Karbala is located 105 km southwest of Baghdad and 76 km from Najaf, with easy access from both major cities. From Baghdad, shared taxis cost $8-15 per seat and take about 90 minutes. From Najaf, the journey takes about an hour for $5-10. During peak seasons, visitors may be dropped 10-15 km from shrines and continue on foot. The best time to visit is from October to April when the weather is mild (16-34°C), which is good for walking. The summer months (June-August) should be avoided as temperatures exceed 44°C with extreme heat. Peak religious seasons bring large crowds to the city. For more: Karbala