Major city · Iraq
Tikrit
Check current security advice before considering Tikrit. If safe, a half-day stop covers the main sights; no need to stay overnight.
Tikrit is a small city on the Tigris, known as the birthplace of Saladin and Saddam Hussein. Its sights – a damaged 8th-century church, a former presidential palace, and historic mosques – are few and mostly in ruins. The city is safe to visit during daylight but lacks tourist infrastructure. Most travellers pass through on the Baghdad–Mosul road without stopping.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- March–May, October–November
- avoid July–August (extreme heat), December–February (cold, rain)
- 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 Tikrit104 ▾
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 Tikrit, 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
- SafetycheckCheck your government's travel advice for Iraq before planning any trip.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 115 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBGW Baghdad International Airport (About 170 km (106 mi) south; the nearest major airport.BGW Baghdad International Airport (About 106 mi (170 km) south; the nearest major airport.
- Getting aroundTaxis are the only practical option within Tikrit; negotiate the fare before getting in.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSimple meal (kebab, rice, bread)IQD 5,000–8,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Local taxi ride (within city)IQD 5,000–10,000
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomIQD 30,000
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomIQD 50,000
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomIQD 80,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IQD 40,000 · Mid IQD 65,000 · High IQD 100,000
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 170 km (106 mi) south; the nearest major airport. Onward transport and timing: check.)BGW Baghdad International Airport (About 106 mi (170 km) south; the nearest major airport. Onward transport and timing: check.)
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
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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 (6 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tikrit: 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)
6 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 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
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 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 are the only practical option within Tikrit; negotiate the fare before getting in. The city is compact enough to walk between the main sights in a few hours.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 hour (check)
Taxi or private car, about 1 hour south on Highway 1
See the spiral minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra and the Al-Askari Shrine.
Mosul
goDoor to door: About 1.5 hours (check)
Taxi or private car, about 1.5 hours north on Highway 1
Rebuilding after ISIS; see the Old City, Al-Nuri Mosque and the rebuilt church.
Kirkuk
cautionDoor to door: About 2 hours (check)
Taxi or private car, about 2 hours northeast
Ethnically mixed city with a historic citadel; check security situation before going.
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
A few basic hotels near the main square. Availability, payment methods and amenities: check.
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 (check)
- Mid
- IQD 50,000–80,000 (check)
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room1 × 1 night × IQD 50,000 | IQD 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × IQD 65,000 | IQD 65,000 |
| Taxi from Baghdad (one way)1 × IQD 25,000 · check | IQD 25,000 |
| Local taxi per ride1 × IQD 5,000 | IQD 5,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 21,800 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 166,800 per person per day, bed included | IQD 166,800 |
2026 estimate in IQD; flights excluded. Cash only.
Prices of common things
| Local taxi ride (within city) | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Simple meal (kebab, rice, bread) | IQD 5,000–8,000 |
| Bottle of water | IQD 500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check your government's travel advice for Iraq before planning any trip.
- The road between Baghdad and Mosul has seen robberies and hijackings: travel during daylight, use a reputable driver.
- No passenger rail service to Tikrit; the station is closed.
- Cash only; no ATMs that accept foreign cards (check).
- Most sights are damaged or partially destroyed; set expectations accordingly.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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TikritTikrit
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance115
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Baghdad → Tikrit: about IQD 25,000–40,000, 2–3 hours (check)
- Local taxi per ride: IQD 5,000–10,000
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salaam alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much? (bikam?)
- نعم / لا — Yes / No (na'am / la)
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 Tikrit. 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: March–May, October–November · avoid July–August (extreme heat), December–February (cold, rain)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 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 Tikrit
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