Iran Travel Tips

Visa

Iran is visa free for eight countries including Armenia, Malaysia, Bolivia and Turkey. Most tourists need a visa to get there. The basic required information is 2 completed application forms, 1 invitation letter, 3 recent photos (ladies are required to wear headscarves), and 1 passport valid for at least half a year.

Visa on Arrival

Tourists can also use Visa on Arrival if time is tight. They can apply for it at the Visa Section in Isfahan Airport, Kish Airport, Mashhad Airport, Dayrestan Airport, Shiraz Airport, Tabriz Airport, and Imam Khomeini Airport. This kind of visa needs no invitation letter.

E-Visa

Tourists can log in the country’s Foreign Ministry website to fill in the form and will receive the reply after 10 days.

Cost

Living cost in Iran is high. The nut is about 20 USD per kg. A bottle of water in 1.5 L sells at 6 cents or so. Many restaurants charge extra 15% as the tips. Visa, Master Card, Amex, Diners and JCB are not acceptable in most stores except a small number of five-star hotels and stores selling expensive carpets.

Accommodation

Almost all reserved rooms require the email confirmation two or three days before check-in, some even ask for making a phone call or SMS confirmation, otherwise, the reservation may be canceled.

Recommendations:

Golestan Hotel, Teheran
Email: info@gollestanhotel.com
It’s within 20 minutes’ walking distance from the Golestan Palace and the grand bazaar and quite near the subway station. Wifi is accessible.

Niayesh Boutique Hotel, Shiraz
Email: info@niayeshhotels.com
The hotel offers free pick up service at the air port. A traditional Persian courtyard can be found at the hotel.

Food

The most famous dish is kabob. Grilled chicken and khoresht stew are common dishes on dining-tables. The khoresht is a local specialty made from corned mutton and special sauce. Iranians like tea and they usually add sugar candy, hazel nuts, almonds, pistachio and raisins etc.

Recommended Restaurants

Silk Road Hotel Restaurant: located in Yazd and provides Indian and Mediterranean dishes.
Bastani: located in Isfahan with many specialties such as celery mutton stew, plum chicken stew and baked yogurt.

Shopping

The grand bazaar is the most suitable place for tourists to buy handicrafts. The world’s top 10 bazaars are all here and the largest one is the Tabriz Bazaar. Tourists can buy carpets, handicrafts and other souvenirs there.

Festivals

Spring Festival

Spring Festival lasts from January 1st to January 13th on Iranian calendar. During the festival, housewives make traditional food and a rich dinner is had on the New Year’s Eve. On January 13th, the whole family will go for an outing to avoid evils for they believe the 13th day is an ominous day.

Chaharshanbe Suri

Chaharshanbe Suri is the oldest festival there. People will light a bonfire and jump around it to burn out all diseases and disasters and welcome the arrival of the spring.

Socket

The standard voltage is 220 V. The plug is German standard plug (round head).

Network

Internet is popularized that most luxury hotels provide network. Starred hotels usually provide Wifi.
The government has strict control on international network, thus, websites like Facebook and Youtube cannot be accessed.

Phone

Iran’s international code is +0098 and the telecommunication companies include TCI, MCCI and Iran CELL.

Do’s and Don’ts

In general, Iran is a safe country and most local people are friendly to foreign visitors. However, tourists, especially single women, should pay attention not to wandering in the street at night.

Men and women should sit separately on buses. The metro has women-only carriage that men are not permitted to get in.

Iranians do not like to have physical contact with foreigners so it should be avoided when taking photos with local people. It’s a taboo to touch children’s head. The thumb-up gesture should be avoided when expressing agreement. When talking to Iranians, avoid using the index finger to point others.

Women should wear headscarves (even when taking Iranian Airways). Clothes should be loose, opaque and over the haunch with long sleeves. Long wind jacket in dark colors are required on official occasions. Men should not wear vests or shorts to go out.

Alcohol, pork and dog meat are forbidden. Even non-Muslim can't drink or smoke in public at daytime.