Major city · Iraq
Zakho
Half a day to see the Delal Bridge and castle tower, then move on to Dahuk or Amedi. Not a base.
Zakho is a Kurdish border town on the Turkish frontier, best known for the ancient Pira Delal bridge and a ruined castle tower. Most travellers pass through on the land route between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan. The town itself can be seen in a few hours; it works as a lunch stop or a short break before heading to Dahuk or Amedi.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (very hot), Dec–Feb (cold and wet)
- Airport
- EBL
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Zakho104 ▾
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 Zakho, 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
- SafetyZakho is generally safe for travellers within Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 122 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEBL Erbil International Airport (About 2.5 h by car; taxis and shared vans available).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Short taxi ride within townIQD 3,000–5,000
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personIQD 15,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomIQD 50,000
- High-end bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomIQD 80,000
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
- EBL Erbil International Airport (About 2.5 h by car; taxis and shared vans available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Aug
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Sep
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Mar (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zakho: 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
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jul
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 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 centre is walkable. For the castle and bridge, a 15–20 min walk covers both. Taxis are cheap for longer trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dahuk
goDoor to door: 1 h
Shared taxi or minibus, about 45 min
Larger city with markets and the Dahuk dam.
Amedi
goDoor to door: 2 h
Shared taxi via Dahuk, about 1.5 h
Ancient hilltop town with dramatic views.
Batifa
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Shared taxi, about 1 h
Small town with a waterfall and hiking.
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.
City centre near the river
Closest to the bridge and castle; a few hotels and guesthouses.
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 20,000–35,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IQD 35,000–60,000 excl. bed
- High
- IQD 60,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × IQD 50,000 | IQD 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IQD 45,000 | IQD 90,000 |
| Shared taxi to Dahuk, one way2 × IQD 5,000 · check | IQD 10,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 15,000 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 82,500 per person per day, bed included | IQD 165,000 |
2026 estimate in Iraqi dinars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local restaurant | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Bottle of water | IQD 500 |
| Short taxi ride within town | IQD 3,000–5,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The border crossing to Turkey can have long queues; check conditions before planning a crossing.
- Alcohol is not widely available in public; respect local customs.
- Cash is king: bring Iraqi dinars or US dollars; cards are rarely accepted.
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.
ZakhoZakho
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
بۆ ئەم ناونیشانە، تکایەTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Ambulance122
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zakho → Dahuk, shared taxi: about IQD 5,000, 45 min (check)
- Zakho → Erbil, shared taxi: about IQD 15,000, 2.5 h (check)
Say or show
- سڵاو — Hello (sllaw)
- سوپاس — Thank you (supas)
- ئەوە چەندە؟ — How much? (ewa chanda?)
- بەڵێ / نەخێر — Yes / No (ballē / nakhēr)
Kurdish (Kurmanji) is the main language; Arabic is also understood.
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 Zakho. 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: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (very hot), Dec–Feb (cold and wet)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 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 Zakho
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