Money at Erbil International (EBL)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Erbil, Iraq.
Erbil uses the IQD (ID). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly IQD 15,000–25,000 total. USD widely accepted; small clean bills preferred.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Erbil International (EBL)?
Iraq uses the IQD (ID). Airport ATMs dispense IQD directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from EBL to the city cost?
Expected fare on the EBL → Erbil citadel route is roughly IQD 15,000–25,000 total. Around IQD 35,000+ is already high, and IQD 50,000 'foreigner' is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at EBL?
Not expected. Drivers in Iraq don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at EBL?
USD widely accepted; small clean bills preferred. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of IQD notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at EBL?
Only if you need $10–20 of IQD to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.