Originally Posted by Travelbug

Iraq and North Iraq (Kurdistan) are two completely separate countries, as most people here are aware.

Therefore, info about Erbil, coming from Bagdad is about as "local" as judging Somaliland from Mogadishu or Pyongyang from Seoul or Khartoum from Juba or Sebastopol from Kiev.

Part of this thread, including the title was misleading (it almost misled me not to go, until I saw eurasiaoverland's post), because it creates the impression that in North Iraq, there would be a high threat because of ISIS. Such as attacks on Erbil or raids onto the highway. Which is simply not true.

Even if Western governments and mainstream media reports want to make us believe it.

Erbil is oil-rich, booming, super-modern, plenty of fully booked hotels, lots of expats. The rest of North Iraq also has been and remains a well-developed, stable country.

Mossul, Rakka and Kobane are NOT in North Iraq.

Kirkuk has only recently (June 2014) been taken over by North Iraq (talking about territorial gains/losses here !), and therefore may be slightly volatile.

North Iraqi border police will NOT allow foreigners to cross into the volatile areas (= exiting North Iraq), however it is possible to sneak over with local guides (illegal entry into Iraq - prior visa required !).

The transit from Iran via North Iraq to Turkey is easy. Visa at the border. The road is mostly a new highway, far away from the conflict areas in Syria and Iraq - and not the "Mossul" route you get on google maps:

transit road north iraq Photos taken by LuxuryRogue - Travellerspoint Travel Photography