Imam Khomeini International Airport

Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is Iran's main international gateway, serving Tehran, the capital city. Located 30 km southwest of Tehran, it handles nearly all international flights to and from Iran.

The airport has a single terminal (Salam Terminal) for passenger operations. A second terminal is under construction. IKA opened in 2004 and handles around 9 million passengers annually.

Key airlines: Iran Air (flag carrier), Mahan Air, Aseman Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, and various Middle Eastern and Asian carriers.

Note: Tehran has a second airport, Mehrabad (THR), which handles most domestic flights and is located closer to the city center.

Tehran Airport System

Tehran has two airports:

Imam Khomeini (IKA) — 30 km from city center

• Nearly all international flights
• Some domestic on Iran Air

Mehrabad (THR) — 10 km from city center

• Most domestic flights
• Some regional international

Connecting between IKA and THR: Allow 3-4 hours minimum due to Tehran's notorious traffic.

IKA is far from central Tehran:

• To Tehran city center: 30 km, 45-90 minutes (traffic dependent)
• To Mehrabad Airport (THR): 50 km, 60-120 minutes
• To Grand Bazaar area: 35 km, 50-90 minutes

Tehran traffic is severe. Avoid rush hours (07:00-10:00, 16:00-20:00) if possible.

Uber and international rideshare apps do not operate in Iran. Local alternatives:

• Snapp (Iranian Uber equivalent)—recommended
• Tap30 (another local app)

Download and register before arrival if possible; apps require Iranian phone number.

Taxis available from the rank outside arrivals:

• To Tehran center: IRR 2,500,000-4,000,000 (~$5-8 USD at parallel rate)
• Official airport taxis have fixed rates posted
• Negotiate or use apps for best prices

Important: Iran has multiple exchange rates; taxi prices in IRR sound astronomical but are reasonable in USD.

Metro

The Tehran Metro Line 8 (Airport Line) connects IKA to the city:

• Route: IKA → Shahed → Tehran city connections
• Journey time: 45-60 minutes to central Tehran
• Cost: IRR 50,000 (~$0.10)
• Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes
• Hours: 06:00-22:00

1. Exit arrivals and follow Metro signs
2. Take Line 8 to Shahed station
3. Transfer to Lines 1 or 4 for central Tehran

The metro is clean, modern, and extremely cheap. Recommended for budget travelers.

Bus

IKA Express Bus to Tehran:

• Less convenient than metro
• Useful if metro is closed

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Short Term	IRR 500,000/day	Terminal adjacent
Long Term	IRR 200,000/day	Shuttle available

Parking is very inexpensive by international standards.

IKA has improved dining options:

Landside:

• Traditional Iranian restaurants
• Fast food

Airside:

• Iranian restaurants: Kebabs, rice dishes, stews
• Cafés and tea houses
• Fast food options

Try: Chelo kebab (rice with grilled meat)—Iran's national dish, available at airport restaurants.

Note: Alcohol is prohibited throughout Iran.

Network: IKA Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Variable, can be slow
• May require Iranian phone number for registration

Consider purchasing a local SIM for reliable connectivity.

SIM cards available from:

• Irancell and Hamrah-e-Aval (MCI) kiosks in arrivals
• Prices: IRR 500,000-1,000,000 (~$1-2) for SIM with data

Important:

• Passport required for registration
• Some websites/apps (Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) are blocked in Iran
• VPN recommended (download before arrival)

ATMs available but international cards do not work in Iran due to sanctions.

Currency: Iranian Rial (IRR). Approximate rate: 500,000 IRR = 1 USD (at parallel rate).

Bring USD or EUR cash. Exchange at:

• Official exchange offices (sarafi) in arrivals
• Better rates available in Tehran's exchange shops

Tips:

• Iran is a cash economy for tourists
• Bring enough cash for entire trip
• Exchange only what you need; reconverting IRR is difficult

Airside:

• Iranian handicrafts (carpets, miniatures, pottery)
• Saffron and pistachios
• Dried fruits
• Persian sweets

Best buys: Saffron (highest quality, best prices in the world), pistachios, Persian carpets (if you have budget and transport).

CIP Lounge

• Location: Arrivals and departures areas
• Access: Business class passengers, or ~$50-70 walk-in
• Amenities: Persian food, tea, comfortable seating
• Hours: 24 hours

Iran Air Homa Lounge

• Access: Iran Air Business/First Class
• Amenities: Full meal service, traditional Persian hospitality

Lounges offer a comfortable escape with good Persian food.

Limited hotels near IKA. Most visitors proceed directly to Tehran (45-90 minutes).

Tehran is a sprawling metropolis of 15 million people, offering rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Golestan Palace: 60 min—stunning Qajar-era palace complex, UNESCO World Heritage
• Grand Bazaar: 60 min—one of world's largest covered markets, labyrinthine and overwhelming
• National Museum of Iran: 60 min—prehistoric to Islamic art spanning millennia
• Milad Tower: 45 min—tallest tower in Iran, observation deck and restaurants
• Darband & Tochal: 75 min—mountain villages north of Tehran, hiking and traditional restaurants
• Saadabad & Niavaran Palaces: 60 min—former Shah's residences, now museums

Day trips:

• Kashan: 3 hours—historic houses, bazaar, rose water
• Qom: 2 hours—holy city, stunning architecture
• Damavand: 2 hours—highest peak in the Middle East

Food & drink:

• Chelo kebab: Saffron rice with various grilled meats
• Ghormeh sabzi: Herb stew, Iran's most popular home-cooked dish
• Tahdig: Crispy rice crust from the bottom of the pot
• Dizi (Abgoosht): Lamb and chickpea stew
• Doogh: Savory yogurt drink
• Persian tea: Offered constantly, always accept (it's polite)

Practical tips:

• Visa: Required for most nationalities; some can get visa on arrival at IKA
• Dress code: Women must wear hijab (headscarf); loose, modest clothing required for all
• Alcohol: Prohibited throughout Iran
• Photography: Avoid photographing government/military buildings
• Hospitality: Iranians are famously welcoming—expect invitations for tea
• English: Widely spoken among young people in Tehran
• Taarof: System of polite back-and-forth; initial refusals are expected
• Sanctions: International credit cards don't work; bring all cash you'll need
• Friday: Weekend day—many sites closed or have reduced hours
• Best time: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) for pleasant weather