Overview
Iraq is a country in Asia according to areacodesexplorer. There are signs that Iraq is on the way to a more stable future. After all, the territory of present-day Iraq was the cradle of human civilization. Over the past several years, regional and national elections have been held, foreign troops have begun withdrawing, and the healing process of this war-torn country has begun. The more optimistic Iraqis have returned as security improved, and international firms are competing for the most lucrative oil exploration deals of the post-war era. Iraq is slowly being rebuilt. Most of the political The country’s social, technical and economic infrastructure was destroyed in the 2003 war, but official elections held in 2005 brought greater stability to Iraq. In June 2009, after largely successful regional elections, US and British troops withdrew from Iraq. Only a limited number of soldiers remain in army bases. US and British troops withdrew from Iraq. Only a limited number of soldiers remain in army bases.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Iraqi Airways (IA), Iraq’s national airline, is blacklisted by the EU. In a wet lease, AtlasGlobal (KK) connects Munich with Baghdad via Erbil for Iraqi Airways (IA) and Baghdad is served non-stop once a week from Frankfurt/M. flown in. From Frankfurt/M. Pegasus Airlines (PC) and Turkish Airlines (TK) also fly to Baghdad via Istanbul. Royal Jordanian (RJ) connects Frankfurt/M., Vienna and Geneva via Amman with Baghdad. There are daily non-stop connections to Erbil with Austrian Airlines (OS) from Vienna with a feeder flight from Zurich and with Lufthansa (LH) from Frankfurt/M. There is a non-stop flight from London to Sulaymaniyah once a week.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Baghdad: 4 hours; Frankfurt/M. – Erbil: 4 hrs 5 mins; Vienna – Erbil: 3 hrs 45 mins (non-stop flights). Vienna – Baghdad: 6 hours; Geneva – Baghdad: 6 hrs 35 mins; Zurich – Baghdad: 8 hours 15 minutes; Zurich – Erbil: 6 hours 10 minutes (each with a stopover).
Arrival by car
The embassies provide information on which border crossings are currently open. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Arrival by train
There is currently no cross-border rail traffic.
Arrival by ship
The ports of Basra, Khor az-Zubayr and Umm Qasr are closed to all passenger traffic.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
Domestic air services are operated by national carriers Iraqi Airways (IA) and Fly Baghdad Airlines (IF). Iraqi Airways (IA) connects Baghdad with Sulaymaniyah, Basra, Mosul and Erbil several times a day and once a week with Nasiriya. Fly Baghdad Airlines (IF) flies to Baghdad, Mosul and Erbil, among others.
Traveling by car/bus
The Iraqi road network has a total length of approximately 45,550 km. A highway runs north from Baghdad; a main road traverses the country from the Jordanian border to the Kuwaiti border. Driving at night is generally not recommended due to the chaotic conditions on the roads. Gas stations are sufficiently available.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
A large part of the road network, approximately 38,400 km, is paved. The routes from Baghdad to Basra and to the Jordanian border are very well developed. Apart from that, the roads are two-lane except for a few sections.
Road classification
The road network includes a highway linking Baghdad with the Kurdish north and a network of expressways between locations in the country and to the borders of neighboring countries.
Car rental
Rental cars are available at the airports and in the cities. The minimum driver age for most car rental companies is 25 years. A young driver fee is often payable locally for drivers aged 21 to 24.
Taxi
Taxis and shared taxis are available in the cities and can also be booked for cross-country travel. The fare should be agreed in advance, even if meters are available.
Coach
Buses only run irregularly; the routes are often changed.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; for vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, for illnesses: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. The ADAC partner club is the Iraqi Automobile and Touring Association (IATA) in Baghdad, Tel. +964 ( 0)1 5375771. In the event of breakdowns or accidents with the rental car, the car rental company should be contacted first.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Traveling in the city
In the larger cities there are minibuses and shared taxis. Baghdad has several bus lines, a local train and shared taxis. The buses are poorly maintained and often involved in accidents. Departure times are irregular; the routes can also change.
Locally on the way by train
Train travel in the country is not recommended. Only the Baghdad-Basra line is operational.
