Planning a trip to Iran? Advice, information, safety: find out everything you need to know before you go!
Fancy a trip to eternal Persia? Long hidden from view, Iran is now revealing itself to the world… This country of 82 million inhabitants is three times the size of France. This makes it the second largest country in the Middle East, after Saudi Arabia. The country’s irresistible beauty is evident in its long list of outstanding monuments, many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the sumptuous domes of Isfahan and Shiraz to the archaeological sites of Persepolis, you’re sure to fall under the spell of this mythical destination with its incredibly well-preserved architectural heritage. You’ll encounter a rich civilization and feel the cultural ferment of a youth eager for change…
A trip to this little-known country, long cut off from the rest of the world, is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience, provided you are well prepared. To anticipate your departure as well as possible and enjoy your stay as it should be, you need to know some information and advice that will be useful to you throughout your trip. Follow us, we’ll tell you all about it!
Do I need a visa to travel to Iran?
The answer is yes! It lasts for one month, will be granted exactly for the dates of your trip, and costs around 75€. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that you apply to the Iranian Embassy in Paris a few weeks in advance, as this can take time.
On the embassy’s website, you’ll find a list of the documents you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa.
Good to know: you can’t get a visa if your passport contains an Israeli visa.
What to wear when traveling in Iran
Photo credit: Unsplash – Hasan Almasi
All women, including foreigners, must cover their heads with a piece of cloth and wear long, loose-fitting clothes in all public places. The headscarf must cover the neck and be worn as soon as you get off the plane in all public spaces. In practice, it can only be removed in the hotel room.
Under no circumstances may legs be bare. However, long skirts, pants, jeans and tracksuits are permitted. Men must wear long pants, shirts or T-shirts: no shorts or tank tops.
Is a trip to Iran risky?
It’s true that Iran is a country located in the middle of a conflict-ridden region, but no, it’s not risky to travel to Iran! Iran raises a lot of preconceived ideas, but it’s a safe country where it’s very pleasant to travel. Of course, you shouldn’t try to travel completely off the beaten track (hiking in isolated areas, camping, hitchhiking…) in this country either, as the Iranian authorities could give you a hard time. But if you stay on the tourist « beaten track », everything will go smoothly. In fact, the Iranian people are known to be very welcoming and curious about visitors who land on their soil.
The one thing to watch out for: driving in the country! Traffic lights, road markings… Nothing is respected. And that can be very dangerous when you’re a pedestrian. So, a word of advice: if you want to cross the road, be very vigilant and follow the locals.
Note also that travel along certain borders is inadvisable (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Turkey) or even formally prohibited (border areas of Iraq and Afghanistan) due to the many millions of mines, not all of which have been located or neutralized.
Sample itinerary for a trip to Iran
As mentioned above, Iran is 3 times the size of France, and distances between points of interest can be very long. So it’s important to plan your trip carefully, and to remember that you can’t see the whole country in just a few weeks!
You can choose between a city/culture or nature holiday, or try to combine the two. Cities not to be missed include Tehran, the capital; Isfahan, the blue city of Persian architectural splendor; Yazd, one of the oldest cities in the world; Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Shiraz, with its magnificent historical heritage.
For something a little more natural, head for expeditions to the Dasht e-lut and Dasht e-Kavir deserts, with visits to the oases.
If you have a little more time and want to combine the two, we recommend Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman, Dasht e-lut Desert and Tehran.
What is the budget for a trip to Iran?
Photo credit: Flickr – youngrobv
Travelling in Iran is neither expensive nor cheap. First of all, it’s good to know that while the official Iranian currency is the rial, Iranians always give you prices in tomans(€1 is worth around 35,000 Iranian rials and 1 toman = 10 rials). As for the rest, it all depends on how you get around and where you sleep, of course!
Some examples of prices in Iran :
– Airfare: 250/300€ return (see the best flight offers on the website of our partner Ulysse)
– Transfer from airport to central Tehran (cab): 800,000 rials (€20).
– Cab (standard fare): 3 / 4 €.
– Night at hotel (standard room, for 2 people): €40/50
– Guesthouse: €12/15
– Couchsurfing: it’s forbidden, but very common in the country. And it’s free!
– Food: 2/3€ on the street, 7/8€ in restaurants
– Excursions: €10/20
Good to know: please note that you won’t be able to use your credit card or cheques in Iranian ATMs. It’s essential to bring cash in foreign currency (euros or dollars) for the duration of your stay, and to change it on the spot. Many retailers accept euros and dollars. And for purchases exceeding around €400, retailers have bank terminals: the account is then debited by a bank outside Iran.
Useful information for a trip to Iran
- Couples
If you’re traveling as a couple, be discreet: don’t touch or kiss in public. Some hotels require couples to be married in order to sleep together… A little tip? Wear a « fake wedding ring » – you won’t be bothered!
- Alcohol
It’s forbidden in Iran! Many locals make their own alcohol. And contraband alcohol can be found on the streets… Now, the authorities are strict and don’t play around with it, so we advise you to take an alcohol-free cure during your trip.
- Internet
Many websites are banned in Iran, such as facebook, twitter, youtube, snapshat… To get around this and stay « connected on your social networks », you can download a VPN that will give you an IP address from a foreign country.
- To get in the mood
To learn more about the country’s history, immerse yourself in Persepolis, a Franco-American-Iranian animated feature directed by Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi… If you’re more into books, the film is based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical comic book!
- To please your loved ones
In Iran, carpets are very beautiful and interesting. Find out beforehand and visit a reputable dealer. If you’re not a connoisseur, it’s best to ask for advice.