 (shawarma, falafel, kubba from street vendors)
- Local
- $6-12 (full meal at local restaurant — masgouf, dolma, mixed grill)
- Midrange
- $15-30 (sit-down restaurant, two courses)
- Fine
- $50-100+ (fine dining at 5-star hotel restaurants)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.25-1 (local city bus, not recommended for tourists)
- Taxi
- $3-10 (Careem/city taxi within Erbil or Baghdad)
- Airport
- $15-50 (depends on airport — Erbil $15, Baghdad $35-50)
- Daytrip
- $30-80 (private taxi or organized tour to day trip destinations)
Activities
- Museum
- $3-5 (Iraqi National Museum, Sulaymaniyah Museum)
- Sites
- $3-10 (archaeological sites including Babylon, Ur, Ctesiphon)
- Tour
- $25-60 (guided half-day tour of city or historical site)
- Excursion
- $60-150 (full-day excursion with transport and guide, e.g. Babylon or Ziggurat of Ur)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Iraq costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$200-350/week (budget hotels, street food, local transport, free sites)
Midrange traveller
$550-1050/week (mid-range hotels, restaurant meals, organized tours)
Luxury traveller
$1750-3500+/week (5-star hotels, fine dining, private guides and transport)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat where locals eat — street food vendors and small local restaurants serve exceptional Iraqi food for $3-8 per meal compared to $20-40 at tourist-oriented places
Book accommodation directly with hotels for the best rates — international booking platforms may show higher prices than calling ahead
Use Careem (ride-hailing app) instead of street taxis in Baghdad and Erbil — prices are transparent and generally 20-30% cheaper than negotiated taxi fares
Travel in a small group to split private taxi and tour costs — day trips to Babylon or Ctesiphon from Baghdad cost $60-80 total for a private car regardless of passengers
Visit archaeological sites without guides for basic entry savings ($5-10 per site admission) but budget for a guide at complex sites like Babylon where interpretation significantly enhances the experience
Stay in the Kurdistan Region where prices for accommodation and food are 20-40% lower than equivalent quality in Baghdad
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Al-Mutanabbi Street book browsing
Baghdad's famous literary street and Friday book market is completely free to browse; one of the most culturally rich experiences in Iraq requiring no admission
Erbil Citadel exterior and promenade
Walking around the base of the UNESCO-listed Erbil Citadel, enjoying the panoramic rampart views, and exploring Qaysari Bazaar at its foot costs nothing
Sami Abdulrahman Park, Erbil
The vast park with lakes, walking paths, and fountains — the Middle East's largest urban park — is free entry and perfect for people-watching and relaxation
Abu Nuwas Corniche walk, Baghdad
Strolling the Tigris riverside corniche in the evening, watching fishermen and enjoying the river atmosphere, is one of Baghdad's finest free experiences
Souk Al-Safafeer (Copper Market) browsing
Watching master coppersmiths at work in Baghdad's ancient metalwork market costs nothing and offers extraordinary cultural observation opportunities
Martyr's Monument (Al-Shaheed), Baghdad
Iraq's most powerful modern monument — the split turquoise dome with eternal flame — can be photographed from outside free of charge; exterior grounds are open to the public
Shaqlawa Mountain views
Driving or taking a taxi up to Shaqlawa mountain resort provides free panoramic views over the Erbil plain; walking the mountain paths costs nothing