Difference between revisions of "Iraq"

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10 day visas for the Kurdistan region can be obtained for free at the only Turkish/Iraq border (Silopi-Zakho) for most nationalities.  
 
10 day visas for the Kurdistan region can be obtained for free at the only Turkish/Iraq border (Silopi-Zakho) for most nationalities.  
  
There is an agreement between the two countries that individuals cannot cross the border on foot. Therefore, there are a lot of taxis. However, if you wait for a while at the border and explain that you want to ''otostop'' the turkish guards may pay for your taxi (if they like you). This happened to hitchwiki member Vlad.  
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There is an agreement between the two countries that individuals cannot cross the border on foot. Therefore, there are a lot of taxis. However, if you wait for a while at the border and explain that you want to ''otostop'' the turkish guards may pay for your taxi (if they like you). This happened to hitchwiki member Vlad. But generally there are private cars crossing the border too and you can try to get a ride with them.
  
 
''If you decide to take a taxi, you might as well take it from [[Cizre]] (50 km from the border) instead of [[Silopi]] (10 km from the border) as the taxi prices are the same (20 TL). When I arrived in Iraq my Taxi driver dropped me off just after the border, he told me I would have to take another taxi to get to Zakho but the price would only be 1 TL - that was not true, the taxi was 4000 Iraqi Dinaar (about 6,5 TL). Anyway, don't take another taxi, it's just 10 kilometers to the town, you can walk or hitch it.'' --[[User:Jakobwithk|Jakobwithk]] 19:29, 12 January 2012 (CET)
 
''If you decide to take a taxi, you might as well take it from [[Cizre]] (50 km from the border) instead of [[Silopi]] (10 km from the border) as the taxi prices are the same (20 TL). When I arrived in Iraq my Taxi driver dropped me off just after the border, he told me I would have to take another taxi to get to Zakho but the price would only be 1 TL - that was not true, the taxi was 4000 Iraqi Dinaar (about 6,5 TL). Anyway, don't take another taxi, it's just 10 kilometers to the town, you can walk or hitch it.'' --[[User:Jakobwithk|Jakobwithk]] 19:29, 12 January 2012 (CET)

Revision as of 08:57, 14 February 2012

Flag of Iraq Iraq
Information
Language: Arabic
Capital: Baghdad
Population: 26,783,383
Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Hitchability: from Senseless.png (senseless) (because of the war) to <rating country='iq' /> (in the Kurdistan region)
More info: AVP Free Encyclopedia (Russian)
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots
<map lat='33.5' lng='43.5' zoom='5' view='0' height='300' float='right' />

Iraq is a country in the Middle East.

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.

We highly recommend to NOT hitchhike in the rest of Iraq (regions south of Kurdistan) at the moment.

Iraqi Kurdistan

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 disputed 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.

Entry

10 day visas for the Kurdistan region can be obtained for free at the only Turkish/Iraq border (Silopi-Zakho) for most nationalities.

There is an agreement between the two countries that individuals cannot cross the border on foot. Therefore, there are a lot of taxis. However, if you wait for a while at the border and explain that you want to otostop the turkish guards may pay for your taxi (if they like you). This happened to hitchwiki member Vlad. But generally there are private cars crossing the border too and you can try to get a ride with them.

If you decide to take a taxi, you might as well take it from Cizre (50 km from the border) instead of Silopi (10 km from the border) as the taxi prices are the same (20 TL). When I arrived in Iraq my Taxi driver dropped me off just after the border, he told me I would have to take another taxi to get to Zakho but the price would only be 1 TL - that was not true, the taxi was 4000 Iraqi Dinaar (about 6,5 TL). Anyway, don't take another taxi, it's just 10 kilometers to the town, you can walk or hitch it. --Jakobwithk 19:29, 12 January 2012 (CET)

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.

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 --Jakobwithk 19:29, 12 January 2012 (CET)

In February 2012 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 :) --rozwal

Hitching

Iraqi Kurdistan is probably one of the easiest places in the world to hitchhike. Almost every car will stop for you. People are very interested in meeting foreigners, so it might help to show that you are a tourist. Many people will want to take you to bus stations or taxi stands. Some people may expect money (this is normal in Kurdistan), and see the ride as if they're a taxi. They will often still take you, if you make it clear, that you don't have money.

Kurdish people are very friendly and will go out of their 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. It's 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.

Checkpoint stops are pretty regular and there's 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

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 you'll get any further hassle from the authorities.