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Iraq
,→Exit
On the way back, the Iraq side is walkable by foot, but when you reach the Turkish side they expect that you have a taxi. When they see you're clearly a backpacker type, they might be more lenient and arrange for a passing truck to take you through. In short, easier to cross the Turkish side without a taxi on the way back from Iraq. You may also find mini vans (dolmuses) willing to take you for free on the Iraqi side, you can normally find them in petrol stations filling up their tanks before they head over to the more expensive Turkey. However, be warned that they offer you a free ride because they want to use you to smuggle cigarettes, tea and other goods across to Turkey. The consequences of getting caught is not known but checks are usually fairly strict because of the P.K.K conflict in the Sirnak district and checks could take upto 5 hours or more. These mini-vans are usually happy to take you upto Silopi or Cizre at least for free.
December 2011: ''In December 2011 I managed to get a free ride back to Turkey by a friendly taxi driver who was going there anyway. I generally got the feeling that you can easily pass the border without paying for a taxi, there are a few private cars passing by that might pick you up. I walked into the border from Iraq and all the taxi drivers told me that hitchhiking/otostopping was not possible. Just ignore them, go and get your exit stamp, shortly after there's a checkpoint where you can ask people to give you a ride'' --[[User:Jakobwithk|Jakobwithk]] 19:29, 12 January 2012 (CET)
February 2012: ''In February 2012 after After thumbing for 5 seconds in Silopi city center I got a ride to Zakho in a private car. There were more private cars crossing the border so I have to say that from what I have seen I do not understand this overall cry about the taxis. Just do not come there with the idea of taking a taxi, and hitch you way as you always do! Be persistent, have some time, and open mind :)'' --[[User:Rozwal|rozwal]] [[File:Iraq_Border.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Border Crossing to Turkey]]
'''Iraqi Kurdistan - Iran'''
There are two main border crossings between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran: Piranshahr (the more popular of both) and Penjwin-Marivan. A third point exists between Tawela and Nowsud, but some locals say it is only for trucks and not specially safe - although this has not been not confirmed.
[[Penjwin-Marivan]]- the immigration office is somewhat randomly located on the right side (as you arrive) - walk towards the big gate with Iraqi/Kurdish flags and then take a right along the Duty Free shop. Once you get inside (it looks like a waiting room at the dentist's), locate the "exit" window, put your passport on top of the stack of passports there, sit down and wait for the officer to mispronounce your name. In April 2014 : ''[[User:Rovingsnails|Rovingsnails]] crossed this border without any problems. From Said Sadq a policeman stopped a bus for them, directly to Marivan (Iran).'' July 2019: ''[[user:Uncle_sam01|Uncle_sam01]] crossed fairly quickly, but finding the Kurdish immigration office was quite a scavenger hunt. The Iranian side was fairly quick and without searches. He was asked a bunch of "friendly" questions by the very-not-obvious secret police, incl. "What's your religion?" ...''
=== Hitching ===
