Your stay — Mali Haji
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Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Iraqi Dinar, IQD
Travellers can exchange currency at licensed money changers in the city centre, but be cautious of rates at the airport or tourist bureaux, which may be unfavourable. The Kurdish Exchange Company is a reliable option.
Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops in the 44001 area, but contactless payments are not common, and mobile payments are not widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service, typically 5-10% in restaurants and cafes, and 10-20 IQD for taxi drivers.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A strong cardamom-flavoured coffee can be found at street vendors for around 2,500 IQD ( approx. £1.50).
A plate of kebabs or falafel from a street food stall costs around 5,000-7,000 IQD ( approx. £3-4).
A hearty bowl of masgouf (grilled carp) at a local restaurant costs around 15,000-20,000 IQD ( approx. £8-12).
The streets around the Grand Mosque and the local market are popular for street food, offering a variety of Kurdish and Iraqi dishes.
Majid and Al-Rashad are two common supermarket chains in the area, offering a range of basic supplies.
The local bazaar and street stalls near the Grand Mosque offer affordable clothing options, including traditional Kurdish garments and souvenirs.
A day pass for public buses costs around 5,000 IQD ( approx. £3), and a taxi ride from the airport to the city centre costs around 20,000-30,000 IQD ( approx. £12-18).
Bargain for prices at the local market, try street food, and consider visiting the city's many mosques to experience the local culture without incurring entrance fees.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Erbil, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Mali Haji
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Erbil Airport (main road stop) → Rashid Mall / City Centre (near GRATUS)
💡 The GR8 runs along 60 Metre Road. Get off at Rashid Mall stop; GRATUS is a 5-min walk east. Exact change needed or prepaid card from the driver.
Erbil Citadel area → Ankawa district (near GRATUS)
💡 Flag a yellow-plate shared taxi heading east on Gulan Street. You'll likely share with locals. Minimum fare is 1,000 IQD per passenger. Best for short hops.
Erbil International Airport (EBL) → GRATUS Hotel (or city centre)
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in; 10,000–15,000 IQD is standard for city centre. Use official taxi stand outside arrivals.
Anywhere in Erbil → GRATUS Hotel
💡 Use the app to set pickup/drop-off; pay in cash usually. Surge pricing is rare outside peak hours. Drivers often know GRATUS by its old name 'Khanya Hotel'.
About Erbil
Wikipedia ↗
Erbil (Arabic: أربيل, romanized: ʾArbīl; Syriac: ܐܲܪܒܹܝܠ, romanized: Arbēl), also called Hawler (Kurdish: هەولێر, romanized: Hewlêr), is the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the capital of the Erbil Governorate. Erbil is described as the region's cultural, economic...
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is check-in at Mali Haji?
Check-in at Mali Haji is from null. Check-out is by null.
Where can I eat cheaply near Mali Haji?
A plate of kebabs or falafel from a street food stall costs around 5,000-7,000 IQD ( approx. £3-4).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mali Haji?
A day pass for public buses costs around 5,000 IQD ( approx. £3), and a taxi ride from the airport to the city centre costs around 20,000-30,000 IQD ( approx. £12-18).
Top Attractions in Erbil
💡 Try freshly squeezed pomegranate juice from one of the stalls—around 1000 IQD. Keep your wallet in a front pocket; pickpocketing can happen in crowds.
💡 Go in late afternoon for cooler temperatures and good light for photos. The citadel closes at sunset—check times as they shift with seasons.
💡 Combine with a walk through the nearby old Christian quarter—Qaraqosh—for a different vibe. No entrance fee, but bring water as there’s little shade in the park.
💡 Bring bread to feed the fish and ducks—kids love it. The park has separate family and men-only areas; women should bring a scarf for modesty near the mosque section.
💡 The attendant can often explain the patterns and tribal meanings if you ask. Visit on a weekday morning when it's quietest.