Iran

Iran is a vast country in Western Asia with one of the world's oldest civilizations, offering travelers UNESCO World Heritage sites, stunning Islamic architecture, and diverse landscapes ranging from deserts to mountains. Despite political complexities, Iran receives adventurous tourists drawn by its rich history, including ancient Persepolis, the mosques of Isfahan, and the poetry of Shiraz.

The country's aviation network centers on Tehran, which has two airports: Imam Khomeini International (IKA) for international flights and Mehrabad (THR) for domestic services. Mashhad (MHD), Iran's second-largest city and an important religious pilgrimage destination, handles significant traffic. Regional airports in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Tabriz serve key tourist areas.

International travel to Iran requires careful planning due to visa requirements, limited international banking access (sanctions affect credit cards and ATMs), and restricted carrier options. However, for prepared travelers, Iran offers extraordinary value and hospitality.

Tehran Area

Airport	Code	Role	Airlines
Imam Khomeini International	IKA	Main international gateway	Iran Air, Mahan Air, Turkish, Emirates
Mehrabad	THR	Domestic hub, some regional	Iran Air, domestic carriers

Imam Khomeini International (IKA) — Iran's primary international airport, located 30 km southwest of central Tehran. Handles virtually all international traffic. Two terminals with modern facilities. Connected to Tehran by taxi (45-60 min, around 1,500,000 IRR / $30) or bus. Metro extension under development. Most international flights arrive late evening or early morning.

Mehrabad (THR) — Historic airport in west Tehran, now primarily domestic. More convenient for city access (15-minute metro ride to center). Some regional flights to neighboring countries. If connecting domestic to international, allow time to transfer between airports (1.5-2 hours minimum).

Regional Airports

Mashhad (MHD) — Iran's second-busiest airport, serving the holy city of Imam Reza shrine. Major pilgrimage traffic from across the Muslim world. Modern terminal with direct flights to Gulf states, Turkey, and Central Asia. Domestic connections to all major Iranian cities.

Shiraz (SYZ) — Gateway to Persepolis and southern Iran. Modern terminal with domestic flights and limited international service. Base for visiting Fars Province historical sites.

Isfahan (IFN) — Serves Iran's cultural jewel. Domestic flights from Tehran and other major cities. Limited international connections.

Tabriz (TBZ) — Northwestern Iran hub, near Turkish and Azerbaijani borders. Domestic network plus some regional international flights.

Flag Carrier

Iran Air (IR) — National carrier, known as "Homa" (Persian for phoenix). Hub at IKA. Operates to European destinations (limited due to sanctions), regional Middle East, and extensive domestic network. Fleet aging but serviceable. Alliance membership restricted due to sanctions.

Major Domestic Carriers

• Mahan Air (W5) — Largest private airline. Hub at IKA. Extensive domestic network and international routes to Asia, Middle East, and some European destinations. Modern fleet by Iranian standards.
• Qeshm Air (QB) — Based at Qeshm Island. Domestic network and regional international flights.
• Iran Aseman Airlines (EP) — Domestic carrier based at THR. Extensive internal network.
• Kish Air (Y9) — Based in Kish Island. Domestic services.
• Caspian Airlines (RV) — Tehran-based domestic carrier.

International Airlines

Limited international carriers serve Iran due to sanctions:

• Turkish Airlines — Best connectivity to Europe via Istanbul
• Emirates — Connections via Dubai
• Qatar Airways — Connections via Doha
• Pegasus Airlines — Budget option to Istanbul
• Gulf Air — Via Bahrain
• Iraqi Airways — Regional connections
• flydubai — Budget Dubai connections

Note: US, UK, and many European carriers do not fly to Iran. Turkish Airlines offers the most routing options for Western travelers.

Visa Required

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Iran. Options include:

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

• Available at IKA, MHD, SYZ, IFN, and TBZ airports
• 30-day single entry for many nationalities
• Cost: approximately $40-75 USD (varies by nationality)
• Requires: passport, photo, hotel booking, return ticket
• Processing: 30-60 minutes at airport

E-Visa

• Apply online 2-4 weeks before travel
• Recommended over VOA for peace of mind
• Collect authorization letter, get visa stamp on arrival

Restricted Nationalities

US, UK, and Canadian citizens must:

• Travel with authorized guided tour
• Apply for visa in advance through tour operator
• Cannot travel independently
• Israeli passport holders or those with Israeli stamps denied entry

Passport Requirements

• Valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates
• At least two blank pages
• Important: Iranian stamps may cause issues for future US travel (ESTA ineligibility)—consider getting a second passport if you travel frequently to the US

Registration

• Tourists must register with police within 48 hours
• Hotels handle this automatically
• Independent travelers staying privately must register at a police station

Official visa information: evisa.mfa.ir

Domestic Flights

Flying is practical for Iran's long distances:

Route	Time	Frequency
Tehran ↔ Mashhad	1h 15m	20+ daily
Tehran ↔ Shiraz	1h 15m	15+ daily
Tehran ↔ Isfahan	1h	10+ daily
Tehran ↔ Tabriz	1h	8+ daily
Tehran ↔ Kish Island	1h 45m	5+ daily

Booking: Domestic flights are affordable ($20-60 one-way). Book through Iranian travel agencies or have hotel assist—international credit cards don't work on Iranian airline websites. Iranair.com accepts some international cards; otherwise use local assistance.

Trains

Iran has an extensive rail network:

• Tehran ↔ Isfahan: 6-7 hours, comfortable overnight option
• Tehran ↔ Mashhad: 10-12 hours, overnight trains available
• Tehran ↔ Tabriz: 10-12 hours
• Tehran ↔ Shiraz: 12-14 hours

Trains are comfortable, affordable, and scenic. Book through Raja.ir or station offices.

Buses

Long-distance buses connect all cities:

• VIP buses: Reclining seats, snacks, very comfortable
• Prices: Extremely cheap ($5-15 for long routes)
• Companies: Iran Peyma, Hamsafar, Royal Safar
• Terminals: Major cities have organized bus terminals

Taxis and Rideshare

• Snapp: Iran's Uber equivalent—essential app
• Tap30: Alternative rideshare app
• Regular taxis: Negotiate fare before boarding
• Shared taxis: Follow fixed routes, very cheap

Car Rental

Available but not recommended for first-time visitors:

• Chaotic driving conditions
• Traffic in Tehran extremely heavy
• Signage often in Persian only
• Hiring driver more practical

Tehran Metro

Modern, efficient, and cheap:

• 7 lines covering most of city
• Women-only cars available
• Connects to bus network
• Does not yet reach IKA (under construction)

Peak Season (March-May, September-November)

Spring (March-May): Best overall time. Pleasant temperatures, Nowruz (Persian New Year, March 21) festivities, gardens in bloom. Hotels fill during Nowruz—book ahead.

Autumn (September-November): Comfortable weather, harvest season, fewer crowds than spring.

Shoulder Season (Early June, Late February)

Transitional weather. Good value, reasonable conditions.

Low Season (June-August, December-February)

Summer: Very hot in most regions (40°C+). Desert areas unbearable. Northern mountains and Caspian coast pleasant. Lower prices.

Winter: Cold in north and mountains (below freezing). Tehran often smoggy. Yazd, Isfahan, Shiraz milder. Ski season in Alborz mountains.

Regional Variations

Region	Best Months	Notes
Tehran	Apr-May, Sep-Oct	Avoid summer smog, winter cold
Isfahan	Mar-May, Sep-Nov	Mild year-round
Shiraz	Mar-May, Sep-Nov	Hot summers
Persian Gulf (Kish)	Nov-Apr	Unbearable summer heat
Caspian Coast	Apr-Sep	Green and humid

Ramadan

Dates vary (lunar calendar). Restaurants closed daytime, but tourist establishments usually accommodate foreign visitors. Atmosphere interesting but respect local customs.

Cities

City	Airport	Known For
Tehran	IKA/THR	Museums, Golestan Palace, bazaar, Alborz mountains
Isfahan	IFN	Naqsh-e Jahan Square, bridges, Armenian quarter
Shiraz	SYZ	Poetry, gardens, wine history, Persepolis access
Yazd	—	Zoroastrian heritage, desert architecture, wind towers
Mashhad	MHD	Imam Reza shrine, religious pilgrimage
Tabriz	TBZ	UNESCO bazaar, carpet heritage, food
Kerman	KER	Gateway to desert, Lut Desert

Historical Sites

• Persepolis: Ancient Persian capital, 60 km from Shiraz. UNESCO World Heritage.
• Pasargadae: Tomb of Cyrus the Great, near Shiraz
• Naqsh-e Rostam: Rock tombs of Persian kings
• Chogha Zanbil: Ancient Elamite ziggurat near Ahvaz
• Takht-e Soleyman: Zoroastrian fire temple complex

Natural Attractions

• Lut Desert: One of Earth's hottest places, stunning landscapes
• Caspian Coastline: Green forests, rice paddies, beaches
• Alborz Mountains: Skiing, hiking, Mount Damavand (highest peak)
• Qeshm Island: Geological formations, mangrove forests

Regions

• Kurdistan Province: Mountain scenery, Kurdish culture
• Hormozgan: Persian Gulf coast, Qeshm and Hormuz islands
• Gilan/Mazandaran: Lush Caspian provinces, traditional villages

Money

• Currency: Iranian Rial (IRR), but Toman commonly used (1 Toman = 10 Rial)
• Prices: Usually quoted in Toman—clarify which unit
• Exchange rate: Highly volatile. Check current rates.
• CRITICAL: International credit/debit cards DO NOT work in Iran due to sanctions
• Cash: Bring sufficient USD or EUR in cash. Exchange at airports, banks, or exchange shops (sarrafi)
• Prices: Iran is extremely affordable—budget $30-50/day easily

What to Bring

• Cash: USD or EUR (new, unmarked bills preferred)
• Photocopies: Passport, visa, insurance documents
• Adapter: Type C/F plugs (European style)
• Women: Headscarf required, loose-fitting clothing
• Apps: Download maps offline (Google Maps works), VPN

Dress Code

Women (required by law):

• Headscarf (roosari) covering hair—can be loose
• Long sleeves
• Loose clothing covering body shape
• Long coat (manteau) or tunic over pants common
• Enforcement has relaxed but compliance expected

Men:

• No shorts in public
• Long pants and short-sleeve shirts acceptable
• No tank tops

Connectivity

• Mobile: SIM cards available at airport (Irancell, MCI). Cheap data packages.
• Internet: Widely available but heavily filtered
• VPN: Essential for accessing blocked sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)
• WhatsApp: Works (as of recent years)
• Instagram: Usually works and very popular in Iran

Safety

Iran is generally very safe for tourists:

• Violent crime rare against foreigners
• Iranians extremely hospitable to guests
• Avoid photographing government/military buildings
• Keep political opinions private
• Border areas (Pakistan, Iraq) should be avoided

Cultural Notes

• Ta'arof: Complex politeness system—offers may be ritual refusals expected. Third offer usually genuine.
• Hospitality: Expect invitations to tea, meals. Accept graciously.
• Religion: Respect Islamic customs. Remove shoes when entering homes.
• Alcohol: Completely prohibited. Do not bring or seek.
• Physical contact: No public displays of affection. Men shouldn't initiate handshakes with women.

Useful Apps

• Snapp: Rideshare (essential)
• Tap30: Alternative rideshare
• Neshan: Persian mapping/navigation
• Balad: Maps and navigation
• VPN apps: Various—install before arrival

Health

• No required vaccinations
• Tap water generally safe in cities, bottled water widely available
• Pharmacies well-stocked
• Travel insurance essential (must cover Iran specifically)

• Tourism: visitiran.ir
• E-Visa: evisa.mfa.ir
• Iran Air: iranair.com
• Mahan Air: mahan.aero
• Rail tickets: raja.ir
• UK Travel Advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran
• US Travel Advisory: travel.state.gov