Asia · Southern AsiaUsable guideCountry in West Asia
Photo: Emesik, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Iran (Persian: ایران), formerly Persia, can be considered part of the Middle East or Central Asia; indeed the Persian Empire was the dominant Central Asian power for many centuries. The wellspring of one of the world's great civilizations, Iran is a country of striking natural beauty and gorgeous tiled mosques. Once the centre of a pro-Western monarchy, it became an Islamic Republic in 1979, a modern Islamic theocracy whose laws are based on Ja'fari Shia Islam, and since then, its history has been tumultuous.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Iran.
Cards and cash
Due to western sanctions against Iran, Western credit and debit cards do not work in Iran.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not expected, but locals will generally round up the bill in taxis and add around 10% in restaurants.
Persian (Farsi)
Persian (called fārsi in Persian, فارسی), an Indo-European language, is Iran's national and official language.
Irancell (MTN), MCI, Iran Taliya, and Rightel offer pre-paid SIM cards for international travelers at a very modest cost.
Tap water is safe to drink in most of the country (and especially the cities), although you may find the chalkiness and taste off-putting in some areas (mainly Qom, Yazd, Hormozgan and Boushehr provinces).
Iran has state-of-the-art medical facilities in all its major cities.S.
While you may have heard a lot of negative stories about Iran in the media, Iranians are warm, friendly and generous individuals with a strong interest in foreigners and other cultures.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the vibrant capital and a beautiful city
one of the oldest cities in Iran
a former capital with stunning architecture, great bazaar, and tree-lined boulevards. Most popular tourist destination in the country. There's a Persian saying that "Isfahan is half the world."
this south-eastern city is one of the five historical cities of Iran.
the greatest city of eastern Iran, with an important Shi'a pilgrimage site, the shrine of the Imam Reza
one of the holiest cities in the Middle East, considered the Jewel of Iran
a former capital, home of famous Persian poets such as Hafiz and Sa'di; known for gardens, especially roses. Very close to the famous ruins of Persepolis.
a former capital with a great historical bazaar, now a provincial capital in western Iran; it's been suggested that this is the site of the Biblical "Garden of Eden"
castle of the legendary Assassins.
one of the highest ski resorts in the world, two hours north of Tehran. Great powder snow, cheap prices and few international visitors makes this a great place for a ski holiday.
a free trade zone in the Persian Gulf, it is regarded as a consumer's 'paradise', with numerous malls, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and resort hotels. There is also Iran's first marina on the east side of the island.
Iran's largest and the Persian Gulf's largest island. Qeshm island is famous for its wide range of ecotourist attractions such as the Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5% of the world birds and 25% of Iran's native birds annually migrate to Hara forests which is the first national geo park.
the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire, and home to the tomb of Cyrus the Great.
impressive ruins of a vast city-like complex built over 2,500 years ago, near the modern city of Shiraz. It was set on fire by Alexander the Great and further ruined by Arab invaders. Called TakhteJamshid in Persian, Persepolis is the symbol of Iranian nationality.
200 km north of Ahvaz, was Iran's most ancient city. The Ziggurat of Chughazanbil, Darius the Great's palace, the Jewish prophet Daniel's temple and Artaxerxes II's palace are among the historical sites.
Places in Iran on the World Heritage List.
Bam
Listed 2004
Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Listed 1979
Pasargadae
Listed 2004
Chogha Zanbil
Listed 1979
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Home of the ethnic Baloch minority, and the poorest and most remote province in the country. Serves as Iran's gateway to South Asia.
Allows one the opportunity to experience the Caspian Sea.
The traveller's main entry point. The capital, Tehran is situated here as are many other major cities like Qom and Esfahan.
A great gateway to Central Asia, and home to Iran's holiest city. Many Turkmens and Afghans live here.
Home to many islands. It serves as Iran's main access point to the sea, and the Iranian Navy is headquartered here. Also the centre of Iran's oil and natural gas production.
Situated in the extreme northwest of Iran, this mountainous region serves as the country's access point to the Caucasus. This is also where much of the second largest ethnic group, the Azeris, lives.
Home to the ethnic Kurdish and Arab minorities, it also served as a major battlefront during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.
Public transport and paid services in Iran.
By bus
The Iranian domestic bus network is extensive and thanks to the low cost of fuel, very cheap.
By train
Raja Passenger Trains (Raja website not accessible outside of Iran, link provided is to unofficial version) manages passenger services for the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (IRIR).
By plane
For anyone on a tight deadline, affordable domestic air services are a blessing.
By taxi
Low fuel costs have made inter-city travel by taxi a great value option in Iran.
By car
A large road network and low fuel costs (10,000 rials/L for Iranians in Oct 2017) have historically made Iran an attractive country for exploring with your own car.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Iran.
Finding apps for Iran…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tehran · International · IKA
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Tehran
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 8° | 11° | 17° | 22° | 29° | 35° | 38° | 36° | 32° | 24° | 15° | 10° |
| Avg. low | -2° | 0° | 4° | 9° | 15° | 20° | 23° | 22° | 18° | 12° | 4° | 0° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 33 | 34 | 35 | 38 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 36 | 45 | 35 |
| Humidity | 58% | 55% | 50% | 48% | 38% | 25% | 23% | 23% | 28% | 40% | 54% | 59% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$170
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$455
Per person, per day
Luxury
$1,170
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $80 | $245 | $660 |
| Food and drink | $50 | $120 | $280 |
| Local transport | $20 | $45 | $110 |
| Activities | $20 | $45 | $120 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
Do not travelto Iran due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens, and wrongful detention. Do not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens in Iran should leave immediately. There is no U.S. Embassy in Iran. Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas. U.S. citizens in Iran face serious dangers including terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and wrongful detention. Some U.S. nationals have been held for years on false charges, subjected to torture, and even sentenced to death. No U.S. embassy in Iran The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for United States interests in Iran. The Embassy of Switzerland’s Foreign Interests Section in Tehran is temporarily closed due to the security situation in Iran until further notice. U.S. citizens in Iran in need of help should contact the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland by email at BernACS@state.gov or by phone at +41-31-357-7011. This change reinforces the travel advice to U.S. citizens: Do Not Travel to Iran. For routine consular services, U.S. citizens should visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or return to the United States. Detention, kidnapping, and hostage-taking The U.S. Department of State has determined that U.S. nationals are at serious risk of wrongful detention by the Government of Iran: Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain U.S. nationals without warning or any evidence they committed a…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to the whole country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Iran FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Regional tensions The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 17 June in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, however the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region against US military and civilian infrastructure. There is a risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation in the region. British nationals currently in the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions, and should: read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis” sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts monitor local and international media for the latest information stay away from areas…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Iran.
Culture & historyThe ancient Persian Empire included areas far beyond modern Persia, now called Iran. At times the Persians controlled much of the Middle East — they were a main antagonist of Ancient Greece a few centuries BCE, and…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Trans-Iranian Railway (Persian: راهآهن سراسری ایران) is a railway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Caspian Sea through Iran. In 2021 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesFor modern-day trade in China, see Shopping in China The Silk Road (丝绸之路 sī chóu zhī lù), also known as the Silk Route, is not a single road, but a network of historical trade routes across Asia from China to Europe.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyIslam is one of the world's most important religions, second only to Christianity in number of adherents. Its followers are called Muslims and their houses of worship, mosques.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkWhile the Middle East is vast and diverse, similar culinary traditions can be found across the region. They have been formed by the Mediterranean climate, commercial routes to Europe, Asia and Africa, and the Abrahamic…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsInternet access has become a basic need for many travelers. You may be glad to be free of it for a while, but keeping in contact with family and friends can be cumbersome without it.
Wikivoyage
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