Iraq

Travel tips for Iraq: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cash is essential. Recent traveler reports from 2025-2026 confirm Iraq is heavily cash-reliant, with card readers rarely used. Visitors must bring USD cash to exchange, as ATMs can be unreliable and cards are generally only accepted at major international hotels.

Try the food

  • Masgouf (مسكوف): A butterflied carp seasoned with tamarind and spices, slow-grilled on stakes around an open wood fire.
  • Quzi (قوزي): Slow-roasted lamb stuffed with rice, nuts, and raisins, served over a bed of heavily spiced rice.
  • Kleicha (كليجة): Traditional Iraqi cookies filled with a sweet date paste and flavored with cardamom and rose water.

Say it in Arabic

  • Hello: مرحبا (marhaba)
  • Thank you: شكرا (shukran)
  • Please: من فضلك (min fadlak)
  • Excuse me: عفوا (afwan)
  • How much is this?: بيش هذا؟ (besh hatha?)
  • The bill please: الحساب من فضلك (al-hisab min fadlak)
  • Yes / No: نعم / لا (na'am / la)
  • Goodbye: مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama)

Essentials

Voltage
230V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
SIM tip
Zain and Asiacell offer reliable prepaid tourist SIM cards that can be easily purchased at major airports and official kiosks upon arrival.

Etiquette

Always use your right hand for eating, passing items, and greeting, as the left hand is traditionally considered unclean.

Airports in Iraq