Major city · Iraq
Ar Rutbaالرطبة
Skip unless you are crossing the Iraqi Desert by road and need a fuel-and-rest stop: 30 minutes, not a destination.
Ar Rutba is the westernmost town of any size in Iraq, a former fort and air-defence post on the Amman–Baghdad highway. The historic fort was destroyed in 2015–16 and the town shows scars of the ISIS occupation. There is no sightseeing reason to stop longer than a fuel-and-tea break.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat)
- Airports
- BGW · ADJ
- Nights
- 0
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
Emergency numbers for Ar Rutba104 ▾
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 Ar Rutba, 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
- SafetyAr Rutba is in a high-risk area.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 122 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBGW Baghdad International Airport (About 4 h drive east; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk, but the highway is the only practical way in and out.
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
- BGW Baghdad International Airport (About 4 h drive east; the nearest major airport.) · ADJ Amman Queen Alia International Airport (About 3.5 h drive west across the border; check visa and crossing status.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (4 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ar Rutba: 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
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jul
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 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
The town is small enough to walk, but the highway is the only practical way in and out. A private car or taxi is required.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hit
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Drive east on Highway 1 toward Ramadi, then north; about 2 h
Hit has a historic castle and hot springs, but security in Anbar province remains volatile.
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.
Ar Rutba town
Very limited options; check current security advice before booking any overnight stay.
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
- check
Watch out
Safety
- Fort Rutba was destroyed in 2015–16; nothing remains to see.
- Remnants of ISIS rule and battle damage may still be present.
- Check your government travel advice before any trip; this is a high-risk area.
- No public transport to or from Ar Rutba; you need your own vehicle or a hired driver.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Ambulance
- 122
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Ar Rutbaالرطبة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police104
- Ambulance122
Embassy
My embassy: —
No reliable mobile data in the desert; download offline maps before you leave Baghdad or Amman.
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 Ar Rutba. 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–Apr · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat)
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 4 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 Ar Rutba
Loading…
Was this useful?