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'''Except for the autonomous Kurdistan region''', Iraq is in a state of war. It would probably be quite insane to hitch here. Most probable outcome is that you'll be picked up by police and flown to your home country at your expense.
'''==Iraqi Kurdistan'''==
'''===Entry'''===
'''===Hitching'''===
'''Checkpoints''' One of the reasons Kurdistan is safe at the moment is the huge amounts of Kurdish military checkpoints around the country. They're mostly looking out for Arab and Shia Iraqis entering the area, but they'll take an interest in foreign hitchers for sure. They'll check your passport and sometimes take you into a the chiefs office for questioning. Its not an interrogation, they just want to know why your here and where you want to go. Assure them that you are a tourist that wants to see the country and that you're not going south of Kurdistan, or to Mosul or Kirkuk. They'll usually let you go with no fuss. Sometimes theyll even make you a chai or give you some cold water. Checkpoint stops are pretty regular and theres no communication between each one, so be prepared to be stopped a lot in Kurdistan. It's usually not for longer than five to ten minutes at a time. '''Camping'''
Iraq
,no edit summary
'''Iraq''' is a country in the [[Middle East]].
'''We highly recommend to NOT hitchhike in the rest of Iraq (regions south of Kurdistan) at the moment.'''
This region is autonomous from the rest of Iraq and is completely safe for hitchhikers. People are warm, hospitable and very western friendly.
However, avoid going to the diputed cities of Mosul and Kirkuk. There are plenty of checkpoints and it is easy to avoid going into the cities if you make it clear to the driver. Its also a good idea to avoid remote mountainous areas near the Turkish border because of the ongoing Turkey-PKK conflict.
10 day visas for the Kurdistan region can be obtained for free at the only Turkish/Iraq border (Silopi-Zakho) for most nationalities.
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 cleary 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.
Hitchhiking is almost unheard of in Kurdistan, though very possible. Many bystanders will advise you to go to the bus terminal or take a taxi and won't understand what you're doing. However, trucks usually stop and will take you for free as will many cars. Some people may expect money (this is normal in Kurdistan), and see the ride as if they're a taxi. It's good to say that you have no money (''para no'') before you take the ride. Most people will respond with a carefree wave of the hand and invite you in, and some will drive away.
Kurdish people are very friendly and will go out of thier way to help you. Its very normal to be picked up and invited to stay at the family home of the driver.
===Checkpoints===
One of the reasons Kurdistan is safe at the moment is the huge amounts of Kurdish military checkpoints around the country. They're mostly looking out for Arab and Shia Iraqis entering the area, but they'll take an interest in foreign hitchers for sure. They'll check your passport and sometimes take you into a the chiefs office for questioning. Its not an interrogation, they just want to know why your here and where you want to go. Assure them that you are a tourist that wants to see the country and that you're not going south of Kurdistan, or to Mosul or Kirkuk. They'll usually let you go with no fuss. Sometimes they'll even make you a chai or give you some cold water.
===Camping===
Camping is possible in Kurdistan and safe. If you camp somewhere where people can see you, the police may come by and check your passports, but its unlikely that youll get any further hassle from the authorities.
