Iraq
Mesopotamia's ancient sites and the Kurdistan mountains, with serious security risks.
Sharply cheaper. The exchange rate moved +17.0%; local prices rose +3.1%.
- Lean
- $35
- Comfort
- $176
Off the board while a Level 4 advisory stands.
The short answerIn US dollars, as of November 12, 2026
Iraq: 17.5% cheaper for US-dollar travelers than a year ago, after adjusting for inflation. A mid-range day costs roughly $79 per person, excluding international flights; this is a rough estimate from limited price evidence. The US State Department advisory is Level 4 (do not travel). The country is not ranked while that advisory stands.
What your money buys there
30 monthsThe dashed line is what a currency converter shows. The solid line is the same thing after prices in both countries are taken into account. When they part, the solid one is telling the truth.
How the score is built
- Dislocation ×0.36
- 83
- Price floor ×0.30
- 64
- Safety ×0.20
- 0
- Ease ×0.14
- 20
Real price drop vs last year and vs the five-year norm
How low the daily cost is in absolute terms
From the current travel advisory
How well set up the country is for visitors
The full reading
| Real change, 3 months | +16.9% | Is the move still going, or already reversing? |
|---|---|---|
| Real change, 12 months | +17.5% | The headline: what your money buys versus a year ago. |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +17.0% | What a currency converter would tell you. |
| Local inflation, 12 months | +3.1% | How much of that the destination's own prices took back. |
| Versus five-year average | +15.6% | Cheap or dear against its own recent history. |
| Advisory | Level 4 | Do not travel |
| Ease of travel | 1.8 / 5 | Expedition-grade |
- Babylon and Ur
- Erbil's citadel
- Low prices outside the hotels
Do not travel, per the US advisory: terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict. The Kurdistan region is calmer but not exempt.
When to go
November is peak season- Janoff season
- Febshoulder season
- Marpeak season
- Aprpeak season
- Mayoff season
- Junoff season
- Juloff season
- Augoff season
- Sepoff season
- Octpeak season
- Novpeak season
- Decshoulder season
Safety and ease
- US State Department
- Level 4: Do not travel · updated October 22, 2026
- Read the full advisory ↗
- Advisories are often regional. A country-wide level can hide both safe areas and no-go zones, and other governments may judge differently.
- Tourism infrastructure
- Expedition-grade · 1.8 / 5
Iraq, in five questions
Answers are generated from the index reading of November 12, 2026, in US dollars. To cite: “Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026.”
- How much does it cost per day to travel in Iraq?
- As of November 12, 2026, a day in Iraq costs about $35 on a lean budget, $79 mid-range and $176 in comfort, per person, excluding international flights. These are modeled estimates, updated daily for local inflation and the exchange rate. Price evidence for this country is thin, so treat these figures as rough.
- Is Iraq cheaper to visit than a year ago?
- Yes. Over the past 12 months the exchange rate moved +17.0% for US-dollar holders while prices in Iraq rose +3.1%, a net real change of +17.5% in purchasing power. Against its own five-year average, Iraq is 15.6% cheaper.
- Is Iraq safe to travel to right now?
- The US State Department rates Iraq at Level 4: Do not travel. Do not travel, per the US advisory: terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict. The Kurdistan region is calmer but not exempt. Advisories are often regional and other governments may differ, so read the full advisory before booking.
- When is the cheapest time to visit Iraq?
- The shoulder months, when the weather is workable and prices ease, are: February, December. The best conditions, and the highest prices, come in: March, April, October, November. Right now (November) is peak season.
- How easy is Iraq to travel around?
- Iraq scores 1.8 out of 5 for ease of travel (expedition-grade), a measure of transport, lodging, payments, wayfinding and access to healthcare. Mesopotamia's ancient sites and the Kurdistan mountains, with serious security risks.
Elsewhere in Middle East
Reading of November 12, 2026. In US dollars, Iraq reads +17.5% over twelve months in real terms with a mid-range day near $79. Costs are modeled, not quoted: see the method.