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Iraq
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'''NOTE: With the recent conflict with ISIS, Kurdistan has obviously gotten tenser. Though overall it is safe, it is highly recommended to have a couple of contacts with their telephone numbers before entering. It is perhaps also a good idea to learn some basic Kurdish; many Kurds (both officials and locals) fear foreigners are wanting to join ISIS, so try convince them that this isn't the case and they will live up to their reputation of being extremely hospitable!
Update on Security: While the fighting with ISIS is now winding down, new instability has sprung up after the Kurdish referendum on independence. The disputed city of Kirkuk and other disputed areas has been retaken by the Iraqi government, the Iraqi government has (as of 13th Nov 2017) closed the Kurdish international airports to all international flights and the Iraqi government is reported to have put its soldiers in the no mans land in the boarder crossings. Adding to this Turkey and Iran have threatened to close the boarder crossings. While Iraqi Kurdistan is awesome to visit, one should check the security for then as this remains a fluid situation.
'''
=== Entry ===
''In April 2014 we got to the border by truck. There are many mini-van smuggling goods into Iraqi Kurdistan, and the policeman on the turkish side was happy to show us into one of his friends'. They did not ask for money and neither looked interested in payment, but rather in having us as passengers in their list. On the Iraqi side a policeman asked the cars if anybody was going directly to Erbil.--[[''User:Rovingsnails|Rovingsnails]]
"If you are a Westerner, you can use your perceived status as a special guest in the country to help you in some difficult circumstances. E.g. with my New Zealand passport I managed to walk across the boarder on a Turkish holiday bypassing the massive queue and breaking the rule about no foot traffic. Because of the holiday, the border was all but shut and the queue there was definitely going to be there all day and night.
'''From Iran'''
=== Hitching ===
Iraqi Kurdistan is probably one of the easiest places in the world to hitchhike. Almost every car will stop for you, often it is not even necessary to signal for a ride. People are very interested in meeting foreigners, so it might help to show that you are a tourist. Many people will want to take you to bus stations or taxi stands.
Some people may expect money (this is normal in Kurdistan), and see the ride as if they're a taxi. They will often still take you, if you make it clear, that you don't have money.In my experience, if the car is a regular sedan, be suspicious as it is quite likely an unmarked taxi
Kurdish people are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you. Its very normal to be picked up and invited to stay at the family home of the driver.
One of the reasons Kurdistan is safe at the moment is the huge amounts of Kurdish military checkpoints around the country. They're mostly looking out for Arab and Shia Iraqis entering the area, but they'll take an interest in foreign hitchers for sure. They'll check your passport and sometimes take you into a the chiefs office for questioning. It's not an interrogation, they just want to know why your here and where you want to go. Assure them that you are a tourist that wants to see the country and that you're not going south of Kurdistan, or to Mosul or Kirkuk. They'll usually let you go with no fuss. Sometimes they'll even make you a chai or give you some cold water.
Checkpoint stops are pretty regular and there's no communication between each one, so be prepared to be stopped a lot in Kurdistan. It's usually not for longer than five to ten minutes at a time. The guards are likely to smile at you and say, "welcome to our country"
You should also note that the main road between Erbil and Zakho actually passes very close to the non-Kurdish city of Mosul. The Kurdish region is MUCH SAFER then the Arab part and there are a few tips to keep in mind just to make sure you don't venture into the wrong place:
