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Home » Middle East » Iran » Best Hostels

The 24 BEST Hostels in Iran (Find One in 2024)

Iran is utterly astounding. It boasts epic landscapes, timeless cities, and some of the most impressive Islamic architecture in the world in Iran. Best of all is the hospitality, you’ll be welcomed like an old friend of the family. And that’s not all – many important figures throughout history left their mark on Iran, and you’ll be able to explore ancient cities like Persepolis before taking a camel ride through the desert.

But what happens when it comes to picking where to stay in Iran? Do you need to go to a five-star hotel to experience this luxurious and welcoming hospitality? Hell no! So all you broke backpackers out there, breath a sigh of relief. There are hostels across Iran so you get to experience that legendary Persian hospitality, save money and meet fellow travellers too!

With that in mind, we’ve decided to help you out. In this post, we’ll take a look at the 24 best hostels in Iran. Not only have we thought about budget, but travel style, personality, and location too!

With an extensive list created by our expert travel writers, you’ll have no trouble finding your perfect Iranian hostel. So, let’s take a closer look at the best hostels in Iran!

Quick Answer: What are the Best Hostels in Iran?

The best hostels in tehran, the best hostels in kashan, the best hostels in yazd, the best hostels in shiraz, the best hostels in isfahan, the top hostels in iran, before you book your hostel in iran, what to pack for your iranian hostel.

We’ll kick our list off with the absolute best hostels in Iran. They offer so much more than just a place to stay and excellent value for money. These are all places that you’ll be thinking about and telling your friends about long after your Iran adventure has ended. So, let’s check them out!

A person standing looking out over a local town in Iran as the sun sets in the distance

The Overall Best Hostel in Iran – Tehran Heritage Hostel – Tehran

Let’s begin our list of the best hostels in Iran with our overall favourite. We don’t think you’ll find anywhere better than this in Iran. Heritage House is the definitive place to stay in Tehran . There’s also free breakfast (you’ll be sick of hearing that by the end of this list), free tea and coffee (that too), and maps to help you explore. (Yes, Iranians just love giving you stuff for free). Chill out on the outdoor terrace after a busy day of discovering the capital Tehran!

Best Cheap Hostel in Iran – Pava Hostel Isfahan – Esfehan

For our favourite cheap hostel in Iran, it’s off to Isfahan/Esfehan. Pava Hostel means you can get a low price without compromising on the quality and hospitality of your accommodation. This family-run Iranian hostel does a great job of providing you with that world-famous hospitality, while still respecting your privacy and letting you get on with your own thing. If you want to meet other travellers, there are three outdoor hangouts that you’re welcome to use! And to keep costs down even further, why not prepare a meal in the self-service kitchen?!

Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Iran – Taha Boutique Hotel – Shiraz

Lots of backpackers in Iran travel alone but want to make friends and kick back when they reach their hostel. And there are few better places for that than Taha Boutique Hostel in Shiraz. After a long journey to the city, or just a busy day of sightseeing, come back to the sociable garden here, to enjoy the warm night air, sounds of the city, and company of fellow travellers. Take out a board game and enjoy it with the free snacks, fruit and hot drinks on offer!

Taha Boutique Hotel is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

No trip to Iran is complete without visiting its stunning capital city, Tehran. It may seem a bit intimidating and chaotic at first, but stick with it. You can even find places to relax, like traditional teahouses, cool cafes, and tranquil gardens! It’s also where Iran’s top museums are located, and the assault on the senses that is the Grand Bazaar. And when it all gets too much, just head out for a hike to the surrounding mountains! Check out the best hostels in Tehran below.

Kargadan Boutique Hostel

One of the best hostels in Iran

Yes, we know that the best hostel in Iran was in Tehran, but there are so many good options, we thought you’d like to see another! Kargadan Boutique Hostel has a near-perfect score on Hostelworld and it’s not hard to see why. The colourful Iranian hostel comes with a fully equipped kitchen, as well as free speciality coffee and breakfast. Everything at this hostel is hand-made by the brother and sister team who run it – even the comfy beds! If you’ve been travelling for a long time, you’re welcome to clean your clothes for free too.

HI Tehran Hostel

An amazing hostel in Iran for solo travellers

It’s rare that you’ll find a hostel in Iran that’s not suited to solo travellers, as your hosts will welcome you with open arms, ply you with free things, and make sure you’re going safely on your way when you leave! However, some just have that extra something that really fits with the solo travel lifestyle. With all of Tehran’s top tourist destinations right on your doorstep, you won’t have far to go to explore before coming back and chilling out in the huge garden. Travelling with your mate? This is good for groups too!

A fun and stylish Iranian hostel

Our last top hostel in Tehran is Zee Hostel. Another near-perfect score on Hostelworld means you don’t just have to take our word for it that it’s one of the best hostels in Iran! This super-stylish property has a number of top sites on its doorstep, including the Golestan Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and several museums. One of the best things about this Iranian hostel is that it’s plastic-free (tired of free things yet?!). We believe that eco-friendly tour operators deserve some love and recognition.

Seven Hostel in Tehran

One of the top cheap hostels in Iran

One of the great things about Tehran is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a great hostel experience. Backpackers in Iran’s Seven Hostel will be treated to a free breakfast (are you bored of hearing this yet?), a central location, and a cool outdoor terrace where you can chill out with other visitors from around the world!

Seven Hostel in Tehran is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Cedar Hostel

Up there with the best hostels in Iran for digital nomads

When you travel as a digital nomad, you need to get the balance right between a place that’s fun but you can also get your head down and work. And of course it has to be secure for when you’re out exploring the city so you know your trusty Mac is safe from harm. Well, this Iranian hostel offers security lockers so your laptop and any other expensive equipment is under lock and key when you’re not there. There’s also a cafe where you can find a cosy and quiet spot and use the free wi-fi.

You can even work alongside your free breakfast. Just don’t spill coffee and crumbs on your keys! Oh, note that the Iranian authorities do monitor and restrict internet usage but our Iran Backpacking guide will tell you have to deal with this.

Cedar Hostel in Tehran is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

When you’re looking for places to stay in Iran, Kashan offers some of the best traditional accommodation in the country! Yep, that means welcoming hospitality set around relaxing courtyards, with lots of help if needed to explore the surrounding sites. And the city itself isn’t bad – it’s got a UNESCO World Heritage site and a glut of architectural gems.

Sana Historical Hostel

One of the top historic hostels in Iran

You’ve probably guessed by now that hostels in Iran aren’t usually in a building with no character or presence. In fact, some of these are more suited to being luxury hotels! You can ponder all that as you chill out in the courtyard of one of the top youth hostels in Iran – San Historical Hostel. There are always tours on offer here, including visits to Abyane, the desert, and just simple tours around the city! Start your day with a free breakfast before taking part, or just exploring the city under your own steam!

Hostel Green House

A legendary cheap hostel in Iran

You’ll find one of the most popular traditional hostels in Iran in Kashan. And the best thing about it? The price! Keep your costs down even more by using the large kitchen and taking advantage of the free breakfast each day during your stay. Of course, anyone can enjoy Hostel Green House, but it’s especially useful if you’re planning a long-term stay in Iran.

For those who are considering working in Iran, there’s a helpful jobs board! If those jobs are in Kashan, there’s a chance you’ll be able to walk from there – the location is near everything!

Hostel Green House is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Puppet Museum House

A great hostel in Iran for digital nomads

One of the more unique hostels in Iran, this is not just a hostel, it’s a museum! For puppets? Yes, puppets! It’s small and comfy, but that’ll suit digital nomads perfectly. There’s still a friendly atmosphere, but you won’t be distracted by huge amounts of people making unnecessary noise! Take your laptop and work on your latest piece in a hammock, before taking a break and catching a puppet show! When you’ve closed your laptop for the day, head out to nearby attractions and places to eat!

Puppet Museum House is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Maranjab Desert Eco Camp

One of the best hostels to experience the desert

Yes, we’re guilty. We cheated a little bit with this one! However, we’re pretty certain that if you can tick off a bucket list activity like camping in the desert on a budget, you’re willing to take a break for hostels for just one night! Being under a blanket of a million stars around a campfire is almost certain to be one of the most everlasting memories you get from a trip to Iran.

That almost makes it not worth mentioning the free breakfast! You’ll also come face to face with camels… just make sure you’re ready for them to spit!

Maranjab Desert Eco Camp is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Yazd is without any doubt one of the top places on any Iran itinerary. The desert city has history running through its veins, and you’ll love discovering its narrow and atmospheric alleyways. Spend a few days in this timeless city exploring the ancient side streets and ducking into the plethora of teahouses in this charming old city!

Yazd Rest Up Hostel

A top hostel in Iran to relax

Backpackers in Iran will love this small hostel just a stone’s throw from the Jame Mosque which is one of the city’s key attractions. Chill out in the courtyard and see if you can spot the goldfish in the pond or for a better view of the city and dessert beyond, head up to the rooftop terrace. Want to send postcards to your family and friends? Well there’s a postal service here, so leave them here safe in the knowledge that they’ll arrive home before you do! Probably…

Another of the best hostels in Iran

Yazd is a city with many great places to stay, and a few of the best hostels in Iran are situated here. Right in the centre, you’ll find Star Hotel (don’t be fooled by the name, it has dorms and a common area but no actual stars!) The dorm rooms are incredibly cheap, and if you do want your own space, a private room won’t set you back too much. You can chill either in either the central courtyard, on the roof, or in the garden.

Star Hotel is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Wheat Traveler House, Yazd

Not only is this the cheapest hostel in Yazd, but one of the cheapest hostels in Iran! For a pittance, you’ll still be treated like family when you arrive, with warm Iranian hospitality demonstrated in the hostel’s offer of free breakfast and lunch ! Right in the centre of Yazd, you’ll be treated to awesome views from the rooftop. So, make sure you take your camera up there! Travellers who have their own transport will be pleased to know that Wheat Traveler House offers private parking on-site.

Wheat Traveler House, Yazd is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Seven Hostel in Yazd

A favourite Iranian hostel for solo travellers

Last but not least, let us take you to Seven Hostel in Yazd. We’ve already included the Tehran branch in our article, so if you’ve stayed there you have a good idea of what to expect at there hostel in Yazd. If you don’t let us remind you that breakfast is included – obviously! As well as being great for solo travellers, there is a range of budget private rooms for up to 5 people here too!

Seven Hostel in Yazd is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Tehran may be the capital, but Shiraz is undoubtedly Iran’s cultural centre. It’s the literary centre of Iran, where many of Iran’s great poets were inspired. Mosques, gardens, and incredible Islamic architecture make this a must-visit destination. And you can’t miss the nearby Persepolis either! Even if you don’t know much about Iran, you’re bound to know about this city’s most famous export: Shiraz wine!

Sirah Traditional House

You might think it hard for a hostel to live up to the magnificent outward appearance of Sirah traditional house, but you’d be wrong! That fountain and the stained glass windows are just the beginning of an awesome stay in Shiraz. Although you’ll be treated to a complimentary breakfast, there’s also a fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. There is a travel desk and a currency exchange too. Visit our Iran backpacking guide post for more details about changing money in Iran.

Sepehri Traditional House

A great Iranian hostel for couples

If you’re travelling with your other half, you are kind of spoiled for choice when it comes to Iranian hostels. Lucky you! However, some just stand head and shoulders above the rest. With romantic underground cave style double rooms, Sepehri Traditional House must be on your itinerary if you want to surprise and delight the one you love! If the beautiful rooms don’t do it, the free breakfast and tours to awesome nearby places certainly should!

Note, if you are planning a romantic stay here or anywhere in Iran, remember that pre-marital sex and same-sex relations are illegal. Bear this in mind when making room reservations.

Homayouni Hostel

An example of a luxury Iranian hostel

Let’s close off the best hostels in Shiraz with a luxury offering! Just look at how pretty and opulent Homayouni Hostel is in the photos on this listing! And if you’re worried that it’s style over substance – it’s not. It has the reviews on Hostelworld to back it up too!

The beautiful courtyard is a lovely place to chill out with fellow travellers, and gatherings are often made even better by a BBQ hosted by your friendly hosts! If you’re worried about getting to your next destination, the friendly English-speaking staff can help you sort out transport to the airport!

A top cheap hostel in Iran

Want to stay in a traditional Iranian house? Then BB Hostel is your chance to do that. It’s been converted into a hostel, but you can make use of an outdoor terrace, peer out through pretty stained glass, and sit out in the cute courtyard! It’s a good option for digital nomads too. Just sit up at the rooftop cafe and escape from the hustle and bustle of Shiraz. Of course, taking that in without a computer to distract you is arguably even better!

Want to visit nearby Persepolis? BB Hostel offers a trip there too, taking the stress of planning away from you!

BB Hostel is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Sohrab Traditional Hostel

A great youth hostel in Iran for solo travellers

We’ve seen the best hostel in Shiraz for couples, now let’s have a look at one for solo travellers. The highlight of Sohrab Hostel is that there’s a big gathering space and a large courtyard – both perfect if you’re looking to strike up a conversation with fellow travellers! In addition to that, you’ll be treated to a free breakfast in the morning, and free tea whenever you like! There’s also a laundry service, so those clothes that you’ve had one for weeks can be treated to a little TLC of their own!

Sohrab Traditional Hostel is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

The capital of Ancient Persia, Isfahan is not quite at the level of its glory days of the 17th century. You can still see that beauty though in its mosques, squares, and gardens. And like pretty much everywhere on our list, the locals will welcome you like old friends. What’s not to love?!

Ragrug Hostel

A recommended cheap hostel in Iran

When you take a closer look at Ragrug Hostel, you’ll probably do a double-take when you see the price. But one of the cheapest hostels in Iran certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to things to do here. Meet other travellers and chill out in the plant-filled yard, or enjoy panoramic views of Eshafan from the roof terrace! And if in doubt about its suitability for solo travellers, just take a look at the owner’s past. He’s travelled extensively, and has created a hostel for travellers by travellers!

Anar Guesthouse Isfahan

One of the top rated hostels in Iran

You’d think this far down the list, we might have started running out of incredible Iranian hostels. Not a chance! It’s safe to say Anar Guesthouse Isfahan is one of the best overall hostels in Iran! Especially if you’re a foodie! Not only can you learn to make traditional dishes like Ghormeh Sabzi at a Persian cooking class, but you can go on a food tour to the nearby markets too! When it comes to an authentic Iranian welcome, this hostel goes above and beyond. The family who own it says you’ll be invited along to family parties and weddings!

Anar Guesthouse Isfahan is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Hafez House

A top hostel for digital nomads in Iran

Let’s close our list of the best hostels in Iran with a hotspot for digital nomads (named after Iran’s greatest mystical poet…)! Charge your laptop overnight then head to the courtyard for a free breakfast and do a couple of hours work in peaceful and sunny surroundings.

Later on, take part in a free walking tour offered by the hostel, which will take you to all of the nearby attractions in Isfahan, before settling down to a board game on your return! It’s not only a great spot for digital nomads, but history buffs will love this Iranian hostel too! The traditional hostel has been restored by the city’s cultural heritage organisation!

Hafez House is one of our favourites in Iran but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

You may well be wondering how to stay safe in Iran or want some general facts and figures about this Middle Eastern country. We have written extensively about traveling in, and staying safe in Iran , in other posts on the site. However, to summarise the MUST KNOW information, please remember the following;

Iran is subject to severe financial sanctions and bank and credit cards will not work in the country at all. You need to bring all the money you need for your trip in cash. We suggest Euro’s or failing this, US Dollars.
Iran is subject to Sharia Law. Alcohol, pre-marital sex, same sex relations, & blasphemy are illegal and subject to capital punishment.
Dress modestly. Men should cover their shoulders and knees. Women should wear long, loose fitting clothes and cover their hair at all times. Have a hijab ready before you even board the flight.

Map of Where to Stay in Iran

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!

Why You Should Travel to Iran

So, that concludes our list of the best hostels in Iran. Whether you want to explore Iran’s history and culture in Shiraz, go shopping at the bazaars of Tehran, or head out into the desert from Kashan, all of that and more awaits you. And even better, there’s an Iranian hostel for you too!

Staying in hostels is such a great way to see a new country. It enables you to save your money on accommodation for having proper memorable experiences while making new friends from around the world at the same time.

If you still can’t make your mind up on where to stay in Iran, go for our favourite hostel – Tehran Heritage Hostel. It’s the best place to see the country’s bustling capital from, before continuing your adventure! However, wherever you pick on our list, you’re sure to have a fun and memorable stay!

After reading our extensive list, we’re sure you’ll now know exactly where to stay in Iran. So, our work here is done.

Travel Insurance for Iran

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Iran for a wealth of info!
Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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tuti hostel in shiraz its also opened 3 years ago and very welcome to the backpackers. you can book us through the hostelworld and just mail to us : [email protected]

hope to meet you guys in Shiraz!

25 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran

Last Updated: February 6, 2024

We’ve been all around the world, spent a lot of time in a lot of different countries, and if there’s one thing we can honestly tell you it’s that we’ve never felt as welcomed, fascinated and humbled as we did when we visited Iran.

Iran is such an incredible country to travel. The architecture will amaze you, the friendliness of the people will leave you speechless, the culture is fascinating and the landscapes are out of this world.

Iran is also very misunderstood, with many people believing whatever propaganda they hear on the media about how dangerous or difficult it is to travel there.

Table of Contents

Iran is Safe!

There’s a lot of customs to follow, you need a visa for iran, have a head scarf in your carry-on luggage before arrival, bring a phrase book or have google translate on your phone, bring a lot of cash, the currency has two names, bring comfortable footwear, research the food and don’t just eat kebabs, bring a backpack rather than a suitcase, draw up an itinerary, but keep it flexible, let your guard down and talk to locals, always ask the price before buying, book domestic flights with your accommodation or travel agent, team up with other travellers and share tours, be on time for your appointments, the traffic is horrible, you need a vpn to access some social media platforms, there is wifi, but be patient with it, pick up a local sim card, iran has its own uber called snapp, you can drink the tap water, good coffee is hard to find, there’s a female-only carriage on the metros, what to know before you visit iran.

The truth is travelling in Iran definitely has its quirks, and being an Islamic country means there’s a few things you need to know about the religion and culture before you go so you can show absolute respect.

Luckily these are easy enough to know before you go if you do a bit of research. We spent one month travelling around Iran and learnt so much during our time there.

To help put your mind at ease about travelling in this incredible country, here’s our list of the most important things to know before you visit Iran.

All of the mainstream media outlets portray Iran as an unsafe country, somewhere that you’ll be at risk if you visit.

The mainstream media is wrong.

We did not feel unsafe once through the whole 4 weeks of us backpacking independently in Iran.

We weren’t with a tour group, had no tour guides, don’t speak the local language, took public transport and taxis, wandered the streets on our own – basically everything you shouldn’t do if you’re in a dangerous country.

And guess what? Nothing bad happened to us at all!

The Iranian people are so friendly and helpful. They want you to have a great time and tell your friends so more people will come and visit.

We were walking around one morning on a quiet street when a car passed us and turned around. A group of young people stopped the car, came up to us, and asked if we were ok or if we needed help.

Once we told them we were just looking for a coffee they pulled out their phones and started showing us where the cafes were on a map.

They even offered us a ride, and said if the cafes were closed they had coffee at their home and would love to make us some.

This is just one example of dozens of interactions that happened to us when we were in Iran. Iranians love that tourists are coming to their country and travelling around.

The locals know what the media says about them and what a lot of the world thinks of their country, and the people just want to show that they are nice, generous people.

Theft against tourists is very rare and even the Religion Police (secret police) tend to leave tourists alone.

Just be careful around the bazaars and crowed places for pickpocketing. We didn’t have any issue and didn’t hear of any other travellers having problems, but this is common sense in any busy place in the world.

With all that being said, there is a large military and police presence in Iran. Do not photograph any military areas or government buildings, and stay away from any protests if you see them.

Obviously there are some areas of Iran that are no-go zones, such as the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, so do your research and talk to locals if you’re thinking about going anywhere near them.

When you travel somewhere you want to take in everything about the country and its people, and that includes the culture and customs.

Iran has quite a few local customs that may take some getting used to, so it’s important to learn about them before you go so you don’t accidentally offend or disrespect anyone.

Some of the most common ones that throw tourists off are:

Women must wear hijabs (headscarves) at all times in public. They must also wear loose-fitting clothes that don’t show their figure.
Giving a thumbs-up sign is considered rude, similar to giving the middle finger in Western society.
Men can wear short-sleeved shirts, but long pants must be worn at all times.
Men and women who aren’t related shouldn’t touch either. That means no shaking hands or hugging someone of the opposite sex.
If you are travelling with your significant other, avoid any public displays of affection.
Always bring a gift if you are invited to someone’s house. Candy, pastries or flowers are fine.

Now we want to give a special mention to ta’arof – This is a hospitality trait where it’s customary for someone to refuse payment for a service, and is probably the most confusing thing for any tourist to get their head around.

Basically what happens is if you make a purchase (a souvenir, taxi ride, etc), the person may refuse your payment out of politeness. It is then up to you to insist despite their refusals that you want to pay. After two or three times they’ll then accept your money.

If they still keep refusing then perhaps you have just experienced some amazing Iranian hospitality! But chances are they’ll accept the payment once the process has been completed. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.

The locals are so lovely, that if you do something wrong someone will approach you and nicely let you know. For example, if you are a lady and your headscarf falls off without you knowing, a local will kindly let you know.

Don’t stress about getting your outfits beforehand as shopping in Iran is cheap. Just bring one headscarf and set of loose-fitting clothes, and buy more once you get there.

The culture is the best thing about visiting Iran, and after a few days, you’ll start to understand and fall in love with it just like we did.

In order to visit Iran, you’re going to need to get a tourist visa. This used to be a very difficult process, but luckily things have gotten easier with the introduction of visa on arrivals in 2016

On the 14th February 2016, the Ministry of Iran announced that citizens of 180 countries can now apply for VOA of 30-days at most international airports, including Tehran, Shiraz, Mashad, Tabriz and Isfahan.

There’s an exception to this rule though, and if you are from Canada, the UK or the USA, we have some bad news for you…You can only visit Iran if you join a guided tour, so no chance of getting a VOA and travelling independently.

Your tour company will help organise your visa for you.

Check out our article on how to apply for a Visa On Arrival in Iran.

You Need to Dress Appropriately

This follows on from the customs section above, but in a bit more detail.

Iran is an Islamic country, and as such you need to follow the Islamic dress code. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Women need to cover their arms, legs and head. This including a Hijab, loose long length shirt with long sleeves and pants.

Leggings or tight jeans are ok as long as your top is long and covers your bottom. When wearing pants, you need to be covered down to your ankles.

The most common way to cover your head is with a scarf. The local women wear bright colours and are very stylish with their clothing, so don’t think you need to wear all black.

Black is still worn a lot but not so much among the younger generation.

You can wear sandals. Some guesthouses and hostels will allow you to take your headscarf off on their premises but do check first.

Men aren’t allowed to wear shorts in public, so bring long, lightweight pants as the best option. T-shirts are fine to wear in public. Men can wear sandals too.

If you do wear inappropriate clothing it’s not the end of the world, and besides some angry looks from some of the older generation, you’ll probably just end up having a friendly local let you know what’s best to wear.

In Tehran, the locals push the limits in terms of what they wear in public. At the end of 2017, an uprising occurred and supposedly women were no longer required to wear the Hijab in public in Tehran, but wait until you are in the country to find out for certain.

When you land at the airport, it is respectful to put a scarf straight on your head ladies. This will cause no trouble for you by locals or the officials at the airport.

Once you’re in the air on an international flight you’ll see most young ladies take their hijab as soon as the plane leaves the ground. Just follow what the locals do.

We were quite surprised to discover that a lot of Iranians could speak a little bit of English, but that wasn’t always the case, so do yourself a favour and bring along something that can help translate English to Persian.

We always travel with Google Translate and offline languages saved on our phones, but at times having a phrasebook is the best (and most social) way to interact with people who don’t speak any English.

Remember, you are in a country that doesn’t have English as an official language, so don’t be that rude tourist that gets upset if people aren’t understanding you.

Persian (Farsi) is difficult, and no locals expect you to learn much beyond hello and thank you while you are there, but do your best anyway as a few extra words will go a long way in showing respect.

Also don’t be surprised if you are constantly invited out for tea with people so they can practice their English. If the opportunity comes up, make time for it, as it’s an amazing experience for both the local and yourself.

Don’t forget your cash when visiting Iran, as none of the ATMs in the country accepts foreign credit or debit cards thanks to the embargo. So if you forget to bring all of your cash for your entire trip, you’re out of luck.

Figure out what your usual budget is for a trip ($50 a day, $100 a day, etc), then bring a bit extra just in case. USD is best for all around the country but Euros and British Pounds are also accepted in Tehran.

There’s two exchange rates in the country – official rate and black market rate – and the black market rate is of course much better.

We actually found an exchange booth at Tehran airport that gave pretty close to the black market rate, so we traded some cash there.

As a tip don’t exchange all of your foreign cash into Rials at once, because you’ll either get ripped off on the exchange rate back if you have any left over, or you’ll be unable to trade it outside of the country.

Also don’t be too concerned about travelling around with thousands of dollars in your backpacks. As we mentioned earlier theft is rare. Do keep your money stashed in different spots though just in case.

UPDATE: If you’d prefer not to carry all your cash with you, can actually pre-order a local Iranian debit card from the company, Mah Card . It works just like a normal debit card in your home country.

You order it on their website and they’ll deliver it to your hotel in Tehran when you arrive. They have an online system too where you can top up the funds if you’re running low.

Use the code ‘ NOMADASAURUS ‘ at check-out to get a 40% discount on the card when ordering. Instead of a 19 Euro issue fee, our code brings it down to 11 Euro.

“Toman or Rial?” Get used to asking that question, because if you don’t it could end up being a costly mistake.

The currency in Iran is officially known as the Rial, and is valued at roughly 30’000 IRL to USD$1. That’s a lot of zeros, so what the locals have started doing is dropping a zero and calling the new value a Toman.

1 Toman = 10 Rial

When you hear prices quoted in Tomans you need to add a zero on the end and pay the amount in Rials. It sounds confusing, but you’ll pick it up pretty quickly.

That’s why it’s important to always ask Toman or Rial, so you don’t accidentally pay too much on an item. Most vendors quote in Tomans anyway, so chances are if the price seems too good to be true, you need to multiply it by 10.

Rumour has it that Iran will officially introduce Toman as a currency in the coming years, but that hasn’t come into effect yet.

You are going to do a lot of walking in Iran, so bring comfortable footwear. The towns here are so amazing that you’ll probably end up walking at least 10km every day, so look after your feet.

These don’t necessarily have to be hiking boots (unless you’re planning on doing some treks). Just make sure you have some flat shoes that you can wear all day without a problem.

Don’t bring heels. You don’t need them, and you won’t wear them. We had a pair of hiking shoes each and a pair of sandals. That was perfect.

Persian food is varied and delicious, and there’s plenty of different styles to try, so be adventurous!

Most people travelling on a budget will end up eating falafel sandwiches when they’re in Iran because they are cheap ($1 !), filling and delicious, but there’s plenty more to Iranian cuisine then just kebabs.

We don’t consider ourselves to be foodies, but luckily we were travelling with our good friends Dan and John and they are all about culinary travel, so they had a huge list of food they wanted to try. And boy were we thankful they did!

They had looked up the different types of food they wanted to try, so we basically followed their advice and tried it all. Of course, it was super delicious too.

One particular dish we all loved was dizi. It’s quite confusing how to eat the first time, so we had the restaurant owner show us how to mix and grind all the ingredients. If she didn’t show us, we wouldn’t have a clue how to eat it.

If you are a vegetarian, there are food options but they can be limited. There is a lot of eggplant, lentil and chickpea dishes. There are simple salads and rice also.

Try to get away from the popular tourist areas as well, as the prices are going to be a lot higher than the average place.

Move away and you will be surprised how much the price drops, and the portions are larger. If you are passing a local restaurant and it is packed with locals, that is going to be a winner.

We always recommend people travel with a backpack rather than a suitcase, but this is especially useful when you visit Iran.

The road and paths are uneven, and wheeling a suitcase would be a nightmare. A lot of hotels don’t have lifts, so unless you’re feeling strong it’s going to be hard to carry your suitcase up a lot of flights of stairs.

Always choose a lightweight backpack that fits you perfectly for the best support.

There are also hybrid backpacks, that have harnesses and wheels on the bottom for the times where you just don’t want to carry it.

Unless you are on a whirlwind 7-day trip of the country we recommend you design an itinerary of what you want to see and do, but don’t book anything until you are in the country.

Iran is one of those countries that is best to research beforehand so you can make the most of your time and you don’t miss anything, but don’t be surprised if some places you end up liking more than others.

Be willing to change your plans if you get somewhere that you want to stay an extra day, or if you meet a backpacker that raves about one town you hadn’t considered before.

Don’t stress about booking buses, flights or trains before you arrive. Everything can be booked in-country, for a much cheaper price than you’ll find online.

By not locking in your travel plans, you can change and swap your itinerary easy enough.

Disclaimer: The one time that you may need to book everything ahead of time is during Nowruz, which is the Persian New Year. If you’re planning on travelling to Iran during this time (it happens around the spring equinox in March) you’ll find things are extremely busy with millions of locals travelling around the country to spend time with their families too.

Looking for somewhere else to check out when you visit Iran? Don’t miss our article on the best things to do in Shiraz!

One of the best experiences you will have in Iran is spending time with all the friendly locals. And trust us, you’ll get plenty of opportunities if you are open to it.

The city squares are usually where locals will approach you to welcome you to their country, have a chat and practice their English.

Don’t shy away from this, even if you are a solo traveller. We found out so much information about Iran and how the locals live simply by chatting away.

Most people asked us questions about where we are from and were very happy to answer our questions. It was a true insight to Iran and we made some beautiful friends from it (many of whom we still keep in contact with).

Don’t be surprised if you get a lot of invitations to people’s homes as well, and this may be one of the few countries where we’d say hanging out with strangers is highly encouraged. The Couchsurfing scene is huge here too if you’re into that.

Do be wary of some people who will take you to an expensive tea house though. They are nice people, you will have great conversations, but they can be a little cheeky.

Also always look at the menu before you start ordering to make sure they haven’t taken you somewhere that has crazy prices.

Some will invite you out and try to sell carpets to you. If you are not interested just be firm and move on with the conversation.

We only had this happen to us once out of more than a dozen great experiences, and once we made it clear we weren’t buying a carpet we still had a great chat with him.

There is only one thing with all this – Expect to be stopped every few minutes by people wanting to chat! Make sure you’re mentally prepared when you go out around town to have a million friendly conversations.

You shouldn’t just do this in Iran, you should do this everywhere you travel, but it’s important to keep in mind.

In some countries, there are tourist prices and local prices. To be honest, we almost never felt ripped off here, but it did happen occasionally.

Before you buy anything, whether it’s a souvenir, a meal, a pot of tea, a tour, a taxi ride or whatever, ask to see the menu or how much it will cost to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Get out of the tourist squares too. Chances are if you walk a couple of blocks outside of those popular areas, the prices will drop dramatically.

When buying survivors, ask the price at a few places, get the vibe from the person/place and then buy. Try your bartering skills, but don’t be offensive.

We always try to settle in the middle so both parties are happy. This is their business and they need the money more than you do.

Man Going Through His Carpets At The Market

If you are flying domestic, book through an agent or your local guesthouse in the country. All the local airline pages are in Persian, and these are where the best deals are.

Online booking agencies like Skyscanner and Momondo will not bring up these flights. We were in the west near the Iraqi border and wanted to fly to Tehran. Our local guesthouse helped us out and we booked it for $50 USD including snack and bags.

They were charging $200 USD on one of those online booking agencies above. We never were questioned at the airport about the local price and everything went smoothly.

If you’re not travelling in a group of four, ask at your guesthouse or talk to other travellers to see if you can share the cost of a driver with them.

Sometimes hiring a driver between towns as private transport would work out to be the same price as 4 bus tickets. You get there faster and can stop when you like along the way.

This will save you money and you might even make some awesome friends out of it.

Iranians are very punctual. If you plan to leave for a tour at 8am be in reception at 7:45am, and the driver will most likely already be there.

Buses and trains also won’t wait for you if you aren’t there. The last thing you want to do is miss your tour because you slept in or hadn’t packed yet.

If you’re heading to the airport, bus or train station make sure you leave plenty of time in case of bad traffic.

When we say horrible, we’re being polite. The traffic in Iran is actually insane.

If you’re exploring Tehran don’t be surprised if you have plenty of “Holy s**t!” moments as you go to cross the street or you get around in taxi.

It’s not that Iranians are bad drivers…they just don’t have a concept of space when driving around. In one way it’s almost as entertaining as it is scary.

No one is actively trying to run pedestrians down, but if you do try to run the gauntlet of crossing a busy road it’s best to wait for a local to join them on their hell-bent journey to the other side.

Some social media platforms are banned in Iran and you cannot access them without a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

You cannot access Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest. You can access Instagram , but the rest only with a VPN.

We used ExpressVPN and had no issues. Here is a link to get your first 30 days for free .

Make sure you download your VPN before you arrive in Iran, because a lot of the VPN sites are blocked by the government.

If you can, we also recommend having access to a few different VPNs, because every now and then one might be blocked in Iran.

ExpressVPN worked for us during our trip, but some people have reported that it didn’t work during their own trip. Last we heard it’s back up and running properly now though.

Most of the guesthouses we stayed at had free wifi, but don’t expect it to be fast.

Some hotels had wifi available in the rooms, while others were only in the reception area or dining rooms. It all depends on how upmarket your place is. In popular cities, tea and coffee houses had wifi also.

One thing to keep in mind though is that just because there is wifi at your hotel, be respectful on how much you use it.

There are no unlimited data plans in Iran, so the hotels have to pre-purchase data in small packets.

Please don’t be that person that streams Netflix or tries to download the new season of Game of Thrones, because all that will happen is you’ll end up using all the net for everybody else in the hotel, and cost the owner more money.

Yep, we met a guy that did just that in Varzaneh, and because it was a weekend it meant nobody in the hostel could get internet until Monday. Thanks, mate.

Despite what you may have been told, you can buy a local sim card in Iran as a foreigner, and it’s a great idea to do so.

This way you can call hotels to make bookings use WhatsApp and Snap (more on that below) on the go, and keep in touch with friends and family back home.

We bought up a sim card with the telecommunications company IranCel through our hostel in Tehran, however, they marked the price up by double.

We found out later that you can buy sim cards at the airport or at any store, so our suggestion is to do this yourself.

When going into the phone store bring your phrasebook or a local friend. You will not need to show any ID, just pay in cash, but it helps to have your passport with you just in case.

You can top up at little general stores that display the IranCel sign. They will do it all on your phone and charge a small fee for their time. Please don’t argue with that, it’s maybe 25c USD.

We were getting 5GB of data for about $10 USD.

There is an app in Iran called Snapp, and it is similar to Uber. It’s a rideshare app where drivers register and customers can order cars to get around town.

This was a lifesaver for us!

What makes Snapp so great is that a price is determined by the app and you pay in cash once you get to your destination. There’s no metre, so the driver will take the most direct way possible.

When you book it you’ll get the driver’s name, their car model and their registration number, so you know you’re getting in the right vehicle.

Yo drop a pin on a map for where you want to go, so there’s no need to try and explain it to the driver in case he doesn’t speak English (or your pronunciation is crap).

The other added benefit is you can rate the drivers afterwards, so they are more likely to be honest rather than a taxi driver.

The only thing is you cannot easily download it onto an iPhone, as Apple is an American company and does not support Iran. It doesn’t show up in the App Store.

If you go to the Snapp website you can download it to your Apple phone through a special link there. Downloading it on an Android phone is easy with no issues.

This one was a big surprise to us, but you can drink the tap water just about everywhere in Iran.

It’s totally safe to drink, even if you’re new to the country, so don’t worry about buying plastic water bottles everywhere you go.

Bring a reusable water bottle instead and simply fill up as you go.

Don’t drink river water tough if you are out hiking.

Iran is a nation of tea drinkers, so it’s no surprise that you’ll get delicious fresh tea for cheap (or free) just about everywhere.

But what about us coffee drinkers??

The bad news is that getting good coffee is very hard in Iran. Despite their close proximity to places like Turkey, the coffee culture phased out years ago and so now the best you’ll find is usually those horrible instant packets.

There is a silver lining though, and some entrepreneurial locals have discovered that coffee is basically the second greatest thing on earth (after a delicious IPA, which you also can’t get in Iran), and some Western-style coffee shops are popping up in major towns.

They’re not cheap, but when you need that caffeine hit in the morning it’s totally worth it.

When you catch the metro around Tehran or Esfahan, there are carriages designated just for women, which is great if you’re a solo female traveller.

These are basically sections that males aren’t allowed in to stop accidental touching of non-related mixed genders, but it also adds a sense of security for women taking public transport.

Occasionally if the mixed carriages are full you’ll see one or two men in the female ones, but they tend to stand next to the door away from everyone.

[box] Those were just some of the things you need to know before you visit Iran. Has the article helped you? Do you have anything else to add? Leave a comment below and let us know![/box]

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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How to Visit Iran Independently

Updated September 22, 2019

// By Margherita

Have you always wanted to visit Iran independently? In this post, we’ll give you our best tips on how to do it. Also, learn about Mondays in Iran, our initiative running until the end of the year to promote Iran as an amazing tourist destination!

Introducing #MondaysinIran

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Mondays in Iran . As some of you will know, Nick and I visited Iran at the beginning of the year, and it was one of our most memorable holidays to date – we just couldn’t wait to share it with you all, but as it often happens, other things got in the way and we never got a chance to publish a single article. Until now – eight months later.

So, we’ve decided to do something special for Iran , and started this series that will run until the end of the year – it will be called Mondays in Iran, after our successful Mondays in Milan series . This time, we won’t be publishing a post every single Monday – after all, we were in Iran for only two weeks. We’ll publish a post every other Monday, and promote other Iran posts written by our favourite blogger friends on the remaining Mondays.

We’ll be sharing posts and Iran pics on social media using the #MondaysinIran hashtag – help us out with some share love, and let’s spread the word about how amazing Iran is.

Here’s the first post – a guide on how to visit Iran independently . We do hope this inspires you to visit this amazing country!

Here’s a brief overview of contents

Sort out your visa, dress code for women, where to stay, how to get around, food & drinks, money & costs.

Navigating the confusing amount of information about how to get an Iranian visa is likely to be a formidable task – one that very nearly drove me insane. There are two ways to get an Iranian visa – in advance through a consulate or embassy, or on arrival.

British, American and Canadian citizens are subject to visa restrictions , meaning they can’t visit Iran independently. Please note that this info is updated to early 2015 – with the opening of a British embassy in Tehran in August 2015, things may change soon.

You can’t enter Iran with an Israeli passport , or any passport bearing an Israeli stamp.

Visa on Arrival

Let’s start with visa on arrival, because that’s what we used. Citizens of most countries (Canada, US and UK are excluded) can get a 15 day visa on arrival at Tehran’s Khomeini airport and many other international airports.

The process is relatively straightforward and hassle-free. You just need to show proof of your first night accommodation, travel insurance and a return flight. Make sure you have your hotel’s phone number handy as they often call to check.

Join the queue, give your documents to the officer and he’ll hand you a slip with the amount you have to pay – you do that at another window. Prices are quoted in euro or US dollars and they vary according to nationality – I paid €60 with an Italian passport, while Nick (Australian) paid €120. Pay your dues, then return to the first window with your receipt and you’ll get your visa. The whole process lasts about an hour.

Some visa agencies offer ‘authorisation codes’ , saying that they’re essential to get a visa on arrival. We didn’t have an authorisation code and were granted a visa on arrival anyway. Admittedly, tourists with an authorisation code had their visas done quicker, but that’s about it.

Remember to book your first night ahead and get email confirmation from the hotel. Not all Tehran hotels will offer this service – Hotel Atlas and Gollestan Hotel do.

UPDATE Iran now offers 30 days Visas on Arrival. Yay!

Tourist visa in advance.

If you’re planning to stay in Iran more than two weeks and don’t want to go through the hassle of extending your visa, you need to apply for a tourist visa at an Iranian embassy or consulate. The process takes two or three weeks and grants you a 30 day visa, extendable for up to 90.

However, the process is usually straightforward only if you apply in your home country, and if you’re flying in and out. Some consulates are more lenient than others, but if you’re travelling overland or applying in a country that is not your own, be prepared to produce mountains of additional paperwork – in this case, a visa agency will definitely help. You might also need a flight reservation for your visa application.

How to Extend your Visa

Extending your visa is possible – both tourist visas and visas on arrival. Some say that cities like Yazd or Shiraz are much better places to extend than Tehran.

It seems that now a visa will only be extended when it’s about to expire. We tried to extend ours when we had about a week to go and were refused – ‘just come back the day before it runs out’ was the reply. We met a few tourists who did that and were able to extend their visa with no hassle for up to another 30 days. Just go to the visa office early and be prepared to wait a few hours, and you should get your visa extension on the same day.

In the end, we didn’t extend our visa, as we were told there are three days leeway after expiration – we had a 15 day visa on arrival and were able to exit Iran after 17 days from our entry, with no hassle whatsoever.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Iran. Winters can be bitterly cold, especially in the north of the country, and summer sees boiling temperatures everywhere, often in excess of 50°. The country is very big, and temperatures change a lot from north to south , with the southern coast being warm year round.

We visited in winter , between December and January, and temperatures were mild and pleasant – around 10° in Tehran and Isfahan and 20° in Yazd. But we were told it was an unusually mild winter.

If you want to ski (great fun!) the season in the Alborz mountains near Tehran runs from October to May.

Want to know more about Iran and what to expect? Read our Things to do in Tehran post!

In Iran, women are expected to adhere to Islamic dress code. You need to wear a headscarf at ALL TIMES from the moment you step off the plane, everywhere except in private homes or your hotel room.

When I say ‘headscarf’, I don’t mean a full fledged affair – just something covering your hair. You can pin your headscarf to the back of your head, leaving your hairline exposed. If the scarf falls for a second, fear not – you won’t be arrested. Just put it back on.

Besides headscarf, women should wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothes. No low-cut tops, exposed shoulders or midriffs. We saw loads of women wearing leggings or tight jeans, especially in the least conservative areas of Tehran and Isfahan. Colourful clothes and headscarves seemed to be fine, same for make-up – most Iranian women are actually crazy about make-up.

Hotels and Guesthouses

Iran is most definitely not on the beaten track. The country was subject to sanctions for 35 years, and for quite a while it was near impossible to visit. Accommodation is limited to budget/midrange hotels and some luxury affairs. When I say ‘luxury’, this needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, as many places were probably luxurious in the 1960s and have been poorly maintained ever since.

Smaller cities like Yazd also have traditional guesthouses , usually set around an internal courtyard with a fountain and divans to relax – Kohan Hotel in Yazd’s historical centre was a great example and a bargain at only $18.

Looking for the best places to stay in the Iranian capital? Read our Best Hotels in Tehran post!

Otherwise, check our post about booking hotels in Iran to plan your trip with absolutely no hassles!

Couchsurfing

Iranian hospitality is incredible. Everywhere you go you’ll be stopped by locals wanting to have a chat, which inevitably will end with an invitation for lunch, dinner or tea. The best way to experience this is Couchsurfing in Iran . We couchsurfed 9 out of 15 nights we spent in Iran, with two different families, and loved it.

First of all, you’ll get to try delicious cuisine . Home-cooked Iranian food and what you get at restaurants are quite different things – read the Food & Drinks section if you want to know more. Then, you’ll get access to insider’s tips and knowledge – from the right price to pay for taxis to when to visit the wonderful Pink Mosque in Shiraz (before 8.30 am, BTW).

It’s very easy to secure a CS host in Iran. Some will even invite you to ‘secret’ underground parties. Remember to be respectful around your hosts at all times, especially if elderly or conservative people live in the same house.

In most cities, getting around means using buses or taxis .

Buses can be confusing due to the use of Farsi numbers, but locals are usually happy to help you out. More often than not they also ended up paying for our bus ticket! Just be aware that there are separate sections for men (at the front) and women (at the back) – if you’re a couple, just stay near the centre at either side of the bar separating the two sections.

Taxis are plentiful and easy to use, but (as always) many will try to overcharge you , especially in Tehran. Try to find out what the right fare is and don’t be afraid to bargain down – or walk. For instance, at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran rates to the city centre are set and displayed, but taxi drivers will still try to overcharge you.

In Tehran, there’s also an excellent subway system , easy to use and costing literally pennies.

Between cities

We found Iranian buses to be excellent. We simply turned up at the bus station and within an hour or so, found a bus to our destination. You can also book buses in advance – sites are usually in Farsi, but your hotel or CS host will gladly help you. Buses cost €8-10 for a 5-6 hour trip like Tehran-Isfahan. Try to book ‘VIP’ seats , offering reclining business class-style seats and free drinks and snacks for a couple of extra euro more than ‘normal’ buses.

There’s also a good train system in Iran , ideal if you’re planning to travel at night (from Yazd to Tehran for example). the only issue is that trains need to be booked a few days in advance as they tend to sell out. Again, ask your hotel or CS host for help.

Finding a restaurant in Iran can be hard. On our first night in Tehran we walked around for two hours in search of a restaurant, and ended up having a limp kebab in a shisha joint. Why? Strangely, many restaurants are either on the first floor or basement of buildings, and signs are (yes, you guessed it) only in Farsi. If you see an open door with a staircase either going up or down, chances are it will lead to a restaurant.

Food in restaurants and home cooked food are two entirely different things. Whsn I asked my CS host why, he said ‘why would I want to eat in a restaurant what I can have at home?’ In restaurants, kebabs reign supreme – a grilled skewer of beef, chicken or both on a bed of rice. That’s pretty much it – delicious indeed, but gets old.

Outside Tehran, vegetarians might have a hard time . In restaurants there are very few dishes prepared with no meat or fish at all – just a few aubergine-based dishes. Ordering a series of starters will be your safest bet, and maybe ask your hotel or CS host to write down in Farsi a list of what you can or cannot eat to show your waiter.

At home, food is an entirely different story. We had stews, chicken casseroles, and lots of ‘sabzi’ dishes, meaning vegetables. A really good dish you might also find in some small restaurants is ‘dizi’ , a lamb stew with meat/veg and stock served separately then mashed together. We also ate veg fritters, meatballs and mixed salads, everything accompanied by mugs of sweet tea and mountains of fresh herbs. Everything was delicious and a lot healthier than restaurant kebabs!

Also, remember that alcohol is illegal in Iran . You won’t find it anywhere, not even in the most expensive restaurants and hotels – what Iranians call ‘beer’ is fruit-flavoured and non-alcoholic . You might be offered home made wine or brandy in private homes but trust me – it will probably be disgusting. Just give your liver a break and enjoy delicious freshly-squeezed juices instead!

You won’t be able to withdraw money in Iran , as no Western cards are accepted. So, make sure you bring plenty of dollars or euros and exchange them at official exchange offices , which offer better exchange rates than hotels.

Iran’s official currency is the Rial. When we visited, one euro was equal to 45,000 Rial , but rampant inflation means exchange rates are anything but stable.

You’ll find that prices are always quoted in ‘toman’ instead of rial . The toman price is one tenth of the price in rial – for instance, for the taxi ride from Khomeini airport to central Tehran we were quoted 45,000 toman, equal to 450,000 rial. This can be very confusing, making things sound much cheaper (or much more expensive) than they actually are.

So, always make sure that you understand what currency is being referred to – and 99% of the times, it will be toman. Just add one 0 and you’re ready to go.

Another strange Iranian custom is taarof. Picture this – you have just bought something at a shop and wish to pay. The shopkeeper basically says ‘no worries, you honour me with your presence’ . What do you do? Think ‘quids in’ and run away?

This is taarof, an ancient form of Persian etiquette. The shopkeeper does want you to pay, but he’ll refuse your money three times before finally taking it. Just keep insisting and eventually he’ll take it, and you’ll make him happy for having understood his country’s etiquette and customs.

Travel Costs

Overall, Iran is not an expensive country to travel . Couchsurfing and eating in with our hosts most of the time helped us keep prices low. Here’s a recap of what we spent:

Midrange hotel in Tehran: €40 per night
Budget guesthouse: €15 per night
Dinner for two (kebab, rice, salad and a soft drink): €10
VIP Bus Tehran-Isfahan / Isfahan-Shiraz: €8
Regular bus Shiraz-Yazd: €5
Entrance to sights: usually between €2 and €5
One day desert tour from Yazd: €40
A day skiing in Tochal, near Tehran (skipass & ski rental): €20

All in all, we spent about €700 for both of us, for a two-week trip. Not bad!

Say goodbye to social media while in Iran! Not only is internet painfully slow in the country – Facebook and Twitter and many news sites are also blocked. A menacing-looking page in Farsi will pop up if you try to access them.

Instagram, Buffer, Whatsapp and Viber (HUGE in Iran!) can be accessed no problem , and you’ll pick up loads of Insta followers and even a dinner invitation or two when posting from Iran!

You can use a VPN to access ‘blocked’ sites. We had hit-and-miss success with Tunnelbear, Surfeasy and Hotspot VPN.

Western media reports of Iran as a hotbed for terrorists and extremists couldn’t be further from the true. Iran is a country of wonderful, welcoming and generous people, whose primary concern with tourists is making sure they have a good time. 99% of invitation to dinner and tea are honest ones. This is a place where you can trust strangers – accept invitations, and be ready to have a wonderful time.

Having said that, Iran is not a crime-free haven. Exercise the usual amount of caution on public transport and crowded streets and bazaars, especially in Tehran where motorbikes run on the pavement and bag-snatching is common.

A few taxi drivers are tricksters , but usually the worse they can do is overcharge you or short-change you. That’s about it.

Is there anything else you’d like to know on how to visit Iran independently? Let us know in the comments!

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35 thoughts on “How to Visit Iran Independently”

Thanks for all the helpful info. I have never thought of visiting Iran, it is just one of those countries that you hear about a lot but none of it is ever anything good. It is nice to have someone share the positive side of things.

That’s why I was so eager to write this post! Iran doesn’t deserve the bad press, which is due to history and past politicians rather than current affairs. It’s an amazing country filled with beautiful, hospitable people. Try to visit if you can!

Really informative! I’d ove to visit Iran with my family next year. It’s on our to-do list and this has been really helpful in getting me to think about the logistics. I doubt if we’ll couch surf so we’ll be staying at whatever hotels there are. We’re Anglo-American so we’ll have to take one of the organised tours.

You’ll have a great experience no matter what! Hotels are not that bad, just not much character at least from what I’ve seen. Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for this post! And great pics!!! I’ve been in Iran now for 6 weeks on a collaborative research project. I haven’t had any problem traveling as an American. For the first two weeks I traveled with my (German) partner, but I’ve mostly been on my own since. Of course, I’ve had loads of support from my research buddy in Iran, other friends (and friends of friends), as well as the Facebook group “See You In Iran”. Getting the visa is the hard part, but if you can get one, I say ditch the organized tours – or at least strike out on your own a bit. Except for Persepolis. Take a tour there. You won’t regret it.

Apart from the murals on the walls of the former US embassy, I haven’t encountered any anti-American sentiment whatsoever. If anything, people viewed me and my (German) partner more like celebrities! Everyone wanted to talk to us and take pictures with us. And Persian hospitality is amazing. Seriously.

A few things to remember: First, regarding the dress code: Men should not wear shorts. For women, the headscarf rules are fairly lax in Tehran and other bigger cities, but in more conservative places like Qom, Qazvin, and maybe Yazd you should tuck your hair in and keep your ears and neck covered. People are very forgiving of tourists’ fashion faux pas, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. You should also try to keep wrists, ankles, and feet covered in those places. In Tehran, though, you can have 3/4-length sleeves and wear sandals, but I’d make sure your trousers go down to your ankles. Hardly anyone wears long skirts or dresses, so stick to shirts and trousers. Skinny jeans are totally legit. The other super important thing is that any top you wear must cover your “lady parts” in both front and back. (This is true most everywhere.) Buy some tunics from H&M and/or wear a light, longer jacket (manteau) as the locals do. I ended up buying a bunch of stylish manteaus here, which I just wore over a tshirt when I had to teach. If you go to a shrine or other very holy place, you might have to wear a chador, but there are loads of what appear to be old bedsheets at the entrances, and the ladies will show you how to wear it. DO go to these holy places – and go inside! Avoid too much picture taking, but experience how religion operates on the ground here. People are happy you are there, so long as you’re acting reverently. Second, what I call “Persian time” is a lot different than German or American time. 😀 Iranians are super laid back, but this also often results in a lack of organization and/or punctuality. With everything from issuing/extending visas to meeting you somewhere for dinner, do NOT expect anything to happen on time. Still, things have a strange way of working out here. Just don’t lose your cool. (I’ve lost it a few times over the past 6 weeks. LOL) Third, I recommend learning a few phrases, plus your Persian numbers. Knowing how to read and say 1-20 was a big help. “Merci” usually suffices for “thank you”, and “Salam” for “hello”. But folks get really pumped when you can say things like “Xeyli Mamnun” (“thank you very much”) or “xoda hafez” (goobye). Made my life a lot easier. Finally, TALK TO PEOPLE. Learn how to bargain with the taxi driver. Laugh a lot. Approach people and ask. Young people will often stop and ask if you need help, but even older people who can’t speak any English are very happy to help you if you ask. (I get by in sign language half the time. It’s fun.) Oh – and load up on nuts and sweets. If you don’t come back from Iran with Type-2 diabetes, you’re doing something wrong. 🙂

Hotels: I highly recommend Hotel Mashad in Tehran. Right across from the Former US Embassy and a metro station. Super central. Also Hotel Abbasi in Isfahan and Hotel Dad in Yazd, though these two are a bit more upscale and cost more.

Great timing! I saw a ticket to Iran for under £200 today but will probably wait it out. I would love to visit next year though. Do you think you would have been able to travel there solo?

I’m pretty sure you’ll be alright traveling there solo. The Iranian men I met were all respectful and polite, interested in honestly getting to know me and didn’t hassle me at all. Maybe try Couchsurfing with some Iranian ladies to have a local guide you around!

Awesome post! Iran is right at the top of the list of places I most want to visit. How do you think it would be travelling with kids there? I’ve never couchsurfed with children. Do you think it would be possible? What do you do to contribute towards meals when you are couchsurfing in Iran? Normally, if I were visiting someone hosting me for dinner, I would bring wine but obviously in Iran you don’t do that. What do you pitch up with if you’re invited to a home for dinner?

Hey Bethaney! I’m pretty sure it would be ok to CS with kids in Iran, we actually stayed with a family that had a little boy and they said they LOVE hosting families. I can give you their contact if you like! In terms of presents for your CS hosts, I’m sure something from your home country or a souvenir from wherever else you’re travelling would be much appreciated! We bought sweets in Iran for our CS hosts. Hope you do get to go! The locals are the best people we’ve ever met on our travels!

Wow, wow, wow. Some of those pictures made my mouth drop straight open. I have never entertained the thought of visiting Iran. I think you are doing such a great thing with your Mondays in Iran series. I will definitely be around to follow along. I can’t wait to hear more about it! Well worth the wait. 🙂

Hi all friends. I am Iranian and want to say most of people will be glad to see you in my country. it will be a pleasure to host you there. wait for you dear all !

700Euro for two persons in 2 week trip? bullshit! I just arrived from 2 week trip with my friend and we spent 900$ per person. 50$ cost one night in good hotel.

Why bullshit? Not everyone travels on the same budget as you, and as you would have seen reading the post, i did a lot of couchsurfing. That’s what I spent, believe it or not.

Thank you so much for all of the information and advice. Iran is somewhere that I’ve always wanted to go and I’m hoping that sometime in the next couple of years, I will finally make it!

I have a good Iranian friend who has offered to let us stay with her family and show us around so hopefully, that’ll make our travels easier and cheap – and we’ll be able to eat vegetarian food! But these tips will really help when we venture off on our own!

Your photos are absolutely stunning – make me want to book my flight straight away!

Beautiful article! Unfortunately, as an Israeli it’s impossible for me to visit Iran. Hopefully one day Israelies can go there and Iranians come here for sightseeing. The good people on both sides deserve that freedom. It’s ashame that due to senseless politics no one cares about, this is now only a wishful thinking

Hell, I am Iranian. Thank you for the pictures. I can help people who need any help about Iran.

Hi.I’m mahdi. I’m persian from shiraz-IRAN.I know Arabic and English. can i help you? [email protected]

Thanks so much for the post and information, everything helps when travelling to a place with different culture and language. How did you contact hosts for couchsurfing? via couchsurfing app or a different way? I read that couchsurfing was ilegal in Iran, is this so?

Hi Nicole! I contacted people via the Couchsurfing site, and never had issues finding people to host us. I was unaware CS was illegal, it seemed to be quite popular in Iran. I also recommend joining the ‘See you in Iran’ group on FB – lots of interesting info there and it’s a great way to meet people!

Great post and pics. Iran has always been on my bucket list of places to travel to. I want to travel independently as my partner detest organised tours but is amenable to local travel agents for part of the journey. Would you recommend using local agents. We’re not one of the restricted nationalities.

Dear Kerry To be honest, Iran is perfectly fine to visit independently. A guide would help, but Iranians are so friendly that you’ll definitely find someone happy to ‘play guide’ for you!

I’ve been to Iran 16 times now and i can assure that Iranians are the most hospitable, friendly people i’ve ever met on all my travels. If you’re reading this posts thinking about going or not going… just go, you won’t regret it. P.S. VOA is now valid for up to 30 days.

Thanks for adding that Filipe! Will edit the post right now… and you’re totally right, Iranian hospitality is second to none.

I love your article. Great info! I’m going to Tehran in November and looking forward for an adventurous trip my brother. I never tried couchsurfing before and we would like to try in Iran. I was wondering if you could share your CS hosts contact in Iran? That will be grateful. Thank you 🙂

Hey Laily! Thanks for your message. I’m not really comfortable naming them here but feel free to email me and I’ll let you know. Thanks!

hi there,im nahal ebrahim from iran..live in tehran..im 37 years old and a translator..i would like to be your tour guide here..and invite you in my home..i have a car and can be your taxi too…cook for you the best kind of iranian traditional food…please text me … its possible to visit other cities too [email protected] skype: nahal ebrahim

Hey Nahal! I was offline for a couple of days, it happens sometimes 😉 in any case, thanks for your comment! Will let you know if I get back to Iran

hiiiiiiiiiii,,,tnx a alot??

No worries!

hi my name is kamyar.I’m 24 years old.i am from iran and living in west azerbaijanBut now I stay in Bandar Abbas Because I’m a student.If you want to let the two cities in Iran i can help you. I’m reception of hotel in Bandar Abbas. ([email protected])

Thanks Kamyar! If I come to Iran again I will write. Thanks for your wonderful hospitality!

as an iranian people , I should tell : for more information about my country realiran.org thank you for your useful and true stories about my country

untoldiran.com this is another site ! 🙂

Thanks so much!

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Iran Travel Tips

Top 28 Iran tour operators & Travel Agencies in 2024 + Description

Why do you need a travel agency(best Iran tour operators) anyway? You really don’t. You can buy your own flights, book your hotel off 3rd party websites, and Google basically everything else when you land. Budgeting 100 USD a day should be more than enough (covers accommodation, transport, food, entrance tickets, shopping).

Taxis and buses are common in urban centers and you can find almost all attractions and how to reach them on Google Maps.

But Iran is a gigantic untapped country with thousands of years of history. It’s in the top 20 biggest countries, bigger than Egypt, Turkey, and even Germany. It’s got 10 urban areas, 26 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and a million different hidden gems in between.

And you probably only have 7-14 days to see, experience, and sense it all. Which you can’t, and really, shouldn’t.

Each traveler has unique interests, and that’s exactly where travel agencies shine. Most can help you organize your itinerary with only the things you’re passionate about. Agencies help save you valuable time and money by giving you exactly what you came to see. After all, Iran is still a developing destination, which means you will need some assistance to make sure everything goes as planned.

Now, there’s a clear distinction between agencies that once used to innovate and agencies that continue to evolve to today’s standards. Some focus on building relationships with resellers and international organizations, while others prioritize relationships with individual travelers.

We put together a complete list to guide you as you pick the travel partner you chose to help plan your trip to Iran.

Here are the top 30 Iranian tour operators you can consider for future travels:

TAP Persia (TAP)

Friendly iran (fi), iranomad tours (int), adventure iran (ai), aria med tours (amt), med iran co. (mic), surf iran (si), up persia (up), let’s go iran (lgi), iran safar tours (ist), iran gasht tour (igt), gapa tour (gt), iranamaze (ia), iran doostan tours (idt), pasargad tours (pt), hi persia (hp), rashin travel (rt), 1st quest (1q), iran on tour (iot), key 2 persia (k2p), iran traveling center (itc), alaedin travel (at), taste iran (ti), eavar travel (et), kalout tour (kt), welcome to iran (wti), termeh travel (tt), cheetah adventures (ca), how to choose the best iran travel agency.

TAP Persia Travel Agency - best Iran tour operators

Based out of Isfahan, TAP specializes in private tours with local guides across the country. TAP’s English-native specialists are the backbone of their award-winning support team, priding themselves on reliability and super-quick response times.

Built for travel in today’s content-rich & web-savvy world, they have over 200K followers across all channels (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest). Since its launch in 2017, TAP has grown to become the number one Iran tour operator on Trip Advisor , with over 800 reviews.

They recruit passionate guides, drivers, and hosts to create enriching experiences and partner with unique boutique hotels that feature ancient charm and dedicated management.

With the help of locals, TAP created unique experiences (homestays, Persian dinners, nomadic migrations, sand dune camel rides) and offers classes in Persian culture (Farsi food, calligraphy, carpet).

They also specialize in VIP guests, hosting ambassadors & diplomats from Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Turkey, the UK, the UN, & more. TAP focuses exclusively on incoming travelers, giving them the advantage of being laser-focused on Iran and its deep heritage.

Based in Shiraz, they like to organize their tours “as a friend would”. With over 20 years of experience, FI focuses on establishing relationships with agencies and organizations to reach a global audience. They offer package tours consisting of large groups, a VIP bus for all transportation, and a dedicated leader that will guide travelers throughout their journey.

Aside from acting as the operating arm for global resellers for incoming travelers, they also cater to domestic and outbound markets, offering travel to destinations such as China, Thailand, Malaysia, & Indonesia in the Far East and Switzerland, Spain, France & Italy in Europe.

Founded by a descendant of ancient nomadic tribes in 2017, INT specializes in nomadic excursions that follow nomadic families as they traverse thousand-year-old paths across the rugged peaks of the Zagros Mountains. To help keep this living piece of history alive, they partner with authentic nomads and focus on small-group and private tours, a few times a year.

INT also renovated a historic building in the heart of Tehran’s historic district to serve as a coworking space, culture center, and a market offering nomadic produce such as tapestries, dairy, and produce. They focus exclusively on incoming travelers from around the world.

AI is an adventure travel company specializing in active tours and special-interest journeys. Founded in 2006, they work with global operators and resellers as a destination management company, handling reservations and ground operations. AI also hosts small group tours across the country for interests such as trekking, cycling, skiing, climbing & more.

They are one of the first agencies to join the ATTA , the largest global network of adventure travel leaders, with another 30,000 members. Since 2017, they have hosted the annual Ultra Trail Marathon race in Lar National Park near Mt. Damavand, the highest volcano in Asia.

One of the country’s first medical tourism operators, AMT focuses exclusively on travelers looking for affordable cosmetic and medical treatments. They hold dual licenses from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education as well as the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism & Handicraft.

They have partnerships with doctors, surgeons, specialists, clinics, and hospitals throughout the country. AMT offers all-inclusive packages for rhinoplasty, weight loss, dental, hair transplant, eye care, ENT, Cardiology, Cancer treatment, and more. They have global offices in London, Ontario, and Baku and domestic offices in Tehran and Mashhad.

An international tourism and medical services company established in 2017, MIC was started by a team of physicians who wished to help patients discover healthcare alternatives. They offer treatment options and package tours in the form of all-inclusive planned trips.

Following their online diagnostics, you will be linked with one of their partner medical and accommodation providers. MIC offers cosmetic procedures for the eye, teeth, hair, face, and body as well as intensive surgeries such as hip and knee replacements.

Based in Tehran, SI offers a range of package trips along with custom-made private excursions. They specialize in classic routes across the country with large groups.

They partner with archaeologists, mountaineers, conservationists, photographers, and more to bring travelers deeper into their destinations. They work exclusively with incoming travelers, offering their services in both English and French.

Founded in 1998, UP has invested heavily in destination promotions and tourism infrastructure. They also own and operate multiple accommodations including boutique hotels & ecolodges.

They offer scheduled, package, and small-group tours focusing on native interactions and authentic experiences, such as traveling with nomads, homestays with locals, and Persian cooking classes. UP offers its services in English, Spanish, French, Chinese & Farsi, catering to incoming as well as domestic travelers.

Lets Go Iran Travel Agency(best Iran tour operators)

With 20+ years of experience, LGI is a complete destination management company with holdings in a variety of travel sectors. They specialize in incoming markets, outgoing markets, education, and ticketing. They are also a major supplier of discounted domestic airfares.

LGI offers leisure, business, educational, & corporate travel packages for a variety of group sizes. They also offer training in guide training, business management, and hospitality management.

Since 1994, IST has been focused on tailor-made inbound tours that offer travelers off-the-beaten-path destinations, unique national phenomena, and much more.

They also offer package tours concentrating on culture, archaeology, architecture, and nature. IST experiences feature less-visited routes, historic boutique hotels, and privately guided excursions led by local experts( Iran tour ).

One of the country’s most diverse agencies, Established in 1989, IGT organizes a wide variety of tours for individuals and groups. They hire licensed guides that offer their services in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese & Hindi. IGT also makes arrangements for travelers arriving for seminars, international exhibitions, sporting events, and conferences.

Their clientele includes British Petroleum (UK), the Shell Company (Netherlands), and Zagros Ltd (New Zealand). They have won multiple international and domestic awards and have offices in Shiraz and Nelson, New Zealand.

Starting as a family-owned and operated business in 2002, GT offers package tours to resellers worldwide and acts as their domestic operations arm.

They provide historic, cultural, eco, and adventure tours along with other agency services such as ticketing and reservations. They regularly participate in global travel events such as ATM DUBAI, ITB Berlin, ITB Asia Singapore, and Fitur Madrid and are a member of the IATA .

Started by a group of adventure-seekers in 2004, IA set out to create their version of what Iran’s tourism should look like. Specializing in incoming travelers from the European market, IA is a collaborative effort between tourism experts in Iran and Austria. With offices in Vienna and Tehran, they are able to provide services with EU standards.

Founded in 1990, IDT is one of the first Iranian tour operators. They offer adventure, sports, MICE, religious, and recently medical packages.

They also regularly participate in global events such as ITB, WTM London and ATM Latin America, FITUR, SITC, MITT, BIT, BTL, COTTM, Top Resa, Dubai ATM, and Adventure Travel Show Washington and LA to present the real beauties of Iran that are ignored by negative western propaganda.

IDT has also won multiple national awards for excellence in operational standards and for exporting Iran’s cultural heritage to a global audience.

Established in 1987, PT is one of the oldest tourism operators in the country. They are the recipients of multiple national awards. They partner with international agencies and organizations to resell their package tours. PT deploys modern operational practices and meticulous care into each tour.

Along with their far-reaching global network, they partner with a host of scholarly and experienced guides, ranked at the top of their field and the best in the country. They offer their services in English, Italian, German, French, and Chinese.

Founded by experienced and professional travelers and guides in 2014, HP focuses on socially-responsible and sustainable adventures. They offer active and classic tours across the country in both English and German. HP deals with inbound and domestic travelers as well catering to the country’s growing outbound market.

With 10+ years of experience, RT was established by a group of travel lovers and enthusiasts. They feature experiences that go beyond highlights in each destination, focusing on local experiences and helping travelers discover the real Iran.

Based in Tehran, RT hosts one of the country’s leading tailor-made holiday planning teams, creating quality itineraries featuring imaginative ideas that unlock the full appeal of the country.

1Q is a platform for traveling to lesser-known travel destinations. They started out as an Iranian incoming travel agency in 2017 but have since expanded to become a global travel agency focusing on MENA and Central Asian destinations. 1Q currently offers package tours to Iran and Oman, with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in the works.

Their website features their proprietary trip planner, helping travelers customize their travel plans for free. They are headquartered in London with offices in Tehran.

IOT’s mission is to create lasting bonds between travelers and Iranians, showcasing the best of the country’s historical heritage while keeping in touch with local Iranian people and customs. They offer 3 types of experiences: cultural tours, excursions, and urban adventures.

As part of their efforts to be socially responsible, they also pledge 7% of their profits to help orphans and disadvantaged children. In order to provide the most authentic and sustainable experience, IOT works with native guides, supports local businesses, and aims to establish local partners.

Based in Shiraz, K2P was one of the pioneers of Iranian tourism and remains one of the most active B2B agencies in the country. Founded in 1999, they regularly attend global tourism exhibitions to promote Iran.

They have heavily invested in tourism infrastructure in Iran, establishing hotel chains in multiple cities and modernizing their fleet of VIP buses. K2P trains its guides in-house and offers services in English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Japanese.

They also conduct frequent R&D to develop unknown attractions, modernize iranology practices and improve guide standards.

Founded in 2000, ITC is a B2B agency focusing on establishing relationships with 3rd party resellers and global agencies. A member of the Iran-Germany Chamber of Commerce, they operate in domestic, incoming, and outgoing markets.

They have offices in Tbilisi and Tehran. ITC staff is not only proficient in English but also boasts team members from Germany, Spain, and Japan.

Founded by a leader in Iran’s domestic tourism market, AT is one of the biggest agencies in the country. Established in 2016, they cover inbound, outbound, and domestic markets. They also work closely with global organizations to promote their travel packages.

As such they also specialize in MICE tours and events. AT recently added medical tourism to its catalog of services.

Inspired by their travels abroad, TI was started by an adventuring couple. With a combination of business savvy and marketing charm, their mission is to present the neglected heritage, nature, and culture of Iran. They host locally-led tours that encourage authentic cultural exchange between travelers and natives.

Their team includes eco-tourism enthusiasts, passionate locals, conservation activists, and web developers. TI uses modern technology and intelligent tools to locate and develop neglected sites and attractions to encourage sustainable tourism in rural areas. They have offices in Ontario and Tehran.

A specialty agency based in Tehran, ET offers economic to luxury travel packages.

They offer Ski, Food, Historical, Eco, Cultural, Adventure, and Nomad packages that encourage local interactions.

Their tours encourage local interactions, allowing you to participate in daily rituals, and helping travelers experience an authentic Iranian lifestyle. ET hosts a multilingual team and offers its services in English, French, Spanish, German, Turkish, and Russian. They specialize in incoming travelers and regularly attend exhibitions such as Mitt Russia, Fitur Spain, Iftm France, and ITB Germany.

Founded in 1998, KT is named after the towering geological features in the Lut desert, one of the hottest places on Earth. They are among the first eco-tour companies to take travelers to remote natural wonders and hidden historical attractions.

Their team of dedicated enthusiasts regularly identify, assess and explore off-the-grid locations for future tours.

KT trains locals to maintain and promote their tourism potential. They focus on incoming as well as domestic travelers, taking both groups side-by-side through desert towns, mountain villages, archaeological sites, and nomadic tribal paths to foster cross-cultural exchange They regularly attend global exhibitions and have recently started working in the outbound market.

Welcome to iran Travel Agency(best Iran tour operators)

Founded in 1973, 6 years before the Iranian Islamic Revolution, WTI is the first responsible & sustainable tour operator and the largest online travel service provider in Iran. They focus on low-impact, environmentally sensitive operations to maximize traveler understanding, awareness, and respect for wildlife, landscapes, and local communities.

WTI hand-picks their guides for proficiency and expertise in Iranology, offering their services in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, and German. They are also the largest supplier of domestic and international flight & train tickets in the country.

Launched in 2019, TT is an online platform that provides full services for Iran’s incoming tourists, focusing on Europe & Southeast Asia.

They offer eco-friendly and sustainable tours with local-led guides and drivers. TT also offers a range of free walking tours that introduce travelers to a destination for the cost of a tip. They offer package tours throughout the country and feature an itinerary builder for quick planning.

Named after the Iranian Cheetah, a critically endangered subspecies that can only be found in the Iranian plateau. Founded in 2015 by travel enthusiasts and environmental activists, CA focuses on trekking, climbing, and adventure tours across the country that make travelers understand and appreciate Iran’s natural habitat.

If you want to know more about Iran’s safety , read this article.

The best travel agency may be chosen in a number of ways: · Read reviews on reliable websites like Tripadvisor · Asking tourists about their experience visiting the country · It will also be dependable for a pleasant visit to Iran if the Iranian travel agency you choose values the environment and the local population. · Seeking for organizations with respectable licenses. It demonstrates the agency’s reliability and adherence to the law. · A landline and physical address are requirements for every licensed travel agency in Iran. Therefore, it is recommended to be extra cautious if the tourism-related website declines to provide the actual address in the “Contact Us” area.

TAP Editorial Team

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American Tourist in Iran: Travel Tips

“Can Americans travel to Iran?” is the second most commonly asked question after whether Iran is safe to travel to at all . The answer is yes, Iran is safe to travel to. And yes, Americans can legally travel to Iran, though it takes a longer Visa process than most other countries. It will also cost more because you’ll have to book a tour. Budget at least 3-4 months to get a visa approval so that you also have ample time to book your flight at a reasonable cost. As an American Tourist in Iran who just returned, I share everything you need to know to prepare for your trip to this majestic, historical, hospitable country that is so often misunderstood.

Tips for An American Tourist in Iran

Here are the steps and information for Americans traveling to Iran (click on the link if you want to skip to the section) :

Where are the best places to travel to in Iran? What type of trip do you want?
Seasons: Deciding what time of the year to go
Visa Process for Americans
Arriving at the airport and immigration process

Are Jews allowed in Iran?

Booking your flight to Iran
Clothing for women
General necessities
Bring Cash! Debit and Credit Cards won’t work for Americans
Iranian Rial, Toman and using US Dollars
Accessing the Internet, Sim Card, and VPN

Food, Water & Sanitation

Iranian People, Culture & Customs

Other Practical Information

Is it safe to travel to iran as an american tourist.

Despite the incessant negative media from the west, traveling to Iran is very safe . I can’t speak for people living there, but this is from my experience as well as dozens of other travelers ( Americans and Iranians ) that have been in the past decade. I have spoken to families of friends that live there as well. The country is suffering financially. Younger generations are having a tough time finding jobs ( even more so because of sanctions ). But safety is not a big concern for them. Traveling in Iran will be safe, given that you follow the law . Some people equate strict laws and extreme punishments to danger. Nothing is 100%, but if you follow the rules in Iran as a tourist, you will be safer than most countries in the world today. This means:

Covering up as a woman from head to ankle
Not speaking publicly against the government which includes political protests
Many people drink at home. There are black markets that sell it, and some people even make it at home. Authorities are not out to crack down on alcohol consumption in the privacy of one’s home unless it becomes a nuisance to neighbors and society.

I know these laws sound ludicrous to most Westerners. But because I am a traveler, a guest in their country, I will respectfully abide by those laws. I have no power or voice to change laws in Iran as I do in the US by voting, by becoming active in the local community.

News of Kidnapping and Imprisonment

There has been news of kidnapping and imprisonment of travelers and foreigners living there. Those imprisoned have accusations against them from the Iranian government. Western media has automatically assumed their innocence. But most people do not know internally what is actually going on. Given that these events happened a few times in the past decade, I decided to weigh my risks. With mass shootings happening every day in America, I weighed that I would more likely get murdered in my own neighborhood than imprisoned on potentially “false” charges. That is if all those imprisoned are in fact innocent .

When we have these conversations on “ how safe is it to travel to ____ “, the most effective way is to weigh statistics . Of course, we do not know the exact figures for every country in the world. Or the number of people wrongfully imprisoned for espionage or kidnapped. But you know that it would make the news if it happened to a European or American Tourist in Iran.

This goes the same with people who freak out about visiting France because some crazy person drove a truck into a restaurant killing a few people, years ago. Yet, they overlook the frequent mass shootings in the US. It’s called ‘Selective Retention’. On another note, saying that “bad things” happen everywhere is also not a wise way to measure risk. Statistically, Japan is one of the safest places to travel and live in the world. The data shows it. But it doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen. If it does though, it is a very low probability. This is simple math that people need to take into account when discussing safety.

These are the thoughts I had on whether or not I was going to travel to Iran in July 2019. In the midst of all the political threats between our two countries. I speculated that I had a lower risk of danger in Iran than staying home in the US. And so I embarked on an unforgettable journey of my life to Iran .

Because of strict laws and the calm nature of Iranian people, violence against people, especially against tourists are very rare. The government in Iran, as well as much of the middle-east , take crimes against tourists very seriously. The only thing you really need to look out for, as with anywhere else, is potential pickpocketers. But it is very rare, especially compared to Italy, Spain or parts of South America.

Security, Cops and Soldiers

You will see policemen, security, and soldiers though not an incessant amount. They keep to themselves and it’s best you do not take photos of them unless you ask. They are not corrupt towards tourists like some other places. You don’t have to worry about extortion or harassment. During my 12 day trip, we only had 1 police encounter. We were pulled over because the highway patrol noticed our car’s permit sticker was not to date. My tour guide went into the patrol booth and explained that he hadn’t received the new sticker decal. They looked it up in the system and was able to pull the effective date of his permit and was let go right away. This all took 5 minutes. This is a small glimpse into the organization of traffic, security, and information systems in place.

The only other encounter you could potentially have with police is if you violate the dress code as a woman. This means if you aren’t wearing a scarf or not fully covered up. You will likely just be let off with a warning.

How to Plan your Trip to Iran

Which cities do you want to travel to in Iran? What type of trip do you want? There are so many things that stand out. You can make a whole trip out of just visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites for example. Or a culinary, textile, nomadic, adventure, or historical tour. Browsing through itineraries on the Visit Our Iran website can give you ideas.

Seasons: Deciding What Time of the Year to Go

Iran enjoys all four seasons and there is something for every traveler. Spring and Autumn would be the best, weather-wise, due to its fair climate: March-May and September-November. I went in July and it was personally too hot for me at 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit ( especially when you have to be fully covered up ). And if you visit in the winter, you can go skiing in the mountain!

Should you travel during:

In the case of Iran, it’s ok to travel during Ramadan. Your tour guide will know all the places open during Ramadan.
Nowruz? It is the most exciting time of the year for Iranians as it’s the New Year! It will be a crowded week to visit so it depends if you want to partake in the celebrations or skip this busy time.

An American Tourist in Iran is Required to Hire a Tour Company

American, Canadian and UK citizens are required by Iranian law to hire a licensed Tour Company for the whole duration of their trip. I recommend booking your tour through Visit Our Iran , the first Iranian Tour Marketplace . Through their web platform, you can find a large variety of private and group tours from dozens of trusted tour operators. Use my discount code Bohemianvagabond2019VOI for 10% off all tours!

Visa Process for American Tourists

The most strenuous part of the process is applying and waiting for your Visa to Iran. It can take 2-4 months for Visa approval. The rest of the process is as painless as traveling to any other country. Since American tourists will need to go with a licensed Tour (arranged ahead of time), the company will help with the visa process. They will send you a Visa form which will ask for some general information:

Name, address, contact information
Name of your parents
Copy of your passport
A passport photo

There is no official Iran Embassy in the US so the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC serves as a liaison. This department is called “ The Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran “. You would mail your passport into their embassy once approved to process the Visa. Give yourself 2 weeks for this in case you need your passport.

Or if you are traveling to countries with an Iran Embassy, you can also pick your visa up there in person. Because I was in Lebanon a month before my Iran trip, I arranged to pick my Visa up from the Iran Embassy in Beirut. It was a half-day process for me. But it would have been quicker if I had called prior to going to know the logistics and cost. The cost at the time was 90 euros for same-day processing or 60 euros for 24-hour processing. And you may need to pay in cash.

How long is a Visa valid for? The visas are valid for 3 months and can be used for 30 days from the date of entry.

Arriving at the Airport & Immigration Process

The only thing I was concerned about was the process of arriving at the airport and going through immigration. I thought that if there would be one place I could potentially be interrogated, it would be there. It ended up being the fastest process of any country I’ve been to. The immigration officer took one look at me, flipped through my passport to check that I had a valid Iranian visa. He did not speak a word to me and stamped my passport within 2 minutes. This was the same when departing.

Can you Travel to Iran if You’ve been to Israel?

Several Middle-Eastern countries are notoriously known to deny you a visa if they know that you have been to Israel due to their conflicts. But Iran is a bit looser than Lebanon and other Arab countries on this rule. Most of the time, Israel does not stamp your passport. You can also ask to make sure they don’t stamp it. Instead, they provide you with a small slip. But be aware of the small, colored barcode sticker they stick outside of your passport. This is an internal code for the Israel airport security which estimates your ‘threat level’ to the country. It is easily removable though most travelers will not even notice this on their passport. Make sure to take this off, especially when traveling to Iran and Arab countries in general to avoid entry rejection or unnecessary interrogation.

It is possible for the Visa office to google you to get a background check while you’re applying. If you have a travel blog or open social media like myself, they can easily find if you have been to Israel or spoken against their government. But if they see that you are not a threat, and simply traveling to Iran just as you traveled to Israel for tourism purposes, they may actually issue you a visa. This is typically the case if you have traveled there more than 4 years prior to entering Iran.

Tip: Prior to applying for your visa, scour your Social Media posts. It would be easier if you hid proof you’ve been to Israel to get issued a Visa.

Yes, Jews are allowed in Iran. There are actually 10-15,000 Jews living in peace in Iran today. There are also Synagogues throughout the country. The Iranian government and people are not against the Jewish people and Judaism as a religion. They are against Zionism and recognizing Israel as a country due to their views on Palestine. Just as most Iranians aren’t against Amerian people as they are against the history of the American government, their involvement in the Middle-East in the past century and the politics today.

Booking your Flight to Iran

Tehran is the capital city and major international airport. Iran is a large country so consider that when booking your flight. I flew into Shiraz International Airport in the southwest as my arrival. And my departure was out of Tehran . It was the same cost as if I flew in and out of Tehran. Not all major American airlines, credit card portals, and third party websites display flights to Iran ( due to sanctions ). For example, I tried to book through the Chase portal and no flights showed up. As usual, I started my search on Skyscanner and then booked directly with the airline. Qatar Airways typically has the most affordable flights to Iran and is one of my top 3 favorite airlines. It’s classy, comfortable and on time with great onboard services.

Note: Remember to add your frequent flier miles to your flight booking. For example, I add my American Airlines program for my Qatar flight miles.

What to Pack for Iran

Packing for women is going to be more of an effort than for men. For men, simply don’t wear tank tops or shorts ( it’s also against Islamic law ).

Clothing for Women

Women living and traveling to Iran are required to cover their hair with a scarf as well as their whole body. While it is illegal not to wear a headscarf, modern women have made it into a fashion statement. Some with slight rebellion by only covering 2/3 of their hair. Long, loose tunics that cover the definition of a woman’s buttocks and curves are most recommended. As well as loose cardigans and Indian kurtas. I wore tight cotton leggings every day under my long tops that worked fine. Sandals are perfectly ok to wear.

When you visit someone’s home, women may invite you to take off your headscarf and get comfortable in whatever clothing. It is safe to do so if they invite you to ( even with men around ).

General Necessities

Iran’s electric outlet is the same as the European kind, so just bring your international converter.
Pack tampons as they are going to be harder to find.
Medicine is inexpensive and of high quality. Though to be safe, you can also pack your own.

How Much Money Do you Need to Travel in Iran?

It obviously depends on what level of luxury you prefer. With a tour, it can be anywhere from $50-150 a day depending on how many are in your group, fully inclusive. Though this would be paid ahead of time. Despite Iran being a developed country, it is an inexpensive country in general due to sanctions and the suffering economy today. You can get meals for $2 or a quality meal in a nice restaurant for $10. To hire a taxi/driver for the day can cost anywhere from $40-60. Because of sanctions today, the Iranian rial is incredibly devalued. What used to be 9000 rials to $1 USD is now 110,000 (10 times less). I stayed at 5-star hotels ( our version of a 3-4 star ) for only $30 USD per night. I would comfortably budget $40 a day outside of your hotel and transportation.

Is Iran backpacker-friendly? Yes! Backpackers from Europe and around the world travel regularly through Iran on a budget. Public transportation systems in Iran are organized, safe and inexpensive. Though metros and trains are not connected throughout the whole country, you can take them through and to major cities such as Tehran, Rasht and Shiraz. It is also common for locals to invite you into their homes and have you stay for free ( with no catch at all ). Couchsurfing , a website that connects travelers with locals to stay for free in their home ( either on a couch or an extra bed ) in an effort to meet people and for cultural exchange. It is technically illegal in Iran though very commonly used in the past decade.

Can You use American Debit and Credit Cards in Iran? American Debit and Credit Cards will not work in Iran, so you need to bring enough cash. And bring crisp newer cash.

Iranian Rial, Unofficial ‘Toman’ and using US Dollars

As of August 2019, the estimate for currency exchange is 110,000 Iranian Rials to $1 USD . Mostly everyone, from taxi drivers, small restaurants to larger establishments will take US Dollars equally as they will with Rials. But it’s better to just carry Rials so there is no extra confusion over which currency rate to use.

“ Toman ” is an old currency that Iranians use which just refers to knocking off a 0 from the Rial. Most people will be quoting you in official Iranian Rials but sometimes restaurants and stores will mark prices at the Toman pricing. If something costs 100,000 Rials, it will be marked as 10,000 T.

Accessing the Internet, Sim Card and VPN

Wifi is available in most hotels, guesthouses, and people’s homes. And they work pretty well. Facebook, Twitter, and certain social websites and search engines are blocked.

Sim Card: You can purchase a 5gb for 150,000 rials ($1.50). This lasted me comfortably for 3 days of emails, Instagram and Facebook.

What is a VPN? Prior to traveling to Iran, I did not know what a VPN is since I never had to use it. A Virtual Private Network “VPN” gives you the ability to log in to an IP address from a different country. The VPN app will detect which countries are best to connect to. It takes a few seconds to minutes to connect to this other network. I was mainly connecting to VPNs throughout Europe. This is as if you are actually in that country trying to access the internet. The purpose of this is to access blocked sites in Iran. There are VPN apps you can use for free or purchase for a better quality connection. I used Express VPN which I would highly recommend. Cost is $8.32 – $12.95 per month depending on if you subscribe monthly, per 6 months or annually.

Food poisoning is not common: Restaurants and Iranian people take sanitation seriously.

Water: You can drink tap water virtually throughout Iran unless otherwise specified. Though bottled water is incredibly cheap if you want to go the safer route. About 30 cents for a gallon of water which should last you a day.

Toilets: Most establishments will have modern toilets though many places still use squat toilets as you find in India and parts of Southeast Asia. Side note: Studies have shown that it is actually better for your digestive system to use the squat potties due to your body position and angle. It’s also cleaner that way instead of trying to hover over regular toilets.

Pack toilet paper as many public places will not have it.
It is rare to charge for bathroom use though if there is an attendant, give them some small change for a tip ( like 25 cents ).

Healthcare & hospitals: Iran is known to have a really good Healthcare system. If you get sick or need any medicine or supplies, it is easily accessible.

Iranian People, Culture and Customs

Iranians are not Arabs: The “Arab Region” consists of 22 countries. Though Iran had been conquered by Arab rulers in the 7th century and was forced to convert into Islam, they have kept strict and pridefully to the Persian culture and language called “Farsi”. They are not considered “Arabs” and many get offended if you label them that. Their culture remains strong in their Persian identity and in many ways is more similar to the culture of Central Asia.

Dynamics between men & women: With Iran being a conservative culture today, there are things to note prior to going so that you don’t come off disrespectful. Men and women typically do not shake hands when meeting, let alone hug. So it’s best that you do not initiate this contact unless they do as your host. This is the case in many Middle-Eastern and Asian countries. I experience this even in the states with my friend’s parents who have been in the US for over 30 years. Seating for men and women is also often separate in Mosques and in public transportations ( with the exception of families ).

Take off your shoes before entering a house and some shops: As with any Asian household, take off your shoes prior to entering. The Persian carpet is a sign of welcoming you to their home, which also means to please keep the house clean.

“Taarof”: This is an important cultural concept to learn in Iranian and Asian culture in general. It is their gesture of being polite by offering services for free or declining a gift given to them. Knowing this, you should insist at least 2-3 times before they will accept. Because it is not a common gesture in the west, many American tourists in Iran may miss this gesture. This could be the case with taxis or store owners offering you something for free. Or families and friends that fight over the bill. But after 3 times of insisting, if they refuse, then the treat/gift/meal is really on them.

Iran is the cleanest country I have ever seen in my life. Not only does the government have organized street cleaning early every morning, but citizens also make an effort to keep the public incredibly clean.
Once you’re in Iran, you will see how developed the country is . All the major highways and city roads are incredibly paved with a well-organized toll and security system.
Working days throughout the Middle East are typically Sunday to Thursday . The weekend is Friday and Saturday.
Hotels will typically keep your passport from check-in to check out. Don’t worry, it’s very safe to do so. But you can also request to keep it after they make a copy.
Can unmarried couples share a hotel room? Non-Iranians, unmarried couples traveling in Iran can share hotel rooms without a problem. But Iranians cannot with the opposite sex if they are not related.

Iranian People Welcome American Tourists

As mentioned before, I really felt safe while traveling in Iran, more than most places in the world. While I got stares from both men and women which can become annoying, they were more curious about where I came from since it’s rare to see a single female Asian traveler outside of large Chinese tour groups. Some even came up to me or my tour guide to ask where I was from. Since it is even more rare to meet an American tourist in Iran, they were fascinated as much as they were honored. Once you meet locals, they are engaging, genuine, and hospitable. For female travelers, men are not at all physically or verbally aggressive in Iran as in surrounding countries ( the case in Morocco or Turkey ). This made me feel safe and at ease.

A common debate today amidst all the mass shootings, corruption, greed and mental illness in the US is whether we are still the ‘greatest country in the world’. Many hold on to the strong belief that it is. I had conversations occur daily in Iran where they felt the incessant shootings and stresses of American living were not worth it. They preferred to live in Iran. But yes there are also Iranians who dream of immigrating to the US or Canada for better economic opportunities. This is the common opinion of people I’ve met in various places across the world. Being the ‘greatest nation’ in the world for some people mean having the highest military power, freedom of speech/religion, and access to an exuberant amount of money. For others, it means to live a comfortable, safe life with quality healthcare, education, and food.

Despite your political beliefs, I welcome and even challenge you to visit Iran. So many who have visited come back and say nothing but great things about Iran and its people. The history, the culture, the food, the stories, the landscapes among so many endless aspects are reasons to visit, especially as an American Tourist.

Watch more videos from our trip on Visit Our Iran’s Youtube Channel !

For More on Traveling to Iran:

Cooking Class in Rasht + Recipes
Greatest Persian Poets of all Time
Can Americans travel to Iran?
Join Travel around Persia “TAP Persia” , a Facebook Group ( with over 5000 members ) to get all the tips you need. Meet Iranian locals and other travelers interested in visiting Iran. The organizers are focused on sustainable tourism .

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Borders Of Adventure

Leading Culture and Adventure Travel Blog by Becki Enright. Looking at the world with a different angle to change perceptions of misunderstood places, for the best in travel.

Iran , Misunderstood Destinations

This Is How to Travel to Iran – Everything You Need to Know

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.

Many travel to Iran to experience the delights of the ancient Persian Empire yet are unaware of the limitations faced by the rules and regulations of what is now the strict Islamic Republic.

As travel warnings persist and diplomatic relations with other countries continue with varying degrees of existence, many are confused about how to go about entering Iran and travelling in Iran safely, efficiently, and within the boundaries set by the current regime.

However, an Iran trip doesn’t have to be difficult at all – tourism is growing as relations develop; hatred of the western world is not as rife as the media likes you to think, and travel in the country is safe. Ancient Persia is within easy grasp, most notably in the central region where key sites have been maintained and the infrastructure linking them is growing, and tourists are not subjected to as heavily enforced rules as the locals.

With enough pre-planning and prior research, you can easily avoid the limitations and stresses of travelling in what is perceived as a closed and tricky country to traverse.

Use this checklist and list of tips for when you visit Iran as a comprehensive guide to help get you started. This Iran travel guide shows you how and is constantly revised with the help of an authorised tour guide on the ground in Tehran, alongside access to regular Iran tourism updates via tourism business partners.

Due to the volatile situation since September 2022, with anti-government protests throughout Iran as women fight for their rights, check government and official advisories before visiting Iran.

Visitors walking in the garden grounds in front of The Great Mosque Masjid-e Jameh of Isfahan on an Iran trip.

Check Before you Visit Iran

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Inbound bookings for Iran usually change when something has severed particular diplomatic ties, which then reverberates to tourism apprehension and a halt to tourism altogether. Always check the news and the political landscape before travelling to Iran to see if you (and your nationality/country) are affected by visas and entry to Iran. It’s always a matter of time and patiently waiting to see how the political landscape plays out following these events. Here are some of the more recent ones.

Prior to this, on 3rd January 2020, it was announced that the Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike, with Iran calling for ‘severe revenge’. While the outcome is not yet known, this does ignite fears of a conflict in the Middle East , and it pays to be more aware of travel warnings at this time. American citizens, in particular, may face more restrictions.

Following the Ukrainian Airlines plane crash near Tehran, several flights routes to Iran have been cancelled following the news that the Ukrainian jet was ‘unintentionally’ shot down . If you have any Iran travel planned, check your airline to see if the service is still running.

The arrest of the UK Ambassador to Iran in Tehran as part of government protests have further sparked an international row between the two countries. UK travellers should be on alert for developments.

Both Iran and Persia are used interchangeably about the country and also while you are on the ground. Reference to Persia is more so in the context of the history and legacy of the ancient kingdom of the Persian Empire; Iran is about the modern-day Islamic Republic of Iran in the Middle East.

READ MORE: Best Places to Visit in Iran to See Ancient Persia

Two women in black conservative dress walking towards the ancient Persia ruins of Persepolis in Iran.

You’ll stumble between modern-day cities and the sights of ancient Persia, like the Persepolis, on any Iran trip.

Can Everyone Travel to Iran? Iran Visas and Authorisation Codes

Getting a visa for Iran is quite possibly the most stressful and challenging part of your entire trip. You first need to know if you are eligible and what limitations you may face.

For countries like the UK, which have strained and little to no diplomatic relations with Iran, you may find that you cannot even get an Iran visa in your country because there is no Iranian embassy. British travel to Iran means a little more legwork, where you may also have to travel elsewhere, like Dublin or Paris for example, to obtain the visa since there is no Iran embassy in the UK.

Most airlines flying to Iran will not allow you on a flight unless you show you have an Iran visa, but you can get a visa on arrival. However, sanctions have been lifted, most notably in 2016, with up to 900 Iran visas daily on average granted on arrival, according to the Office of Foreign Affairs. Tourism numbers annually have increased year on year, with 5.2 million foreign visitors entering Iran in 2015, in comparison to 4.7 million in 2013.

On the 14th February 2016, the Ministry of Iran announced that airports could issue 30-day visas for Iran, for nationals of 180 countries.

Non-eligible nationalities for Iran Visa On Arrival:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, USA, UK

A 30-day Tourist Visa Upon Arrival, for those of eligible nationality , can be obtained at the following Iran airports:

IKA: Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport THR: Tehran Mehrabad Airport MHD: Mashad Airport SYZ: Shiraz Airport TBZ: Tabriz Airport ISF: Isfahan Airport

Follow the signs that say ‘Visa on Arrival’ where you will be asked questions about your trip to Iran and asked to present:

Details about your confirmed first night’s accommodation in Iran, including the address and phone number (you may also be asked about your travel plans on-going).
Proof of a confirmed return flight ticket.
A copy of your travel insurance policy document and policy number.
Those people I met who were granted an Iran tourist visa on arrival as part of the tour were given a special letter from the company that they could present to both the airline and passport control on arrival.

You can be waiting up to 30 minutes before your visa is granted and you can proceed to immigration. You will need:

A passport with at least six months validity
Two passport photos, in which women should be wearing a headscarf
The completed visa form. You can also fill out the form online before arrival in Iran, from which you will receive a visa application reference number, print it off and take it with you.

Iran tourism at golden stone and blue mosaic Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh) of Isfahan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the many beautiful places in Iran to visit – The UNESCO World Heritage site of The Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh) of Isfahan.

A list of countries showing the costs for visa in Iran and visa on arrival in Iran.

The costs for a visa in Iran and visa on arrival in Iran – each country is different.

Iran Travel insurance is a requirement to obtain your visa for Iran. Without proof of purchase and printed documentation, you cannot pick up your visa from the embassy or secure your visa on arrival at the airport.

Aside from it being a stupid idea not to have travel insurance coverage, check that your current policy (or the one you are thinking of getting) covers Iran. Some do not provide travel insurance for Iran or only cover limited regions of the country and activities.

Getting Your Iran Authorisation Code – Non-Eligible Nationalities

For those not eligible for a visa on arrival, and those wanting to apply for a visa for peace of mind before they arrive, you have to apply for an Authorisation Code. EVERYONE has to have one of these, which will determine if you are granted an application for a visa.

For those who HAVE to travel in a group (see below), this code will generally be processed by your tour company.
For everyone else, you can use 1stQuest which offers essential travel services for Iran travel. Otherwise, source an Iranian travel agency local to you at the time of planning or seek direction from the embassy you wish to get a visa from about where to apply for it.
When applying for the authorisation code, you will need to specify which embassy you will be processing your visa at – a pain for those travelling around with no solid plans. Once the code is released, you cannot change the embassy choice. It’s wise to choose an embassy in a city you are likely to fly to Iran from (see also timings below).

Authorisation codes (if not booking with tour) come with an administration cost of around 35 Euro, which is dependent on the agency you are working with. There is no set price for an Iran Tourist Visa since it is determined by nationality and where you process your visa.

I paid €180 for mine in Tbilisi, Georgia and a British guy on my tour paid a little more to process his in Paris. The Australians in my tour group paid differing amounts between €50-€100, as did the Germans. There’s no hard and fast rule – it’s more about luck.

If all that wasn’t enough, it is highly likely that

1. Your authorisation code will take WEEKS to process

2. It will most likely arrive with only a matter of DAYS to spare before your planned arrival in Iran or tour start date.

This means that before any trip to Iran, especially when travelling on a tour, you will be rushing to the embassy in the hope of getting your authorisation code for Iran processed quickly. You may have to pay extra for fast-tracking and organise your flight ticket to Iran very last minute. This doesn’t always guarantee the best price and the idea of getting a cheap ticket to Iran has to be pushed aside.

DON’T book your flights to Iran or any travel arrangements until you know your Iran visa will be processed. Many people travel to Turkey beforehand to process their visas and fly to Iran from there, using the country as a cost-effective flight or train route for entry.

A street scene in Iran showing people and traffic outside a blue and yellow mosaic covered building and dome.

Everybody needs to get an Authorisation Code before travelling in Iran.

Refusal of Entry to Iran

The main reason for Iranian visa refusal is when there is proof you have travelled to Israel and the government’s paranoia based on your career (think journalists, media workers and similar).

Iran tourism issues are not linear, and while anything can happen at any time that would affect a particular nationality entry, the majority of the problems are political-based and beyond our control. Diplomatic relations and any political actions for/against Iran based on historical or current affairs at the time of applying may affect your refusal of entry into the country, or an Iran travel ban put in place.

On 4th January 2020, it was announced that the Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike, with Iran calling for ‘severe revenge’. While the outcome is not yet known, this does ignite fears of a conflict in the Middle East , and it pays to be more aware of travel warnings at this time.

On 6th October 2019, it was reported that the two Australians imprisoned in Iran for flying a drone were freed in a political swap. It is suggested that strained relations between the UK and Iran after Britain seized an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar are inciting such political moves to detain people breaking the rules.

On 29th August 2018, France informed diplomats to postpone all but non-essential travel to Iran after a foiled bomb plot near Paris. The following day, Iran dismissed such restrictions , proving that it is best to stay aware of any sudden changes.

Solo Travel in Iran vs Tours in Iran

One of the biggest questions I hear is: Can US citizens / Americans travel to Iran? They absolutely can, but because of the long-standing history of coups, espionage, nuclear sanctions and everything else in between (outside of the control of the average American citizen unconnected to the historical actions of their government), all US passport holders are only allowed into Iran if part of Iran tour packages (or with a tour guide).

Despite restrictions, it is safe for Americans to travel to Iran, so don’t be put off by the bureaucracy needed to get there. US travel tips to Iran focus on this red tape. For example, it still stands that Americans must also be escorted from the airport to the hotel, and cannot make their arrangements. This all has to be pre-organised pick-up (a simple addition via the tour company) so do check this before you leave.

READ MORE: Inside The Den of Espionage – Former US Embassy in Tehran Turned Museum

The former US Embassy in Tehran, Iran

As of February 2014, British and Canadian citizens going to Iran became subjected to the same ‘tour only’ sanction (official Iran tour operator or private Iran guide). As a result, your visa is usually only granted for the exact number of days of your tour, with a couple of days on either side if you list this as part of the arrival and departure options.

British passports holders should also pay attention to Foreign Office updates following strained relations between the two countries after the oil tanker seizure, as listed above in ‘Current Diplomatic Relations’.

Unfortunately, Israeli citizens cannot enter Iran at all, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon.

A long blue mural on a brick wall in Tehran Iran.

Check on any nationality restrictions before you visit Iran. It may mean having to join a tour and hire a guide.

While those booking up Iran holidays might choose a tour package for the fact that everything is taken care of on the ground and for ease of travel, I had no choice since I had a British passport.

There’s an overwhelming amount of Iran tour packages, and it can often be hard to know where to start. At the time, I travelled with G Adventures on a Discover Persia tour which operated through the revered Iranian agency AITO. I allowed myself free time to visit Tehran on either side of my trip, so I had a taste of both worlds, albeit on a small scale. Currently this trip is not running.

The upside to a tour, however nomadic and sporadic you usually are, is that these trips pack a real punch in getting you to many sites in 14 days. On the G Adventures Iran tour, I saw places I would not have been able to access easily on my own or with public transport. Plus, my local guide to Iran was the bundle of knowledge that a history and sociology geek like me needed for an ancient civilisation such as Persia. The downside of such holidays in Iran is a lack of free time and lazy resting for an itinerary that would normally, on my terms, take about three weeks, not two.

Being in a tour group when visiting Iran does not mean being chaperoned and watched 24-7. ven while on a small group tour, we were allowed time to ourselves in each destination.

A female guide in Iran pointing to the ancient stone carvings at the Persepolis site in Iran.

Choosing between and small group tour and a private guide – with a local who will show you all the historical places in Iran.

Generally, under the condition that you must have two people minimum, hiring a private tour guide in Iran is also an option. This is a viable option for those with visa restrictions who do not want to travel in slightly larger groups.

Come2Persia is a certified and reliable Iran travel agency run by a trusted Iranian friend of mine, Ali Reza Nokhostin, who I met and travelled with when in Georgia. He is both passionate about showing off his country and in changing perceptions of Iran. Specialising in incoming tours to Iran, Come2Persia also provides other travel services needed to complete the private tour package, including hotel bookings, visa application, transportation and access to various guides, not just Ali.

Note that while solo / independent travel is moderately easy in Iran (if of a free nationality), Iran is not that well-trodden on the independent travel path. There’s little to no hostels and guesthouses, and a dominance of big, expensive hotels (especially in Tehran) and even then it is rare to stumble upon a bunch of solo travellers to join.

However, solo travel in Iran is happening, and it is safe, it’s just a little more challenging than usual, which can, in itself, be pretty exhilarating.

Note that Couchsurfing in Iran is officially illegal, but it happens anyway. Nearly all independent travellers I have spoken to have mentioned that they have travelled here via this resource with your local hosts, of course, being the best guides. However, travellers looking to Couchsurf in Iran must be aware that they can not hold the Couchsurfing host responsible if anything goes wrong because there is no official ‘filter’ in place when it comes to the hosts listed online.

In a society where women are much more restricted than their male counterparts, to travel Iran as a solo female is a little harder and viewed with surprise/suspicion depending on where you go.

Also in Iran, since public displays of affection between males and females are not allowed, any harassment or inappropriate contact by an Iranian male to a female traveller would be frowned upon and draw attention.

Iran is one of the safest countries in the world based on tourists’ feedback. There have been many solo female travellers who have experienced Iranian hospitality and kindness.

However, it is vital to bear in mind that Iran is an Islamic country with traditional values and of course, some types of outfits would send the wrong message, especially in smaller and more conservative cities, such as Yazd, Kashan and Qom.

A woman in red walking through the desert towards the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yadz, Iran.

Solo female travel in Iran is safe, but with awareness of the conservative values of this Islamic country.

Iran is a four-season country, which means in different corners of the country, you can experience various climates at the same time. So, when is the best time to go to Iran, based on the different climates in the country? As a quick guide to Iran and its geographical mix, we can divide the country into three regions:

From early March until late May
From early September until late November
There is one high season, from mid-April until mid-November
Only one high season, from late November until late March

In between the high seasons from July to September is marked by high temperatures rendering travel on the classic route potentially uncomfortable.

Tourists in Iran stand within the gold and blue mosaic interior of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan.

The stunning Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is Isfahan is one of the must-see sites.

Iranians love to shout about the abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As my local friend stated, “It gives Iranians a lot of pride to possess such ancient lineage”.

Iran has 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – 22 cultural and two natural. Each of which is the result of years of investigation and presentation of evidence as to why they should be regarded as world heritage sites. It would take more than one trip to traverse them all.

A woman standing next to a rock pit at the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yazd on a trip to Iran.

The Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yazd – one of the 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran.

Dress Code in Iran – Headscarves and Hijabs

Iran does have a strict dress code, and this is one of the biggest concerns for female travellers to Iran. Most importantly – PACK A HEADSCARF IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE. It’s called ‘Roosari’ in Farsi, and you MUST be wearing it the moment you exit the plane and are officially in Iran.

You must wear a headscarf the entire time you are in Iran (except when in your hotel room), as well as loose clothing that covers your body. But let’s get one thing straight – you don’t have to wear a burka or anything that completely hides you.

When you arrive, you will soon see that reality is far removed from the stereotype. Iranian women are super stylish and proud of their appearance – fashion being a means to stand out and make a statement.

A female tourist in iran dressed in long-sleeved clothing and a headscarf, standing in front of the pretty mosaic tiles of Golestan Palace in Tehran.

The dress code for women in Iran doesn’t have to be complicated.

The ‘Morality Police’ you hear of do exist in Iran but are not spending their time chasing down foreign visitors, so do not worry too much with that. If anything, you will get a polite mention. Visitors have a bit more flexibility when it comes to the rules.

A headscarf is the most immediate essential item, and you can buy more when you are there) . If your headscarf falls, don’t worry – quickly put it back on again. You won’t be in trouble for this, but pay attention at all times. Wearing your hair in a high bun or ponytail helps keep the scarf in place. Many Iranian women wear it a little loose and halfway back on their head, since showing a little hair is granted.
Tops must be loose-fitting, and three-quarter length sleeves are ok – a little more comfortable in the heat. The general rule of thumb is that the body should be covered and arms should not be bare.
It is said that trousers must be baggy, but some local women wear tight, brightly coloured leggings. As long as your legs are covered down to the ankles, it is fine. For tourists, leggings worn with a long, loose-fitting top are acceptable. However, in the more conservative areas such as Isfahan, Mashad and Qum, respect the values and revert to looser fitting trousers.
Colour of clothing. It’s a myth that you need to dress in dark colours or black tunics. Embrace fashion the ways the locals do and bring some colour into your Iran packing list!
Open toes sandals are OK. Pack some sports shoes for longer day trips where you might be walking a lot (such as at the Persepolis). You’ll soon see how sports shoes are fashionable in Iran, especially in bright colours!
Worried you do not have enough appropriate attire? Fear not, as soon as you arrive in Tehran or even Shiraz (if you fly into the city), hit the bazaars and the local markets . There’s plenty to be sought out. Other people on my trip stuck with two outfits and alternately hand-washed them every night.
Strict dress codes do not apply in the same manner when travelling with children . Young boys can wear shorts and t-shirts and girls under ten are not required to wear a headscarf.

For men it’s more straightforward – you will be dressing much the same as you do in western countries, except no short shorts, no super short sleeves and no extreme tight-fitting clothing.

READ MORE: Iran Dress Code for Women (What to Wear in Iran)

Is Iran Safe? Is it Safe to Travel to Iran?

Iran’s image of being a terrorist-driven, American bashing, nuclear weapon holding, burka-clad society is something that has been highly driven mainly by western media. “Is Iran safe?” “Isn’t it dangerous in Iran?” are likely to be some of the first questions you encounter from others when you announce you are travelling here.

In short: Iran is a safe place to visit.

Since the election of the more moderate President, Hassan Rouhani in August 2013 and his re-election in 2017 , both international relations and internal rules have become less severe and slightly more open. It won’t take long before Iranians give you a warm welcome, ask where you are from or even invite you to dinner or tea.

It is a part of Iranian culture to go out of their way to help you, and it’s not uncommon to be given a phone number on a piece of paper or a business card in case you need to call upon someone.

The people of Iran are just as keen to show you they are the opposite of how they are portrayed, just as you should be teaching them that the western world doesn’t hate them.

Tourists in Iran sit with a group young Iranians for a group photo.

Is it safe to travel in Iran? Absoluely. Locals are very welcoming.

There’s never a right time for those who are worried, anxious or scared. Of course, you need to keep up to date with any significant political changes and your country’s diplomatic ties, but avoid listening to the hive of scaremongering out there and those who say don’t travel in Iran.

For example, in June 2018, there were protests about the economic situation in Iran, and these took place inside and around the Grand Bazaar in Tehran. It means being aware of any internal demonstrations and staying away from those areas, as you would in any country.

Iran remains as one of the most stable countries in the Middle East. While breaking the rules of Islamic society (including drinking alcohol, taking drugs and engaging in sexual activity with locals) can result in deportation, arrest or worse, general travel here is entirely safe.

Don’t assume you can break any rules in Iran, play the dumb tourist and get away with it. Iran is a Muslim country where Islamic law is strictly enforced.

An example of harsh punishment is with the case of the two Australians imprisoned in Iran for illegally flying a drone near a military installation, freed in October 2019, but as part of a political swap. It might seem that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, but what is justified in your country can have harsher consequences elsewhere.

This is an Islamic State with a strict system, and if you can’t play by Iran rules, don’t go.

Given the location of Iran in the Middle East, the Muslim religion and some similarities in culture and language, the scaremongering of Iran can often revolve around the ‘it’s Arab’ misconception.

Iran is not an Arab country. Iranians are not Arabs. The language spoken is Persian (also known as Farsi) and not Arabic (although there are many languages spoken within Iran including Kurdish and forms of Turkish, Indo-European languages and Khuzi Arabic for example, due to the many ethnic groups that exist within the country).

Not only is the Arab misconception a source of contention generally, but Persians can take offence at these preconceived ideas.

Take US Dollars or Euros with you to Iran and change them up into Iranian Rial at the local exchange offices (not the dodgy guys on the street or at the hotels which have the lower government exchange rate). Before you know it, you have millions of Rials, and it all looks easy.

However, while ALL notes state ‘Rial’ there is another ‘currency’ or ‘super unit’ that is used – Toman – which is not listed on any note or coin.

Toman is used by locals and is one-tenth of the Rial total. 1 Toman = 10 Rial.

When I was first presented with a dinner bill of “37,000”, I was quietly happy that my food had cost the equivalent of $1.5, but this was, in fact, the price in Toman.

To convert to Rial, you simply add a zero – therefore my dinner was 370,000 Rial.

Lost? It takes a couple of days to get used to, but in the majority of cases, unless stated clearly, all prices are in Toman and not Rial. Hence, the basic equation anywhere in Iran is to add a zero onto printed prices (if ‘Rial’ is not listed), or ask market vendors and others which ‘currency’ they are operating in to save the confusion.

A big question is if you can use your credit or debit card in Iran. Sadly not, since there is no network in Iran for the use of international cards. It’s always been the best option to carry enough cash with you for your trip to convert to Iranian Rial on the ground.

However, there is now an Iranian prepaid debit card for tourists and temporary visitors called the Mah Card. Like most travel cards, you can instantly add funds to your card in your preferred or home currency, and it will convert it to Iranian Rial. It is more convenient than carrying cash, protects you from unauthorised purchases and is accepted country-wide.

To get 40% off the price of a Mah Card (Full price €19) enter BECKI at the checkout.

Public Transport in Iran – Options, Usage and Cost

When traveling in Iran, you have various options for public transport:

Intercity transport:

Private car

Domestic flight

The Metro is available in several cities in Iran, mainly in Tehran; alongside Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad and Isfahan. It is the best option to get around in Tehran, and the stations are also easily accessible by taxi and buses. The ticket price for one trip is 1000 Tomans (approximately 25 cents). You can also buy a card to pay for the metro trips and even the buses in Tehran. The rush hours are mainly 7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. You can download the Tehran Metro app on Google Play .

A Tehran metro map showing the red, blue and green subway lines.

Tehran metro map and the three lines that cover the city.

You can find buses in every corner of the country. There are two main types of buses in big cities: regular and BRT. BRT buses are red, and because they have designated stations and paths, they are express buses. You can pay for the buses by your Metro card, and the fares would vary between 500 to 1000 Tomans (12 to 25 cents) per trip. You can find all the bus and BRT stations on Google Maps.

There are different types of taxis inside the cities:

Shuttle/shared taxis (khatti): It is a way cheaper way to get around the cities. The two downsides are that they are for fixed destinations and you will have to wait for the taxi to be filled. The fares are also fixed, and you cannot negotiate.
Private taxis (darbast): You can easily hail a taxi and say ‘darbast’. It means the driver will not pick any other passengers up and you must negotiate the price before getting on.
Non-registered taxis (shakhsi): These are non-taxi drivers who you would easily spot from the yellow and green cabs. These are people who try to earn some money by giving people a ride. Again you must negotiate the price before getting on.
Uber-like apps: Tap30 and Snapp are the two leading apps that you can easily use on your phone. Unfortunately, they’re not available on App Store and Google Play, but you can ask a local to help you with downloading them on your phone. Tap30 is available in many cities including Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashhad. Snapp is available in the same cities and also in Ahwaz and Qom.
Bisim Taxi: You can also call the numbers 133, 1828 and 1833 in major cities in Iran to call a taxi wherever you are.

Iranian Yellow taxis in Tehran in heavy traffic in the centre of the city.

There are plenty of taxi options in Iran.

There are two types of buses between the cities in Iran: regular buses (44 people on board) and VIP buses (25 to 35 people on board). You have more legroom on VIP buses, and you can almost lie down on the seats. You can ask a receptionist at the front desk of the hotel, go to a local travel agency or go directly to the bus terminal to buy a bus ticket in Iran. The prices vary according to the type of bus and the distance. For example, the price for a VIP ticket from Tehran to Shiraz is around 70,000 Tomans ($16).

Using trains is the best and safest option to get around the cities in Iran. There are different types of trains: 4-bed, 6-bed and the so-called ‘bus’ trains. You can also ask if the train you are trying to take is an express train or a regular train. You can book trains through the hotels, local agencies or go directly to the train station. The price for a ticket from Tehran to Yazd, for example, is between 30,000 to 70,000 Tomans ($8 to $15).

You have two options to travel in Iran by a private car. You can hire a driver or a licensed driver-guide who can not only drive you from one city to another but show you the sites en route and give you all the information you need in English and other languages. You can find a driver-guide in Iran through TourHQ . You can either go to a taxi company or a local travel agency to hire a driver or a guide. Beware a killing machine in Iran named ‘Pride’ it’s a very low-quality car produced by Saipa company. It’s the worst car in Iran. Recommended cars in Iran are Peugeots and Samand by Iran Khodro Co.

Domestic flights

If you do not have much time on your hands and you want to visit the classic route (Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz), it is recommended to take a domestic flight from Tehran to Shiraz. From there, you can continue your journey by other means of public transportation eventually back to Tehran. You can buy flight tickets from local travel agencies. The price of the flight ticket is approximately 180,000 Tomans ($40), and it takes around 80 minutes.

On the Metro: Generally, the cars are mixed gender, but if women need more privacy, they can get on the first and the last car on both sides.

On the Buses: In some buses, the women sit in the back and the men in front. Other times it is the opposite. However, a couple can sit together in the men’s section and not vice versa.

Different countries have different specifications, rules and warnings about travel to Iran – some way more dramatic than others. If you can, register or alert your foreign office about your whereabouts for safety and as a piece of mind measure. As a British citizen, with no embassy representation in Iran, this is more so a good idea.

Not that some travellers cannot secure travel insurance until they have alerted the relevant authorities of their travel plans. Hence, it is worth checking precisely who you need to inform before you depart, to be comprehensively covered.

Internet Access in Iran

Be prepared to take a forced ‘Digital Detox’ during your time in Iran. Internet in Iran is slow, all social media (except Instagram and What’s App) is blocked, and you usually are paying per hour for the privilege of a sluggish connection. While I sporadically got decent internet, which allowed my VPN to work, it was never superb. Want to look up sites in Iran? Super quick. Want to find some decent news in the outside world? Good luck.

Tell your family and friends that they may not hear from you that often, and be prepared to do without the connection, however hard it may be.

Irancell is the best phone operator in Iran which offers temporary SIM-cards designed for tourists. They offer a pre-paid 4G internet and credit balance, and when it is used up you can put in a new credit code sold at any supermarket all around Iran to increase your credit and buy internet packages.

You can only have only one VPN app on your phone, so you will need to test which one works best. For Android users, Hi VPN, Psiphon, Hotspot Shield are recommended, and for IOS users Psiphon, Free VPN, VPNProxyMaster and X-VPN are deemed to be the best VPN in Iran that work well at the moment.

Food in Iran (and Vegetarian Difficulties)

I had built up incredible visions of Persian cuisine in my mind before I got to Iran. I thought it would be everywhere – easily accessible and in abundance. Wrong.

Traditional Persian food is available, but you have to do some digging on where to go and find it. Try delicious vegetable and pomegranate stews, traditional Dizi (a lamb based strew where the broth is separated from the solids which are then mashed together and eaten separately) or Ash (a thick and tasty soup of lentils, beans, starch noodles, vegetables, fried mint, fried onion and yoghurt).

Other than that, you will realise that Iran’s streets are paved with fast food outlets, whose neon lights advertise the norm – kebabs, burgers and pizzas. Try and seek out the falafel places, since these are usually the best choice for a cheap and tasty fix.

Vegetarians have more of an issue. I travelled with a vegetarian and whether at a big buffet or a local teahouse or restaurant, what appeared to be the vegetarian option still had meat in it. It may mean living on aubergine/eggplant-based dishes, which are your safest bet, or begging for meat to be left out of your meal if not already pre-prepared.

Tourists in Iran trying Persian food with locals.

Food in Iran is better when locals show you real Persian cuisine.

There’s no alcohol in Iran. No bars, no clubs. Nothing. The best you get is non-alcoholic beer in a variety of fruity flavours like peach, lemon and strawberry which grace most menus.

There’s no set of different rules for travellers in Iran and those visiting. A local might be being kind in offering to find you the real deal at some underground gathering, but really, don’t take the chance. They might be able to waver the punishment; you won’t.

Like any country, it is crucial to know, understand and adhere to cultural and religious customs and rules that can often be very different from those at home. Here are the main rules for etiquette in Iran and interesting Iranian culture facts:

One of the primary forms of social etiquette is TAROF, which is where Iranians usually insist on offering things to people and sometimes they do not mean it. However, you should not accept the first time.
In Muharram month (the mourning month of Imam Hossein) people DO NOT usually wear bright colours (especially red) to respect the religious values.
In Ramadan month , in which the majority of people keep fast during the day, it is disrespectful to eat and drink in public.
In restaurants in Iran , it is incredibly unpleasant to see anyone clear their nose, especially loudly. In general, restaurant or not, it is also unusual to see somebody break wind.
Shaking hands between men and women is a complicated topic. Generally speaking, it is not okay for men and women who are not related to shake hands. However, it is entirely relative. Usually, it is not advised for female tourists to extend their hand towards men, and it’s best to wait and see if the men do so first.
The thumbs-up hand signal a derogatory sign in Iran, and it is best not to use it, especially in the presence of older people.
When it comes to public displays of affection , you’ll see that affectionate touching, kissing, and shaking hands between men and women who are relatives are very normal. Iranian dating customs are more complex. You can kiss your significant other on the cheek, but french kissing strictly goes beyond the line. Holding hands is not something one would raise an eyebrow about at all, whereas hugging, on the other hand, would seem to be crossing the line a little. It is relative as to what extent the public display of affection is tolerated. For example, inside holy places and religious cities, it would not be easily tolerated.

People sitting on benches on a beautiful street in Iran full of narrow, rectangular buildings and shop fronts.

Wherever you are in Iran, it is important to adhere to cultural and religious customs and rules.

‘Persian Time’ is much like ‘Asian Time’ – things take much longer than you expect. When you travel Iran you’ll soon see that service is slower and the times you are given for things, like an arrival at a destination, are not always clear or roundabout correct, like this example:

Guide: “It takes four or five hours. So if we leave at 8 am, we will get there around 4 pm.”

Me: “But that’s eight hours, not four.”

Guide: “Yes, it takes about eight hours. We will stop at x, y and z on the way and arrive around 2 pm.”

In short, don’t rely on or worry about time, and pack a bit more patience than you would at home, especially when it comes to food, service and paying.

Ancient Persia isn’t an easily absorbed history lesson. While your guide (if you choose to have one or if you are a part of a tour group) will spout a level of information that will blow your mind, it is worth reading up on the history of Persia, as well as details on the lead-up to the Iranian Revolution in 1979. This will give a valuable understanding of the basic makeup of the country.

It will mean names like Zoroastrian, Cyrus the Great, the Achaemenid Empire, Reza Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei won’t be lost on you when you go to Iran.

Great books to read before you arrive include:

Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic for a guide on the more recent history

Iran: What Everyone Needs to Know is by the same author, Michael Axworthy, and tries to explain how there’s more to Iran than its foreign relations, with part of the book also unravelling Iran’s economy, politics, culture and people.

Daughter of Persia: A Woman’s Journey from Her Father’s Harem Through the Islamic Revolution is about a woman who was born in Iran, left to study in the States and returned to a country in the grip of profound change.

The Wind in My Hair: My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran about a journalist in exile after being arrested for political activism

Best for when on the road:

Easy reference for most of us came from the Lonely Planet Iran guide book . While it shouldn’t be your sole source of information, this particular Lonely Planet is a quick fix Iran travel guide, especially for historical hotspots. Having this paper guide was a handy resource for the entire trip, especially since quick access to the internet in Iran both at the hotels and while on the road is very limited.

Have you been to Iran? Are there any other pre-departure tips you would add? And if planning a trip there, and what difficulties are you facing, if any?

Images showing the blue and golden tones of mosque mosaics and desert sites with the words: Travel to Iran. Everything You Need to Know.

Any plagiarism of this Iran travel blog or any of its descriptions used on other sites and blogs without attribution is not information authorised by myself for use. Know your source.

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

Marcela says

19 April 2022 at 7:42 pm

Hi, is it possible to rent a car without a driver in Iran? Thanks, I loved your post!

28 April 2022 at 11:39 am

I think you can, yes! However, it isn’t something I know much about.

Hanieh says

28 March 2022 at 8:19 pm

Iran and Tehran are great🤩

7 August 2021 at 4:02 pm

Hello. I want to thank for this text. It is completely true about Iran and I as an Iranian approciate that describe Iran and Iranians truly. I really enjoy it. Most of Iranians think people of world consider us as a terrorist country while people of Iran differ from Republic Islamic Iran.

Miranda says

24 October 2019 at 8:53 am

I really like to travel to Iran, but I don’t know when is the best time to travel there, what is your recommendation?

24 October 2019 at 10:52 am

Hi Miranda. All the details are in the article. You can find an overview of the best time to visit Iran here: https://www.bordersofadventure.com/travel-to-iran-things-to-know/#When_is_the_Best_Time_to_Visit_Iran

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Visit Iran: Travel to Iran, Discover Five thousand years of culture

Why you should travel to Iran as an American (and what to expect)

Packed with over 5,000 years of history, Iran is a destination everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime. From the ancient Persian Empire to the Zoroastrians temples, the countless mosques, and even the modern cities like Tehran, there is so much to see that one visit will not be enough.

After traveling to Iran on Intrepid Travel’s 14-day Iran Adventure trip, I shared my experience with many of my friends. Most of them replied with a similar response, “I’d love to go to Iran!”

This is a common response among travelers, yet not many actually plan a trip to the country due to misinformation, lack of information, or fear.

Sunrise at Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Esfahan

To encourage you to plan a trip to this wonderful destination, I’ll share with you a few reasons why you should travel to Iran as an American, debunk a few myths, and tell you what to expect there.

No, they don’t hate Americans

Contrary to what you see in the media, Iran is one of the friendliest and culturally-rich countries you’ll ever visit. And no, they do not hate Americans or any other Western nation. That’s just fear-mongering and it is far from reality.

READ MORE: 6 COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL IN IRAN

When I arrived, I debated how open I wanted to be about my nationality. But as soon as I met Nadia, our Intrepid Travel guide, she put to rest any mild concerns I had about sharing openly that I’m American. No one has an issue with it.

Intrepid leader, Nadia

MEET NADIA, THE INTREPID LEADER WHO WILL CHALLENGE YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT IRAN

As we traveled the country, countless locals approached me and my other tour companions to chat with us. They were all curious to know about us, our life in our respective countries, and how we were enjoying Iran. On our part, we were just as curious to learn about them, so we fed each other’s curiosities over tea and casual chatting.

One of my favorite random encounters happened just before leaving Iran. I spent my last few hours in the country visiting the Azadi Tower, where I met a few early 20-something local guys. As soon as one of them learned I was American, he expressed with joy how much he’d love to visit the US and shared his vast knowledge of the country. In fact, he was wearing an American flag bandana.

Everywhere you go, you always feel that warm welcome Iranians are known for.

Azadi Tower in Tehran

The visa process is extensive, but worth it in the end

Yes, the visa process is more complicated than in many other countries, but it should not be a deterrent to visiting Iran. Due to the current political environment, Americans are having a tougher time to get their tourist visas approved, but still, it is possible to get them. Thankfully, Intrepid Travel helps you get your visa by guiding you every step of the way with their visa application form.

HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VISA SITUATION

Once you get the visa, set foot in the country, and experience everything it has to offer, you’ll see that that the extra process was all worth it.

There’s so much history to be learned and experienced

As the host to one of the oldest civilizations in history, Iran has no lack of ancient ruins and historical sites. Everywhere you go, you’ll be surrounded in hundreds, if not thousands of years of history.

Gate of All Nations in Persepolis

From the Elamite Kingdoms, to the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great’s conquest, the Arab invasion, and even the 1979 revolution, each city you visit will show you a piece of the historical puzzle and how they played a part in the development of Iran as we know it, its neighboring countries, and even the rest of the world.

One of my favorite experiences on this trip was spending a night at the Zein-o-din Caravanserai. A caravanserai is an ancient fortress-like facility used by merchants traveling along the silk road around 450 years ago. They would spend the night there to rest, feed their camels, and trade goods before continuing their journey. Today, this one caravanserai is open for us to spend the night right where merchants used to sleep.

BROWSE INTREPID TRAVEL’S RANGE OF TRIPS TO IRAN

You’ll experience a positive culture shock

I think some of the best travel destinations are the ones that teach you something new through experiences, and Iran has no shortage of that. The level of culture shock in the country is significant, but in a positive way. You’ll see how, despite their current economic and political status, Iranians still welcome you with a smile and the warmest hospitality you could hope for.

You’ll be welcomed with an abundance of food, too!

You’ll see how women are proud of their trendy fashion, how their carpet artistry is among the finest in the world, how the nomadic culture is still alive, how their local markets are the center of activity, and how families gather at parks and squares to picnic at night until well past midnight (it can get too hot to picnic during the day).

You’ll also see how religion is deeply tied to their society and the many intricate details that make their culture unique. You’ll see all kinds of people, from the most conservative to the most liberal, and the beauty of all of them coexisting in one place.

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It’s good to be ambassadors of our country

As I mentioned previously, locals will talk to you and ask you about life in the US or your country. This is our opportunity to show them who we really are not only as a Western nation but also as humans. There is no better way to learn about a country than by talking firsthand with locals, the people who live and breathe their country every day. They will share with you their proudest moments, their struggles, and their desires.

Locals in the vegetable market in Shiraz

Another fear-mongering myth is that Iran is not safe. But again, it is the opposite. Locals aren’t looking to harm, kidnap, or threaten Americans. I never felt in danger, not even when I walked on my own in the city of Esfahan past midnight.

Traveling solo is safe, but as Americans, you will be traveling on a tour (since it is required), so that’s even another safety layer.

TRAVEL STORY: “I’VE CYCLED THROUGH OVER 40 COUNTRIES; HERE’S WHY IRAN STANDS OUT”

There’s no alcohol, pork, and no American/Western chains

For good or for bad, alcohol has been banned in the country since the revolution in 1979. Pork isn’t found either, but this is more because of Islamic customs. American and Western chains are not found in the country due to economic sanctions and the complicated political relationship Iran has had with the Western world for decades now.

Esfahan – one of Iran’s many unique and compelling destinations

What you will find, though, are knock-off versions of popular fast foods like McFood, a different KFC, Burger Queen, and so on. It’s fun to see how they reinterpret and adopt the Western culture not only on their food but also on their fashion and entertainment too.

There is so much more to be discovered and experienced in Iran and no post will compare to the beauty of seeing it all firsthand. If you are as intrigued by the country as I was before I went there, I’ll tell you, it will impress you and possibly even surpass your expectations. At least, it surpassed mine.

Ready to visit this incredible destination for yourself? Check out Intrepid’s small group tours in Iran.

Feeling inspired?

Norbert Figueroa

Norbert Figueroa is an architect from Puerto Rico who hit pause on his career in 2011 to travel the world long-term. So far he’s traveled to over 125 countries in hopes of achieving his goal of visiting all 195 UN-recognized countries. You can follow his adventures at globotreks.com and on Facebook and Instagram @globotreks.

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15 Dos and Don’ts for tourists in Iran: Iran Local Laws

If your travel plans hold Iran on the horizon, planning and making reservations aside, getting informed about special rules comes first! Respecting these rules requires modesty of course, but as they are derived from Iran’s cultural norms, it means a lot to your host society. Here are the laws all tourists in Iran are supposed to follow.

Table of Contents

If you plan to travel to Iran, here is the link to Iran online visa form.

Iran Dress codes

Your concern as a tourist, about Islamic clothing, is understandable. You might have pictured women in Iran in black Chadors, and men in white Dishdasha, but the reality is totally different:

Although there is no strict law about men’s clothing, wearing shorts and sleeveless vests would be somehow improper in Iran. Do you want my opinion? Pants and T-shirts would be the best choice!

There is no confusing rule about women’s clothing. Women are supposed to hide body shapes and hair, that’s all! The way Iranian women dress can give you a clue. Of course, manteaux and jeans are the most popular style in Iran. Manteau is a long-sleeved blouse that covers the bottom and pants or skirts must cover the legs up to the ankle. By the way, don’t forget to pick a scarf while packing, it’s necessary to put it on in public. In brief, it doesn’t really matter what you wear as long as your clothes are not too short or too tight!

There is no strict rule about Hijab in Iran, that will be okay as long as your dress is not too short or too tight.

Click for more information about Iran dress code .

The ban on alcoholic drinks

According to the Islamic rules, drinking or even carrying alcoholic drinks is illegal all over the country, which means there is no nightclub or bar in Iran.

Tricky Visa Process

Receiving an Iran visa is not that complex for citizens of many countries. Most tourists can receive an Iran visa on arrival with ease. All 10 nationalities are the exceptions and require it in advance including Colombia, Somali, England, Canada, USA, Bangladesh, Jordon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Canada, England and USA citizens do not have the possibility of receiving a visa in person and must apply through valid travel agencies. Keep in mind that a visa on arrival is only available at the airports for tourists in Iran.

Receiving an Iran visa is not that complex for citizens of many countries.

Israel issue

Unfortunately, Citizens of Israel are totally barred from entry to Iran but if 365 days have left from your last travel to Israel you can get an Iran visa.

Import and export rules

As all the luggage will be checked with X-ray, you should be careful about carrying the following objects: – Alcoholic Drinks, Weapons, and drugs are illegal to both import and export – there are no limits for entering currency into the country, up to 10000 dollars. – Animals and pets are isolated on arrival. – only personal health care medicine is allowed, with the prescription which determines the dose.

Export limitations

– Pistachio and other nuts: up to 10 kg – Saffron up to 100g – Carpets: up to 20 meters per person. – The ancient and valued object is counted as cultural heritage.

Hotel rules for tourists in Iran

– Sharing a hotel room for unmarried Non-Muslims couples will be Ok. the marriage certificate would be required for Muslim couples. – Hotels are usually keeping your passport until you check out.

Traveling to Iran during Ramadan

30 days in a year Muslims do fast, which includes abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. And then they break the fast with a particular evening meal, named “ Iftar “. During these 30 days, even non-Muslims prevent eating and drinking or even smoking in public before sunset. As a sign of respect, most restaurants are closed during Ramadan but buying food and eating in privacy is totally ok.

Tourists in Iran can eat and drink in privacy during Ramadan.

The authorization code

The law enforcement force of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the organization that is in charge of protecting tourists in Iran. In order to this protection, this organization gives out a personal serial number to every single person entering the country. The tourists should have their travel itinerary at the entrance to receive that serial number and maintain it until departure.

Gender segregation

Pay attention to where and beside whom you sit in Iran! There is a sex-separation in some entertainment centers such as swimming pools and seashores, mosques and religious sites, and public transportation. Look for “men only” and “women only” signs which determine specific sections in the mentioned places. It is ok for women to enter men’s sections sometimes but seems too weird if a man enters the women’s section.

Social media limitation

During your stay in Iran, you might need to use VPNs to access Facebook, Couchsurfing, YouTube, and maybe a few other applications. In order to have faster and easier access to social media, choose applications with no bans on instead; like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Skype.

Credit and debit cards

Unfortunately, there is no network in Iran for using international cards, but there is a new travel card name “Mah Card”. You can instantly fund your card in any preferred currency and that will be converted to Iranian Rials.

It-Not legally forced, but would be wise to follow

Rules are over, but bearing in mind some tiny tips, shows your cultural respect, and will stop you from getting into trouble.

Social Taboos

– Showing Displays of affection to the public: Kissing and hugging people of the opposite sex is not accepted in Iran, especially for unmarried couples. – Blowing nose in public: you can do that in WC if necessary, but not in front of people! – Wearing shoes indoors: No need to ask! You should take off your shoes in almost every house in Iran! – Taking photos of people without their permission. – Handshaking with people of the opposite sex in public.

Visiting religious sites

– Women should be wearing their Islamic hijab (wearing a Chador is obligatory in mosques) and men with shorts are not allowed to enter religious places ( Iran religious tour ) – Dancing, singing, shouting, and similar behaviors are consumed as disrespect.

Talking politic

You might be curious about different things taking place in Iran and how people feel about it. Even if you start to talk about political issues people are not going to stop you or they might start the conversation themselves, but keep in mind that any kind of criticism can easily offend their strong nationalism inside! I recommend keeping the trip cool and avoiding talking politics.

Do not trust crosswalks and traffic lights!

Not as a proud, but Iranian drivers are not really into following international traffic regulations. The crosswalk here is not really your safe zone as a pedestrian. And sometimes the red light is not able to stop hasty drivers. The only way to rescue from crossing the street is to watch carefully the cars and guess the speed.

Are you planning to travel to Iran ? Check out our Iran tours .

Nowruzbal, the New Year in the North Part of Iran

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Tourism in Iran

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Tourism in Iran has a lot of potential. But why is the tourism industry so important here and why does it matter? Read on to find out…

Sprawled across the crossroads of Central Asia and the Middle East, Iran is a destination that melds ancient grandeur with diverse geography . Revered as one of the cradles of civilisation, its vast landscapes range from the snowy peaks of the Alborz Mountains to the sun-kissed shores of the Persian Gulf. Steeped in millennia of history, Iran boasts architectural marvels, bustling bazaars, and remnants of empires that once reshaped world dynamics.

As the allure of its heritage sites beckons travellers from around the globe, Iran’s emerging tourism sectors offer various avenues for exploration. This article delves into the country’s geographical expanse, its unmissable destinations, the myriad forms of tourism it supports, and the multi-dimensional impacts—both positive and cautionary—of tourism on its socio-cultural and environmental fabric.

Geography in Iran

Iran is located in the Middle East and is the 18th largest country in the world by land area. It is bordered by seven countries, including Turkey to the northwest, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the north, Turkmenistan to the northeast, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, and Iraq to the west. Additionally, Iran has a coastline along the Caspian Sea to the north and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the south. These various borders and waterways have been an important factor in shaping the country’s history and culture.

Iran is one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with the Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges running through its territory. The highest peak in Iran is Damavand, which stands at 5,610 metres (18,406 feet) and is located in the Alborz Range. The mountainous terrain has played a significant role in shaping Iran’s culture and history, as it has made it difficult for outside powers to conquer and control the region. The mountains also provide a natural defence against potential aggressors.

In addition to its mountain ranges, Iran is also home to several large deserts, including the Dasht-e Kavir and the Dasht-e Lut. These arid regions account for a significant portion of the country’s land area and have been important for trade routes throughout history. The deserts also contain several important mineral resources, such as salt and copper.

Iran’s water resources are also critical for its economy and way of life. The country’s largest river is the Karun, which flows from the Zagros Mountains to the Persian Gulf. Additionally, Iran has several large lakes, including Lake Urmia in the northwest and Lake Hamun in the southeast. The Caspian Sea, located to the north of Iran, is shared with several other countries and is an important source of fish and caviar.

Overall, Iran’s geography has played a significant role in shaping its culture, history, and economy. Its large mountain ranges, expensive desserts, and important water resources have all contributed to the country’s development and made it a unique and important part of the Middle East.

Tourism Industry in Iran

One of the most popular destinations in Iran for tourists is the city of Isfahan, which is known for its stunning Islamic architecture, including the Jameh Mosque and the Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Additionally, the city of Shiraz is a major draw for visitors interested in Persian poetry and art, while the ancient city of Persepolis provides a glimpse into Iran’s rich history.

Although international sanctions have previously slowed the growth of Iran’s tourism industry, the lifting of these sanctions in recent years has led to a surge in new investment and development. For example, the government has been working to expand the country’s airport infrastructure and increase both the number and quality of hotels and other tourist accommodations.

Iran’s natural beauty is also a major draw for visitors. The country is home to several important natural reserves and parks, such as the Golestan National Park and the Alamut Valley. The Caspian Sea represents a major attraction for those interested in beaches and greenery, while the Zagros Mountains and the Dasht-e Lut desert offer opportunities for adventure tourism.

Overall, Iran’s tourism industry provides significant opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange. As the country continues to open up to the world, it is expected that tourism will become an increasingly important part of the country’s future.

Statistics of Tourism in Iran

Here are some notable statistics about tourism in Iran:

1 – In 2019, Iran welcomed approximately 9.2 million international tourists, an increase of 52.5% from the previous year.

2 – Tourism revenue in 2019 was estimated to be around $11.8 billion USD, accounting for approximately 2.8% of Iran’s GDP.

3 – The largest number of tourists to Iran came from Iraq, followed by India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan.

4 – The most popular destinations in Iran for foreign tourists were Isfahan, Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd, and Mashhad.

5 – Iran has a total of 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which makes it the 9th country in the world in terms of the number of its World Heritage listings.

6 – In 2019, the number of hotels and other tourist accommodations in Iran totaled over 11,000, with a total capacity of approximately 550,000 rooms.

7 – The largest airport in Iran is Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, which handled approximately 11.7 million passengers in 2019.

8 – The Iranian government has identified tourism as a key area for economic growth and has set a target of attracting 20 million tourists by 2025.

9 – Iran’s tourist attractions and services have won several international awards in recent years, including the Golden City Gate award in the ITB Berlin tourism fair.

10 – In 2019, Iran was awarded the “Best Tourist Destination for Adventure Tourism” by the International Association of Sports and Adventure Tourism.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Iran

Iran is a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, and there are many popular tourist attractions to visit. From ancient ruins and Islamic architecture to stunning natural scenery and cultural events, Iran has something to offer every type of traveler.

One of the most popular destinations in Iran is the ancient city of Persepolis. Built over 2,500 years ago, Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the ruins of the city’s palaces, gates, and other structures, and gain insight into what life was like during the height of the Persian Empire.

Another popular destination is the city of Isfahan, which is known for its stunning Islamic architecture. The Naqsh-e Jahan Square is one of the largest public squares in the world and is surrounded by fascinating landmarks, like the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. The city’s historic bridges, including the Khaju Bridge and the Si-o-se Pol Bridge, are also popular attractions.

Located in central Iran, Yazd is a city with a rich history and cultural heritage. It is known for its wind towers, which are traditional Persian structures designed to cool buildings during the hot summer months, as well as its stunning mosques, like the Jameh Mosque and the Zoroastrian Fire Temple.

For those interested in Iranian poetry and literature, the city of Shiraz is a must-visit destination. It is the birthplace of famous Persian poets like Hafez and Saadi, and visitors can explore their mausoleums and other cultural landmarks, such as the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque and the Arg-e Karim Khan citadel.

Iran is also home to a number of stunning natural attractions, including the Caspian Sea and the Zagros Mountains. The Masuleh village, located in the northern province of Gilan, is particularly unique due to its architecture, which resembles a stepped-hill, and its location on the hillsides of green forests.

Finally, Iran is well-known for its rich and vibrant cultural events, such as the Nowruz (Iranian New Year) and the annual Fajr International Film Festival. These events offer visitors the chance to experience Iranian culture firsthand and interact with locals.

Overall, Iran offers an incredible array of attractions for tourists, from ancient ruins and Islamic architecture to stunning natural scenery and cultural events.

Popular Types of Tourism in Iran

There are several types of tourism in Iran, and the country offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors. Below are some of the popular types of tourism in Iran:

Cultural Tourism: Being an ancient country, Iran has a rich history and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and ancient ruins, including Persepolis and Pasargadae. Iran’s Islamic architecture is also a major draw, with landmarks such as the Imam Mosque in Isfahan, and the Jameh Mosque in Yazd.

Adventure Tourism: Iran’s diverse landscapes, including mountains and deserts, make it a popular destination for adventure tourism. The Zagros Mountains offer opportunities for hiking and skiing, while the Dasht-e Kavir desert provides opportunities for camel trekking and camping.

Religious Tourism: Iran is one of the most important centres of Islamic religion, and it attracts Muslim pilgrims from around the world. Cities like Mashhad and Qom are particularly popular destinations for those seeking religious experiences.

Eco-tourism: Iran is home to several natural reserves and parks, such as Golestan National Park and the Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve, which provide opportunities for eco-tourism. Visitors can explore the country’s diverse flora and fauna, and participate in activities like birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and nature walks.

Health and Wellness Tourism: Iran is a renowned destination for its health and wellness facilities, including thermal springs and mud spas. Many spas and health centres in Iran offer a variety of treatments like hydrotherapy, massage, and reflexology.

Overall, Iran offers a wide variety of tourism opportunities for travellers, showcasing its culture, history, natural beauty, and traditions.

Economic Impacts of Tourism in Iran

Tourism has become an important part of Iran’s economy, with the industry contributing significantly to job creation and economic growth in recent years. The sector has grown rapidly, supported by the Iranian government’s efforts to promote the country as a major tourist destination. In addition to creating jobs, tourism has also contributed to the development of infrastructure and the revitalization of many cities.

One of the main economic impacts of tourism in Iran is job creation. The sector employs a large number of people in various areas, including hotels, restaurants, transportation, tour guide services, and handicrafts. In 2019, the tourism industry accounted for around 1.5 million jobs in Iran. With the continued growth of the industry, this number is expected to increase in the coming years.

Tourism has also had a positive impact on the development of infrastructure in Iran. In recent years, the government has invested in expanding the country’s airport capacities, developing new hotels and tourist attractions, and improving transportation infrastructure. This has not only made it easier for tourists to visit Iran but also helped to spur economic activity in many areas.

In addition, tourism has contributed to the revitalization of many cities and towns across the country. The influx of visitors has led to the restoration of many historic areas, the development of new tourist facilities, and the growth of local businesses. This has led to increased economic activity and a better quality of life for many residents.

Finally, tourism has had a positive impact on Iran’s balance of payments. The industry brings in a significant amount of foreign currency, which helps to support the country’s economy. In 2019, the estimated total revenue from tourism was around $11.8 billion USD, reflecting the growing importance of the sector for Iran’s economy.

Overall, with its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural scenery, and diverse tourism offerings, Iran has the potential to continue growing its tourism industry and reaping the economic benefits that come with it.

Social Impacts of Tourism in Iran

Tourism in Iran has had a number of social impacts, both positive and negative. Below are some of the major social impacts of tourism in Iran:

Preservation of cultural heritage: Tourism in Iran has contributed to the preservation of Iran’s cultural heritage, as visitors show interest in the country’s historic sites and traditions. This has led to greater awareness and appreciation of Iran’s cultural assets among both locals and tourists.

Increased cultural exchange: Tourism in Iran has increased opportunities for cultural exchange and interaction between locals and visitors. This has helped to promote understanding and tolerance between different cultures and has created a greater sense of openness and appreciation for diversity.

Job creation: Tourism has generated many jobs in various sectors, including hotels, restaurants, transportation, and handicrafts. This has created employment opportunities for local communities and has helped to improve living standards for many residents.

Environmental impact: The increase in tourism in Iran can lead to environmental degradation through overuse of natural resources, litter, and other pollution. The increase in infrastructure development and human activity can also harm natural habitats and ecosystems in some protected areas.

Social and Economic inequality: Tourism development has a potential for increasing social and economic disparities between tourists and locals. This can occur through exploitative practices, such as setting high prices for souvenirs and other merchandise.

Overall, tourism in Iran has created both positive and negative social impacts. While it has contributed to the creation of jobs, cultural exchange, and preservation of cultural heritage, there is a need for a balance between tourism expansion and preserving the environmental and cultural factors that make Iran such an attractive destination.

Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Iran

Tourism in Iran has had a number of environmental impacts, both positive and negative. Below are some of the major environmental impacts of tourism in Iran:

Funding for conservation: The revenue generated from tourism in Iran can provide funds for the conservation and preservation of natural areas and wildlife.

Awareness of environmental issues: Tourism in Iran can help to raise awareness of environmental issues and the importance of preserving natural resources.

Promotion of sustainable practices: The development of sustainable tourism practices can promote the conservation of natural areas and limit negative environmental impacts.

Natural resource depletion: Overuse of natural resources, such as water and energy, can lead to depletion of these resources in local communities.

Pollution: The influx of tourists in Iran can generate pollution through litter, waste disposal, transportation, and the use of non-renewable resources. The increase in infrastructure and the wear and tear on natural habitats can also lead to pollution and environmental degradation of protected areas.

Overall, tourism in Iran has created both positive and negative environmental impacts. While tourism can provide funds for conservation, promote sustainable practices, and raise awareness of environmental issues, there is a need for the industry.

Crime and safety in Iran

Iran has a low crime rate compared to many other countries in the world. The country has a strong security apparatus and strict legal system, which helps to maintain a stable and relatively safe environment for visitors. However, like any country, Iran has its own unique set of safety concerns and travellers should take precautions to ensure their safety.

One of the primary safety concerns in Iran is the risk of terrorism. While the risk of a terrorist attack in Iran is relatively low, there have been several incidents in the past, including attacks targeting foreign diplomats and key infrastructure. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings and avoid large gatherings or prominent state-run facilities.

Another safety concern in Iran is petty crime. Tourists should take precautions to safeguard their valuables and belongings, especially in crowded areas, such as bazaars and public transportation. It is also important to be cautious when exchanging money, as there have been reports of scams involving currency exchange.

In terms of safety for women, Iran has some unique cultural practices and expectations. While dress codes are strictly enforced and women are expected to cover their hair and wear loose clothing, sexual harassment and assault are relatively uncommon compared to many Western countries. However, women are advised to take precautions when going out alone and to avoid walking in isolated areas at night.

In addition to crime and safety concerns, visitors to Iran should also be aware of the country’s strict laws and regulations. This includes restrictions on dress, behaviour, and the use of technology. For example, women are prohibited from attending some sporting events and there are restrictions on the use of social media and other online platforms. It is important to research local laws and customs before visiting Iran to avoid inadvertently violating any regulations.

Overall, while Iran has its own unique safety concerns, it is generally considered a relatively safe destination for tourists. Visitors are advised to exercise caution, be aware of their surroundings, and obey local laws and regulations to ensure safety.

Interesting Facts About Tourism in Iran

Now that we know a bit more about tourism in Iran, I would like to share with you my favourite facts about this fascinating nation:

1 – Iran has 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it the 9th country in the world in terms of the number of its World Heritage listings.

2 – Iran has a significant presence in the international film festival circuit, with the Fajr International Film Festival attracting guests and entries from around the world.

3 – Tehran’s Grand Bazaar is one of the largest markets in the world and attracts millions of visitors every year.

4 – Iran is home to the world’s largest covered market, the Tabriz Bazaar.

5 – Iran is one of the few countries in the world where carpet weaving is a national industry, and Persian rugs are famous for their intricate designs and high quality.

6 – Iran is rich in natural beauty, and visitors can explore everything from beaches on the Caspian Sea to the Zagros Mountains and deserts like Dasht-e Kavir and Band-e Amir.

7 – Iran has a rich culinary heritage, with regional dishes like chelo kebab, ghormeh sabzi, and fesenjan attracting visitors from around the world.

8 – Iranian hospitality is legendary, and visitors can expect to be welcomed warmly in shops, restaurants, and hotels.

9 – Iran has a rich literary tradition and is the birthplace of famous poets such as Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Saadi.

10 – The city of Yazd, known for its wind towers, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique desert architecture.

FAQs About Tourism in Iran

Lastly, lets finish up this article about tourism in Iran by answering some of the most common questions on this topic:

What are the top tourist attractions in Iran?

Iran has many popular tourist attractions, including historic sites like Persepolis, Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, and the ancient city of Yazd. Other popular destinations include the Caspian Sea coast, mountain ranges like Alborz and Zagros, and the beautiful deserts of Dasht-e Kavir and Lut.

What is the best time to visit Iran for tourism?

The best time to visit Iran for tourism is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild and pleasant. Summers can be hot, especially in the southern regions, and winters can be cold in the north and mountainous areas.

Do I need a visa to visit Iran?

Yes, most foreign visitors need a visa to enter Iran, with some exceptions for certain countries. Visitors can apply for a tourist visa through the Iranian embassy or consulate in their home country before travelling.

What is the official language spoken in Iran?

The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi), which is spoken by the majority of the population. Some minority languages like Azeri, Kurdish, and Arabic are also spoken in certain regions.

Is Iran a safe country for tourists?

Despite some negative stereotypes and misconceptions, Iran is generally a safe country for tourists. The crime rate is low, and incidents of violent crime against tourists are rare. However, visitors should still be cautious and aware of their surroundings, especially in crowded areas.

What is the currency of Iran?

The currency of Iran is the Iranian Rial (IRR), although many transactions are also done in US dollars or euros. Visitors can exchange currency at banks, exchange offices, or hotels in major cities.

Can I use credit cards in Iran?

No, most international credit cards are not accepted in Iran due to international sanctions. Visitors are recommended to bring cash or use local debit cards for transactions.

What is the dress code for visitors in Iran?

Female visitors should wear a headscarf and loose-fitting clothing that covers their arms and legs, while men should wear long trousers and avoid shorts. The dress code is more relaxed in private spaces like hotel rooms and women-only spaces like women’s mosques.

Is alcohol allowed in Iran?

No, alcohol is illegal in Iran due to religious restrictions. Visitors should not attempt to bring or consume alcohol in Iran.

Can I use social media in Iran?

Yes, most social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are accessible in Iran, although some content may be filtered or restricted due to government censorship. Visitors are recommended to use a virtual private network (VPN) for greater internet freedom and privacy.

Tourism in Iran- To conclude

Iran, a nexus of ancient civilisations and diverse landscapes, offers an immersive journey into a rich tapestry of history and culture. As visitors explore its architectural wonders and geographical spectacles, they connect with narratives that span millennia.

However, as tourism in the nation grows, it’s essential to adopt a sustainable approach, preserving both its tangible and intangible heritage. Through conscious and responsible tourism, Iran has the potential to showcase its multifaceted beauty, all the while ensuring that its cultural and natural treasures remain intact for future generations to appreciate.

If you enjoyed this article about tourism in Iran, I am sure you will love these too:

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Tips and how to travel to Iran in 2024

By Joan Torres 99 Comments Last updated on April 1, 2024

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What used to be a country that everybody believed was filled with danger and nuclear weapon lovers is, today, becoming the destination with the most exponential tourism growth in the world.

From the most hospitable people to the oldest history, stunning architecture, the most desolate deserts, green mountains, islands, and many other things, slowly, travelers are realizing that Iran is the ultimate destination.

However, since it has opened to tourism very recently, traveling in Iran is not that easy, as it presents several difficulties and peculiarities, ranging from strict Islamic rules to credit card issues and even the need to get special travel insurance.

But don’t worry.

After visiting this country twice for more than 2 months, on this blog, I have compiled loads of travel tips for traveling to Iran which will help you to plan your trip easily.

In this travel guide to Iran you will find:

Table of Contents

COVID-19 entry requirements
Best time to visit
Accommodation
Access blocked site s
Travel Insurance
Useful books
Money costs & budget
Solo female travel
The people and culture
Religion and Islamic Law
Transportation
Internet & SIM Card
Food and alcohol
Other curiosities
More information

How to book hotels, flights and tours in Iran

Because of the sanctions, foreign cards or popular sites such as booking.com can’t be used in Iran, but now you can thanks to 1stQuest .

1stQuest is a local company that offers services such as visa LOI, hotel booking, tours, domestic flights, and travel insurance for Iran.

5% discount on ALL bookings with voucher code:

😷 COVID-19 travel bans for Iran

Iran re-opened its border in October 2021 and today, you can travel to Iran always by presenting a vaccine certificate.

Travel Insurance for Iran with COVID-19 coverage

IATI Insurance is one of the few providers that offers full Coronavirus coverage, not only when it comes to treatment, but also cancellations costs in case you tested positive before departure.

Moreover, travel insurance is mandatory for having visa on arrival in Iran.

Readers of Against the Compass can get an exclusive 5% discount .

🪪 Visa for traveling to Iran

Visa on arrival (voa) for iran.

Everybody, except for citizens of Canada, UK, US, Afghanistan , Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq , Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka, can get a visa on arrival at any of Iran’s international airports.

The only real requirement is to have a valid host contact

During the process of getting your VOA, the authorities may contact your host, whether they are a hotel or a friend. If they can’t contact them, they may make you wait at the airport for a very long time.

Waiting time ranges from 2 to 6 hours

At the very least, you will have to wait for 2 hours at the airport.

On my second visit, I had to wait for more than 5 hours, as I had a brand-new passport and didn’t have a return flight ticket.

How much does the tourist visa for Iran costs?

Prices range from 40€ to 150€, depending on nationality.

I hold a Spanish passport and paid 75€ and I believe that that is the price for the other European nationalities.

You can’t get a VOA if you enter Iran overland

If you travel to Iran by land, you will need to arrange your visa in advance.

How to get your visa in advance

If you don’t want to wait at the airport, want to secure your visa or enter overland, you should get the visa in advance.

For this, you need to get an authorization code from an authorized company, which you will use to easily collect your visa at the airport or embassy (if you enter by land).

I strongly recommend the guys from 1st Quest , a very reliable company that offers plenty of different services for traveling in Iran.

The visa authorization code only costs 29€ but remember that with my voucher code, you can get an additional 5% discount.

My voucher code: ATC-QST

Typically, they give you up to 30 days

A one-month visa is the standard number of days they give for traveling in Iran.

But you can easily extend your visa

You can extend it twice for 30 days. This means that you can be in Iran for up to 90 days. Extensions can be arranged in all provincial capitals.

Iran and Israel

For more details regarding the Israeli stamp, read: Avoid the Israeli stamp – FAQ

Iran doesn’t stamp passports anymore – An Iranian stamp on your passport can be an issue, especially if you are traveling to the USA. That’s why they are now giving your visa on a separate piece of paper.

⛅ Best time to travel to Iran

Iran is a massive country with many climatic zones, which range from the dry regions of the Persian Gulf to the wetlands of the north-western provinces.

Ideally, the northern mountains should be visited during late spring, summer and early autumn. On the other hand, the classic Persian cities of Esfahan, Yazd, Kashan, and Shiraz can get utterly hot in summer, so winter, spring, and autumn are the optimum months for visiting them.

Moreover, the southern provinces, which include Qeshm Island , Bandar Abbas, etc. should be avoided during the summer months, as temperatures may reach up to 50ºC and the air is extremely humid.

Last, Tehran has extremely cold winters and overwhelmingly hot summers. Therefore, spring and autumn are the ideal months for traveling to Iran.

You can also visit the Persian cities during the summer months, no problem, but just be prepared for the heavy heat!

What to actually do in Iran From following the classic Persian historical trail to contemplating the magnificent Islamic architecture, trekking, visiting the Persian Gulf Islands, meeting Iranian nomads , making local friends or even making a pilgrimage trip to the city of Mashhad, Iran can be a destination for all types of travelers, both history and adventure lovers.

🏨 Travel tips for accommodation in Iran

Because of the sanctions, websites like Booking.com don’t have hotels listed in Iran.

How to book a hotel in Iran?

Via a phone call
You just show up at the hotel and try your luck
Via a travel agency (if you go on a tour)
Via 1stQuest

Yes, a good alternative would be booking your hotels via 1stQuest because, from luxury hotels to backpacker hostels, they have hotels listed in all the main cities in Iran.

You can get a 5% discount in ALL your hotels bookings.

Use my promotional code: ATC-QST

By the way, keep in mind that the Government of Iran tends to block this kind of travel sites, so 1stQuest may not work when you try to connect from Iran. If this is the case, there are 2 possible solutions:

Book all your hotels in advance, before traveling to Iran.
Get a VPN to access all blocked sites. For more information, read how to find the right VPN for Iran .

For more options, check: Best areas to stay in Tehran .

Couchsurfing in Iran

If you are on a budget, you should know that Couchsurfing is very popular in Iran and a great way to get immersed in the local culture, as Iranians are particularly hospitable and you are likely to be treated like a royal guest.

However, bear in mind that some hosts may be extremely intense and may want to be with you at all times.

🔓 How to access blocked sites in Iran

Fact: in Iran, many websites are censored, and that includes:

Some Google services
Pornography sites
Against the Compass (Yes, my website)

If you wanna post Facebook updates or just check the international news, you must get a VPN and the one I recommend is ExpressVPN

If you have no clue about VPNs, you should read my tutorial: How to find the right VPN for Iran .

🚑 Travel insurance for Iran

Because of the sanctions, few insurance providers cover travel in Iran. The one which does, however, is IATI Insurance .

Moreover, travel insurance is a must requirement for anyone trying to get a visa on arrival at the airport.

I strongly recommend IATI Insurance for these reasons:

They have loads of different plans for all travelers: from families to budget backpackers
Full COVID-19 coverage
Covers for up to 1 year trips
Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount .

For more options, read How to find the right travel insurance for Iran

📚 Useful books to plan your trip to Iran

This is just a selection of a few books but since Iran is such a complex country with so much going on, I have compiled this list containing the best books on Iran , classified into history, novels, and politics.

Iran travel guide by Bradt

Bradt has always the most comprehensive guides to the most off-beat countries. I love Bradt because they give plenty of tips for the independent traveler, as well as loads of cultural insights.

Iran travel guide by Lonely Planet

I personally prefer Bradt but, if you are a Lonely Planet fan, they have just released their latest edition for Iran.

Best political novel – The Cypress Tree

The story of a writer and his family (currently a BBC journalist) who had to live in exile in the UK after the 1979 Revolution. The book is not only a critique of the dictatorial regime but also, he explains, in a very nostalgic way, all the things he misses from Iran.

🛫 How to get in Iran

It’s mandatory to have a travel insurance to get your visa on arrival in Iran. Because of the sanctions, most insurance companies don’t provide coverage for Iran, but IATI Insurance does Get your exclusive 5% discount if purchasing via this link.

How to travel to Iran by air

If you come by flight, Tehran would be the most obvious destination, as it has a large number of connections from Europe, especially Germany and Turkey.

Read: Things to do in Tehran in 2 days

Shiraz has also an international airport and there are daily, very cheap flights from Dubai.

Read: Things to do in Shiraz

How to travel to Iran by land

Iran shares a border with many countries but remember that, if overlanding, a visa is not available on arrival, so you will have to get it in advance.

Iraq – Surprisingly easy (the one I used). See here the full report .

Turkey – Another surprisingly easy border to cross.

Armenia – An easy, friendly border. See here the full report .

Azerbaijan – Also pretty easy. Check Caravanistan for more information .

Pakistan – A real adventure. See here the full report .

Afghanistan – Apparently, coming from Herat is relatively easy. Warning! In 2021, this border was taken over by the Taliban. For more information, read my Afghanistan safety guide

Turkmenistan – I am really jealous because you managed to get a Turkmen visa.

United Arab Emirates – You can take a ferry from Sharjah to Bandar Abbas.

💰 Iran Travel Guide – What you need to know about money

In Iran, they use the Iranian Rial (IRR) and approximately:

1 USD = 42,350 IRR

The Iranian Rial fluctuation is massive

Make sure to check the current rate just before leaving for Iran because the value is so unstable.

Exchanging money in Iran

Exchange offices are available everywhere and €, USD and GBP are always accepted.

Moreover, there is also the black market, which means that, in all cities, you will always find random people willing to buy your currency.

It is fine to exchange with them but just make sure to count your money twice, as some of them may try to trick you.

Wait, Rials or Tomans?

Since their currency is extremely low, in order to simplify things, most places will tell you the prices in Tomans, which is the same value divided by 10.

In the beginning, it is a bit confusing but you will quickly get used to it.

Foreign credit cards don’t work

Because of the sanctions, you can’t use your international credit card when you travel in Iran, so bring cash.

However, you can buy a local credit card

For people who don’t want to be carrying lots the cash, you can buy a local credit card and top it up. There are quite a few companies, for example, Mah Card Iran Travel .

(Note that I have never tried it but was recommended by a friend).

The way it works is that you sign up on their website, give your passport details and they will bring your credit card once you arrive at your hotel in Tehran .

You will give them your cash and pay the 20€ service after receiving your card. I didn’t use it but I’ve been told it is a reliable company.

And you can pay by credit card absolutely everywhere

You will be surprised to know that local credit cards are accepted all across the country, including at street food stalls and grocery shops from rural areas.

Entrance fees

Most touristic sites, including mosques, gardens, and archaeological sites, charge between 100,000 and 150,000IR, which is 5 to 10 more times than what the locals pay.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Iran?

Iran is it safe to visit iran.

That’s it. It is a safe destination with no terrorism and a very low crime rate.

The UK Foreign advice says that you should avoid traveling to Balochistan and the area bordering Iraq. However, I think that this information is totally biased. You should be fine.

In Iran there is no Islamic State

On many occasions, my friends from back home told me: Be careful with ISIS in Iran! I love my friends but this is a very naive comment because, first of all, Iranians are Shia, hence there are no Iranian linked to ISIS. And second of all, ISIS never made it to Iran.

If you aren’t convinced yet, I urge you to read this comprehensive analysis about safety in Iran .

Iran travel tip – Consider getting off the beaten track I traveled to Iran in 2015 and 2018 and, in only 3 years, things had changed significantly. The classic Persian cities of Yazd, Esfahan, Shiraz, and Kashan are filled with tour groups, overpriced restaurants, and souvenir shops. Local interactions, which usually involve house invitations, are less frequent and rip-offs are common. However, if you just step slightly out of your comfort zone, experiences with the locals can be totally different. Therefore, I strongly recommend visiting other places near the cities, as well as discovering other provinces, such as Golestan, Kurdistan , or the cities of Tabriz and Mashhad.

💃 Solo female travel in Iran

Iran is an Islamic dictatorship and, at the same time a day-by-day growing tourism destination, so it is not surprising at all that, every day, this Middle Eastern country is attracting more and more travelers, including many solo females.

Many women have come to me asking for my opinion towards traveling to Iran as a solo female. Well, despite the fact that I am a man and tend to get a very different experience than most women, I don’t know a single lady who hasn’t had a wonderful experience in Iran so, based on their opinions, I can certainly tell that Iran is, definitely, a safe destination for women.

If you want to know more details about it, I recently interviewed Eveline from Earth Wanderess , who shares her travel expertise about solo female travel in Iran .

🕌 The people and culture

Remember that, in Iran, the internet is censored – including Facebook or WhatsApp. If you want to access them and navigate safely, you must get a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and I strongly recommend ExpressVPN , the one I personally use. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ExpressVPN

Iran is a highly educated society

Iran is the developing country with the largest number of highly educated people I’ve ever traveled to. Even in very rural, remote areas, such as Golestan, I met people who had Ph.D. degrees from Barcelona and Cambridge.

Iranians are not Arabs

People in Iran are not Arabs but Persians, which is a completely different ethnicity.

Nevertheless, it is ethnically diverse

From the Kurds in Iranian Kurdistan to the Turkmens of Golestan and the Arabs from the Persian Gulf shores, in Iran, there are several ethnic minorities.

Hospitality in Iran

Iranians are famous for their hospitality.

Don’t be surprised if someone who you just met 5 minutes ago invites you to his house, a random dude who you never talked to pays for your meal and, basically, everybody treats you like a king.

They love foreigners and are striving for the world to realize that they are a very peaceful society.

Do accept house invitations

You can’t say you have entirely traveled to Iran if you didn’t have a meal or stay at someone’s home.

Just say yes. If you get slightly off the beaten track and having a meal at a stranger’s house is 100% guaranteed.

Wait, what is tarof ?

If you are traveling in Iran for long enough and have experienced strong local interactions, the locals will tell you about something called tarof .

Basically, tarof is when a local tries to pay for your meal (or anything else) just because it is in their cultural code but they don’t really want to.

Say no and, if they insist more than 3 times, it means that it was a real invitation.

However, if they back off, it means that it was a bluff, so this is called tarof .

Farsi is the official language

Farsi (or Persian), which has nothing to do with Arabic, is the country’s language.

They also use the Arab alphabet.

Educated people speak English

In major cities, most educated people speak impeccable English and, in rural areas, they will speak the basic stuff.

Officially, the weekend is on Thursday and Friday

Iran follows the official Muslim calendar, so Friday is the official day off and, for most companies and the public sector, Thursday and Friday is the weekend.

Read: Things you need to know before traveling to Kyrgyzstan

🕌 Religion and Islamic law in Iran

Most iranians are shia.

Iran is the country with the largest Shia population.

However, there are Sunni minorities

In Balochistan, Golestan and the Persian Gulf, there are significant Sunni communities.

Iran is an Islamic Republic

Prior to 1979, Iran was ruled by a Shah who was a puppet of the USA and was leading the country to poverty. This led to a massive revolution, the Shah was overthrown and the clerics came to power, founding the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It’s also a religious dictatorship

In Iran, freedom of speech, demonstration, and protest is extremely limited and several rules based on Sharia law apply to everybody, including tourists.

Dressing code for men

You can’t dress in short pants, even when it is 40ºC. Other than that, you will be fine.

Dressing code for women

Women need to wear a headscarf and can’t show either their shoulders nor their curves. This means that you must wear a long, loose dress or skirt over your pants.

And of course, alcohol is illegal

In Iran, alcohol is forbidden and only available on the black market.

For more details, check the Food & Alcohol section.

Even in this situation, many Iranians are not religious at all

Across your journey, you will meet many Iranians from all ages who don’t care about religion at all, more than in any other Middle Eastern country.

This is because, before the 1979 Revolution, Iran was quite secular.

🛺 Travel tips for transportation in Iran

Traveling around iran by public transportation.

They go absolutely everywhere and are the preferred choice for locals.

There are two kinds of buses, the budget one and the VIP, which is around 70% more expensive.

Trust me, get the VIP bus

Seriously, the difference between VIP and non-VIP is so huge. VIP buses are extremely more comfortable, have AC and don’t smell. The cheap buses are horrible and, since they only cost a few USD, paying a 70% extra is not a big deal.

Where to buy your bus tickets

It was kind of a pain in the ass to buy them, as local sites don’t accept foreign cards, so you had to ask your hotel (who charges a high commission) or go to the bus station, which is always far away from downtown.

Because of the sanctions, in Iran, most booking sites don’t accept international foreign cards. Before you could book them via 1stQuest but they are not offering this particular service anymore. However, you may still use 1stQuest for visa services, hotels, flights, travel insurance and tours.

Traveling around Iran by domestic flight

For those who are short on time, there are a lot of domestic flights, connecting most cities in the country.

You can check flight schedules and book your tickets through 1stQuest, and you can get a 5% discount on ALL flights:

With voucher code: ATC-QST

Train is also an option

Some cities have train stations. I personally took a train from Tehran to Gorgan and a 23-hour train from Mashhad to Bandar Abbas. It was pretty cool but not all cities have train stations plus they run less frequently than buses.

Get Snapp for taxis

Snapp is like the Iranian Uber and, as far as I know, it works in Tehran, Esfahan and, perhaps, in other big cities, as well. By default, it is cheaper than regular taxis plus you save all the negotiation hassle.

Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad have metro lines. They are cheap, fast and reliable!

Driving in Iran

You can self-drive in Iran, no problem, but just be aware that, like in all the Middle East , people drive like crazy.

Crossing the streets in Iran

For me, the worst thing about Iran is that nobody gives a s*** about pedestrians.

You should know that, when you cross the street, even if you go over a pedestrian crossing, cars will never slow down but will just dodge you. It’s crazy. You should always cross sticking close to a local.

💻 Internet & SIM Card

Wi-fi sucks.

A lot, practically everywhere.

But internet data is good

Wi-Fi sucked so much that, sometimes, I was using my 3G to watch movies.

Get an IranCell SIM Card

In my experience, the staff of IranCell shops speak good English. For just a couple of USD, you will get plenty of GB and calls. I suggest you check their website for the latest plans.

In Tehran, there is an IranCell shop inside Imam Khomeni metro station.

🍲 Food and alcohol in Iran

What is persian cuisine like.

Seriously, I could write an entire post about food in Iran. It is quite varied and many provinces have their own local specialties. Usually, most meals will be accompanied by tonnes of rice and bread.

The most popular appetizers have an eggplant base and main courses tend to be meat with gravy. Kebab is a fancy meal they eat outside.

So far, my favorite dishes are bademjan , an eggplant and tomato stew; ghormeh sabzi , a meat stew with plenty of spices and herbs; ash , a breakfast consisting of a vegetable soup with chickpeas, noodles and caramelized onions; and dizi , lamb (or chicken) smashed with tomatoes, potatoes and chickpeas in a clay pot.

Vegetarians will be OK

For breakfast, they will serve you either ash (the vegetable soup) or an omelet with tomato sauce, as well as cheese, watermelon, and nuts.

For lunch and dinner, there are many eggplant-based vegetarian options, lentils, and rice.

The tea culture is really strong and a sign of hospitality.

The coffee culture is growing!

One of the differences I noticed on my second trip to Iran is that there were coffee places, serving authentic coffee absolutely everywhere.

It was, of course, pricey compared to any other drink but having breakfast over a good cup of coffee is a real must for me.

Alcohol is only available on the black market

It usually comes smuggled from Armenia or Iraqi Kurdistan .

But you are likely to drink

Once, I was hitchhiking in Golestan when a young couple from Tehran picked me up and offered me vodka shots. Another day, the owner of a café served me a real rum mojito.

I also drank home-made liquor at someone’s house in Shiraz and was offered a beer in Qeshm Island.

As I said, many Iranians are not very religious and, if you hang out with local people, eventually, you will be able to have some drinks.

Some curiosities you will see when traveling in Iran

You will see that in most major cities, especially in Tehran and Esfahan, a lot of women wear a bandage on their nose. That is because they just came from surgery. Many Persian women have an arched nose and some of them have a bit of complex about it.

The clerics

Those Muslim priests that you see all over Iran are Shia clergy. Most of them wear a white hat, which means that they are normal people.

However, those wearing a black one are, somehow, related to the prophet Mohammed. Within a period of 2 months, I spotted two of them.

Creepy mannequins

In all bazaars all across the country, clothing shops have extremely creepy mannequins. They tend to be dirty, miss one eye or they have no jaw. I don’t know if the shopkeepers realize how weird this is.

Drought in Iran

In Iran, lack of rain is a real problem and, across the country, many lakes and rivers, including the river that goes through Esfahan, are completely dry. This is one of the biggest concerns for most Iranians.

❗ More information for your trip to Iran

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Remember to always use my code – From booking a hotel to visa services, hotels, flights, travel insurance and tours, if it is via 1stQuest , remember that you can use my 5% discount code, as many as you want, whenever you want: ATC-QST

All guides and articles for traveling in Iran destination

Iran itinerary
Best Books about Iran
Travel insurance for Iran
VPN for Iran
Solo Female Travel Guide to Iran
Tehran Travel Guide
Qeshm Island Travel Guide
Travel Guide to Shiraz
A trip to the desert of the Kaluts
Trekking Guide to Zagros Mountains
Meeting the Qashqai People
Fars Province Travel Guide
Visa Guide for Iran
Masouleh Travel Guide
Travel Guide to Golestan Province
Iran-Iraq border crossing
Is Iran Safe?
Darband Travel Guide
Best Hotels in Tehran

Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East

Travel Guide to Oman
Palestine Travel Guide
Syria Travel Guide
Travel Guide to Lebanon
Iraq Travel Guide
Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
Yemen Travel Guide

You might also like our Pakistan Travel Guide or Azerbaijan Travel Guide .

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

99 comments

Hey Buddy, you wrote a great helpful article! almost covered all the tips. Btw , I would like to introduce our hostel in tehran to readers of your blog if its possible, HI Tehran Hostel offers excellent value budget accommodation in a convenient location of Tehran, stay with us and see what a difference a stay makes..

Im so happy to see that you wrote a excellent article about my country and specially my city and its beautiful valley(alamut). i would be more than happy to help any travelers in this adventure AS WE ALWAYS SAY (Taste Iran with locals)

Most welcome! Will come back there in September :p

I have just spent a goo hour reading your articles, they are very well and intelligently written! And also more informative than other sites. I am planning a trip to Iran in September too! Safe travels and keep writing awesome articles!

Thanks and hope you will enjoy it! I am traveling back to Iran in October 🙂

Informative excellent article. Though there was small mistake in foods names.

I get what you mean about the heat and humidity in the southern provinces Joan. We house sat during the cool, rainier season in Doha, Qatar last year, across the Persian Gulf from Iran. The homeowners noted temps to 50 C PLUS humidity. Meaning sometimes it feels like 140 F LOL! Insane. Rocking post bro.

In summer, the weather Gulf Area is really bad! I lived there for a few years and couldn’t handle it 😀

Did anyone invite you? Get lost to where you came from.

Thank you for all this interesting information, accurate and recent on top of it! On that subject, something that could also help although quite new it is the mobile app Fairswap. It allows to exchange cash currency in real-time by meeting with each other at a pre-agreed location. Widely, people post their need in foreign currency and if there is someone nearby facing the reverse need, then they can get in touch each other and if both agree, they will meet and make the swap.

By chance, this could be a pleasant way to facilitate connections with locals and get unexpected additional tips.

Thank you Joan for this beautiful blog you have. very accurate and informative, hope you enjoy Iran even more next time. Cheers

Always a pleasure to go back and enjoy Iran 🙂

I’ve also been in Iran recently the people were very hospitable. It’s good to know that there’s a better way instead of carrying cash which caused lots of stress, Daricpay is a credit card for tourists that is acceptable all around the country.

HI, i’m going to Iran in mid April. I have small DJI drone, but i’m not sure if i should take it. I saw you had drone in Iran. How is the law about drones there?

It is risky. If you get caught they will definitely confiscate it, so be careful. When I travel, I check in the main body and then I put the battery in my hand luggage. This way, they never find it.

Hello from Poland, I am planning to visit Iran this summer (unfortunatelly I only have the summers off so I am bracing for the heat). My question is about the windmills of Nashtifan. I haven’t found any info on them here on the blog. (If there is though, please direct me to it). Have you been there? Do you know what’s the best way to get there? Is that area safe since it’s so close the the Afgan border? I would appreciate any info on the matter. Thanks Igor

Hey Igor, haven’t been there, unfortunately, but maybe you should first go to Mashhad? If so, stay at Vali’s and I am sure he will know all the details about getting there

Thnks a lot Joan!

Hey Igor, I’m sarah from Iran,Nashtifan is a city in the Central District, Khaf County,Razavi Khorasan Province,in my country and it’s very beautiful and totally safe and it’s famous because the ancient windmills.

Hello. dear friend,wind mills of nashtifan is in khorasan razavi province. If you want to go there, you have to go to mashhad and then get a bus to khaf. There are taxis that take you to nashtifan. But nashtifan is hot in the summer, the degree is about 50selcius. So I recommend you to go there in spring or atumn.

Also you can arrive ther from islam qaleh- dogharoon border crossing and then get a taxi to nashtifan.

Hi There, how about traveling to Iran while pandemic?is it easy or any term and condition to apply?

Thank you Joan for information and especially the beautiful pictures

Hi You are very welcome to Iran in advance  I am SHADI a licensed tourist guide in Iran. I can speak English and Turkish fluently and live in Kashan. I can show you my city, Kashan and its around and many hidden spots in this area and even all around Iran. I can arrange your whole trip in Iran like accommodations, driver guide / tourist guide to make your trip more enjoyable here in Iran. If you like to know better about me and need more information, please feel free to contact me. It will be my pleasure to meet you in Kashan or even all around Iran and be part of your enjoyable trip in Iran. Best regards Shadi

I came across your blog since we are both members of the “Nomadic Matt’s Superstarblogging Blogging Business Course.

I loved reading your blog posts about Iran and found them very helpful. I will be heading to Iran on September 4 and I cannot wait to see Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Persepolis, Kashan, Tehran and a few other places. Before leaving on this trip, I would like to publish a collaboration post “Travel bloggers tips for Iran” and I would be very happy if you contribute and write 150 to 200 words plus send me one photo (preferably in landscape format). I would love to get your impression and what you liked most. Since I am blogging bilingually in English and in German and have so far published every blog post in both languages I would love to translate the post also into German (by myself not automatically by Google Translate).

I have published similar posts before my trips to Uzbekistan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and before my trip to the Maldives. If you are interested I could send you the links to those posts.

My email address is [email protected] .

I would like to publish the blog post before I leave for Iran on September 4, therefore, I would be happy if you could send me your piece till August 30.

I would be happy if you contribute. Thank you so much in advance.

Cheers Vanessa

Hey joan , I’m sarah from Iran ,i would like to say thank you for your beautiful blog, you have almost mentioned everything,next time when you went to Iran go to Guilan province,Rasht city it’s my hometown I’m sure you will love it♥️♥️

Thank you for your kind message 🙂 I’d really like to go there and explore the mountains of that area

I suggest you to visit Damavand mountain which is highest volcano in Asia. And if you heard about Iranian legends and Myths you would realize that Zahak who is Villain is perisond in Damavand.

thanks so much for your tips, and I want to add that Iran has some of the best dishes in the world. The Persian cuisine consists of a delicious array of stews and different rice among many other dishes. And of course Persian bread.

Your website is not blocked in Iran. I’m using it in iran without vpn

that’s really good news to hear 🙂

Would love to visit but I just can’t bring myself to go to a country where gay men (like myself) have the death penalty.

As an Iranian and also someone who is pro-equality for the members of LGBTQ I wish the situation was different, and that you didn’t have to worry about things such as sexual orientation. It’s true that Iranian government doesn’t have a shining reputation in their treatment of members of LGBTQ community, some of what’s being reported is often exaggeration. It’s not easy to condemn anyone of “sodomy” without compelling evidence, like actual witnesses! (Not that this should be an issue to begin with) What I’m trying to get at is that officials often look the other way, unless there is a case of rape, which was reported by the western media a few months ago, but it was really misrepresented, in that case someone who happened to be gay had raped a boy, that case is not representative of members of LGBTQ community, but a criminal that was proven to be guilty of rape. In either case, I’m not defending the current Iranian government treatment of LGBTQ, and I’m entirely in favor of equal rights for them.

Finally, regarding your point about your sexual orientation, no one will know your sexual orientation unless you bring it up yourself, I for example as a heterosexual male will not demonstrate anything outside of social norms just because I’m heterosexual, for example if I’m in a county whose general female population happen to be my type, I’m not going to approach them in every single instance or be aggressive, you have to gauge the person’s interest before taking a step towards the next step in your relationship. All I’m trying to get at is that there are many, many gays in Iran whether the Iranian government likes it or not, and you may come across them.

Sorry for the long post.

Can I get some information about Tehran university through what’s app number?

It seams that entrance fees to many tourist places are highly increased from October 23. Can you tell me more? Thanks Norberto

Hi Norberto, I don’t know yet but as soon as I get the updated info, I will update the post accordingly

Hi, I live in Tehran and the increasing is not highly. for example the most expensive ticket is less than 2 dollars, visiting Azadi tower.

Hi yes the entrance Fee is increased but it is not to that value that become impossible for tourists to pay that. It is currently about less than 2.5 EUR at an average.

Hello, how are you? First I want to congratulate you on the excellent blog. My wife and I are going to Iran in March 2020. I’m sure your blog will greatly help us.

thanks Carlos, enjoy Iran!

Hello, Transasia Express has started it’s operations once again between Ankara – Tehran. 60 hours long train journey is a beautiful alternative to flights.

Hi Joan Hope You are fine. I want to introduce some more topics about Iran gradually that may be interesting for you and other followers of your fantastic blog! Now I want to talk about the nature of Fars Province and its touristic potential. In Fars Province there exists different mountain peaks that are fantastic for mountaineering. Dena is the highest one and also more, like Ghashmastaan, Delo, Ronj, Bel ans more. It is really worth having experience about that. If these exist interest, I can give more detailed information about them. 🙂

Hi I’m Aria ,as an iranian, your blog was so interesting for me but I noticed the wrong information in this topic :Iran is an Islamic Republic. You have written about shah and you said he was puppet and leading country to poverty! Sorry but you are totally wrong , everything , really everything that you see even our culture is because of shah . I wonder to know who gave you this misleading information about shah.

Lmao Joan i love that part you explain tarof Dude you know iran really well, even better than meee Come here more! -Yasi

I’ve got a big question You said almost everywhere accepts local credit card like you were really interesed… You mean thats… surprisng or something?

Yes, it was definitely surprising. Paying by credit card for a bunch of oranges from a street food stall is something I have never seen before, especially in a developing country, and when I say food stall I mean a local man sitting on the floor with a box

Thanks, Joan! This a great guide for Iran. How easy it is to get accommodation for a solo female traveler? Are there any restrictions?

Hi Joan! Amazing blog full of very useful information! Just reading about it is giving me the itch to pack my back and hop on the first plane to Tehran! 🙂 I was just wondering, how is it with wild camping around Iran? Is it legal? Is it safe? Would it be a good idea to do it in May-June-July? Also by any chance, would you know what is the covid situation at the moment? Thanks so much!! And keep safe 🙂 Aneta

Hi Aneta! About COVID, all I can tell you is that Iran is not issuing tourist visas at the moment, unfortunately. About camping, is definitely safe, not sure if it 100% legal but many travelers have done that. May to June is great time weather-wise, all across the country, The souther shores might be a bit hot though.

Thank you Joan! 🙂

Hello Joan thanks so much for this post! I wanted to ask if you’ve taken Iran Air airlines from or to Azerbaijan? I will be flying to Tehran from Baku and all I can find on Western websites are very long non-direct flights… However, if I visit websites selling Iranian airlines they have direct flights but the calendar is different and I do not understand anything. Any tips on this, please? Also, I saw your last post from January saying Iran does not issue tourist visas. Does that mean I cannot get one in the airport upon arrival? kind regards, Dre

Hi Dre, probably there aren’t any flights because the country is not open for tourism yet. No, as of today, you can’t get in Iran as a tourist. Only business and medical visas.

Hello. I’m an Iranian person. l went to Balochistan province in the southeast of iran in 2019. l didn’t have any safety problem. It’s an amazing province. In north and center of province, there are mountains and desserts, but in the south, tropical fruits are grown. The best season for north and center is spring, and for south is September or july. If you go there, visit maki mosque in zahedan, taftan volcano in khash, remin and beris and gowatr fishing ports in chabahar, kahir and tang gelfeshan in konarak(gelfeshan is a big hill that throws out muds) and tropical gardens in sarbaz and zarabad. If you be smart, you won’t have any safety problem there. Thanks.

Hello, I lived in Iran in the 70s, in Esfahan. I made several Iranian friends. If I get a visa, and a tour guide, may I see these friends when I get there? I have their address, I haven’t heard from them in almost 40+++ years. I haven’t seen them either. Will I he able to visit them? Please let me know.

Hi Katie, the question would be, why wouldn’t you? 🙂

Well I’ve heard I must have a tour guide and that I’ll be watched. I mean can I go to their house without the guide? Do I have to go on a tour. I’ve already seen everything. Thank you for responding.

Hi Katie, some nationalities like Canadians, USA or UK do need to hire a guide but this isn’t like North Korea, and the guide doesn’t need to be with you at all times.

Hello, which Iranian provinces have you traveled to, have you gone to Lorestan ??? Lorestan is one of the most famous and beautiful provinces of Iran, which is one of the best provinces of Iran for tourism. It has very tasty kebabs and food, and kind and hospitable people, I suggest you come.

I took out €400 for my Iran trip. This will create a lot of rials. Will this last enough for my time in Iran, which is 10 days?

Hi Ron, it’s impossible for me to say, since each individual has completely different needs. For me, I target at least 50-60€ a day

Hi! I bought tickets to IRAN (before checking if I can get TOURIST VISA). The flight is tomorrow :((. Do you know if country is open for tourism yet and if I can get a tourist visa at the arrival?

Thank you in advance.

Hi Denis, the country is currently closed for tourism. No visas are issued.

Hello Joan I’m tourist guide and thank u so much for your useful information, beside, I would like to note that WhatsApp is not blocked in Iran but Telegram, Facebook and YouTube are blocked that can be unblocked easily by VPN. best regards Hengameh from Iran

Thanks for this article– very helpful. I will be in Kurdistan Iraq and will have a couple of days to cross over to Iran, do you recommend what places to see that are relatively close to the border as I don’t have much time? Also, I’ll arrange for my visa at the embassy in Iraq since I’m crossing the border by land, but can I hire a driver from Iraq for my entire trip or will I have to change at the border? Thank you!

Mariwan and Sanandaj are nice places, both within Iranian Kurdistan Iraqis need a visa to enter Iran. It’s easy for them, but they need to apply, so I think it could be hard to find a driver who takes you across the border

Thank you for replying and good to know. Will I need a visa into Iran if I am only visiting the Kurd religion of Iran as a USA passport holder? I will only have the visa from the Kurd region of Iraq.

Hey, so Iran Kurdistan is just part of Iran and don’t have special visa requirements. For going there, you just need an Iranian visa. Unfortunately, USA passport holders can only get it through a travel agency.

Hello Joan, Short question. I am planning to travel to Iran in 2022. Does it still hold that ”Iran doesn’t stamp passports anymore”? I am planning also to travel to the USA this year as well through an ESTA visa application (they are not enthusiastic about Iran, as you know). Thank you! JC

Hello, as far as I know, they still don’t stamp passports

Hello Joan: This is an amazing post. My wife and I are planning our trip to Iran. We are really keen on visiting Tabriz, Shiraz, and Tehran. If we were to buy carpets in Iran and try to bring them back to the US – I mean are tourists harassed at the Tehran Airport? In our past trips we had them delivered home but not sure how it will work in Iran. Any guidance is appreciated. Thank you.

Hi there, I really can’t advise you on this… but in my experience, travelers ar never harassed in the airport

Hello people I’m ali and I’m from Iran Iran is safe in 2022, but if you’re a woman, you have to be careful about your hijab, because it is important in Iran. If you are a man, never take your wife or girlfriend in street. Because police will come and… So, WhatsApp is not blocked in Iran, But YouTube, Facebook, Telegram, BBC, twitter and porn sites are blocked. And when you want to use of them you have to connect to VPN I myself use of windscribe Oh I forgot…! PubG is blocked too And about internet… It is too expensive and it is never free

But with all this, Iran is a very beautiful country. You can see different cultures in this country. In different parts of Iran, you will see very good and beautiful cultures. You can also find historical monuments from thousands of years ago In Iran, you can have a lot of entertainment, such as a zoo, a game city, etc., and most importantly, its wonderful restaurants. You can eat local Iranian food that is amazing.You will be amazed at any city or province you visit. The climate in Iran is wonderful. It is humid and rainy in the north and hot in the south. Never miss agriculture in the south of the country.I want to introduce several cities that if you come to Iran, be sure to visit them Tehran Gildan Mazandran Golestan Tabriz Qazvin Zanjan Mash’had Esteban Shiraz Ahvaz Bandar abad Booshehr Yazd

تهران گیلان مازندران گلستان تبریز قزوین زنجان مشهد اصفهان شیراز بندرعباس بوشهر یزد اهواز

Thanks for your interesting post about Iran. have you any Instagram page? and have you had any post on Instagram about Iran?

Hi, yes I do: https://www.instagram.com/againstthecompass/

absolutely no problem 🙂 All touristic hotels welcome anyone

Hola Joan, In a couple of weeks we will be traveling to Iran. We have heard that it is difficult to get diesel/petrol as a foreigner in a petrol station and that a local fuel-card is required when refuelling. Do you have any information about the situation right now?

Mil gracias por el blog! es magnífico 👏 Saludos, Irati

Hello Irati, unfortunately, I am not aware of any of this you mention. Perhaps you should ask in a FB group called Overlanding Middle East

Iranian citizens’ fuel card is used for paying for “subsidized price”. But anyone who doesn’t have fuel card, still can pay for unsubsidized price. However, you need an Iranian Bank card (something like credit card) to pay the price in gas station. In fact, you need such a card to pay everywhere. I don’t know how foreigners solve this problem. Maybe other travelers’ can help you.

Hi Joan, I just love your blog! You have so many interesting and useful information. I have wanted to go to Iran since a long time but I will probably have vacation in December. Will it make sense to go during this month or the weather will be a problem? Many thanks

Hello Valentina, thanks for your message. December is great for going to Iran. While the north of the country will be cold, the south will be great. Personally, I’d prefer to travel to Iran in December than anytime between June and early september-.

Hi Joan, so sorry for my late answer and thank you so much!

Hi Joan, Two weeks ago I checked the search engine for flights and buses form 1stquest and it was pretty useful, but now the links are not working and the website seems to have changed. They don’t offer this service anymore?

Hi Riccardo, you are right, they removed those 2 services because they need to fix a few things on their end but they are currently working on it, even though they didn’t say a specific date

Thank you for your amazing and helpful blog! We would like to come to Iraq Kurdistan and Iran in October this year. Do you know if land boarders from Kurdistan to Iran are open for tourists at the moment? Thank you!! Daniela

It’s usually open but they recently closed due to the clashes in the Green Zone of Baghdad, not sure if they opened in back already but it should

Hi Riccardo, Thanks for this wonderful article! In the section : How to get in Iran – by land, you don’t mention Turkey. Is it on purpose? Be safe, H

we forgot it, thanks for pointing this out!

Hotels and hostels in Iran advice against getting your visa at the airport, because of high rejecting rates. There is an pre-authorisation code that one apply for through an official goverment website. The form is easy and clear. But apparently it can take up to a few weeks to be approved. So apply early! The information on the 1stQuest website is useful, BUT I CANNOT recommend their pre-authorisation application. The form on their website is truely the worst website I have seen in years. It is not even possible to fill in one’s home address or email normally. And it can take hours, even days, for anyone from 1stQuest to reply to questions about the form – and then some of the answers I received were wrong!

Hello and thanks for the great article. What about currently going to Iran? When were you last there? Have you heard from any travellers? My concern is the random arrests that the foreign offices of several EU countries are warning about. What’s your take on it?

Travelers are still going there all the time, everything is great and smooth

Fantastic article. This is one of the best travel blogs I have come across.

I have a specific question and I wonder if you would be able to provide any information by any chance. So, I hold an Indian passport and plan to go to Iran next (I am into travel vlogging), now while trying to get some pre-trip information, I came across some sources suggesting that if I visit Iran, it would be impossible for me to travel to the us in the future.

I did some more research and there is conflicting information with come people having a hard time getting visas to the us (post Iran trip) and some people are like they faced no issues at all. I am also aware that Iran does not stamp passports anymore and also, I will probably club my Iran trip with another border country so I can cross a land border and skip being on flight records to Iran too …, however. … Indian passport is a nightmare to have as it is due to obvious reasons but people like me suffer greatly… now I don’t want any risks because a US visa will open access for me in future to a lot of countries, especially south America…. What do you suggest?

Much appreciated.

I am not sure what is the policy for Indian citizens for Europeans, if you want to travel to the USA, you have to fill out a form and get a simple pre-authorization where they ask questions like: have you ever committed a felony, and stuff like that.

One of the questions is: Have you ever been in any of the following countries since 2011? and Iran is on that list. If you say yes, your entry will be denied, and you’ll have to get the visa via the embassy, but everyone gets it anyways, it’s just a slower process.

As an Indian citizen, you have to go to the embassy anyways, so I can’t tell whether they will be any additional requirements.

Hi Joan, thanks for the excellent, in-depth information in this article. Do you think wi-fi is completely unreliable throughout Iran, including hotels in bigger cities (e.g. Tabriz, Tehran)? I work remotely and don’t need much data for work. Am I just better off buying a SIM card and working with hotspot?

Mobile data is surprisingly fast, much better than WiFi!

Hi Joan, Thankyou for the fantastic article. I am looking at travelling from Pakistan via the land border crossing into Iran and eventually through to Turkey. As this route passes through Balochistan and near to Afghanistan, are you aware if it will be safe to undertake in 2023? Cheers,

Hi Sam, as far as I know, if using that border, you’ll be escorted right from the border to the city of Quetta (for free). Independent travel not allowed there due to security concerns but since you’ll be escorted there’s nothing to worry about

You note that the Visa On Arrival program does not work for US citiizens (like me) and others of problematic passport. Do you have special instructions for us? I understand we can only get a visa by booking a tour through a licensed operator. Last I checked, there were none organized and I cannot afford one on my own.

If an formal tour is still necessary, I’d like to join up with an already-organized one, especially with like-minded travelers (i.e., curious, frugal, ‘backpacker’ types, more interested in culture/life experience than product/service consumption, etc.)–but I’m willing to be flexible.

Know of any?

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Iran in Summer | A Complete Guide for Travelers

The allure of Iran is undeniable, particularly in the summer months. From breathtaking landscapes to vibrant city streets, there’s something for everyone. For travelers who are up for an adventure, it’s seriously a gold mine. The diverse climate, cultural richness, and unique culinary experiences offer a perfect setting for an unforgettable holiday. Summer in Iran, honestly, is an experience like no other.

Iran, truly a versatile travel destination, boasts four seasons simultaneously. In summer, while the southern parts simmer under a hot sun, the northwest and Caspian Sea region enjoy milder temperatures. The variance of climates allows travelers to explore different facets of the country all year round. But for sure, summer provides a unique perspective on Iran’s beauty.

For the history buffs, Iran in summer is absolutely a feast for the eyes. The ancient ruins and UNESCO world heritage sites, like the Persepolis in Shiraz, stand in stark contrast against the clear summer skies, offering a picturesque view. And it’s not just about historical sites; the country is equally rich in natural beauty. The Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges, for instance, are just breath-taking.

The summer season, for sure, paints Iran in beautiful shades. The gardens are in full bloom, and the parks are filled with families enjoying picnics. The atmosphere is filled with the sweet scent of roses, particularly in Kashan, which hosts the annual Rose and Rosewater festival. And for the adventurous, the Lut Desert, despite the heat, offers an intriguing terrain for exploration.

While the heat might deter some, the warmth of the Iranian people is sure to win over every traveler. The hospitality they exhibit is truly heart-warming, and the bustling bazaars are a testament to their vibrant way of life. Whether it’s enjoying a cup of traditional tea or bargaining for a beautiful Persian carpet, the experiences are handpicked and unforgettable.

Definitely, summer in Iran is an experience not to be missed. Whether it’s exploring the historic sites, immersing in the local culture, or enjoying the stunning landscapes, there’s plenty to do and see. Just pack your bags and set off on this extraordinary journey!

Why You Shouldn’t Underestimate Iran’s Weather in Summer

Iran’s geography and topography give rise to a diverse climate. In summer, temperatures vary greatly across the country. It’s hot and dry in the central and southern regions, while the northwest enjoys milder weather. So, tbh, you should not underestimate Iran’s summer weather.

Southern Iran, including cities like Bandar Abbas and Ahvaz, can experience extreme heat. Temperatures rise to over 40°C (104°F), coupled with high humidity. Surely, these areas might not be the best choices for summer trips unless you’re someone who enjoys the challenge.

In contrast, the northwestern regions and the areas near the Caspian Sea are quite mild. Temperatures range between 20-30°C (68-86°F), with relatively high rainfall, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats. Undeniably, cities like Tabriz, Ardabil, and Rasht can offer a pleasant summer experience.

The central regions, including Tehran, have a moderate climate in the summer. While the days might be hot, the nights are often cool and comfortable. And the wind towers of Yazd, a marvel of ancient Persian architecture, make the heat bearable.

The mountains, like Alborz and Zagros, offer respite from the summer heat. They’re popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts. And, if you’re lucky, you might even get to see some snow!

The desert areas, particularly the Lut and Kavir Deserts, are best avoided in summer. The temperatures can soar up to 50°C (122°F), and there’s a high risk of sandstorms. But if you’re up for an adventure, there are guided tours that ensure safety.

Remember, the summer sun in Iran can be harsh, so it’s essential to protect your skin. Pack sunblock, hats, and sunglasses, and always stay hydrated. It’s also important to respect the local culture and dress modestly. Definitely, a scarf, a long-sleeved shirt, and trousers should be part of your packing list.

Iran’s weather in summer might be challenging, but it’s not unmanageable. With the right planning and preparations, you can make the most of your summer trip to this fascinating country. Just remember, every weather condition brings its own charm, and Iran in summer, for sure, is a unique experience.

Travel Smart: Why Season Affects Your Iranian Adventure

When planning a trip to Iran, the season matters. Summer can offer a completely different experience compared to other seasons. It’s not just about the weather; the season can impact the local culture, festivals, and even your travel itinerary. So, it’s crucial to understand why season affects your Iranian adventure.

One of the reasons is the climate. As mentioned, Iran’s climate varies drastically from region to region. Summer in the southern regions can be extremely hot, making it less suitable for outdoor activities. On the other hand, the northwestern regions are milder, offering a pleasant summer experience.

Another factor is the local festivals. Iran is known for its rich culture and traditions, and different festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Summer, for instance, brings the annual Rose and Rosewater festival in Kashan, which is absolutely an experience worth witnessing.

The seasonal changes can also impact the scenery. In summer, the gardens are in full bloom, adding to the beauty of the landscapes. And for nature lovers, it’s a great time to explore the Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges.

Summer also influences the local lifestyle. You’ll see families spending time in parks and gardens, enjoying picnics. The local bazaars are bustling with activity, and the evenings are filled with lively street performances.

Therefore, when you travel to Iran in the summer, you get to see a different side of the country. You witness the landscapes in their full glory, you become a part of the local culture, and you experience Iran in its authentic form. Undeniably, traveling in summer has its unique charm.

But remember, traveling in summer requires smart planning. Consider the climate, pack accordingly, and always stay hydrated. And more importantly, be open to new experiences. Traveling to Iran in summer can be a unique experience, and with the right planning, you’ll surely have a memorable trip.

Tips for a Better Summer in Iran

Traveling to Iran in the summer can be a unique experience, but it requires smart planning. Here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your summer in Iran.

1. Choose the Right Destinations:

Based on the climate variations, choose the right destinations. If you’re not a fan of extreme heat, avoid the southern regions. The northwest, with its milder climate, can be a better choice. Cities like Tabriz, Rasht, and Ardabil are excellent for summer visits.

2. Attend Local Festivals:

Summer is a time for celebrations. Make sure to attend local festivals, such as the Rose and Rosewater festival in Kashan. It’s definitely an opportunity to immerse in the local culture.

3. Dress Appropriately:

Respect the local dress code. Women are required to wear a headscarf and cover their bodies. Men should avoid wearing shorts. Dressing modestly is not only a sign of respect, but it can also protect you from the harsh summer sun.

4. Stay Hydrated:

This one’s a no-brainer, but it’s essential. Always carry a bottle of water with you. Some of the local drinks, like Doogh (a yogurt-based beverage), can also help you stay hydrated.

5. Pack Wisely:

Carry sunblock, hats, sunglasses, and loose-fitting cotton clothes. Don’t forget your camera to capture the beautiful landscapes!

6. Learn Basic Phrases:

Learning some basic Persian phrases can help you communicate better with the locals. They’ll appreciate your effort, and it’ll make your trip more enjoyable.

7. Be Open to New Experiences:

Whether it’s trying the local cuisine, bargaining in the bazaars, or taking a public bus, be open to new experiences. It’s the best way to understand and appreciate the country and its culture.

With these tips in mind, your summer trip to Iran can be an unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags and get ready for an Iranian summer adventure!

Top 8 Must-Visit Places to Visit during Summer in Iran

Iran is a treasure trove of beautiful destinations, and summer can be an excellent time to explore some of these hidden gems. Here are the top 8 must-visit spots in Iran during the summer:

Known for its historical sites and vibrant bazaars, Tabriz is a great summer destination. The city’s cool climate makes it a pleasant escape from the summer heat. Don’t miss the UNESCO-listed Bazaar of Tabriz!

2. Caspian Sea Region:

With its lush forests and beautiful beaches, the Caspian Sea region is a popular summer retreat. Cities like Rasht and Lahijan offer a unique blend of nature and culture.

3. Ardabil:

Home to the UNESCO-listed Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble, Ardabil also boasts natural attractions like the Shorabil Lake. Its moderate summer climate is definitely a bonus.

4. Kashan:

Known for its historical houses and beautiful gardens, Kashan in summer is a sight to behold. The city also hosts the annual Rose and Rosewater festival, making it a must-visit summer destination.

5. Yazd:

Despite the summer heat, Yazd is worth a visit for its unique architecture. The city’s wind towers, designed to cool the houses during the hot summer months, are a testament to the ingenuity of ancient Persian architects.

6. Kerman:

While the Lut Desert might be too hot to visit in summer, the city of Kerman has plenty to offer. Its historical bazaars, mosques, and gardens are definitely worth exploring.

7. Hamedan:

Known for its cool summers, Hamedan is home to several historical sites. The city also serves as a gateway to the Alisadr Cave, the world’s largest water cave.

8. Isfahan:

With its stunning Islamic architecture and beautiful gardens, Isfahan is a must-visit any time of the year. In summer, the city’s bridges and the Zayandeh River offer a cool retreat.

Each of these places offers a unique perspective on Iran and its rich culture and history. So, when planning your summer trip to Iran, make sure to include these hidden gems in your itinerary.

A Tailor-Made Adventure: Unleashing the Best of Iran with Customised Tours

There’s no denying that an off-the-rack tour can offer a generic taste of a country’s highlights, but what if you could get a tour that fits your specific preferences and travel style, just like a bespoke suit? If you’re planning to travel to Iran and want to experience the best it has to offer, whether in summer or winter, the answer lies in customised tours .

Customised tours are not your regular, run-of-the-mill travel plans. They are designed keeping YOU at the core. Whether you’re an adventurer eager to explore Iran’s rugged landscapes, a history enthusiast hoping to delve deep into its rich past, or a foodie aiming to indulge in the country’s gastronomic delights, a customised tour ensures you do exactly what you love.

That’s where ToIranTour comes in.

Offering professional Iran tours and travel packages , ToIranTour tailors each tour to suit your preferences. But they do more than just create a travel itinerary; they craft an experience. An experience that’s a blend of your desires, matched perfectly with the hidden gems of Iran, no matter the season.

From navigating the bustling bazaars of Tabriz to witnessing the serene beauty of the Caspian Sea region, from relishing the unique summer delicacies of Persian cuisine to immersing in the local culture at festivals – every detail of your trip is carefully woven into your personalised itinerary. So, you’re not just visiting Iran; you’re experiencing it, on your own terms.

And don’t worry about the logistics. With ToIranTour’s expert team handling your travel arrangements, you can focus on what truly matters – savoring every moment of your Iranian adventure.

In essence, Iran Tours with ToIranTour aren’t just tours; they’re journeys handpicked to match your tastes, imbued with authentic experiences that truly reflect the heart and soul of Iran.

We are here to help you create unforgettable memories and experience the best that Iran has to offer. Because, honestly, your trip to Iran shouldn’t be just good, it should be exceptional!

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“Few people have been more closely related in origin and throughout history than the people of India and the people of Iran” – Jawahar Lal Nehru

What We Have in Common?

The friendly relationship between Iran and India as two ancient neighboring civilizations has its root in their old common history. Although currently, they lie apart over a distance of kilometres, the ties that the two-country share is visible in similarities in various aspects of routine life such as culture and traditions, language, literature and poetry, art and architecture, music, cuisine, and even appearance. Today India and Persia enjoy intimate relations and cooperate in a different range of fields. As an example, a big community of Parsees live in India or Indian universities are a popular destination for Iranian students.

Although with thousand years old record of cooperation between our countries, a large number of Indians don’t have real information about current Iran. It can be the result of Iran’s relationship with the US and the international media that often present negative things about Iran, the news about the nuclear program, regional rivalries, or the economic problems due to sanctions. However, life in Iran isn’t what it’s mostly narrated to be…

Join us to gain more useful information about different aspects of traveling to Iran such as how to apply for an Iran visa with Indian passport? how to find a comfortable accommodation in Iran? and many more details which help you plan a memorable trip to the land of Persia:

Where to Find Accurate Information about Iran Hotels?

Travelers mostly search online information to find the best accommodation for their trip, Indian travelers are not exempt from this worldwide rule. It is definitely the best way to assure booking a hotel that suits our specific needs such as the cleanness of the rooms, the price/value, the location of the hotel, the restaurant, and also the dietary requirements.

To be honest finding accommodation in Iran is a little bit different from other destinations. It is not very easy to find reliable online information about Iran hotels because online trusted sources such as Airbnb and booking.com do not serve here. There are reliable websites such as TripAdvisor , very helpful for finding suitable information and reviews about Iran’s accommodation, from luxury to economy and budget hotels, and from homestays to unique traditional hotels for authentic experiences. But these websites can’t help the travelers for the booking process; so, travelers need to seek online ways to contact hotels and guest houses in Iran which mostly do not offer online booking through a website because transferring money to Iran faces some difficulties due to the sanctions.

How to Choose the Best Accommodation in Iran?

In this regard Local Travel Agencies could be so helpful, they can help travelers for gaining exact information, choosing the best possible option, comparing the price, and more importantly booking the accommodation online in advance which minimizes the stress of all family members for a trip to a country like Iran. A travel agent can explain different features of a hotel and allow you to pick up the best option that you are looking for, for example as an Indian business traveler , you will need a hotel located not far from your job, one with good cafe and a restaurant that serves tasty Indian foods which helps you save time in a populated city like Tehran; as an Indian religious traveler to Mashhad or Qom, you would prefer to stay in a hotel at a walking distance from the shrines such as Imam Reza holy Shrine and Fatima Masumeh Shrine; as an Indian tourist, you surely prefer a well-located hotel not far from the highlighted attractions, the city vibe and subway station which also serves various qualified foods or even a wonderful stay with local hosts in guesthouses or caravansaries to enjoy a matchless experience.

Based on our experience with Indian travelers and groups, at friendlyiran, we try to put all the suitable options on the table to help travelers choose their preferred accommodation with having accurate information. Most of friendlyiran Indian travelers preferred the level of 3-4-star hotels, these comfortable hotels are very affordable with the current rate of Iran’s currency.

If you prefer to check the different options in main cities first, here you can see a complete guide on Iran hotels in Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd, Mashahd, and many more Iranian cities: https://friendlyiran.com/iran-hotel/

Applying Iran visa for Indian travelers is a trouble-free process that can take place right at airport or in advance before the entry to Iran. All Indian passport holders require Iran visa to enter main land Iran for all kinds of purposes like entry, transit, tourist, business intentions and etc.

You can apply for your Iran visa right here: https://friendlyiran.com/iran-visa-application-form/

The most common type of Iran-visa for Indians:

There are three frequent Iran visa types that are popular by Indian visitors;

Iran Tourist Visa:

One of the most recommended visa for tourists who plan to spend a holiday in Iran and visit the highlights! All you need to do for Iran Tourist visa is to get the visa grant notice by Friendly Iran travel agency and then have your paper visa at Iran embassy or international airports.

Documents needed for Iran visa grant notice:

Iran Visa Application Form
A Scan of passport (The passport should be at least 6 month valid after date of Entry)
A personal photo with white background

How much time does it take to get Iran travel permit for Indians?

It takes 7-10 working days to receive the visa grant notice and about 7 working days to have your visa stamped on passport or get Iran paper visa.

Iran Business Visa:

Iranian and Indians have a long history of business cooperation and trades which is still one of the main bonds between these two nations. Annually thousands of Indians take a business trip to Iran in order to build a new contract with Persian companies or follow up new business ideas with their business parties.

So, the business visa is also frequently requested by Indians. The documents needed to apply for Iran business visa are:

Passport (Validity: at least 6 month after entry date)
A personal Photo (White color back ground)
Business visa application form
Visa stamp fee and Visa service fee
The registered name of the host Company (Must be registered in Iran Company Registration General Office)
Registration Number of the host company
The Subject of the invitation
Address and contact number of the host company
Address and contact number of the manager’s home
Scan the official journal or newspaper of the host company
A scan of Host Company invitation letter with official letterhead, seal and signature
A scan of the birth certificate of the host company manager

If you don’t have a host , we will follow up your business invitation letter from a relevant Iranian company.

VOA – Iran Visa on Arrival:

This is a great opportunity to receive your Iran paper visa at airport if you have shortage of time. This way you need to get the visa grant notice (tracking code) in advance, you fly to Iran and then you can pay the visa stamp fee and receive paper Visa at all International airports in Iran.

How much does Iran visa cost for Indians?

Iran tourist visa price is 15 Euro for visa application, plus 60 Euro equal to 5100 Indian Rupee as visa stamp fee. (Urgent visa stamping fee at Iran embassy is 90 Euro equal to 7650 Indian Rupee.)

Iran business visa fee and entry visa fee is : 85 Euro for business application, plus 70 Euro equal to 5950 Rupee as the business visa stamp fee. (Urgent entry /business visa stamping fee at Iran embassy is 105 Euro equal to 8925 Indian Rupee.)

Iran embassy in India – Iran Embassy in Delhi contact number:

Call: +91 11 4247 7786

Website: Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi

Email: [email protected]

Address: 5, Barakhamba Rd, Vakil Lane, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India.

Working hours: Saturday to Friday 8:30 to 13:30

Is your travel to Iran a threat to your future travel to America/ US? Not at all!

You can travel to Iran with No Track! It’s true!

You can have Iran paper visa which will leave no sign at your passport that you have been in Iran.

23 September 2018, Iran ministry of Foreign affairs announcement regarding paper visa, click to see the News .

What type of Iran Visa is required for UK-Indians? Canadian-Indians? American-Indians?

By the time of travelling to Iran, if you have Indian passport valid for at least 6 month, you can travel to Iran as an Indian passport holder.

Having other passports like UK, US or Canadian or flying to Iran from either of these countries shall be no problem.

The nationality of your passport matters. If your Indian passport has not the essential validity or you don’t have Indian passport, you will be considered by the nationality of your other passport.

Check out Iran Visa for US, UK and Canadian Passport Holders the Ultimate Guide .

International Flight to/From Iran:

There are different airlines operating flights from India to Iranian cities which are mostly to the capital, Tehran, but also to other main cities like Shiraz, Isfahan and Mashhad. Since the international websites like Expedia, Skyscanner, and Kayak do not offer direct flights to Iran, travelers mostly consider finding a good flight to Iran as a hard part of their trip. The following points that we are going to talk about will ease this process for travelers from different parts of India to Iran.

Let’s check out the International and also Iranian airlines together:

The most famous Iranian airlines that offer different options for flying directly from India to Iran are Iran Air and Mahan Air. Iranian flights have two important advantages, first, they fly directly from Delhi and Mumbai to Tehran, so you’ll save time and arrive here sooner than any other flight, and second, they are the most affordable options among all other airlines that operate flights to/from Iran. The options will be:

New Delhi (DEL) -Tehran (IKA) – New Delhi (DEL) with Mahan Air.
Mumbai (BOM) – Tehran (IKA) – Mumbai (BOM) with Iran Air.

The international choices are a lot more, the known airlines such as Emirates, Air Arabia, and Qatar Airways operate flights from India to Iranian different cities. The most affordable airline after Iranian airlines is Air Arabia which has one stop in Sharjah.

So, no matter where you are in India Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Hyderabad, there is always a suitable way to fly to Iran.

Domestic Flights in Iran:

Since Iran is a vast country, not as big as India of course, you may also need to book a domestic flight for your trip to Iran. Booking domestic flights in advance would be a big step to have a hassle-free trip. To do so you will need to contact a local travel agency to help you choose a suitable flight, transfer the money, and book it. At friendlyiran, we have tried to make this easier and prepare the online flight booking system for Iran visitors. I suggest to check this blog to gain all the required details and book the domestic flight which suits your Iran itinerary: https://friendlyiran.com/search/

Although Indian and Iranian tastes are different, Iranians always looking forward to getting a chance to taste Indian dishes, it’s the same also for Indians; it may come from the stories behind our food cultures! Obviously, each culture has its own cuisine but lots of similarities also exist among nations. For example, Persian cuisine has interacted with the culinary cultures of many neighboring areas, including Turkish, Levantine, Greek, and Central Asian cuisine, and through the several Muslim sultanates and also Mughal dynasty, features of Iranian cuisine were adopted into Indian and Pakistani cuisines.

As the second reason, there has been also a long tradition of trade between Iran and India as a spice-rich country, so, our cuisines have influenced each other for years, some of the great influences include meat and rice, stuffed items like dolma and samosa, biriyani , halva and sherbet, relishes, raitas with fruits and vegetables, Naan of different kinds, Gulab jamun, dates, and the use of nuts and saffron. Dishes like haleem and harissa were prepared when wheat was mixed with meat, which finally gave way to korma, dopyaaza, kalya, and different kinds of kebabs.

These similarities and also the variety of Persian cuisine and drinks like various kinds of tea have made Iran food a principal factor to trip to Iran as an Indian traveler. Indians can easily find one of the best qualities of Mutton, chicken & Naan in Iran.

In Iran like all over the world, along with a variety of traditional and modern Persian restaurants, there are a variety of delicate international restaurants such as Arabic, Turkish, Italian, Mexican, and Indian restaurants. Thus, Indian travelers can also try Indian foods in Iran which are surly a bit different from the Indian foods back home :) Since Tehran has a significant number of Indian people living in communities of Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, the number of Indian restaurants in Tehran is a lot. Chingari, Maharaja, Tandoor, Taj Mahal, and Meraj restaurant are among the best qualified Indian restaurants in the capital.

There are also lots of vegetarian and vegan foods and restaurants in Iran for travelers looking for specific types of foods without meat or any other ingredient. Since at friendlyiran, we have hosted many Indian travelers for years, we have got familiar with different interests and requests in this regard. To be able to prepare the best possible meal for our Indian groups, we’ve also hired experienced chefs to prepare foods without the required ingredients that our Indian guest would ask for, such as foods without onion, mushroom, egg or etc.

If you’ll be able to add Southern Iran to your itinerary, you get the chance to taste the most similar Persian cuisine to Indian foods. Southern cuisine has very strong flavors and spices; hot and spicy foods are always a unique remembrance of southern dishes. This route could be a good complementary itinerary for those who would love to experience the amazing similarities of these two culinary cultures: https://friendlyiran.com/iran-tours/9-day-iran-tour-a-walk-through-persian-gulf-cuisine-and-culture/

Tailor-Made Iran Tour Packages for Indian Travelers

Nostalgia brings Iranian and Indian far close despite current distances. Iran has attracted Indian people since childhood when they read about the Persian Empire and great Emperors such as Cyrus and Darius. But when it comes to planning their Iran itinerary, there is no clue where to begin, because there are many untold stories about current Iran which Indian people are not aware of.

Professional Travelers are searching for holidays which could meet their particular travel demands and interests. Different segments from the millennials to the seniors; budget travelers to luxury seekers; family groups to solo travelers or continence-oriented ones to more adventure lovers are looking for customized and differentiated itineraries. To help you through this process we have planned different Iran Packages based on the most important elements such as the best Iran travel time, the preferred duration of an Iran trip for Indian travelers, and suitable travel services in our Indian clients’ eyes; So, you just need to check them out and choose the best option for your upcoming Iran trip.

We are here if you would prefer to make any change to each of these Iran itineraries to make your specific Iran Travel package .

Experiential Travels and fully Immersed Trips are growing amongst the Modern Indian Travelers and the regular tour packages won’t be able to meet their expectations. Indian experiential travelers preferred not to be completely controlled during their trip, and they would like to go beyond the usual visits to seek authentic experiences. They travel to a lesser-known path for visiting sites that can’t be found in regular guidebooks to experience local cultures such as culinary journeys and eating at a restaurant run by locals, staying at a local guesthouse instead of chain hotels, joining cultural expeditions and festivals, trying yoga or enjoying wildlife safaris. Mono destination holidays and the slow pace with a degree of flexibility make travelers enjoy the unique features of experiential travel.

These changes in the customized Iran itineraries for experiential and individual travelers bring more financing options and helping Indian travelers to allocate the budget and the pace of the trip, choosing remote destinations, or adventure sports, for a group, students and solo travelers especially women so that they can narrate an enthralling story to their friends and families.

The easy process of getting an Iran visa , the numerous destinations , the variety of experiences and activities , direct and low fare international flights , and the affordable packages have added Iran to Indian traveler’s bucket list.

More and more Indian Travelers have the quest to explore new destinations and experiences where they can explore Novel cultures, Rich history, Various food, Pure nature, and Friendly people more closely Within Budget. Indian Travelers are increasingly choosing the idea of budget holidays and Middle-Class Tour Packages and are open to staying in hostels, traditional houses, or lodges and taking public transportation such as trains to save money and invest in covering more and more visits. Destinations like Iran with visa-on-arrival facilities , low fare direct flight , and affordable accommodation are factors that make holidays more affordable and reasonable for Indian travelers.

There is a large market for travellers who still prefer pre-screened and handpicked experiences for traveling to a specific destination such as Iran. Senior Travelers are searching for holidays that could meet their particular travel demands and interests within an all-inclusive hassle-free travel package. The a vailability of multiple options helps Indian Travelers to choose the best option for traveling to a vast country with numerous destinations like Iran. Pre-arrangement Tour Packages help seniors to able to choose among various options such as luxury, economy, or budget packages; enjoy different types of private and public transportation; pick up the preferred kind of accommodation and more importantly make a benefit from the post-booking services such as easy affordable cancellations or rescheduling. How does it feel to arrive at a destination where warm fresh bread is waiting for us? :)

FAQ: Traveling from India to Iran Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for an Iran visa for Indian travelers is a trouble-free process that can take place right at the airport or in advance before the entry to Iran. Receiving rejections on Indian passports rarely happen, so I can say it is not going to be a problem for your matchless Persia journey!

For many years the cost of living in Iran was a little cheaper or similar to India but currently, because of the huge change in Rial in comparison to other currencies, the cost of visiting Iran has decreased one more time.

“The safest country I’ve ever been to”…This is how most of the travelers describe Iran’s safety after they come here and see the situation with their own eyes. The crime rate is very low and the people respect visitors very much.

Iran Embassy in Delhi:

Call: +91 11 4247 7786

Website: Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi

Email: [email protected]

Iran Consulate in Mumbai:

Call : +91 22 6688 7070

Website: mumbai.mfa.ir

Address: 47 Swapna Lok, Nepeansea Road, August Kranti Rd, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400036, India

Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m.-13 p.m.

Visa Assistance in Bangalore:

Call: +91 96204 46636

Address: 1st Block,Rajajinagar,Near GD Naidu Hall, opp. to Jose allukkas jewlerry, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560086, India

Iran has become one of the destinations that solo travelers and backpackers are choosing to spend few weeks or even more because of three important reasons: It is cheap, it is easy to navigate and more importantly, people are nice! so if you have in mind to travel here as a solo traveler, pack your things immediately!

The only thing that solo female travelers need to have in mind is the dress code which is really easy for Indian women because of the similarities that exist even about the clothes we wear and don’t get surprised if people started talking to you in Farsi, it happened to me a lot in India so it may happen to you too here in Iran :)

Due to sanctions against Iran, you cannot use any type of non-Iranian credit card. Yet, you can have your Iranian debit card and avoid carrying cash all the time.

Read more about Iranian tourist cards, here .

There are similarities between Persian cuisine and Indian food which has been formed through history, for example, the use of Mugholi’s way for cooking foods and similar basic ingredients such as rice. But, Iranian foods are not as spicy as Indian foods and red chili powder is not as important as India. There are other flavors that make Persian foods special such as rose water, saffron, and pomegranate molasses.

Awarded Iran Tour Operator 2020-2021-2022

Take a break, sit back and relax, while we take care of your travel arrangements. Choose from a range of our tour packages, whether with inclusive flight tickets or without. Our custom-tailored packages guarantee an unforgettable experience with memories to cherish.

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Our visa experts ensure seamless and timely processing of Iranian visas. From tourist and visas to for permanent residents and business, we provide end-to-end services tailored to your specific needs.

I lived in Bali for 2 months. These 7 popular tourist spots were not worth the hype.

I spent two months living in Bali — it has so much to offer, and I really loved my time there.
But many things didn't live up to the hype for me, including the beaches I visited.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Campuhan Ridge Walk didn't look like what I expected.

In August, I left my corporate job to embark on a year of solo travel across Southeast Asia. I spent two months living in one of my bucket-list destinations — the tropical island of Bali.

Bali is a dream travel destination for many, and there's so much I loved about it — breathtaking scenery, warm and welcoming people, dozens of stunning waterfalls, and ancient Hindu temples to explore.

But there were also a few surprising things that didn't quite live up to my expectations.

And, with the Indonesian spot recently implementing a tax requiring tourists to pay to enter Bali , it's as important as ever to make sure you're getting your money's worth on future trips.

Here are seven things I experienced during my stay that I didn't quite think were worth the hype:

The 'iconic' Gates of Heaven felt like a tourist trap

Like any tourist attraction in Bali, I expected the Gates of Heaven to be crowded, so I showed up just after sunrise. Apparently, I was already too late, since there was a huge line of people already waiting to see them.

But the long line wasn't the main disappointment for me. Those photos you've likely seen of people posing between the gates with a perfect reflection beneath them … well, that's just a camera trick !

There's no reflecting pool, just a local holding a mirror below your phone camera to create the effect.

If you want a nice picture for Instagram, it's worth checking out. But I left shortly after arriving and probably could have saved myself a couple of hours had I done my research.

The beaches were mostly a letdown

The beaches in Bali aren't necessarily bad, and some are really nice. There's great surfing all around the island, and some areas, like Amed, have incredible snorkeling and diving right from the shore.

But for the most part, I found the beaches to be a little disappointing. Many I visited were filled with trash , which is in part due to a problem with waste management in the area.

Plus, the currents were too strong at many of the beaches, so I wasn't able to swim safely at some beautiful spots, like Kelingking Beach on nearby Nusa Penida.

Fortunately, many volunteer groups are working on cleaning Bali's beaches — and the tax requiring tourists to pay to enter the island may, in part, be used to improve the island's infrastructure and conservation efforts. Even so, there's much more work to be done.

Walking the streets of central Ubud was anything but peaceful for me

I loved Ubud , the spiritual and cultural center of Bali. But walking anywhere in Ubud felt far more chaotic than the romantic drama "Eat, Pray, Love" depicts.

I'm used to being solicited when I travel, and I understand that many locals rely on tourism dollars to make a living, but I have never experienced the level of constant solicitation that I did in Ubud.

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces weren't what I expected

For me, the famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces just outside Ubud turned out to be another case of "Instagram vs. Reality."

Having seen many beautiful rice terraces in other parts of Bali, and in other countries, these were a letdown for me.

They're smaller than I expected, and full of shops, cafés, abandoned swings, and props for photos. I can see why the terraces are a popular photo opportunity, but it felt more like a staged park than the place of natural beauty I expected.

Traffic and construction killed my vibe in Canggu

The coastal village Canggu is known for its surfing and cool vibes, and I could see its potential.

But with so many shops, hotels , and resorts being developed, Canggu looked and felt nothing like the beachy village I expected it to be. It felt a bit overbuilt and I passed so much construction .

The traffic getting in and out of Canggu was also a nightmare. Even with a motorbike, the roads become gridlocked at times, leaving me baking in the sun.

I thought the Campuhan Ridge Walk was boring, and the views weren't that special

Drone footage and overhead photos of the Campuhan Ridge Walk near Central Ubud are wildly beautiful and lush, with green trees everywhere.

But I wish I hadn't fallen for the dreamy aerial shots. The Campuhan Ridge Walk is much different on the ground.

I walked the whole length, dodging tourists and pesky flies in the heat, waiting for some spectacular view. But there really weren't any views of anything besides some treetops off to each side.

I think this Walk is best enjoyed from above.

Gili Air wasn't the idyllic paradise I expected

Indonesia's Gili Islands are not technically part of Bali, but ferry trips to it are popular among Bali visitors, so it feels worth mentioning.

I spent a week on Gili Air, known for its white-sand beaches with clear turquoise water. Although the island had a lot to offer, I didn't find it to be the tropical paradise I imagined.

On one side of the island, there's a very narrow strip of sand that seemed to be mostly privatized. The beaches on the other side of the island appeared to be full of hard and sharp dead coral that had washed ashore — far from the white-sand paradise I pictured.

When I got in the beautiful-looking water, I saw fish and sea turtles swimming among trash and was frequently stung by jellyfish larvae.

That said, there are local groups working on conservation efforts to preserve the area's famous reefs and local marine life. Visitors are also welcome to participate in clean-up efforts , which could be a thoughtful way to incorporate more responsible tourism into a future trip to Bali.

Watch: Inside the floating tin mines that host one of the most dangerous jobs

Main content

World News | US braces for retaliation after attack on Iran…

World News | U.S. braces for retaliation after attack on Iran Consulate

In this photo released by the official Syrian state news agency SANA, emergency service workers clear the rubble at a destroyed building struck by Israeli jets in Damascus, Syria, Monday, April 1, 2024. An Israeli airstrike has destroyed the consular section of Iran’s embassy in Syria, killing a senior Iranian military adviser and roughly a handful of other people, Syrian state media said Monday. (SANA via AP)

Iranian protesters attend an anti-Israeli gathering to condemn killing members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Syria, at the Felestin (Palestine) Sq. in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, April 1, 2024. An Israeli airstrike that demolished Iran’s consulate in Syria killed two Iranian generals and five officers, Syrian and Iranian officials said Monday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

FILE – Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the head of U.S. Air Force Central, speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 20, 2023. Grynkewich says Houthi rebels in Yemen may be running through their supplies of drone swarms and anti-ship ballistic missiles and the pace of their attacks has slowed a bit. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File)

WASHINGTON — Shortly after an airstrike widely attributed to Israel destroyed an Iranian Consulate building in Syria , the United States had an urgent message for Iran: We had nothing to do with it.

But that may not be enough for the U.S. to avoid retaliation targeting its forces in the region. A top U.S. commander warned on Wednesday of danger to American troops.

And if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent broadening of targeted strikes on adversaries around the region to include Iranian security operatives and leaders deepens regional hostilities, analysts say, it’s not clear the United States can avoid being pulled into deeper regional conflict as well.

The Biden administration insists it had no advance knowledge of the airstrike Monday. But the United States is closely tied to Israel’s military regardless. The U.S. remains Israel’s indispensable ally and unstinting supplier of weapons, responsible for some 70% of Israeli weapon imports and an estimated 15% of Israel’s defense budget. That includes providing the kind of advanced aircraft and munitions that appear to have been employed in the attack.

Israel hasn’t acknowledged a role in the airstrike, but Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Tuesday that the U.S. has assessed Israel was responsible.

Multiple arms of Iran’s government served notice that they would hold the United States accountable for the fiery attack. The strike, in the Syrian capital Damascus, killed senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for Syria and Lebanon, an officer of the powerful Iran-allied Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and others.

American forces in Syria and Iraq already are frequent targets when Iran and its regional allies seek retaliation for strikes by Israelis, notes Charles Lister, the Syria program director for the Middle East Institute.

“What the Iranians have always done for years when they have felt most aggressively targeted by Israel is not to hit back at Israelis, but Americans,” seeing them as soft targets in the region, Lister said.

On Wednesday in Washington, the top U.S. Air Force commander for the Middle East, Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, said Iran’s assertion that the U.S. bears responsibility for Israeli actions could bring an end to a pause in militia attacks on U.S. forces that has lasted since early February.

He said he sees no specific threat to U.S. troops right now, but is “concerned because of the Iranian rhetoric talking about the U.S., that there could be a risk to our forces.”

U.S. officials have recorded more than 150 attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria on U.S. forces at bases in those countries since war between Hamas and Israel began Oct. 7 . One, in late January, killed three U.S. service members and injured dozens more at a base in Jordan.

In retaliation, the U.S. launched a massive air assault, hitting more than 85 targets at seven locations in Iraq and Syria, including command and control headquarters, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities connected to the militias or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, the guard’s expeditionary unit that handles Tehran’s relationship with and arming of regional militias. There have been no publicly reported attacks on U.S. troops in the region since that response.

Grynkewich told reporters the U.S. is watching and listening carefully to what Iran is saying and doing to evaluate how Tehran might respond.

Analysts and diplomats cite a range of ways Iran could retaliate.

Since Oct. 7, Iran and the regional militias allied to it in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen have followed a strategy of calibrated attacks that stop short of triggering an all-out conflict that could subject Iran’s homeland forces or Hezbollah to full-blown war with Israel or the United States.

Beyond strikes on U.S. troops, possibilities for Iranian retaliation could include a limited missile strike directly from Iranian soil to Israel, Lister said. That would reciprocate for Israel’s strike on what under international law was sovereign Iranian soil, at the Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus.

A concentrated attack on a U.S. position abroad on the scale of the 1983 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut is possible, but seems unlikely given the scale of U.S. retaliation that would draw, analysts say. Iran also could escalate an existing effort to kill Trump-era officials behind the United States’ 2020 drone killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

How far any other retaliation and potential escalation goes may depend on two things out of U.S. control: Whether Iran wants to keep regional hostilities at their current level or escalate, and whether Netanyahu’s far-right government does.

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Russian drone attack kills at least four in Ukraine's Kharkiv, officials say

Russian drones hit high-rise apartment blocks and private homes early on Thursday in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, killing at least four people, including rescue workers in a repeat strike at the site of one attack, officials said.

US braces for retaliation after attack on Iran consulate — even as it says it wasn't involved

A top U.S. commander in the Middle East is acknowledging concern about retaliatory attacks on American forces there

WASHINGTON -- Shortly after an airstrike widely attributed to Israel destroyed an Iranian consulate building in Syria , the United States had an urgent message for Iran: We had nothing to do with it.

But that may not be enough for the U.S. to avoid retaliation targeting its forces in the region. A top U.S. commander warned on Wednesday of danger to American troops.

And if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent broadening of targeted strikes on adversaries around the region to include Iranian security operatives and leaders deepens regional hostilities, analysts say, it's not clear the United States can avoid being pulled into deeper regional conflict as well.

The Biden administration insists it had no advance knowledge of the airstrike Monday. But the United States is closely tied to Israel's military regardless. The U.S. remains Israel’s indispensable ally and unstinting supplier of weapons, responsible for some 70% of Israeli weapon imports and an estimated 15% of Israel's defense budget. That includes providing the kind of advanced aircraft and munitions that appear to have been employed in the attack.

Israel hasn’t acknowledged a role in the airstrike, but Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Tuesday that the U.S. has assessed Israel was responsible.

Multiple arms of Iran's government served notice that they would hold the United States accountable for the fiery attack. The strike, in the Syrian capital of Damascus, killed senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for Syria and Lebanon, an officer of the powerful Iran-allied Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, and others.

He said he sees no specific threat to U.S. troops right now, but “I am concerned because of the Iranian rhetoric talking about the U.S., that there could be a risk to our forces."

U.S. officials have recorded more than 150 attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria on U.S. forces at bases in those countries since war between Hamas and Israel began on Oct. 7.

One, in late January, killed three U.S. service members and injured dozens more at a base in Jordan.

In retaliation, the U.S. launched a massive air assault, hitting more than 85 targets at seven locations in Iraq and Syria, including command and control headquarters, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities connected to the militias or the IRGC’s Quds Force, the Guard’s expeditionary unit that handles Tehran’s relationship with and arming of regional militias. There have been no publicly reported attacks on U.S. troops in the region since that response.

Grynkewich told reporters the U.S. is watching and listening carefully to what Iran is saying and doing to evaluate how Tehran might respond.

Analysts and diplomats cite a range of ways Iran could retaliate.

Beyond strikes on U.S. troops, possibilities for Iranian retaliation could include a limited missile strike directly from Iranian soil to Israel, Lister said. That would reciprocate for Israel's strike on what under international law was sovereign Iranian soil, at the Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus.

A concentrated attack on a U.S. position abroad on the scale of the 1983 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut is possible, but seems unlikely given the scale of U.S. retaliation that would draw, analysts say. Iran also could escalate an existing effort to kill Trump-era officials behind the United States' 2020 drone killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Sina Toossi, a fellow at the Center for International Policy, said analysts in Iran are among those trying to read Netanyahu's mind since the attack, struggling to choose between two competing narratives for Israel's objective.

“One perceives Israel’s actions as a deliberate provocation of war that Iran should respond to with restraint,” Toossi wrote in the U.S.-based think tank's journal. “The other suggests that Israel is capitalizing on Iran’s typically restrained responses,” and that failing to respond in kind will only embolden Israel.

Ultimately, Iran’s sense that it is already winning its strategic goals as the Hamas-Israel war continues — elevating the Palestinian cause and costing Israel friends globally — may go the furthest in persuading Iranian leaders not to risk open warfare with Israel or U.S. in whatever response they make to Monday’s airstrike, some analysts and diplomats say.

Shira Efron, a director of policy research at the U.S.-based Israel Policy Forum, rejected suggestions that Netanyahu was actively trying with attacks like the one in Damascus to draw the U.S. into a potentially decisive conflict alongside Israel against their common rivals, at least for now.

“First, the risk of escalation has increased. No doubt,” Efron said.

“I don't think Netanyahu is interested in full-blown war though,” she said. “And whereas in the past Israel was thought to be interested in drawing the U.S. into a greater conflict, even if the desire still exists in some circles, it is not more than wishful thinking at the moment.”

U.S. President Joe Biden is facing pressure from the other direction.

So far he's resisting calls from growing numbers of Democratic lawmakers and voters to limit the flow of American arms to Israel as a way to press Netanyahu to ease Israeli military killing of civilians in Gaza and to heed other U.S. appeals.

As criticism has grown of U.S. military support of Israel’s war in Gaza, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has increasingly pointed to Israel’s longer-term need for weapons — to defend itself against Iran and Iranian-allied Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The U.S. is ″always concerned about anything that would be escalatory,” Miller said after the attack in Damascus. “It has been one of the goals of this administration since October 7th to keep the conflict from spreading, recognizing that Israel has the right to defend itself from adversaries that are sworn to its destruction.''

Israel for years has hit at Iranian proxies and their sites in the region, knocking back their ability to build strength and cause trouble for Israelis.

Since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, one of a network of Iran-aligned militias in the region, that shattered Israel’s sense of security, Netanyahu’s government has increasingly added Iranian security operatives and leaders to target lists in the region, Lister notes.

The U.S. military already has deepened engagement from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea since the Hamas-Israel war opened — deploying aircraft carriers to the region to discourage rear-guard attacks against Israel, opening airstrikes to quell attacks on shipping by Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen.

It is also moving to build a pier off Gaza to try to get more aid to Palestinian civilians despite obstacles that include Israel’s restrictions and attacks on aid deliveries.

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Meetup with Locals and Travelers, Find Accomodation in Iran
Couchsurfers share their homes, cities and lives in profound in meaningful ways, making travel anywhere in the world a truly social experience. ... Stay with one of the 402,972 hosts in Iran saber arghavan Morteza khaksari Eslam Ibrahim Mariya Rti Mehdi Nafis Yallda agheli Find a Host Upcoming Visitors Meet or Host some of the 650 visitors to ...
Meetup with Locals and Travelers, Find Accomodation in Iran
Couchsurfers share their homes, cities and lives in profound in meaningful ways, making travel anywhere in the world a truly social experience. ... Stay with one of the 402,646 hosts in Iran fataneh monfared Ehsan Sheykhi Edris Osmani Ali and Farnaz Kamkar Bahar Bahar Bektur Atabekov Find a Host Upcoming Visitors Meet or Host some of the 671 ...
Iran Homestay
IRAN HOMESTAY - LIVE AS A LOCAL IN IRAN. Enjoy an intimate overnight stay at traditional Iranian villages and eco-lodges where you'll learn Iranian local customs from a host family and enjoy a home-cooked dinner and breakfast. SURFIRAN's Iran homestay tour is a fully authentic experience with no concessions made for tourists to explore ...
Homestay in Iran
2524. 30 nights or more. from USD 30 USD 20 per night. Looking for homestay in Iran? Find and book host families and accommodations for homestay guests and international students in Iran.
24 BEST Hostels in Iran (2024 Insider Guide)
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Iran - Taha Boutique Hotel - Shiraz. The common area outside of Taha Boutique Hotel in Iran. Free breakfast. Sociable garden. Board Games. Free tea, coffee, snacks, and fruit. Lots of backpackers in Iran travel alone but want to make friends and kick back when they reach their hostel.
Ultimate Iran Travel Guide 2023
This is a preferred method for the multitude of backpackers that arrive in Iran on a daily basis. However, to able to fully experience Iran, you should plan to spend somewhere between $100 - 150 per week. This is more than enough money for all your expenses, including entertainment, dining and souvenirs.
25 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran
There's a lot of Customs to Follow. You Need a Visa for Iran. You Need to Dress Appropriately. Females. Males. Have a Head Scarf in Your Carry-On Luggage Before Arrival. Bring a Phrase Book or Have Google Translate on Your Phone. Bring a Lot Of Cash. The Currency Has Two Names.
How to Visit Iran Independently
Tourist Visa in Advance. If you're planning to stay in Iran more than two weeks and don't want to go through the hassle of extending your visa, you need to apply for a tourist visa at an Iranian embassy or consulate. The process takes two or three weeks and grants you a 30 day visa, extendable for up to 90.
Top 28 Iran tour operators & Travel Agencies in 2023
Iran Traveling Center (ITC) Founded in 2000, ITC is a B2B agency focusing on establishing relationships with 3rd party resellers and global agencies. A member of the Iran-Germany Chamber of Commerce, they operate in domestic, incoming, and outgoing markets. They have offices in Tbilisi and Tehran.
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Iran
One of the oldest part of the city, it represent the history of the city. 9. Isfahan Music Museum. 710. Speciality Museums. By jakubmW8246YV. Could not ask for better way to get in touch with local music, played on traditional instruments. 10. Si O Se Pol Bridge.
American Tourist in Iran: Travel Tips
An American Tourist in Iran is Required to Hire a Tour Company. American, Canadian and UK citizens are required by Iranian law to hire a licensed Tour Company for the whole duration of their trip. I recommend booking your tour through Visit Our Iran, the first Iranian Tour Marketplace.Through their web platform, you can find a large variety of private and group tours from dozens of trusted ...
36 Most Beautiful Places in Iran: The Perfect 2-Week Iran Itinerary
11. Persepolis — One of the Most Famous Places in Iran. Located around 60 km (37 miles) northeast of Shiraz is a place of incredible historic value: the UNESCO site of Persepolis, the glorious ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550 - 330 BC) and a great source of pride for Iranians.
This Is How to Travel to Iran
On 29th August 2018, France informed diplomats to postpone all but non-essential travel to Iran after a foiled bomb plot near Paris. The following day, Iran dismissed such restrictions, proving that it is best to stay aware of any sudden changes. Solo Travel in Iran vs Tours in Iran Nationality Restrictions - Americans Traveling to Iran
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This special museum maintains about 271 valuable artworks in different fields of painting, miniature, woodcarving, text tiling and many other fields of arts. Also known as National Arts Museum of Iran, Tehran National Arts Museum. Official website of IRAN travel since 1995. Travel to Iran and Explore old Persia, Iranian hospitality and more.
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After traveling to Iran on Intrepid Travel's 14-day Iran Adventure trip, I shared my experience with many of my friends. Most of them replied with a similar response, "I'd love to go to Iran!" ... As the host to one of the oldest civilizations in history, Iran has no lack of ancient ruins and historical sites. Everywhere you go, you ...
15 Dos and Don'ts for tourists in Iran: Iran Local Laws
If your travel plans hold Iran on the horizon, planning and making reservations aside, getting informed about special rules comes first! Respecting these rules requires modesty of course, but as they are derived from Iran's cultural norms, it means a lot to your host society. Here are the laws all tourists in Iran are supposed to follow.
Tourism In Iran
1 - In 2019, Iran welcomed approximately 9.2 million international tourists, an increase of 52.5% from the previous year. 2 - Tourism revenue in 2019 was estimated to be around $11.8 billion USD, accounting for approximately 2.8% of Iran's GDP.
Tips and how to travel to Iran in 2024
By the way, keep in mind that the Government of Iran tends to block this kind of travel sites, so 1stQuest may not work when you try to connect from Iran. If this is the case, there are 2 possible solutions: Book all your hotels in advance, before traveling to Iran. Get a VPN to access all blocked sites.
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After full day road journey from Chabahar, I was warmly welcomed by my Wonderful Host in Bandar Abbas, the Port City of Iran. Her story and lifestyle is trul...
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Iran in Summer
Temperatures range between 20-30°C (68-86°F), with relatively high rainfall, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats. Undeniably, cities like Tabriz, Ardabil, and Rasht can offer a pleasant summer experience. The central regions, including Tehran, have a moderate climate in the summer.
Iran Travel Guide for Indian Travelers
Most of friendlyiran Indian travelers preferred the level of 3-4-star hotels, these comfortable hotels are very affordable with the current rate of Iran's currency. If you prefer to check the different options in main cities first, here you can see a complete guide on Iran hotels in Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd, Mashahd, and many more ...
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Tourism in Iran provides a range of activities from hiking and skiing in the Alborz and Zagros mountains, to beach holidays by the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea.The Iranian government has made efforts to attract tourists to various destinations in the country. The government website advises visitors to "dress modestly" at all times, which for women means covering head, arms, and legs down ...
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The 24 BEST Hostels in Iran (Find One in 2024)

Quick Answer: What are the Best Hostels in Iran?

The Overall Best Hostel in Iran – Tehran Heritage Hostel – Tehran

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Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Iran – Taha Boutique Hotel – Shiraz

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How to Visit Iran Independently

Introducing #MondaysinIran

Here’s a brief overview of contents

Visa on Arrival

**UPDATE** Iran now offers 30 days Visas on Arrival. Yay!

How to Extend your Visa

Hotels and Guesthouses

Couchsurfing

Between cities

Travel Costs

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35 thoughts on “How to Visit Iran Independently”

Top 28 Iran tour operators & Travel Agencies in 2024 + Description

TAP Persia (TAP)

TAP Editorial Team

Top Iran Attractions

Top Attractions in Iran

What travelers are saying

American Tourist in Iran: Travel Tips

Tips for An American Tourist in Iran

Are Jews allowed in Iran?

Food, Water & Sanitation

Other Practical Information

News of Kidnapping and Imprisonment

Security, Cops and Soldiers

How to Plan your Trip to Iran

UPDATE Iran now offers 30 days Visas on Arrival. Yay!