Iraq's transport infrastructure reflects decades of conflict and limited foreign investment. The road network extends approximately 59,623 kilometers according to government statistics, but pavement quality deteriorates sharply outside major urban corridors. The Baghdad-Basra highway runs 550 kilometers and remains the primary commercial artery connecting the capital to southern oil terminals. The route passes through Kut, Nasiriyah, and reaches Basra in approximately nine hours under normal traffic conditions. The Baghdad-Mosul highway covers 400 kilometers north through Samarra and Tikrit. Security conditions fluctuate along these routes and roadblocks remain common.
Domestic flights operate between Baghdad International Airport and Basra International Airport, Erbil International Airport, Najaf International Airport, and Sulaymaniyah International Airport. Iraqi Airways serves these routes with frequencies varying by season. Baghdad to Erbil flight time measures approximately one hour. Baghdad to Basra takes 55 minutes. Ticket prices range from 50 to 120 US dollars one-way depending on booking timing. Private carriers including Fly Baghdad and Air Arabia Iraq entered the market after 2014. Aircraft types predominantly include Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families. Flight cancellations occur without extensive advance notice.
Rail service exists but serves limited practical use for most travelers. The Baghdad-Basra line operates intermittently. The Baghdad Metro project announced in 2008 remains unbuilt as of 2025. Proposals for lines connecting major neighborhoods have not materialized into operational track. Iraqi Republic Railways manages approximately 2,000 kilometers of track nationally, much of it damaged or unmaintained since the 1990s. Services to Syria and Turkey halted in 2003 and have not resumed.
Taxis operate in all cities without standardized metering systems. Fares require negotiation before departure. A cross-town journey in Baghdad typically costs 5,000 to 15,000 Iraqi dinars depending on distance and traffic. Shared taxis run fixed routes between neighborhoods at lower per-person rates, usually 1,000 to 2,500 dinars. Car rental agencies exist in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra but require extensive documentation and deposits often exceeding 500 US dollars. International driving permits hold no legal standing; drivers must obtain Iraqi licenses or hire drivers with vehicles.
Private drivers with vehicles cost approximately 50 to 100 US dollars per day for intercity travel. This includes fuel and driver accommodation on multi-day trips. Vehicle types range from aging sedans to newer SUVs depending on agency and price point. Fuel prices in Iraq averaged 450 dinars per liter for regular gasoline in early 2024, among the lowest globally due to domestic subsidies. Diesel averaged 400 dinars per liter. Fuel availability varies by region with shortages occurring in non-oil-producing provinces during summer months.
Bus services connect major cities but schedules remain informal. Companies operate from stations in Baghdad including Alawi Bus Station for northern routes and other terminals for southern destinations. Baghdad to Najaf buses depart hourly during daylight and cost approximately 5,000 to 8,000 dinars for the 160-kilometer journey taking three hours. Baghdad to Karbala buses cover 100 kilometers in two hours for similar fares. Vehicles range from modern coaches on profitable routes to older microbuses on secondary connections. Air conditioning functionality cannot be assumed.
The Kurdistan Region maintains separate transport infrastructure. Roads between Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk show better maintenance than federal Iraq routes. The Erbil-Mosul highway reopened in segments after 2017 but portions remain damaged from military operations. Travel between Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq requires passing through checkpoints where document inspection delays range from 15 minutes to several hours depending on security situation and traffic volume. Kurdish and Arabic language signage coexist in Kurdistan Region while Arabic dominates elsewhere.
River transport on the Tigris and Euphrates serves minimal commercial or passenger function in 2025. Traditional wooden boats called taradas operate tourist excursions in Baghdad and Basra but do not function as scheduled public transport. The Shatt al-Arab waterway remains a commercial shipping channel for vessels accessing Basra port but carries no passenger ferries. Water levels in both rivers have declined due to upstream damming in Turkey, Syria, and Iran, reducing navigability in sections that once supported boats year-round.
Urban transport within Baghdad relies on private vehicles, taxis, and informal minibus networks. No metro, tram, or BRT system operates. Traffic congestion peaks between 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM on weekdays. Concrete blast walls installed after 2003 remain throughout central neighborhoods, creating bottlenecks and extending journey times. The government announced plans to remove these barriers but implementation proceeds slowly with many walls still standing as of 2025. Basra and Mosul face similar congestion without mass transit alternatives.