Travel GuideIran
First-Timer's Guide to Iran
Leila Hosseini
Iran Correspondent
May 6, 2026 3 min
Don't miss
- Bring clean cash
- Learn a few Persian words
- Don't over-plan distances
Iran is far easier — and far kinder — than the headlines suggest. A few practicalities go a long way.
Money
International cards do not work. Bring clean cash (euros or dollars) and exchange it for rial; expect to become a casual millionaire.
Dress & etiquette
Women cover their hair loosely; everyone dresses modestly. Learn 'salam' and 'merci' and accept the tea — refusing hospitality is the only real faux pas.
Getting around
Domestic flights are cheap; VIP buses are superb; the trains are a joy. Distances are large — don't try to do everything.
On the map
Iran
About the writer
Leila writes about the deserts, bazaars and poetry of the Iranian plateau, tracing the old caravan routes from Yazd to the Caspian.
