How to Get to Iraq from Turkey

Hello Jackie,

To get to Iraq from Turkey you can take a bus from Istanbul to Silopi and then cross the border by taxi.

There is a very good chance that you will be able to go straight from the airport to the bus station in Istanbul and ride directly to Silopi. But it may be close, so I would have a backup plan. . . or just hang out at the bus station until the next bus leaves.

You will probably want to take some Turkish money out of an ATM when you land. Take out more than enough (maybe 150), as Turkish Lira are easy to exchange in Iraq. Bring lot of dollars, as I could not find an international ATM in Iraq and was told that the entire country is blacklisted by VISA.

I would think that a bus from Istanbul to Silopi should run you around 60 or 70 Turkish Lira. You can get a taxi from Silopi to the car park in Iraq for 30 Lira (you don’t have to pay more than this, there is a lot of competition between taxi drivers). If you arrive in Silopi late in the day there are hotels. I stayed in the New Hotel across the street from the bus station for 30 Lira (double room), but I think that this was the shabbiest hotel in the city. There are two more hotels around the corner from the bus station on the main street. One is a half block to the left and the other a block to the right. Not difficult to find.

Border crossing is not difficult, the taxi driver will escort you through everything.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

Wade

For more information:
Crossing Border Iraq to Turkey
Crossing Border Turkey to Iraq

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Hi I am flying to Istanbul on the 17th April, I have made a note of about 6 buses that I can get from the main bus station there, can I just book my ticket while at the bus station? I will arrive in Istanbul around 5pm what are the chances of getting an overnight bus to Silopi? My husband will be waiting for me in the little car park the otherside of the Ibrahim bridge. Any idea how much it will cost me bus fare? I am flying from the UK. Is it a good idea to change some money to Turkish money, or just dollars?
Sorry bombarding you with questions, just abit anxious about the Istanbul to Silopi part.

Jackie

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