Introduction
There's no room for preconceptions if you're packing to visit Iran.'Axis of evil'? Most visitors, after experiencing this friendliest of countries, couldn't agree less. For culture seekers, Iran has magnificent ruins of ancient cities, glorious mosques and mausoleums, and museums so interesting they're bound to leave your feet sore.
The more adventurous can enjoy trekking, budget-priced skiing, or some wicked rock climbing. Travellers with a deep-seated need for a few brews and/or a spot of heartfelt feminist discourse may want to consider another destination, but Iran has a huge amount to offer.
Geography:
The Islamic Republic of Iran is bordered to the north by the states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan (all formerly of the USSR) and the Caspian Sea; to the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; to the south by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf; and to the west by Iraq and Turkey. Iran is about one-fifth the size of the USA and nearly as big as Queensland, Australia. The country is dominated by three mountain ranges: the fertile, volcanic Sabalan and Talesh ranges in the north-west; the very long, Jurassic-era Zagros range, down the western border; and the dominant Alborz range, home of Iran's highest mountain, the permanently snowcapped Damavand (5670m/18600ft), to the north of Tehran. The two great Iranian deserts, the Dasht- é Kavir (more than 200000 sq km/78000 sq mi) and the Dasht- é Lut (more than 166000 sq km/64,740 sq mi), occupy most of the north-east and east of the central plain.
Destination Facts
Capital: Tehran
Supreme Leader (Rahbar): Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenel
President: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Government: Islamic republic
Time zone: GMT +3.5
Area: 1648000
Population: 70000000
People: Persian (Farsis), Azari, Arab, Lors, Turkmen, Kurdish, Armenian, Jewish
Languages: 89% Shi'ite Muslim, 10% Sunni Muslim, 1%Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Baha'i
Currency: Iranian Rial (IR)
Major industries: Oil, gas, agriculture, carpets, armaments
Major Trading Partners: Japan, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Belgium
Daylight Saving: From the weekend after 22 March to about the third weekend of September
Country Dialing Code: 98
Getting There
Generally the best times to visit Iran are mid-April to early June, and late September to early November - these times avoid the long, cold northern winter, the Iranian New Year (late March) and the summer, which can be unpleasantly hot in much of the country. And if the heat doesn't keep you away, take note that prices along the Caspian coast can quadruple during summer whereas great bargains can be found come wintertime. Many people prefer not to visit Iran during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, but apart from most restaurants closing between dawn and dusk, Ramadan is not that bad for travelling.
Getting there and away
There's a vast network of flights between Iran and Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Visitors from the USA or Australasia usually have to fly via Asian or other Middle East hubs. Most flights land in Tehran, either at the older Mehrabad airport, or the new Imam Khomeini International Airport, 35km (22mi) south of the city. You can also fly into Shiraz, Esfahan and Mashhad, usually from other cities in the Middle East. Most tickets have the departure tax built in, though if you buy a ticket inside Iran you might have to pay 30.00 at the airport. Check when you buy. Regular buses and trains link Iran and Turkey, and less frequent buses run to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Travelling overland to Pakistan is simple enough, if not that comfortable, either by public transport or in your own vehicle. However, check the security situation in Pakistan before setting off. Overland travel to Iraq is currently both illegal and stupid - don't do it. Iran has 2410km (1470mi) of coastal boundaries, but there are only a few ways to enter or leave Iran by sea. In the Persian Gulf, there are ferries from Sharjah and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and from Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. It's also possible to travel across the Caspian Sea on an irregular cargo boat between the Azerbaijan capital of Baku and Bandar- é Anzali.
Getting around
Iran has a well developed transport system. All public transport is frequent, reliable, relatively safe and very cheap. But it's worth considering getting airborne for the following reasons: your visa probably won't last long enough for you to use public transport to remote cities; fares are very cheap; the country is vast, and the scenery is often boring; and flights (particularly on Iran Air) are frequent and reliable. If you can't get somewhere in Iran by bus (or minibus), chances are that no one wants to go there. There are lots of different bus companies offering competitive and mostly comfortable services. Transport can be a problem for about 10 days before, and especially after No Ruz, the chaotic Iranian New Year, which starts on or about 21 March. Road travel can be interrupted by roadblocks at any time of year, most frequently on either side of a main city, but occasionally dotted through remote areas near the Pakistan and Afghanistan borders. Foreigners are rarely hassled at roadblocks - the worst that will happen is that you'll have to show your passport and endure a delay. Trains are fairly efficient, reasonably fast and certainly cheap, but they're often not as convenient as buses, although they are safer and more comfortable (especially for overnight trips). The most exciting trips are between Tehran and Tabriz (for the scenery and excellent service) and between Tehran and Gorgan (for the number of tunnels and the scenery). The great Trans-Iranian Railway, built in the 1930s to connect the Caspian Sea at Bandar- é Torkaman with the Persian Gulf at Bandar- é Imam Khomeini is one of the great engineering achievements of the 20th century. Driving your own vehicle is a gutsy call. The distances are long, the traffic is appalling and it's hard to find secure parking. To all appearances, there are no road rules. The upside of driving is that the road surfaces are generally excellent and petrol is ridiculously cheap. Shared taxis are a better option between major towns. A seat costs about three times as much as a deluxe bus, but can be worth it if you want to hurry through a dull stretch of countryside.
Visa:
Everyone needs a visa to visit Iran, and unless you have a Turkish passport, it's going to be a hassle. The regulations are baffling, the costs often high. The best advice is to apply for a tourist visa at least six weeks before you leave home - more if you're British or American. You may want to consider paying an online agent to do it for you. The good news is that once you're in you're in - getting an extension inside Iran is often easier than getting any sort of visa outside the country. Admission is refused to holders of passports containing a visa (valid or expired) for Israel.
Weather
The seasons are clearly differentiated. Spring starts in March and is initially cold and windy, later becoming pleasantly warm and often sunny. Spring and autumn are easily the best times to come, and if you come in spring you avoid having countless Iranians tell you: 'Oh, but you must come back in the spring, it's beautiful.' Summer, which begins in June, is predominantly warm but hot at times, with plenty of sunshine interlaced with heavy rains. July is the hottest month, with temperatures ranging between 35 and 45° C (95-113° F). Autumn comes in September and is at first warm and usually sunny, turning cold, damp and foggy in November. Winter lasts from December until March and can include substantial snowfall, depending on how the weather is feeling and where you are. January and February can be bitterly cold, with temperatures often below -15° C (5° F) or -20° C (-4° F), though the days are often pleasantly mild, particularly in the south.
Warning
Potentially perilous areas in Iran include the western border with Iraq and the eastern border regions with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Overland travel to Iraq is not recommended unless you have a death wish. Travellers should avoid rallies and demonstrations, particularly in Tehran, as they have the potential to become violent. Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings.
There's no room for preconceptions if you're packing to visit Iran.'Axis of evil'? Most visitors, after experiencing this friendliest of countries, couldn't agree less. For culture seekers, Iran has magnificent ruins of ancient cities, glorious mosques and mausoleums, and museums so interesting they're bound to leave your feet sore.
The more adventurous can enjoy trekking, budget-priced skiing, or some wicked rock climbing. Travellers with a deep-seated need for a few brews and/or a spot of heartfelt feminist discourse may want to consider another destination, but Iran has a huge amount to offer.
Geography:
The Islamic Republic of Iran is bordered to the north by the states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan (all formerly of the USSR) and the Caspian Sea; to the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; to the south by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf; and to the west by Iraq and Turkey. Iran is about one-fifth the size of the USA and nearly as big as Queensland, Australia. The country is dominated by three mountain ranges: the fertile, volcanic Sabalan and Talesh ranges in the north-west; the very long, Jurassic-era Zagros range, down the western border; and the dominant Alborz range, home of Iran's highest mountain, the permanently snowcapped Damavand (5670m/18600ft), to the north of Tehran. The two great Iranian deserts, the Dasht- é Kavir (more than 200000 sq km/78000 sq mi) and the Dasht- é Lut (more than 166000 sq km/64,740 sq mi), occupy most of the north-east and east of the central plain.
Destination Facts
Capital: Tehran
Supreme Leader (Rahbar): Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenel
President: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Government: Islamic republic
Time zone: GMT +3.5
Area: 1648000
Population: 70000000
People: Persian (Farsis), Azari, Arab, Lors, Turkmen, Kurdish, Armenian, Jewish
Languages: 89% Shi'ite Muslim, 10% Sunni Muslim, 1%Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Baha'i
Currency: Iranian Rial (IR)
Major industries: Oil, gas, agriculture, carpets, armaments
Major Trading Partners: Japan, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Belgium
Daylight Saving: From the weekend after 22 March to about the third weekend of September
Country Dialing Code: 98
Getting There
Generally the best times to visit Iran are mid-April to early June, and late September to early November - these times avoid the long, cold northern winter, the Iranian New Year (late March) and the summer, which can be unpleasantly hot in much of the country. And if the heat doesn't keep you away, take note that prices along the Caspian coast can quadruple during summer whereas great bargains can be found come wintertime. Many people prefer not to visit Iran during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, but apart from most restaurants closing between dawn and dusk, Ramadan is not that bad for travelling.
Getting there and away
There's a vast network of flights between Iran and Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Visitors from the USA or Australasia usually have to fly via Asian or other Middle East hubs. Most flights land in Tehran, either at the older Mehrabad airport, or the new Imam Khomeini International Airport, 35km (22mi) south of the city. You can also fly into Shiraz, Esfahan and Mashhad, usually from other cities in the Middle East. Most tickets have the departure tax built in, though if you buy a ticket inside Iran you might have to pay 30.00 at the airport. Check when you buy. Regular buses and trains link Iran and Turkey, and less frequent buses run to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Travelling overland to Pakistan is simple enough, if not that comfortable, either by public transport or in your own vehicle. However, check the security situation in Pakistan before setting off. Overland travel to Iraq is currently both illegal and stupid - don't do it. Iran has 2410km (1470mi) of coastal boundaries, but there are only a few ways to enter or leave Iran by sea. In the Persian Gulf, there are ferries from Sharjah and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and from Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. It's also possible to travel across the Caspian Sea on an irregular cargo boat between the Azerbaijan capital of Baku and Bandar- é Anzali.
Getting around
Iran has a well developed transport system. All public transport is frequent, reliable, relatively safe and very cheap. But it's worth considering getting airborne for the following reasons: your visa probably won't last long enough for you to use public transport to remote cities; fares are very cheap; the country is vast, and the scenery is often boring; and flights (particularly on Iran Air) are frequent and reliable. If you can't get somewhere in Iran by bus (or minibus), chances are that no one wants to go there. There are lots of different bus companies offering competitive and mostly comfortable services. Transport can be a problem for about 10 days before, and especially after No Ruz, the chaotic Iranian New Year, which starts on or about 21 March. Road travel can be interrupted by roadblocks at any time of year, most frequently on either side of a main city, but occasionally dotted through remote areas near the Pakistan and Afghanistan borders. Foreigners are rarely hassled at roadblocks - the worst that will happen is that you'll have to show your passport and endure a delay. Trains are fairly efficient, reasonably fast and certainly cheap, but they're often not as convenient as buses, although they are safer and more comfortable (especially for overnight trips). The most exciting trips are between Tehran and Tabriz (for the scenery and excellent service) and between Tehran and Gorgan (for the number of tunnels and the scenery). The great Trans-Iranian Railway, built in the 1930s to connect the Caspian Sea at Bandar- é Torkaman with the Persian Gulf at Bandar- é Imam Khomeini is one of the great engineering achievements of the 20th century. Driving your own vehicle is a gutsy call. The distances are long, the traffic is appalling and it's hard to find secure parking. To all appearances, there are no road rules. The upside of driving is that the road surfaces are generally excellent and petrol is ridiculously cheap. Shared taxis are a better option between major towns. A seat costs about three times as much as a deluxe bus, but can be worth it if you want to hurry through a dull stretch of countryside.
Visa:
Everyone needs a visa to visit Iran, and unless you have a Turkish passport, it's going to be a hassle. The regulations are baffling, the costs often high. The best advice is to apply for a tourist visa at least six weeks before you leave home - more if you're British or American. You may want to consider paying an online agent to do it for you. The good news is that once you're in you're in - getting an extension inside Iran is often easier than getting any sort of visa outside the country. Admission is refused to holders of passports containing a visa (valid or expired) for Israel.
Weather
The seasons are clearly differentiated. Spring starts in March and is initially cold and windy, later becoming pleasantly warm and often sunny. Spring and autumn are easily the best times to come, and if you come in spring you avoid having countless Iranians tell you: 'Oh, but you must come back in the spring, it's beautiful.' Summer, which begins in June, is predominantly warm but hot at times, with plenty of sunshine interlaced with heavy rains. July is the hottest month, with temperatures ranging between 35 and 45° C (95-113° F). Autumn comes in September and is at first warm and usually sunny, turning cold, damp and foggy in November. Winter lasts from December until March and can include substantial snowfall, depending on how the weather is feeling and where you are. January and February can be bitterly cold, with temperatures often below -15° C (5° F) or -20° C (-4° F), though the days are often pleasantly mild, particularly in the south.
Warning
Potentially perilous areas in Iran include the western border with Iraq and the eastern border regions with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Overland travel to Iraq is not recommended unless you have a death wish. Travellers should avoid rallies and demonstrations, particularly in Tehran, as they have the potential to become violent. Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings.
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