Iran Travel Guide

Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran) is a country in Western Asia. Its capital is Tehran and its official language is Persian (Farsi). This guide covers when to go, entry rules, transport, money, health, safety, connectivity, language and etiquette. Several practical details for Iran are volatile or contested; where that is the case, this guide flags it and tells you to confirm locally or on official sources at the time of travel.

Before planning a trip, read the safety section below. As of June 2026, the United States issues a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Iran and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to the country.

When to go

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the best times to visit. Summer (July to August) is very hot, and winter is cold with snow in the northern and western mountains. Iran spans several climate zones, so conditions vary by region.

Nowruz (Persian New Year) begins around 20 March and lasts roughly two weeks. It is the busiest and most expensive travel period, with many businesses and sites closed. To avoid crowds and closures, plan your dates around it.

Visa and entry

The standard tourist visa allows an initial stay of 30 days. It can be extended twice, 30 days each time, up to a maximum of about 90 days.

A visa on arrival (VOA) is available to most nationalities at major international airports, including Tehran (Imam Khomeini International, IKA), Shiraz, Isfahan and Mashhad. It is not available to citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, nor to citizens of several other countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada cannot travel independently in Iran. They must obtain a visa in advance and travel on a pre-arranged guided tour booked through a licensed Iranian agency, accompanied by an approved guide. A lead time of roughly two to three months is advised.

Visa fees vary by nationality and by how the visa is collected. As of June 2026, reported figures range widely, from around 10 euros to roughly 150 euros depending on source and circumstances. Treat any single figure as indicative only and confirm the current fee for your nationality with an authorized agency or official source before you travel.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival (per UK FCDO guidance). Passports showing Israeli stamps or other evidence of crossing Israel's borders may be refused entry.

A travel insurance policy valid for Iran is commonly required, and insurance can be bought at the airport if you have not arranged it in advance. Reports differ on whether it is strictly checked or formally mandatory at the border; no official government page reviewed for this guide states it as a firm legal entry requirement. Note that many standard international policies exclude Iran due to sanctions, so confirm your cover applies before relying on it.

Getting in

By air, Tehran Imam Khomeini International (IKA) is the main intercontinental gateway. International flights also operate from cities such as Mashhad and Shiraz. Common regional connections run via Istanbul (about three hours), Dubai (about two hours) and Muscat, on carriers including Turkish Airlines, Flydubai, Emirates, Oman Air, Mahan Air and Iran Air.

By land, Iran has borders with neighbors including Turkey and Armenia. However, the US and UK governments warn against land border crossings. Border procedures and current open or closed status were not verified against a real-time authoritative source for this guide, so check the current status close to your travel dates before relying on any overland route.

Getting around

For long distances, domestic flights are operated by Iran Air, Mahan Air, Aseman, Zagros and Qeshm Air. Iran also has an extensive and inexpensive train network, including overnight services. Intercity buses run in ordinary and more comfortable VIP classes.

Within cities, use the ride-hailing apps Snapp and Tapsi (also known as Tap30), Iran's equivalents of Uber. They are cheap, reliable in major cities and English-friendly, which avoids negotiating fares with street taxis.

Money and costs

Iran is a cash-only economy for most foreigners. International Visa and Mastercard cards and foreign ATM cards do not work in Iran due to sanctions. Bring sufficient foreign cash for your trip.

Exchange foreign cash at private exchange offices (sarrafi) for the best rate. As an alternative to carrying large amounts of cash, prepaid tourist debit cards such as Mah Card and DaricPay let you load foreign currency for use on local point-of-sale terminals. As of June 2026, load limits are commonly cited around US$5,000, though this comes from card-provider sources and may change, so confirm the current limit before you rely on it.

Iran's official currency is the rial (IRR), but prices are usually quoted in toman, where one toman equals ten rials. Always confirm whether a quoted price is in rial or toman to avoid paying ten times too much. A redenomination to a "new toman" is in progress.

The exchange rate is volatile and the rial reached record lows through 2025, so any single USD/IRR figure dates quickly; check the rate at the time of travel. As a rough guide from traveler-budget sources, and as of June 2026, budget travel runs roughly US$25-75 per day and mid-range travel around US$50-80 per day. These figures fluctuate sharply with high inflation and currency depreciation, so treat them as broad ranges only and confirm current costs locally.

Health and vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for direct travel to Iran. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccines plus Hepatitis A and typhoid for most travelers. There is a malaria risk in parts of the southeast, notably Sistan-Baluchestan, where precautions are advised.

Tap water is generally safe in most cities, but bottled or filtered water is advised in rural areas and some provinces. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended; confirm that any policy is valid for Iran, as many exclude it due to sanctions.

Safety

As of June 2026, the US advisory is Level 4 "Do Not Travel," citing risks of terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and wrongful detention. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. Confirm both advisories on the official US State Department and UK FCDO sites before travel. Consular help is extremely limited because the US and UK have no normal diplomatic presence in the country.

Iran does not recognize dual nationality. Dual nationals, such as US-Iranian or British-Iranian citizens, are treated solely as Iranian citizens and face a heightened risk of detention.

Connectivity

The main mobile operators are Hamrah-e-Aval (MCI) and Irancell. You can buy a SIM card at the airport or at city stores.

Iran applies heavy internet filtering. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many other sites are blocked, so you need a VPN for global internet access. Install a reliable VPN before you arrive, because downloading one inside the country can be difficult. A tourist "unfiltered" SIM initiative was reportedly approved in 2023, but its current real-world availability and reliability for tourists are not clearly confirmed, so assume a VPN is still necessary.

Language basics

Persian (Farsi) is the official language. Useful basics include:

• Hello: salam
• Goodbye: khodahafez
• Thank you: merci or kheyli mamnoon
• You're welcome / please: khahesh mikonam

Understand taarof, the ritual politeness of repeatedly offering something and politely refusing before accepting. It shapes many everyday interactions, including how prices, gifts and hospitality are offered.

Etiquette and dress

A headscarf (hijab) and modest clothing covering the arms and legs remain a legal requirement for women in public. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.

Hijab enforcement has been contested and changing. As of late 2025, Iran's judiciary states that hijab laws remain in force, while a hardline "Hijab and Chastity" law passed in 2024 had not been put into effect. Some travel blogs have claimed women no longer need a headscarf; this is not reliably confirmed, and the legal requirement still stands. Treat a headscarf as legally required for women in public, and confirm the current situation before travel.

Other customs to observe: remove your shoes when entering a home, accept tea and hospitality graciously, bring a small gift when invited, and avoid public displays of affection.