Major city · Iraq
Ctesiphon
Half a day from Baghdad: see the Arch of Ctesiphon and Salman Al-Farsi Mosque, then return. No hotels in town.
Ctesiphon is a single-ruin site 35 km south of Baghdad. The only standing structure is Taq Kasra, the world's largest unreinforced brick arch, built by the Sasanian Empire. The nearby town of Salman Pak has a mosque with the tomb of Salman the Persian. No accommodation exists on site; most visitors come from Baghdad for a morning or afternoon.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold and muddy)
- Airport
- BGW
- 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 Ctesiphon104 ▾
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 Ctesiphon, 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
- SafetyCtesiphon is in the Baghdad Belts, a region with variable security.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 122 ambulance · 115 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBGW Baghdad International Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) north; taxi to Ctesiphon about 1–1.5 h, check security situation).BGW Baghdad International Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) north; taxi to Ctesiphon about 1–1.5 h, check security situation).
- Getting aroundPrivate car or taxi from Baghdad is the only practical option.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSnack at Salman Pak bakeryIQD 2,000–5,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Baghdad–Ctesiphon one waycheckIQD 15,000–25,000
- Budget bedHostel bed in Baghdad, a night, per personIQD 15,000
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel room in Baghdad, a night, per roomIQD 70,000
- High-end bedMid-range hotel room in Baghdad, a night, per roomIQD 120,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IQD 30,000 · Mid IQD 50,000 · 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
- BGW Baghdad International Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) north; taxi to Ctesiphon about 1–1.5 h, check security situation)BGW Baghdad International Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) north; taxi to Ctesiphon about 1–1.5 h, check security situation)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Avoid
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
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
not flagged
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jul
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Aug
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Sep
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ctesiphon: 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)
5 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jun
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jul
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Aug
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°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
Private car or taxi from Baghdad is the only practical option. Roads to Salman Pak are paved; check local security advice before travel.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Baghdad
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or private car, about 35 km (22 mi) northTaxi or private car, about 22 mi (35 km) north
Return to Baghdad for accommodation and food.
Babylon
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi south, about 1 h
Check security; the site is a day trip from Baghdad.
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.
Baghdad
No hotels in Ctesiphon or Salman Pak. Stay in Baghdad and drive south.
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 30,000–50,000 excl. transport from Baghdad
- Mid
- IQD 50,000–80,000 excl. transport
- High
- IQD 80,000+ excl. transport
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room in Baghdad1 × 1 night × IQD 70,000 | IQD 70,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IQD 50,000 | IQD 100,000 |
| Taxi round trip Baghdad–Ctesiphon1 × IQD 50,000 · check | IQD 50,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 33,000 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 126,500 per person per day, bed included | IQD 253,000 |
2026 estimate in Iraqi dinar; transport from Baghdad not included. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Taxi Baghdad–Ctesiphon one waycheck | IQD 15,000–25,000 |
| Bottle of water | IQD 500–1,000 |
| Snack at Salman Pak bakery | IQD 2,000–5,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No hotels, restaurants or shops in Ctesiphon itself; bring water and snacks.
- The arch is fragile and may be closed for conservation: check on site.
- Security situation near Baghdad varies; read your government travel advice and the Iraq warning.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Ambulance
- 122
- Fire
- 115
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CtesiphonCtesiphon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Ambulance122
- Fire115
Embassy
Most embassies are in Baghdad. Check your government's travel advice for contact details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Baghdad–Ctesiphon one way: IQD 15,000–25,000, about 1 h (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much? (bikam?)
- إلى القوس، من فضلك — To the arch, please (ila al-qaws, min fadlik)
Carry your passport and visa at all times; checkpoints are common.
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 Ctesiphon. 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: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold and muddy)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page with verified opening hours for Taq Kasra and Salman Al-Farsi Mosque.
- Eat page for Ovens and Pastries Mustafa and Sweets Factory Hussein Alchukrgi.
- Transport page for taxi from Baghdad with fare bands.
Sources
Ask about Ctesiphon
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