Major city · Iraq
Tal Afarتلعفر
Skip unless you have a specific reason (family, research, aid work). The citadel is damaged, services are minimal and security is uncertain.
Tal Afar is a historic Turkmen-majority city in Nineveh Governorate, west of Mosul. Its Ottoman citadel was badly damaged in 2014 and reconstruction is partial. The city has limited accommodation, few working restaurants and no tourist infrastructure. Most travellers pass through on the road to Sinjar or skip it entirely.
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, rain)
- Airports
- EBL · OSM
- 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 Tal Afar104 ▾
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 Tal Afar, 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
- SafetyTal Afar is a post-conflict zone with ongoing security risks.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 115 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckEBL Erbil International Airport (About 2–2.5 h drive east; the most practical entry point for foreign travellers (check)).
- Getting aroundTaxis and private vehicles are the only practical options.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealLocal meal (kebab, rice, bread)IQD 5,000–10,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Short taxi ride within cityIQD 5,000–10,000 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekPhone SIM card (local, data)IQD 10,000–20,000 (check)
- 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 30,000 · Mid IQD 60,000 · High IQD 120,000
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 2–2.5 h drive east; the most practical entry point for foreign travellers (check)) · OSM Mosul International Airport (About 1 h drive east; limited flights, check current status)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
not flagged
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Aug
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Sep
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tal Afar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Jul
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°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
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 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 private vehicles are the only practical options. Walking is possible in the centre but security conditions may restrict movement.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mosul
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or private car east on Highway 1, about 1 h
Larger city with more services and sights including the Old City and Mosul Museum.
Sinjar
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or private car west on Highway 47, about 1 h
Historic Yazidi town; check security conditions before travelling.
Hatra
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi or private car south-east, about 1.5 h
UNESCO World Heritage site; check current access and security.
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; check current availability and security before booking.
Mosul
About 1 h east; more accommodation options and services.
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. bed (check)
- Mid
- IQD 50,000–100,000 excl. bed (check)
- High
- IQD 100,000+ excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room1 × 1 night × IQD 50,000 | IQD 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × IQD 60,000 | IQD 60,000 |
| Taxi from Erbil airport to Tal Afar, one way1 × IQD 80,000 · check | IQD 80,000 |
| Local taxi ride within Tal Afar1 × IQD 10,000 · check | IQD 10,000 |
| Buffer 20%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IQD 40,000 |
| Trip total≈ IQD 240,000 per person per day, bed included | IQD 240,000 |
check
2026 estimate in Iraqi dinar; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | IQD 500–1,000 |
| Local meal (kebab, rice, bread) | IQD 5,000–10,000 |
| Short taxi ride within city | IQD 5,000–10,000 (check) |
| Phone SIM card (local, data) | IQD 10,000–20,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check your government travel advice before any trip; this is a post-conflict zone.
- Tal Afar Citadel is damaged and may be unsafe to enter; view from outside only.
- Accommodation and food options are very limited; plan to bring supplies or stay in Mosul.
- Mobile coverage and internet may be unreliable; download offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Tal Afarتلعفر
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance115
Embassy
Most foreign embassies are in Baghdad; some have consulates in Erbil. Check your government's travel advice for nearest representation.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Erbil airport → Tal Afar, taxi: about IQD 60,000–120,000, about 2–2.5 h (check)
- Mosul → Tal Afar, taxi: about IQD 30,000–50,000, about 1 h (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much? (bikam)
- نعم / لا — Yes / No (na'am / la)
Carry US dollars in small bills; many places accept USD alongside IQD.
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 Tal Afar. 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, rain)
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Tal Afar Citadel with verified access and safety status.
- Eat pages with last orders and current operating hours.
- Sleep pages with verified contact and booking options.
- Transport pages with taxi fares and driver contacts.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata — Tal Afar
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tal Afar, revision 5330619 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Tal Afar
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