Major city · Iraq
Basra
Skip Basra for leisure unless you have essential business; safety, extreme heat and limited services make a short visit risky.
Basra is Iraq's third‑largest city on the Shatt al‑Arab, known for its oil industry and date‑palm groves. Tourist infrastructure is limited, public transport chaotic, and security concerns persist, so most travellers only pass through or stay for a single day if required for work.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (moderate temps, less humidity)
- avoid Jun–Aug (50 °C (122 °F)+ heat)avoid Jun–Aug (122 °F (50 °C)+ heat)
- Airport
- BSR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iraq before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iraq ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iraq before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iraq ↗Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region run separate entry rules; check both if relevant.
- Iraq ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iraq before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Basra104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Basra, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in dinars and US dollars covers almost everything: see Insurance & payments above.Iraq-wide
- SafetySecurity incidents can affect foreigners; stay in reputable hotels, avoid night travel alone, and keep a low profile.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 122 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBSR Basra International Airport.
- Getting aroundTaxis and ride‑hailing are cheapest and most reliable; public buses exist but lack English info; walking is difficult due to few sidewalks.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)IQD 2,500–4,000
- Street or quick mealTea (street vendor)IQD 1,500–2,500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (per km)IQD 1,200
- Budget bedBudget guesthouse, a night, per personIQD 15,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomIQD 80,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomIQD 120,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IQD 25,000 · Mid IQD 45,000 · High IQD 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BSR Basra International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Jul
Avoid
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Aug
Avoid
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Sep
not flagged
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Oct
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Mar (6 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Basra: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Jun
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Jul
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
0 rd
Aug
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
0 rd
Sep
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and ride‑hailing are cheapest and most reliable; public buses exist but lack English info; walking is difficult due to few sidewalks.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Az Zubayr (Basra Memorial)
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Taxi about 30 km (19 mi), 40 minTaxi about 19 mi (30 km), 40 min
War memorial; visit only in daylight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Basra International Hotel
High‑end, pool, multiple restaurants; prices from US$475/night
Grand Millennium Al Seef Basra
Luxury chain, central location
Shams Al Basra
Mid‑range, near corniche
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- IQD 25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IQD 45,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- IQD 80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel room1 × 1 night × IQD 80,000 | IQD 80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × IQD 45,000 | IQD 45,000 |
| Taxi (10 km)1 × IQD 12,000 · check | IQD 12,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × IQD 30,000 · check | IQD 30,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 25,100 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 192,100 per person per day, bed included | IQD 192,100 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | IQD 2,500–4,000 |
| Tea (street vendor) | IQD 1,500–2,500 |
| Taxi (per km) | IQD 1,200 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | IQD 800–1,200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security incidents can target foreigners; avoid traveling alone after dark.
- Extreme summer heat can cause dehydration; carry water and sunscreen.
- Tap water is not safe to drink.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Ambulance
- 122
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BasraBasra
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Ambulance122
Embassy
US consulate in Erbil (check address); other embassies in Baghdad.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi airport → city centre: ≈IQD 15,000 (check)
- Taxi city centre → Az Zubayr: ≈IQD 12,000 (check)
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much is it? (kam al‑siʿr?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the bathroom? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Basra. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar (moderate temps, less humidity) · avoid Jun–Aug (50 °C+ heat)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Basra
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