✈ Transfer Options from Baghdad Airport to Karbala

The historic city of Karbala is approximately 119 km from Baghdad Airport (BGW). Karbala is a pilgrimage city among Shia Muslims, with millions visiting every year to see the Holy Shrines of Imam Hossain and Abu Fadhl Al-Abbas.

Karbala is an excellent travel destination for non-Muslims, too, with so much to see and do, including theme parks such as the Nawaris Karbala Amusement Park and interesting archaeological sites on the outskirts of the city like Al-Ukhaidir Fortress.

To get to Karbala from Baghdad Airport, you can either take a taxi or pre-book a private transfer with Welcome. The drive takes 1 hour and 45 minutes, and the cost of a cab will be approximately €140 (IQD 197,298).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Baghdad at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€140	105min	24/7

How to get from Baghdad Airport to Karbala by taxi

The easiest way to get from Baghdad Airport to Karbala is by taking a taxi. It’s a convenient transfer option available 24/7 with a door-to-door journey time of around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Taxis in Iraq don’t have metres, so you must agree on a price for the fare with your driver before leaving the airport.

Taxi fare from Baghdad Airport to Karbala

Taxi vehicles aren’t fitted with meters in Baghdad or throughout Iraq, so you must agree on a fare price with the driver before you depart. The standard rate from Baghdad Airport to Karbala is €140 (IQD 197,298), but this can vary depending on traffic conditions at the time of your departure and how far you are from your drop-off point.

If you’d prefer to avoid wasting time haggling with taxi drivers, you can book a private transfer ahead of time, with a reputable transport service company such as Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€140

Trip Duration

105 Min.

Rates are subject to change unless you pre-book your ride.

Convenience

Safety

Value

Taxis at Baghdad Airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

The taxi rank at Baghdad Airport is out the front of the Arrivals Hall. Once you grab your suitcase and walk out of the Arrivals Hall, walk to the exit door, and you’ll see the line of taxis waiting to take you to your accommodation in Karbala.

Convenience

Taxis from Baghdad Airport to Karbala are the most convenient transport option. Your driver will be waiting outside the Arrivals Hall and will drop you straight to your hotel in Karbala in an air-conditioned vehicle in just 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Editor’s Note

Standard taxis in Baghdad can take four passengers with one piece of luggage each free of charge.

Useful Tips

You can only pay for taxis in Baghdad with cash. Credit/debit card payments are not accepted.

Always agree on a final price for the fare with your driver before you get in the cab.

Carry small bills with you or your driver might not have a change to give you.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from Baghdad Airport to Karbala?

Your only option for getting from Baghdad Airport to Karbala is a taxi or a private transfer. Local taxis will charge approximately €140 for the ride, and can fit up to four people; the journey lasts around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

What's the cost of a taxi from Baghdad Airport to Karbala?

Taxis in Baghdad don’t have taximeters, so you’ll have to negotiate a price with your driver for the journey to Karbala. They’ll base the cost on how many passengers are travelling with you, the exact location of your hotel or apartment in Karbala and the traffic conditions at the time.

The ride costs, on average, €140, but this varies on the driver. Of course, you can always pre-book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups, pay in advance and get flexible cancellation too, so you don’t have to run around Baghdad Airport looking for an exchange office or an ATM machine.

How far is Karbala from Baghdad Airport?

The distance from Baghdad Airport to Karbala is 119 km, and the drive takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on the route your driver opts for and the traffic conditions at the time.

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How to get from Baghdad Airport to Karbala by taxi