Top 17 Tips for Traveling to Iran and Things to Know

Iran is a very safe place to travel. It is one of the safest countries in the region and many travelers declare that travelling in Iran is much safer than travelling in Europe. Iran is safe for solo travelers and women only travelers as well; however, they are advised not to go to remote places by themselves or avoid walking around late at night.

Iranians honor guests. They believe that tourists are their guests and they should host them in the best way. When you arrive in Iran, you will be welcomed by warm smiles. Though media displays a hostile face of Iranians as people who hate the westerners and other nationalities, Iranians are very friendly and hospitable

Iranians are Persians not Arabs. Since Iranians use the Arabic alphabet, some may think that Iranians are Arabs or they understand the Arabic language, but Iranians are not Arabs and they speak Persian language or Farsi.

Iran has great wildlife, wonderful deserts, deep canyons, and tall waterfalls. Iran is the ultimate backpacking destination and it is among the cheap destinations for travel; therefore, you have the chance to find hostels and guesthouses in the main tourist places and get some help from its kind locals.

The nature, food, architecture, people, and other aspects important in travel will be amazing for children as well.there are not strict dress codes for children and they can freely wear shorts or sleeveless shirts (for girls it is for the ones under the age of 9). There are also public baby changing rooms and you will not be stressed for finding somewhere to change the baby’s diaper.

Since you cannot use your credit cards in Iran, you need to bring enough cash with yourself and change it into rials (IRR) when you reach Iran. Currency in Iran is confusing. Though rial is the official currency, prices are usually mentioned in toman. 10 rials equal 1 toman.

None of the SIM cards from other countries work in Iran, but you are offered Iranian SIM cards that let you contact your family and friends abroad and provide you network to get connected and find access to the information you search for.

Transportation costs in Iran are low for foreign travelers. It is easy, cheap, and comfortable to travel around Iran and enjoy its scenic sceneries and historical treasures. You can travel hundreds of kilometers between major cities of Iran in air-conditioned buses only by paying a few dollars. Rail network is also spread across the country. Flights can also shuttle you from one location to another one with low prices. Within the cities, you can also take advantage of different transport options such as taxis, buses, minibuses, bicycles, and subways- in some major cities.

If you want to make the most out of your travel to Iran, the best time is in spring, from March to late May, and in autumn, from late September to late October. During these months, it is neither too hot nor too cold and you would have the chance to take advantage of both cultural activities and adventurous programs such as trekking, mountain-climbing, and sand boarding. Be aware of Nowruz holidays, however.

In Iran’s everyday life, bazaars have a crucial role. You can find bazaars in every small city and town. Go to bazaars and admire their architecture, go to bazaars and enjoy buying souvenirs.

Iran is diverse in culinary. Persian foods are a mixture of most nutritious ingredients including meat, rice, vegetables, beans, and spices. Kebabs, stews, and different kinds of rice (Chelow and Polo) are among the most famous Persian dishes. In your travel to Iran, taste traditional Persian foods at restaurants or in the locals’ homes.

You can find western toilets in some hotels and restaurants, but the majority of places do not have western toilets. Then, get prepared for squat toilets in Iran that you can find easily everywhere.

Women are supposed to wear headscarves and loose tunics that are usually long enough to cover their thighs and have long sleeves as well. It is also better not to wear tight trousers. Men are also supposed to avoid wearing shorts. Fortunately, the dress codes are not strict and you can soon get used to them.

Drinking alcohol in Iran is forbidden. Sip some other drinks in Iran such as Sharbat e Ablimoo (Lemon Syrup), Sharbat e Khakshir, and Sharbat e Sekanjabin Khiyar

Police officers respect tourists. If you break rules unintentionally, they will inform you of the rules and ask you to be more careful. Apart from dress codes for men and especially for women, as well as the forbiddance of drinking alcohol, other rules or restrictions are not strange for the foreign travelers.

Visitors from approximately 180 countries have the chance to get Iran Visa on Arrival (VOA). It refers to a special class of tourist visa that you can apply for at some major airports in Iran including international airports of Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, and Kish Island.

Iran has 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites one of which is a natural attraction. Apart from the wonderful UNESCO Sites in Iran such as Persepolis in Shiraz or Naqsh-e- Jahan square in Isfahan, there are some top tourist attractions such as Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran or Moghadam Museum in Tehran that you would love to visit. As an adventure lover, do not miss off-the-beaten-path activates as well. Bird watching, mountain biking, canyoneering, safari expedition, and sand boarding are among the exhilarating activities you might love to experience.