Major city · Iraq
Umm Qasr
Go only if you are passing through southern Iraq: half a day for the market and waterfront, then sleep in Basra, about 1 h north.
Umm Qasr is Iraq's main deep-water port, on the Khawr az-Zubayr channel that leads to the Gulf, about an hour south of Basra by road. There is little conventional sightseeing: a market, a working waterfront and a port restaurant. Treat it as a half-day look at a working port city, then base in Basra.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IQD
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (45 °C (113 °F) days), and the first days after Ramadanavoid Jun–Sep (113 °F (45 °C) days), and the first days after Ramadan
- Airport
- BSR
- 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 guide8 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 Umm Qasr104 ▾
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 Umm Qasr, 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
- SafetyUmm Qasr sits next to a working port and the Kuwait border, so expect checkpoints and ID checks.
- Emergency numbers104 police · 115 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBSR Basra International Airport (About 60–90 min by road north to Umm Qasr; no civilian airport in Umm Qasr itself (check)).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk between the market and the waterfront; taxis and shared cars cover the port road and the run north to Basra.
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
- BSR Basra International Airport (About 60–90 min by road north to Umm Qasr; no civilian airport in Umm Qasr itself (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jun
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Jul
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Aug
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Sep
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Oct
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Umm Qasr: 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
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
May
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Jun
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Jul
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Aug
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
0 rd
Sep
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Oct
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°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
The town is small enough to walk between the market and the waterfront; taxis and shared cars cover the port road and the run north to Basra. Agree the fare before you get in.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Basra
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Shared taxi or private car north on the Basra road
Where the beds, cafés and airport are; most travellers sleep in Basra and visit Umm Qasr as the day trip.
Door to door: 3–4 h
Road via Basra, then northwest
Too far for a return day; sleep there.
Kuwait border
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi to the border crossing south of town
Check your visa and entry rules before setting out; not a casual stroll.
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.
Umm Qasr town centre
A handful of simple guesthouses and hotels near the market; book ahead or expect to be turned away (check).
Basra
About 1 h north; the practical base with real hotels, restaurants and the airport.
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 40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IQD 70,000–130,000 excl. bed
- High
- IQD 130,000+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Port and border zones are restricted: do not photograph checkpoints, gates or vessels without permission.
- Summer heat from June to September is extreme; move early morning and after sunset.
- Very limited hotel choice in town: most travellers sleep in Basra.
- No single national emergency number: save your hotel's number and your embassy's.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 115
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 Umm Qasr. 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: Nov–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (45 °C days), and the first days after Ramadan
- 1 airport 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
- 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 Umm Qasr
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