Tehran Travel Advice

Travel advisory: read this first

As of June 2026, several Western governments advise against all travel to Iran. The US State Department lists Iran at Level 4 - Do Not Travel (issued 5 December 2025), citing risks including arbitrary detention, civil unrest and terrorism. The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia also advise against travel to the country.

This article is descriptive and practical. It does not constitute a recommendation to travel. Check your own government's current advisory before making any decision, and confirm the situation close to your departure date.

Orientation

Tehran (تهران) is the capital and largest city of Iran. It sits in north-central Iran at the foot of the Alborz mountain range. On clear days, Mount Damavand (over 5,600 m) is visible from the city.

The city's recorded population was 8,693,706 at the 2016 census, with a metropolitan area of roughly 14 million. Tehran's elevation rises from south to north, from approximately 1,100 m in the south to approximately 1,700 m in the north. Air quality and temperature change along this gradient, with cooler, cleaner air in the higher north.

Visa and entry

Most nationalities can apply for an Iranian visa through a registered Iranian travel agency. Holders of US, UK and Canadian passports require a pre-arranged guided tour booked through an authorised agency. Tourists are generally required to stay in registered accommodation.

Iranian visa rules change frequently, with notable updates during September and October 2025. Reconfirm the current policy with an official Iranian source before you travel, and allow time for the agency-based application process. Treat any third-party summary of the rules as a starting point only.

Arrival from the airport

The main international gateway is Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), about 35 km southwest of the city.

Ground options from IKA include:

• Metro. An express branch of Metro Line 1 connects to the airport (approximately 31 km), opened in August 2017. Reports differ on whether the airport metro service runs on a full daily schedule or limited hours, so confirm the timetable locally before relying on it, especially for a late arrival.
• Official airport taxis. Use the official taxi desk rather than informal offers.
• Road. The airport connects to the city via freeway, with access from the Tehran-Qom and Tehran-Saveh routes.

Travel time varies by source and by traffic. Road journeys are commonly cited at roughly 45 to 60 minutes; metro figures are reported inconsistently.

Getting around

Metro

The Tehran Metro opened on 7 March 1999. It now runs 7 active lines with 163 stations over approximately 312.5 km. Station counts and total length vary by source depending on whether suburban lines are included. It is inexpensive, and stations and signage are provided in English. Operating hours are roughly 05:30 to 22:00; Line 1 is noted as running 24 hours.

The first carriage and half of the second carriage at each end of every train are reserved for women.

Buy a rechargeable smart card, which also works on the bus rapid transit network. As of June 2026, the single-ride fare is best confirmed at the station: fares are volatile because of high inflation, and figures quoted online vary widely, so a precise amount is not stated here.

Bus rapid transit (BRT)

Tehran's bus rapid transit network, inaugurated in 2008, uses dedicated lanes and covers routes the metro does not. Pay with the same smart card used on the metro. The number of BRT lines is commonly cited as around 10, but this comes from travel sites rather than an official operator source, so treat it as approximate. As of June 2026, confirm the current fare locally; older published BRT fares are out of date.

Ride-hailing and taxis

Snapp is Iran's main ride-hailing app, founded in 2014. It requires a local SIM card, which is inexpensive and available at the airport, and it offers a cash payment option that works for foreign visitors. Tapsi is an alternative app. These apps set the fare in advance, avoiding the price negotiation involved with street taxis.

Layout

Valiasr Street runs the length of the city from north to south and is a useful orientation line.

Neighbourhoods

Tehran has a strong north-south divide.

• North. The northern districts (such as Tajrish, Niavaran, Elahieh, Darband and Velenjak, in District 1) are affluent, higher in altitude, cooler and have cleaner air.
• South. The southern districts are older and lower-income, and are home to the historic Grand Bazaar.

Major sights to plan around include Golestan Palace, the National Museum, the Grand Bazaar, and the Saadabad and Niavaran complexes.

Money and costs

Foreign payment cards are the key practical point for visitors: Visa, Mastercard and American Express do not work in Iran because of sanctions. Foreign credit and debit cards will not function.

Your options are:

• Cash. Bring USD or EUR in crisp, post-2009 notes, which you exchange locally.
• Tourist prepaid card. Load a prepaid card aimed at visitors (for example, Mah Card) that you top up and use in place of a foreign card.

The official currency is the Iranian rial (IRR), but prices are very often quoted in toman, where 1 toman equals 10 rials. Confirm whether a quoted price is in rials or toman before paying.

The exchange rate is highly volatile; a rate of over 920,000 IRR per USD was reported in early 2025. Any USD-equivalent cost you see should be treated as approximate and time-sensitive. Confirm current rates locally.

Air quality and traffic

Tehran has heavy traffic and air pollution. Pollution is typically worst in winter, around December and January, when the Alborz range traps pollutants over the city. The higher, northern areas generally have cleaner air than the south.

Best time to visit

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons. Spring includes Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, around 21 March. Summers are hot and can exceed 40 C. Mid-winter combines cold with the worst air pollution.

How long to stay

A visit of 1 to 3 days is common. Allow 2 to 3 days to cover the major sights listed above.