This Iraq-Iran border crossing guide will tell you about all the border crossing options between Iraq, including Iraqi Kurdistan and Federal Iraq, and Iran.
It’s also providing a detailed report on how to cross the Iraqi Kurdistan-Iran border between Penjwen-Bashmaq border. This report will walk you through every single step of the journey including how to execute every single step, how long it takes, and how much it cost.
The Iraq-Iran border is a pretty long border. It’s as long as 1,599 km (994 mi).
MAP: IRAQ-IRAN BORDER CROSSINGS
1.1. IRAQI KURDISTAN-IRAN BORDER CROSSINGS
There are a couple of border crossings between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran. However, there are only 2 border crossings that make sense for travelers to use. They are the first 2 on the last.
I’m going to start the list from the most northern border.
On the Iraqi side, this border crossing is 65 km (40 mi) from the Iraqi city of Soran from which you can take a day trip to Rawanduz Valley and the Bekhal Waterfall. The border crossing is 20 km (12 mi) from Choman located at the foot of Iraq’s highest mountain, Halgurd. On the Iranian side, the Tamarchin Border Terminal is about 140 km (87 mi) from Urmia and about 285 km (177 mi) from the northern Iranian city, of Tabriz.
– Penjwen-Bashmaq:
On the Iraqi side, it’s about 110 km (68 mi) from Sulyamaniyah. On the Iranian side, it’s about 20 km (12 km) from Mariwan and about 140 km (88 mi) from Sanandaj. Find the detailed report in the next section.
– Parviz Khan
1.2. FEDERAL IRAQ-IRAN BORDER CROSSINGS
There are several crossings between Federal Iraq and Iran. I don’t have reports from international travelers crossing these borders. However, Iraqis and Iranians use these borders.
– Mandali-Sumar
– Almunthrya-Khosravi
– Zurbatiyah-Mehran
– Chazabeh
– Shalamcheh
This is the full route for the Penjwen-Bashmaq border crossing journey: Sharazur Terminal in Sulaymaniyah – Penjwen – Iraqi Kurdistan Iran Border Crossing – Bashmaq – Mariwan.
The distance is approximately 135 km (~84 mi).
This entire journey took me 3 hours.
Check out the map below to track the route and then the breakdown of the route in distance, time, and costs.
STEP 1: Private taxi from the old town of Sulaymanyiah to Sharazur Terminal in Sulaymaniyah: ~ 3 km, 3,000 Iraqi dinars (2.30 USD)
STEP 2: Shared taxi from Sharazur Terminal in Sulaymaniyah to Penjwen: ~ 100 km, ~1 hour 30 minutes, 7,000 Iraqi dinars (~5.30 USD)
STEP 3: From Penjwen to the Iraqi Kurdistan border: ~10 km, ~20-30 minutes, 2,000 Iraqi dinars (~ 1.50 USD)
STEP 4: From Iraqi Kurdistan border to the Iranian border: It’sa nice walk.
STEP 5: From the Iranian Border to the taxi station in Bashmaq: It’s a 1 km walk.
STEP 6: Private taxi from Bashmaq to Mariwan: 20 km (~ 12 mi), 300,000 – 350,000 Iranian rials (Currently, it’s less than a dollar.)
That is my guide for the border crossing from Iraqi Kurdistan to Iran using the Penjwen-Bashmaq border crossing.
3.1. HOW TO GET FROM SULAYMANIYAH TO PENJWEN
The first step is to get from Sulaymaniyah to the Iraqi Kurdistan border town called Penjwen.
In Sulaymaniyah, take a taxi to the bus-shared taxi station, called Sharazur Terminal. Location: here. A taxi from the city center of Sulaymaniyah to this station should cost 3,000 Iraqi dinars (2.30 USD).
When I got to the Sharazur Terminal, I asked for the minibus going to Penjwen. It was empty and as it was lunchtime. Thus, I assumed it would probably not get full for a while. So, I checked the shared taxis. So, know that there are both shared taxis and minibusses available for Penjwen from Sulaymaniyah.
The shared taxi from Penjwen to Sulaymaniyah cost 7,000 Iraqi dinars (~5.30 USD). The minibus is much cheaper but the shared taxi is much quicker.
A shared taxi for Penjwen got full with me. Thus, we left as soon as I threw my stuff into the boot. The driver was driving very fast and he managed to complete 100 km (62 mi) in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
In the taxi, I chatted with a girl, Shirin. I just asked her where she was going and so on. It turned out that she was also traveling to Iran. She started explaining a lot of stuff to me in Kurdish which I didn’t understand. In any case, we had fun.
Behind those mountains, you will find Iran. – Iran travel tips
3.2. HOW TO GET FROM PENJWEN TO THE IRAQI KURDISTAN BORDER
From Penjwen, you can take a shared taxi to the Iraqi-Kurdistan border.
The shared taxi from Penjwen to the border costs 2,000 Iraqi dinars (~ 1.50 USD).
I didn’t take it, because in Penjwen, one of Shirin’s cousins picked us up and took us to the Iraqi Kurdistan-Iran border. He was driving crazy fast on the bumpy dirt road. It took approximately 15 minutes to get to the border. We were singing and I was really happy about how things turned out.
3.3. AT THE IRAQI KURDISTAN – IRAN BORDER CROSSING: IRAQI KURDISTAN IMMIGRATION
Shirin’s cousin dropped us off at the office where they gave us the exit stamps for Iraqi Kurdistan. There were not many people. Thus, we didn’t have to wait much. It was very quiet and all chill. I put on my headscarf ready for Iran.
This is the border on the Iraqi side – Iran travel tips
You see, it’s not written exit from Iraq but exit from Kurdistan.
We walked to the entry gate of Iran. On the Iranian side, they don’t like photos. The Kurdish side is absolutely fine with taking photos.
3.4. AT THE IRAQI KURDISTAN – IRAN BORDER CROSSING: IRANIAN IMMIGRATION
On the Iranian side, my passport and Iran visa were checked like it was for everyone. I put my luggage throw the scanner when a man came and kept checking my passport. He didn’t speak English.
My new friend tried to explain to him that I was just a tourist. He seemed to be calling someone and checking some information about me. A couple of minutes later, he gave back my passport.
3.5. ON THE IRANIAN SIDE OF THE BORDER IN BASHMAQ
On the Iranian side of the Iraqi Kurdistan-Iran border, there were a lot of men exchanging money. My friend exchanged some Iranian rials. I was also going to change Iranian rials from Iraqi Dinars. But it was super confusing at that moment.
Shirin was in a hurry. “Come, Diana! You can change money later.” Actually, I didn’t always know what she told me. I was just guessing.
“Come, Diana, come!” – urged me to be quicker. I threw my bag in the taxi and we were again on the way in no time. I didn’t even know where we were going. Lol, she could have even kidnapped me.
We were in a hurry. We didn’t even close the boot. :-)
As for the exchange rate, people normally say that the exchange rate is the worst for us when we exchange money at places like borders. This time was an exception. This was the best exchange for the Iraqi dinar and the Iranian rial I saw while I was in Iran.
Why? Because this is the Middle East and you can never know what the next minute can bring. By the way, don’t go to Iran with Iraqi dinars. The best is to take Euros or Dollars.
Even though I don’t recommend you take Iraqi Dinars to Iran, I don’t regret not exchanging them for Euros. Why? Exchanging Iraqi dinars on the streets of Iran brought me a lot of adventures. :-) Haggling on the black money market with Iraqi dinars and Iranian rials was really cool.
On a side note, if possible I always exchange money on the black market in Iran as I can get better deals there.
3.6. HOW TO GET FROM BASHMAQ TO MARIWAN
A few minutes later, we got to a point where there was a parking lot with taxis and cars. Everything was happening super fast.
A friend was waiting for Shirin there. They were going to Sandajar. I was going to get a taxi to get to Mariwan.
The distance between Bashmaq and Mariwan is only 20 km (~ 12 mi). A taxi should cost somewhere between 300,000 – 350,000 Iranian rials.
Exchange rate check – Iran travel tips
I was trying to make a deal with the taxi drivers for the ride from the border to my hostel. Everyone kept saying that there was no hostel in Mariwan and the taxi drivers all wanted to take me to some other place. It was super confusing. I felt like on another planet. Also, I was so hungry.
“You take me where I want or no deal.” – I told these guys who didn’t even understand English. That’s really how I talk when I do business on the street. And then they ask me: Why are you so tough?
“Come, Diana! Come with us!” – I heard again.
In the end, I went with Shirin and they took me to my hostel in Mariwan.
First, they wanted to convince me to stay in another hotel as it cost only 500,000 Rials which was much cheaper than the hostel. I told them that I have booked i already, so I prefer to go there. Sure, I know, hotels in Iran can be cheaper than hostels. But for my first day, I preferred a hostel.
So, everything went super quick. Actually, too quickly. In less than 3 hours, I was in my hostel in Mariwan.
3.7. MY FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE PENJWEN-BASHMAW BORDER CROSSING
1. Traveling is pretty easy in Kurdistan no matter where you are
There is actually not much infrastructure in terms of public transport in Kurdistan. Moreover, only very few people speak English. During this border-crossing adventure, I didn’t meet anyone who could speak English. Moreover, I pretty much traveled without knowing how to get to my next destination as usual. Yet, things always went smoothly.
Why was it so easy? I cannot deny that having an extensive solo travel experience can make things easier. However, what really makes things easy in Kurdistan are the people. Kurdish people are very nice and helpful. You always find people spontaneously who will help you to get around.
2. People are super nice in Kurdistan
Let me just repeat myself. As for my personal experience, Kurdish people are the nicest people I met in the world.
I cannot rave enough about the kindness and hospitality of Kurdish people.
My trip to Iraqi Kurdistan started amazing thanks to wonderful strangers I met on the way and it was also closed with happy moments thanks to my new friend, Shirin.
During my trip, I met so many nice people that I could not believe it. I wish peace for the Kurdish people for the present and future because they deserve it.
3. The world is not as dangerous as the media shows us
I cannot deny the fact, that the Middle East has things going on. Actually, these days there is a lot going on. However, it doesn’t mean that the entire Middle East is on fire as the media suggests
Actually, I give zero damn about what the media says. I love traveling in the Middle East. I’ve already been to many places in the Middle East and still, there are so many wonderful places to see.
Do you wanna see my Middle East travel bucket list? Check out my collection of the best places to visit in the Middle East.
4.1. IRAQI KURDISTAN VISA ON ARRIVAL
Citizens of the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, UK, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, South Korea, Iran, Turkey, and Brazil can get a visa on arrival upon entering Iraqi Kurdistan.
The price of the VISA on arrival is generally 75 USD and it’s valid for 30 days.
The Iraqi Kurdistan visa is not valid in federal Iraq. If you want to travel to federal Iraq from Kurdistan, you will have to fly to federal Iraq, for example to Baghdad, and get an Iraq visa.
4.2. IRAQ VISA ON ARRIVAL
Iraq visa on arrival can be obtained at every Iraq-Iran land border and it’s valid for 2 months.
IRAQ VISA ON ARRIVAL FREE OF CHARGE
Nationals of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival free of charge:
Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
IRAQ VISA ON ARRIVAL WITH PAYMENT
Citizens of the following countries can get a visa on arrival for ~ 77 USD
European Union citizens: (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden), Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zeeland, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia.
4.3. IRAN VISA
Getting an Iranian visa has its own process.
Check out my travel guide on How to Get an Iranian Tourist Visa.
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This was such a great read, I really hope to visit both of these countries one day! There is something special about land border crossings, how did you like Mariwan?
I loved Mariwan. It’s a very unique and interesting place. I was there during demonstrations. So, I didn’t get to travel there much.
This was fun to read. And the pictures look very familiar! I worked in Sulaymaniyah for a few years, and took the bus from Suli to Sanandaj in the spring of 2016. Actually my tour guide met me at the border, and since my passport/customs process was taking a long time, she told the bus to go on, and I went with her to Sanandaj. I’m an American and the border officials seemed a bit surprised that I would be on the bus!
They had lots of questions for me, but were perfectly friendly, They clearly just wanted to be sure they didn’t forget any important questions, and once they felt they had asked all they were supposed to they were quite friendly. The trip overall was fantastic. For me it was actually GOOD to travel in Iran as an American. People were suddenly much more interested in talking with me when I said I was American. I really hope I can go back.
Wauu, thanks a lot for sharing your story from 2016. I’m always thrilled to read border-crossing stories from the Middle East. Yes, Iranians love Americans. Generally, they love foreigners, but especially Americans. :-) Yes, you should travel to Iran again when you have the chance. There is too much to see and experience in Iran.
I am glad you visited Kurdistan region in iraq and Kurdistan region in iran. Kurdish people are so friendly
Yes, indeed, Kurdish people are really friendly. :-)
I’m planning to do Iran-Iraq travel soon (Insha Allah!) and though this post is done vice versa, the name of the places are really helpful! Hope you are always safe on your travels! Love from the Philippines! <3
Hi Denisse! Thank you very much. Safe travels to you as well.