Iraq Railways...
Iraq is not the most popular tourist destination at the moment. But trains are running again between Baghdad and Basra, the main city on the Gulf, equipped with air-conditioning and sleepers.
Baghdad - Basra train schedule & fares
Useful
country information
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Train operator: |
Iraq Railways - no website. |
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Time zone: |
GMT+3 all year |
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Dialling code: |
+964 |
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Currency: |
£1 = approx 1,900 Iraqi Dinars. $1 = approx 1,400 Iraqi Dinars. Currency converter |
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Tourist information: |
See UK Foreign Office travel advice at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq before attempting to visit Iraq. |
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Visas: |
UK citizens need a visa for Iraq. |
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Page last updated: |
4 April 2022. |
Baghdad to Basra
An overnight train links Baghdad with Basra every day. The distance by rail is 541 km (336 miles).
Baghdad ► Basra |
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Basra ► Baghdad |
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Train number: |
20 |
Train number: |
20 |
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Days of running: |
Sat, Sun, Mon * |
Days of running: |
Sun, Mon, Tue * |
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Baghdad Central |
19:00 |
Basra Al Maqal station |
18:00 |
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Basra Al Maqal station |
04:30 |
Baghdad Central |
06:15 |
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* Service is currently reduced from daily to 3 per week as shown, due to Covid-19.
You must be at the station 1 hour before departure.
How much does it cost?
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One-way fare, per person |
Sleeper, 2-berth |
Sleeper, 4-berth |
Seat, 1st class |
Seat, 2nd class |
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Baghdad - Basra |
30,000 dinars ($21) |
25,000 dinars ($17) |
12,000 dinars ($8) |
8,000 dinars ($6) |
How to buy tickets...
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Buy tickets at the station. There is no online booking.
What is the train like?
The train is currently a Chinese-built air-conditioned train with a power car at each end, featuring 4-berth sleepers, a handful of 2-berth sleepers, ordinary seats and a buffet car. The train was only built in 2015, although dust from the desert takes its toll and you'll find some windows cracked from children throwing stones. The sleepers are in 4-berth compartments, the sleeping-cars are locked off from the seats part of the train.
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The Baghdad-Basra train in 2019. Courtesy of Charles Kennedy... |
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Ordinary seats. Courtesy Rik Brinks... |
Buffet car. Courtesy Rik Brinks... |
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2-bed sleeper. Larger photo. Courtesy Luke Heater... |
4-bed sleeper. Larger photo. Courtesy Luke Heater... |
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Boarding the train. Courtesy Rik Brinks... |
Arrival at Baghdad. Courtesy Rik Brinks... |
Baghdad station...
Baghdad Central station was built 1949-1953, designed by British architect JM Wilson, who had been an assistant to Lutjens in New Delhi. See station location map.
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Baghdad station. Courtesy Rik Brinks... |
Ticket windows for the Basra train... |
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Map of the Iraqi rail network from 2009. Courtesy Rik Brinks... |
Station hall. Courtesy Rik Brinks... |
More information...
If anyone has any more information. photos or travel reports that would be useful for this page, please e-mail me!